Terminal 1Confirm your airline before driving
San Diego International Airport Terminal 1, San Diego, CA 92101FAA rank #24 · Large hub
SANSan Diego
San Diego International
Guide reviewed September 1, 2026
The short answer
SAN is close to downtown but the terminal choice still matters. Know Terminal 1 versus 2, reserve close-in parking if needed, and use the continuous shuttle for the remote rental center.
Arrival planner
When should I be at SAN?
Enter the departure time shown on your ticket.
Recommended airport arrival—:—
Enter your departure time
We’ll work backward from the airport’s recommendation.
2 hours before departure
This is your airport arrival time—not the time to leave home. Airline check-in and bag-drop cutoffs still apply.
Security peakCommonly 5–7 AM and 4–6 PM, plus holidays and long weekends
01
Security
What you’re walking into
Checkpoint operations are terminal-specific. SAN warns that enhanced screening can increase waits, so confirm the airline terminal before arrival.
Check live security wait times before leaving ↗TSA PreCheck● Yes
CLEAR● Yes
Global Entry● Yes
Mobile Passport● Yes
02
Official parking
What it costs
Terminal 1 Parking Plaza$40/day$3 per 15 minutes
Terminal 2 Parking Plaza$40/day$3 per 15 minutes
Valet$60/dayCurbside at both terminals
03
Ground transportation
Don’t stand at the wrong curb
Pickup uses the signed transportation plaza for the terminal; Terminal 1 passengers cross at the marked pedestrian route. Confirm the exact zone in the app.
All major rental companies use the consolidated Rental Car Center. Free dedicated shuttles run continuously from both terminals.
A free inter-terminal shuttle runs between Terminals 1 and 2 from 4 AM to 2 AM. Landside walking is possible, but changing terminals may require another screening.
SAN cell-phone lotFree; one-hour limit2311 McCain Road, San Diego, CA 92191
The free cell-phone lot at 2311 McCain Road allows waiting for up to one hour.
04
Airport hotels
Sleep close. Leave the car.
SAN has no hotel inside or directly connected to either terminal. Harbor Island and airport-area hotels provide courtesy shuttles from designated terminal zones.
Inside or airport-connected
None at this airportPark-and-fly
Confirm terms before bookingSheraton San Diego Resort
- Airport ride
- Complimentary airport shuttle; confirm the current terminal pickup schedule
- Parking
- Book a package that explicitly includes parking during the trip
Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island
- Airport ride
- Complimentary airport shuttle; verify operating hours
- Parking
- Extended parking is package-specific and not included with every room rate
Holiday Inn San Diego–Bayside
- Airport ride
- Complimentary airport transportation with eligible package; confirm schedule
- Parking
- Parking duration is tied to the selected hotel-and-parking reservation
Hotel information reviewed September 2, 2026. Confirm current shuttle hours, parking terms, and package availability before booking.
05
Airport essentials
Everything else worth knowing
Free Wi-Fi● Yes
USO lounge● Yes
Pet relief● Yes
EV chargingCharging is available in the terminal parking plazas; confirm availability before depending on a space.
SmokingSmoking and vaping are prohibited inside the terminals.
OvernightSAN operates overnight, but checkpoint access and concessions follow the flight schedule.
Sources & freshness
Trust the facts. Check the source.
Guide information reviewed September 1, 2026. For today’s operations, rates, and hours, use the live links and official sources below.
SAN security checkpoints↗SAN official parking↗SAN ride services↗SAN rental-car center↗SAN courtesy shuttles↗SAN parking and cell-phone lot↗