SAN DIEGO — With nearly 113 million Americans expected to travel during the holiday season, the San Diego International Airport (SAN) wants those who will be traveling to be prepared before they arrive at the airport.
Holiday travel starting this week is projected to be the biggest it has been in about three years.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) forecasts numbers shy of pre-pandemic levels. That's a lot of people on the roads, at airports, and a lot of stress.
For information on real-time canceled or delayed airline flights, click here.
Due to the New T1 project, much of the airport’s campus is under construction. So SAN is offering some helpful travel tips to get you to your destination safely:
Plan ahead and arrive early when traveling to the airport:
- Don’t cut it close―Plan to arrive two hours before flight departures for domestic and international flights.
- Due to construction, passengers should expect increased traffic and changes to airport roadways. Times in which the traveling public will see the most congestion include 4 a.m. to 6:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
- According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), peak screening hours at the checkpoints are typically between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Passengers could see extended wait times of up to an hour.
- If returning a vehicle to the Rental Car Center, allow additional travel time. Free shuttle buses run 24 hours daily between the Rental Car Center and airport terminals.
- Check where the airlines are located—Terminal 1 or Terminal 2.
Parking is limited, and reservations are strongly recommended
- The Terminal 1 Parking Lot is permanently closed. As a result, on-airport parking is limited to the Terminal 2 Parking Plaza or Curbside Valet at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2.
- It is strongly recommended passengers reserve parking at Terminal 2 Parking Plaza or Curbside Valet as much in advance as possible at san.org/parking.
- The Terminal Loop Shuttle efficiently transports passengers between both terminals. Curbside pick-up is available every 10 minutes.
There are more ways than ever to get to the airport using public transit:
- Take the COASTER to the Santa Fe Depot train station in Downtown San Diego or the MTS Trolley to Old Town Station.
- MTS’s Route 992 stops at Terminals 1 and 2 and operates between 5 a.m. and midnight, every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends and holidays.
- Try the free San Diego Flyer, a convenient electric shuttle connecting the Old Town Transit Center and the airport.
Let someone else do the driving:
- Taxi, Lyft, Uber, shuttles, or other airport-permitted commercial transportation options are great ways to get to and from SAN. Please note a new, temporary, ground-level crosswalk with a traffic light and crossing signal replaced the bridge to connect pedestrians from Terminal 1 to the Terminal 1 ground transportation island.
- Have friends or family provide rides.
Picking Someone Up? Use the Cell Phone Lot:
- Utilizing the Cell Phone Lot at the Terminal 2 West Parking Lot on McCain Road is a great way to avoid circling the airport and further congesting terminal roadways. The Cell Phone Lot is free and a convenient place to wait for arriving passengers. To get back to Baggage Claim to pick up passengers, follow detour signage to Terminal 1 or Terminal 2.
Once at the airport, sit back, shop, dine, and relax!
- Shops and restaurants inside the terminals are open to provide travel necessities, meals, snacks, and more. However, availability and hours may vary. Visit san.org/Shop-Dine-Relax for hours and locations.
- Recharge or relax before flights at airline lounges or day spas. Visit san.org/Shop-Dine-Relax for hours and locations.
- SAN has options for every passenger, including eco-friendly and sustainable stores and food.
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