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SAN · San Diego, CA · Large Hub

San Diego International Airport Guide

Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for San Diego International Airport (SAN), sourced from the airport or the operator that runs each service, with minimums from OAG data.

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On this page
  1. Map
  2. Terminals & connections
  3. Layover helper
  4. Security & TSA
  5. Lounges
  6. Amenities
  7. Ground transport
  8. Parking
  9. Can I leave?
  10. FAQ

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 2 terminals
  • Minimum connection time: 30 min domestic, 1 hr 30 min international to domestic
  • Arrive: 2 hr before domestic, 3 hr before international (airport's advice)
  • To San Diego: about 15 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes

Map

Open in OpenStreetMap

Terminals & connections

San Diego International Airport has 2 terminals. Transfer system: Free SAN shuttle bus between T1 and T2 (landside). T1 and T2 are linked by shuttle; re-security required.

Terminal 1

7 airlines: Air Canada, Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and more

New Terminal 1 (opened September 2025). Southwest is the largest carrier; Air Canada and WestJet moved here on January 14, 2026.

Terminal 2 (East/West)

10 airlines: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Copa Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, and more

T2 East: Alaska and American. T2 West: international carriers plus Delta, Hawaiian and United. Each side has its own checkpoint.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
30 min
Domestic to international
1 hr
International to domestic
1 hr 30 min
International to international
1 hr 30 min
Transfer system
Free SAN shuttle bus between T1 and T2 (landside)
Airside connected
Not published
Check your connection time at SAN

Layover helper

Find how long to plan for a connection at SAN: the official minimum connection time, plus a comfortable time of 30 minutes more, or 60 more when you clear customs or go through security again after a terminal change. Adjust trip type, terminal change, and checked-bag assumptions to match your itinerary.

Minimum connection at SAN

30min

Comfortable

60+ min

The shortest connection airlines usually sell here. Includes the walk between gates. Source: OAG

Comfortable is our guidance, not a rule.

Based on:
Connection times are estimates. Verify with your airline.Powered by Travel VientTerms

Writing about SAN? Embed this connection time calculator on your site

Security & TSA

Security waits at SAN vary by time of day and checkpoint. San Diego International Airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight.

TSA PreCheck
Available
CLEAR
Available
Global Entry
Available

Lounges

1 notable lounge at SAN, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.

USO SAN

Terminal 2 West

Military

Access: Military ID

Amenities: Quiet room

Amenities

4 of 7 core amenities available at SAN: free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 1 terminal.

Showers

Not available

Sleep pods

Not available

WiFi

Free (good)

Nursing rooms

Available

Both terminals

Chapel

Available

Terminal 2

Pet relief areas

Available

Pet relief areas

Dining highlights

Terminal 2: Stone Brewing, Phil's BBQ

Ground transport to San Diego

SAN is about 15 min from downtown San Diego by the fastest transit option.

OptionCostTime
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare
Downtown is 3 miles away.
VariesVaries
MTS Route 992
Bus
To downtown/Santa Fe Depot.
$3about 15 min

Parking

SAN on-airport parking runs $40 to $60 per day depending on the lot. Official SAN parking is the Terminal 1 & 2 Parking Plazas only: $2.50 per 15 min, $40/day max (the T2 plaza serves both short and long stays). Valet $60/day; Cell Phone Lot free. SAN no longer operates a separate economy or long-term lot.

Short-term
$40/day
Long-term
Varies
Economy
Not published
Valet
$60/day

Can I leave SAN during a layover?

Yes, SAN is close enough to San Diego that a 3-hour layover is workable. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of San Diego. Round-trip to the city center is about 30 min plus re-screening on return.

SAN is one of the closest major airports to its downtown. 3+ hour layovers can easily do the Gaslamp Quarter or Embarcadero.

Overnight layover hotels

  • Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
    5-min shuttle
    $$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at SAN?

San Diego International Airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint, so add buffer at busy times.

What is the minimum connection time at SAN?

SAN requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 90 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. Transfer system: Free SAN shuttle bus between T1 and T2 (landside).

How long does it take to get between terminals at SAN?

We have no officially published terminal-to-terminal transfer time for SAN, so plan around the minimum connection time and add time for the terminal change.

Can I leave SAN during a 3-hour layover?

Yes, SAN is close enough to San Diego that 3-hour layovers are workable. Round-trip to the city center is about 30 minutes plus re-screening. SAN is one of the closest major airports to its downtown. 3+ hour layovers can easily do the Gaslamp Quarter or Embarcadero.

Does SAN have showers?

SAN does not have dedicated public showers. Paid lounge access is typically required for shower facilities.

Does SAN have sleep pods?

SAN does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.

Is WiFi free at SAN?

Yes. SAN offers free WiFi throughout the airport.

What is the cheapest way to get from SAN to San Diego?

The cheapest option is typically MTS Route 992 at $3, taking about 15 minutes. To downtown/Santa Fe Depot.

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at SAN?

SAN supports TSA PreCheck and has CLEAR lanes. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint.

Where should I eat at SAN during a layover?

Notable dining at SAN includes Stone Brewing (Terminal 2), Phil's BBQ (Terminal 2).

How much does parking cost at SAN?

SAN parking rates: $40/day short-term, $60/day valet. Official SAN parking is the Terminal 1 & 2 Parking Plazas only: $2.50 per 15 min, $40/day max (the T2 plaza serves both short and long stays). Valet $60/day; Cell Phone Lot free. SAN no longer operates a separate economy or long-term lot.

Is there a hotel at SAN for overnight layovers?

The closest option is Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina (5-min shuttle, $$). Budget time for the shuttle or rideshare in your overnight plan.

Which terminal does my airline use at SAN?

SAN has 2 terminals. Major airline assignments: Terminal 1: Air Canada, Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines; Terminal 2 (East/West): Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways. Confirm with your boarding pass before arrival since a few airlines operate from multiple terminals depending on route.

Are there pet relief areas at SAN?

Yes. Pet relief areas.

Can I cruise from San Diego?

Yes. Cruise ports within 100 miles of SAN: Port of Long Beach (91 mi). See our cruise port guides for sailing lines, parking, and embarkation details.

Is there a chapel or prayer room at SAN?

Yes. Terminal 2.

Compare SAN to other airports

See how SAN ranks against the other 111 airports in our dataset.

Best for layoversSAN ranks well for quick layoversWith sleep podsSee which airports offer capsule hotels and nap roomsShortest MCTSAN dom-to-dom: 30 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 30 min

More on San Diego and SAN

Go deeper on connecting through SAN and on visiting San Diego.

Airlines operating at SAN

Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of SAN.

Pack for your San Diego trip

Destination packing lists for cities served by SAN.

Cruise ports near SAN

Cruise terminals within 100 miles of San Diego International Airport.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Connection times, security, ground transport and parking verified Oct 2026 against the sources above. Amenities, lounges and nearby hotels without a listed source are not yet verified. Always confirm with San Diego International Airport before flying.

If a figure looks wrong, email hello@vient.org, see how we handle corrections, or browse past fixes in our public changelog.