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Airports and Airfields

San Diego International Airport Guide

USATODAY

Contact Information and flight status

Checkpoint savvy

Busiest times: Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 5:30 a.m. to 7 a.m.

Workarounds: There's a connecting corridor post-security between Terminal 2 East and Terminal 2 West, so if security checkpoint 5 or 6 is too busy, walk through the baggage claim to the other checkpoint.

Parking

Construction is underway on a new Parking Plaza in front of Terminal 2. Limited Terminal 2 parking is available via McCain Road throughout construction. For discounts, construction updates and parking options see UpgradeYourParking.com.

Parking information: 619-291-2087 (24 hours).

Most convenient: Valet parking: $40/day ($35 if you pre-pay online). Terminal 1 and 2 parking: $32/day.

Least expensive: Economy Lot – Pacific Highway, $13/day. Long-Term Lot - Harbor Drive, $20/day. See more options/make reservations.

Cellphone lot: Fifty-space lot across from the Coast Guard Station. Amenities include portable restrooms, food/drink vending machines and flight display board.

Transportation to/from city

Most convenient: A taxi ride to downtown San Diego will cost about $12 and take about 10 minutes. Shared shuttle vans, about $10. Taxi to cruise ship terminal, $6-$10. Ride-hailing services, incuding Lyft, Opoli and Uber, are permitted to operate at SAN.

Least expensive: San Diego Flyer Route No. 992, $2.25. Travel time: 20 minutes.

See all public transportation options.

Wi-Fi and charging stations

There is free wireless Internet access throughout the airport.

In addition to power-equipped seats and wall outlets throughout the airport, charging stations are available in the Southwest Airlines boarding areas of Terminal 1.

Go local

Good choice for local gifts: Terminal 1: 10 News gift shops (local interest news and live video news feeds), Where Traveler San Diego (travel supplies, gifts). Terminal 2: Old Town News & Market (gifts and souvenirs infused with San Diego's Old Town spirit), Warwick's of La Jolla (the La Jolla institution presents the airport's largest bookstore ever). See more options.

Good choice for local food: Terminal 1: Craft Brews on 30th Street, Ryan Bros. Coffee. Terminal 2: Phil's BBQ, Stone Brewing, Saffron Thai. See more options.

Tips and tidbits

SAN has permanent artwork and rotating art and cultural exhibits and a performing arts program that includes live music, theater, dance and other entertainment. SAN has three post-security lactation nursing rooms: two in Terminal 1 and one in Terminal 2, with hand-washing stations, electrical outlets, artwork, children’s seating and soft lighting.

Nearby layover option

U.S.S. Midway Museum, with more than 25 restored aircraft, is about 2 miles from the airport. Balboa Park (San Diego Zoo, museums, etc.) is about 4 miles from the airport. Liberty Public Market, a former 1920s-era naval base commissary that’s now a 25,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor artisan food hall, is about 3 miles from the airport.

Your tips and picks

Please share your time- and money-saving tips, favorite restaurants, bars and stores in comments below.

These guides are written by Harriet Baskas, who is the author of six books, including the airport guidebook Stuck at the Airport and a blog of the same name.

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