SANKSANNormal

San Diego International Airport

San Diego, United States · North America

Solid mid-tier US airport with excellent local food and cheap transit but single-runway constraints and no inter-terminal airside link create occasional friction.

Airportist Score

7.3/ 10

Editorial 0–10 from comfort, navigation, food, transport, and disruption resilience — not a Google rating.

Passengers

25M+

Average security

20 min

Nearby airports

Passenger airports within about 150 km.

All airports

SANKSANNormal22°C / 72°F

San Diego International Airport

San Diego, United States · North America

Solid mid-tier US airport with excellent local food and cheap transit but single-runway constraints and no inter-terminal airside link create occasional friction.

Airportist Score

7.3/ 10

Editorial 0–10 from comfort, navigation, food, transport, and disruption resilience — not a Google rating.

Passengers

25M+

Average security

20 min

SANGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for SAN.

Updated Sep 3, 2026

Two terminals (T1 domestic-heavy, T2 with all lounges and international arrivals)
Busiest single-runway airport in the US
Major airlines: Southwest (T1), Alaska, Delta, United, American (T2)
MTS Route 992 adult fare $2.50 to downtown (~15 min)
Parking plazas $3/15 min, $40/day max (valet $60/day)
No airside connection between terminals

5 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.2

Navigation6.8

Food7.8

Transport8.1

Disruption resilience6.9

Key Stats

Annual passengers

25M+

Terminals

2 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

20 min

Best For

Local food sceneQuick downtown accessTSA PreCheck efficiency

Watch Out For

Single runway weather delaysNo airside T1-T2 connectionPeak morning/evening security surges

12 photos

San Diego International Airport ( IATA : SAN, ICAO : KSAN) Terminal 2 in San Diego , California . View of the arrival level from the departure level looking northeast.

Corridor within Terminal 2 of San Diego International Airport in San Diego, San Diego County, California

San Diego International Airport Terminal 2

Arrivals area outside San Diego International Airport

Embraer 175 registration N176SY operated by SkyWest Airlines for Alaska Airlines at San Diego International Airport

Boeing 737-700, registration N932WN, operated by Southwest Airlines on takeoff run at San Diego International Airport

Bombardier Challenger 604, registration XA-MGM, begins its take off roll at San Diego International Airport

Boeing 737-9 N831DN operated by Delta Airlines waiting on taxiway at San Diego International Airport before takeoff.

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Arrive 2 hours early for domestic

Peak security lines hit 30-45 min 7-9am and 3-6pm.

PreCheck and CLEAR cut waits dramatically; T2 East CLEAR runs 4am-7:30pm.

Terminal

All lounges in T2 only

T1 has no lounges or international arrivals facility.

Post-security transfer between T1 and T2 requires re-clearing security.

Food

Prioritize Terminal 2 local spots

Chase Sapphire and Aspire both feature Oscar's Mexican Seafood and Groundwork Coffee.

T1 has solid grab-and-go but fewer standout local options.

Status

Single runway means weather sensitivity

Fog or wind can cascade delays quickly.

Check FAA/BTS on-time stats before peak summer travel.

Nearby airports

Passenger airports within about 150 km.

SANGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for SAN.

Updated Sep 3, 2026

Two terminals (T1 domestic-heavy, T2 with all lounges and international arrivals)
Busiest single-runway airport in the US
Major airlines: Southwest (T1), Alaska, Delta, United, American (T2)
MTS Route 992 adult fare $2.50 to downtown (~15 min)
Parking plazas $3/15 min, $40/day max (valet $60/day)
No airside connection between terminals

5 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.2

Navigation6.8

Food7.8

Transport8.1

Disruption resilience6.9

Key Stats

Annual passengers

25M+

Terminals

2 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

20 min

Best For

Local food sceneQuick downtown accessTSA PreCheck efficiency

Watch Out For

Single runway weather delaysNo airside T1-T2 connectionPeak morning/evening security surges

SANGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for SAN.

Updated Sep 3, 2026

Two terminals (T1 domestic-heavy, T2 with all lounges and international arrivals)
Busiest single-runway airport in the US
Major airlines: Southwest (T1), Alaska, Delta, United, American (T2)
MTS Route 992 adult fare $2.50 to downtown (~15 min)
Parking plazas $3/15 min, $40/day max (valet $60/day)
No airside connection between terminals

5 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.2

Navigation6.8

Food7.8

Transport8.1

Disruption resilience6.9

Key Stats

Annual passengers

25M+

Terminals

2 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

20 min

Best For

Local food sceneQuick downtown accessTSA PreCheck efficiency

Watch Out For

Single runway weather delaysNo airside T1-T2 connectionPeak morning/evening security surges

SANGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

MyTSA

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 03:19 PDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 6, 10:21 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for SAN.

