San Diego International Airport (SAN) — Terminals, Lounges & Travel Tips
San Diego, CA, United States · SAN
Terminal Guide
| Terminal | Airlines |
|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Southwest, Spirit, Frontier, Alaska regional |
| Terminal 2 (East & West) | American, Delta, United, Alaska, British Airways, Japan Airlines, Volaris |
Getting There — Ground Transportation
- MTS Bus Route 992: The Flyer (Route 992) runs every 15 min to the Old Town Transit Center (SDMTS trolley) for $2.50. Connects to downtown in ~20 min total.
- Rideshare: Uber/Lyft from the Cell Phone Lot across from each terminal — one of the closest off-airport pickup areas in the US.
- Taxi: Downtown San Diego is just 3 miles away — a taxi costs $12–18.
- Car Rental: On-airport rental facility accessible from both terminals.
Airport Lounge Directory
| Lounge | Location | Access |
|---|---|---|
| American Admirals Club | Terminal 2 | Admirals Club membership, Citi AAdvantage Executive card |
| Delta Sky Club | Terminal 2 | Delta Sky Club membership, Amex Platinum/Reserve (limited visits) |
| The Lounge SAN | Terminal 2 | Priority Pass, LoungeBuddy |
Pro Tips for SAN Travelers
- With only one runway, SAN operates extremely efficiently despite high traffic — punctuality is among the best of any US major.
- Downtown San Diego is just a few miles away — you can often see the city skyline on final approach.
- The single runway limits how quickly delays can be cleared; bad weather days (rare in San Diego) cause outsized disruptions.
- Marine Layer fog (May Gray, June Gloom) can delay early-morning arrivals in spring — book mid-morning if fog is a concern.
- Departures over Mission Bay give stunning views; grab a window seat on the left side heading north.
- Parking at the airport is limited and expensive; the Harbor Drive off-site lots are a better value.
- Terminal 2 West has been renovated and is the better-equipped of the two sides — check your gate assignment.
Know Before You Land — SAN Checklist
Review these before your flight so you hit the ground running at San Diego.
- Confirm which terminal your airline uses — San Diego International Airport has 2 terminals and inter-terminal transfers may take 15–30 minutes.
- No direct rail link — rideshare is the most flexible option. Uber/Lyft from the Cell Phone Lot across from each terminal — one of the closest off-airport pickup areas in the US.
- Renting a car? On-airport rental facility accessible from both terminals.
- Priority Pass accepted at The Lounge SAN — verify your card's visit policy before traveling.
- Amex Platinum/Centurion holders: Delta Sky Club (Terminal 2).
- Alaska Airlines hub: expect higher flight frequency and stronger upgrade/standby availability for Alaska Airlines elite members.
- Parking at the airport is limited and expensive; the Harbor Drive off-site lots are a better value.