---
iata: SAN
name: San Diego International Airport
city: San Diego
country: United States
lastUpdated: '2026-09-03'
officialWebsite: 'https://www.san.org/'
sources:
  - 'https://www.san.org/'
  - 'https://www.san.org/before-you-go-travel-tips/parking-information/'
  - 'https://www.san.org/before-you-go-travel-tips/public-transportation/'
  - 'https://www.sdmts.com/getting-around/airport'
  - 'https://www.sdmts.com/fares/fare-chart'
quickFacts:
  - >-
    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
bentoTips:
  - label: Timing
    title: Arrive 2 hours early for domestic
    detail: 'PreCheck and CLEAR cut waits dramatically; T2 East CLEAR runs 4am-7:30pm.'
    summary: Peak security lines hit 30-45 min 7-9am and 3-6pm.
    category: timing
  - label: Terminal
    title: All lounges in T2 only
    detail: Post-security transfer between T1 and T2 requires re-clearing security.
    summary: T1 has no lounges or international arrivals facility.
    category: terminal
  - label: Food
    title: Prioritize Terminal 2 local spots
    detail: T1 has solid grab-and-go but fewer standout local options.
    summary: >-
      Chase Sapphire and Aspire both feature Oscar's Mexican Seafood and
      Groundwork Coffee.
    category: food
  - label: Status
    title: Single runway means weather sensitivity
    detail: Check FAA/BTS on-time stats before peak summer travel.
    summary: Fog or wind can cascade delays quickly.
    category: status
lounges:
  - name: Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club
    hours: '05:00-22:00'
    access:
      - >-
        Chase Sapphire Reserve / eligible Chase cards (connecting itineraries:
        up to 5 hours before departure)
      - Day pass ~$100 when offered (subject to capacity)
      - Priority Pass / LoungeKey not accepted (ended 15 Aug 2026)
    bestFor:
      - Work
      - Long layovers
      - Families
    summary: >-
      Best-reviewed lounge at SAN with strong food and wellness features. Chase
      cardholders keep access (5-hour connecting window); Priority Pass and
      LoungeKey are no longer accepted. Day passes ~$100 when capacity allows.
    verdict: worth-it
    terminal: Terminal 2
    amenities:
      - Showers
      - Wellness pods
      - Private rest areas
      - Local food from Oscar's and Groundwork
  - name: Aspire Lounge
    hours: '05:00-22:00'
    access:
      - Priority Pass
      - Day pass ~$50-60
    bestFor:
      - Quick meals
      - Basic rest
    summary: >-
      Solid basic option near Gate 33; often less crowded than Chase but simpler
      amenities than Chase.
    verdict: depends
    terminal: Terminal 2
    amenities:
      - Full bar
      - Large seating
      - Food and beverage service
  - name: Delta Sky Club
    hours: '05:00-22:00'
    access:
      - Delta Sky Club membership
      - Delta One or premium card access
    bestFor:
      - Delta flyers
    summary: >-
      Standard Sky Club experience; useful only if you have access, otherwise
      skip for PP options.
    verdict: depends
    terminal: Terminal 2
    amenities:
      - Cocktails
      - Healthy food
      - Wi-Fi
  - name: United Club
    hours: '05:00-22:00'
    access:
      - United Club membership
      - Star Alliance Gold
    bestFor:
      - United flyers
    summary: >-
      Typical United Club; best for eligible passengers but not a standout
      compared to Chase Sapphire.
    verdict: depends
    terminal: Terminal 2
    amenities:
      - Bar
      - Seating
      - Wi-Fi
waterOptions:
  - kind: purchase
    name: Groundwork Coffee
    zone: airside
    price: $3-4 for 500ml bottle
    summary: Convenient but not cheapest; better value than gate vendors.
    location: Inside Chase Sapphire Lounge and nearby airside cafes
    terminal: Terminal 2
  - kind: refill
    name: Water fountain
    zone: airside
    price: Free
    summary: Reliable free refill spot right by the main PP lounge cluster.
    location: Near Gate 33 by Aspire Lounge entrance
    terminal: Terminal 2
    isBestValue: true
  - kind: free
    name: Terminal water fountains
    zone: landside
    price: Free
    summary: Landside option before security if you bring an empty bottle.
    location: Opposite main security checkpoint in departures hall
    terminal: Terminal 1
airportistScore: 7.3
slug: san
region: North America
---
> Markdown for [/airports/san](/airports/san). Append `.md` to any page URL (or send `Accept: text/markdown`) for an agent-readable copy.

- [HTML page](/airports/san)
- [Lounge directory](/airports/san/lounges.md)
- [Sitemap](/sitemap.md)

# San Diego International Airport (SAN)
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**
- Comfort: 7.2
- Navigation: 6.8
- Food: 7.8
- Transport: 8.1
- Disruption resilience: 6.9

## At a glance

- Passengers: 25M+
- Terminals: 2 active terminals
- Typical security: 20 min
- On-time: 78%
- Disruption: normal

## Best for

- Local food scene
- Quick downtown access
- TSA PreCheck efficiency

## Watch out for

- Single runway weather delays
- No airside T1-T2 connection
- Peak morning/evening security surges

## More intel

- [Lounge directory](/airports/san/lounges.md) (free)
- [Getting there](/airports/san/getting-there.md) (free)
- [Amenities](/airports/san/amenities.md)
- [Traveler tips](/airports/san/tips.md)
- [Water](/airports/san/water.md)
- [Full guide](/airports/san/guide.md)
- [Disruptions](/airports/san/disruptions.md)
- [Reviews](/airports/san/reviews.md)