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San Diego International Airport (SAN), originally Lindbergh Field, opened in 1928 and is located just 3 miles from downtown San Diego. It is the busiest single-runway commercial airport in the United States, known for its steep approach over Balboa Park and proximity to the city center. The airport has two terminals and serves as a focus city for Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines.
💡 Local Tip
Frequent visitors know that the single runway can cause delays, especially during morning marine layer fog, so book later flights if possible. Also, for great plane-spotting, head to the top of the Terminal 2 parking garage or nearby Liberty Station.
🚖 Getting There
The airport is only 3 miles from downtown, so taxis and rideshares (Uber/Lyft) are quick and cost around $15-20. MTS Route 992 offers a cheap public transit option to downtown and Santa Fe Depot for $2.50, running every 15 minutes. Rental cars are located off-site and accessible via a free shuttle from the terminals.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How far is San Diego International Airport from downtown?
A: The airport is about 3 miles (5 km) from downtown San Diego, typically a 10-15 minute drive depending on traffic.
Q: Is there public transportation from SAN?
A: Yes, MTS Route 992 connects the airport to downtown and Santa Fe Depot every 15 minutes for $2.50.
Q: What terminals does SAN have?
A: SAN has two terminals: Terminal 1 (older, serves some domestic carriers) and Terminal 2 (newer, expanded in 2013, serves most major airlines).
Q: Which airlines fly to San Diego?
A: Major carriers include Alaska, Southwest, American, Delta, United, and JetBlue, with nonstop flights to many U.S. cities and some international destinations.
AI-generated content · Generated Sep 27, 2026 · deepseek-v4.1-flash