Getting Around

Public Transportation at San Diego International Airport

From the Metro Bus to the Trolley, there are a number of public transportation services you can use to get to and from the Airport.

Amtrak and Coaster
Amtrak Intercity and Coaster commuter trains link communities and travelers from as far away as Los Angeles and Orange Counties to downtown San Diego and coastal North County and, including stops in Old Town, Sorrento Valley, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside.

Travelers headed to and from San Diego International Airport can connect with Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and the Coaster at Amtrak's Santa Fe Depot train station downtown by using Metropolitan Transit System Flyer Route No. 992 every 10 minutes between 5:00 a.m. and 12:50 a.m.

Amtrak operates seven days a week, 365 days per year, with twelve round trips. Tickets may be purchased at the Amtrak station. Amtrak and Coaster offer the 'Rail 2 Rail' option for passengers of either system to use the other's trains under certain specific uses. See an Amtrak agent for details.

The Coaster operates Monday-Saturday. There is no Sunday service, and no service on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas Day.

For additional information on connecting transit, fares, personalized travel planning and disabled services, call 800.COASTER (800.262.7837). For additional information on Amtrak service in San Diego, visit the
Santa Fe Depot train station, telephone 1-800-USA-RAIL.

Metro Bus
Public transit is available via the Flyer Route No. 992, a Metropolitan Transit System bus that travels to and from the Airport and downtown San Diego, stopping between Terminals 1 and 2 and the Commuter Terminal. The 10-minute bus service connects with Trolley, Coaster and Amtrak stations and is wheelchair accessible.

Planning a trip using Flyer Route 992 is easy when you use the Online Transit Information System.

Trolley Service
The San Diego Trolley does not stop at the Airport. However, it does reach many neighborhoods and areas with popular attractions and landmarks, such as Old Town, Mission Valley and Fashion Valley. Rider Information is available to help you use the trolley with ease and comfort.

Terminal to Terminal
While you are at the Airport, you might need to travel between terminal buildings. The Airport provides free terminal to terminal transportation for your convenience via the Red Bus.

The Red Bus provides complementary wheelchair-accessible transportation between the Airport's terminals. Buses run at intervals not to exceed 10 minutes. Designated Red Bus stops are located curbside at all three terminals. For additional information call Lindbergh Parking, Inc. at 619.291.1508.

Car Rental
If you need a rental car, there are several car rental reservation boards located near the baggage claim areas of Terminals 1 and 2. All car rental agencies are off-site and do not have counters inside the terminal facilities. Car rental shuttles -- boarded at the Transportation Plazas -- will take you to their rental locations.

Car rental reservation boards are located near the baggage claim areas of Terminals 1 and 2. Use the courtesy phones provided to request shuttle transport to the car rental company of your choice. Please note that using a reservation board is not always necessary. Car rental shuttles regularly operate at the Terminal 1 center traffic aisle and at the traffic island at the far west end of Terminal 2. If you follow the signage to any of these areas, it is likely that a shuttle will be waiting.

The guide below lists car rental companies frequently used by travelers. Call directly or use the Web links to find the rental company that best suits your needs. Rental policies, services and rates are subject to change and may vary among companies.

Note: If the rental car agency of your choice is not listed, please check with our Volunteer Airport Ambassadors for further information.


Advantage Rent-A-Car             3443 India St. San Diego         619.858.3730
Alamo Rent a Car             2942 Kettner Blvd. San Diego         619.297.0311 / 800.GO.ALAMO
Autorent Car Rental             3346 Kettner Blvd. San Diego         619.692.3006
Avis Rent a Car                         3180 N. Harbor Dr. San Diego             619.231.7171 / 800.852.4617
Budget Rent a Car             3125 Pacific Hwy. San Diego         800.527.0700
Dollar Rent a Car             2499 Pacific Hwy. San Diego         619.234.3389 / 800.800.4000
Enterprise Rent a Car             1691 Hancock St. San Diego         619.225.8881 / 800.270.8881
Fox Rent-A-Car                         2727 Kettner Blvd. San Diego         619.692.0300 / 800.225.4369
Hertz Rent A Car             3202 N. Harbor Dr. San Diego             619.220.5222 / 800.654.3131
National Car Rental             3280 N. Harbor Dr. San Diego             619.497.6777 / 800.CAR.RENT
Pacific Rent-A-Car             2100 Kettner Blvd. San Diego         619.233.3366
Thrifty Rent-A-Car             1120 W. Laurel St. San Diego         619.429.5000 / 800.847.4389
West Coast Rent a Car             834 W. Grape St. San Diego         619.544.0606

Shuttles
Shuttle vans and buses operated by off-airport companies are a popular and convenient transportation option. Shuttle service is available at the Transportation Plazas across from Terminals 1 and 2, and curbside at the Commuter Terminal.

Taxicab Service
If you need a taxi, there are many companies that provide taxicab service at San Diego International Airport.

From I-5 Northbound
Take San Diego Airport / Hawthorn Street exit (signs will direct you onto westbound Hawthorn Street ).
Proceed to N. Harbor Drive and turn right.

Commuter Terminal is one mile ahead on right hand side; Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are 1/4 and 1/2 mile beyond Commuter Terminal.

From I-5 Southbound
Take San Diego Airport / Sassafras Street exit. This puts you onto Kettner Boulevard.
Take Kettner to the traffic light at Sassafras Street and turn right.
Proceed down the hill to the traffic light at Pacific Highway and turn left.
Take Pacific Highway about 1/2 mile to Laurel Street and turn right.
Take Laurel Street to the next light, N. Harbor Drive, and turn right.
Commuter Terminal is one mile ahead on right hand side; Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are 1/4 and 1/2 mile beyond the Commuter Terminal.

From State Route. 163
Take State Route 163 Southbound to I-5 North and follow directions above for I-5 Northbound.

From I-8
Take State Route 163 or I-5 Southbound and follow applicable directions above.

From I-15
If North of State Route 163, take State Route 163 Southbound and follow directions above for State Route 163 Southbound.
If South of State Route. 163, take I-8 West and follow applicable directions above for I-8 Westbound.

Directions:
Take Interstate 5 to Grand Avenue. Follow it west to Mission Boulevard. Take Mission Boulevard south the roller coaster at West Mission Bay Drive.
Public Transit:
Call San Diego Transit at (619) 233-3004 for buses that serve this beach.
Parking:
Extensive free public parking is available on the north and south side of Belmont Park, and at the foot of West Mission Bay Drive. There is additional parking in two lots across the street adjacent to Bonita Cove. These lots fill very quickly on busy summer days and traffic can be heavy at times.