Updated Sep 3, 2026

Two terminals (T1 domestic-heavy, T2 with all lounges and international arrivals)
Busiest single-runway airport in the US
Major airlines: Southwest (T1), Alaska, Delta, United, American (T2)
MTS Route 992 adult fare $2.50 to downtown (~15 min)
Parking plazas $3/15 min, $40/day max (valet $60/day)
No airside connection between terminals

5 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.2

Navigation6.8

Food7.8

Transport8.1

Disruption resilience6.9

Key Stats

Annual passengers

25M+

Terminals

2 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

20 min

Best For

Local food sceneQuick downtown accessTSA PreCheck efficiency

Watch Out For

Single runway weather delaysNo airside T1-T2 connectionPeak morning/evening security surges

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Arrive 2 hours early for domestic

Peak security lines hit 30-45 min 7-9am and 3-6pm.

PreCheck and CLEAR cut waits dramatically; T2 East CLEAR runs 4am-7:30pm.

Terminal

All lounges in T2 only

T1 has no lounges or international arrivals facility.

Post-security transfer between T1 and T2 requires re-clearing security.

Food

Prioritize Terminal 2 local spots

Chase Sapphire and Aspire both feature Oscar's Mexican Seafood and Groundwork Coffee.

T1 has solid grab-and-go but fewer standout local options.

Status

Single runway means weather sensitivity

Fog or wind can cascade delays quickly.

Check FAA/BTS on-time stats before peak summer travel.

SANGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for SAN.

Updated Sep 3, 2026

Two terminals (T1 domestic-heavy, T2 with all lounges and international arrivals)
Busiest single-runway airport in the US
Major airlines: Southwest (T1), Alaska, Delta, United, American (T2)
MTS Route 992 adult fare $2.50 to downtown (~15 min)
Parking plazas $3/15 min, $40/day max (valet $60/day)
No airside connection between terminals

5 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.2

Navigation6.8

Food7.8

Transport8.1

Disruption resilience6.9

Key Stats

Annual passengers

25M+

Terminals

2 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

20 min

Best For

Local food sceneQuick downtown accessTSA PreCheck efficiency

Watch Out For

Single runway weather delaysNo airside T1-T2 connectionPeak morning/evening security surges

SANGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

MyTSA

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 03:19 PDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 6, 10:21 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for SAN.

Updated Sep 3, 2026

Two terminals (T1 domestic-heavy, T2 with all lounges and international arrivals)
Busiest single-runway airport in the US
Major airlines: Southwest (T1), Alaska, Delta, United, American (T2)
MTS Route 992 adult fare $2.50 to downtown (~15 min)
Parking plazas $3/15 min, $40/day max (valet $60/day)
No airside connection between terminals

5 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.2

Navigation6.8

Food7.8

Transport8.1

Disruption resilience6.9

Key Stats

Annual passengers

25M+

Terminals

2 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

20 min

Best For

Local food sceneQuick downtown accessTSA PreCheck efficiency

Watch Out For

Single runway weather delaysNo airside T1-T2 connectionPeak morning/evening security surges

SANGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

MyTSA

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 03:19 PDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 6, 10:21 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for SAN.

Updated Sep 3, 2026

Two terminals (T1 domestic-heavy, T2 with all lounges and international arrivals)
Busiest single-runway airport in the US
Major airlines: Southwest (T1), Alaska, Delta, United, American (T2)
MTS Route 992 adult fare $2.50 to downtown (~15 min)
Parking plazas $3/15 min, $40/day max (valet $60/day)
No airside connection between terminals

5 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.2

Navigation6.8

Food7.8

Transport8.1

Disruption resilience6.9

Key Stats

Annual passengers

25M+

Terminals

2 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

20 min

Best For

Local food sceneQuick downtown accessTSA PreCheck efficiency

Watch Out For

Single runway weather delaysNo airside T1-T2 connectionPeak morning/evening security surges

SANGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

MyTSA

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 03:19 PDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 6, 10:21 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for SAN.

Updated Sep 3, 2026

Two terminals (T1 domestic-heavy, T2 with all lounges and international arrivals)
Busiest single-runway airport in the US
Major airlines: Southwest (T1), Alaska, Delta, United, American (T2)
MTS Route 992 adult fare $2.50 to downtown (~15 min)
Parking plazas $3/15 min, $40/day max (valet $60/day)
No airside connection between terminals

5 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.2

Navigation6.8

Food7.8

Transport8.1

Disruption resilience6.9

Key Stats

Annual passengers

25M+

Terminals

2 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

20 min

Best For

Local food sceneQuick downtown accessTSA PreCheck efficiency

Watch Out For

Single runway weather delaysNo airside T1-T2 connectionPeak morning/evening security surges