A Guide to San Diego International Airport and Customer Review

San Diego International Airport is situated 4.8 km northwest of Downtown San Diego, California. Formerly known as Lindbergh Field; owned by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. This airport has the third-busiest single runway in the world and serves all types of aircraft. It is the focus city for Alaska and Southwest Airlines. San Diego airport spread over 663 acres of land can hold 20 million passengers and serve more than 500 scheduled operations with 50,000 passengers each day.

After domestic traffic, this airport has non-stop international flights to Canada, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

TERMINAL INFORMATION: San Diego International Airport Has two terminals:

Terminal 1: The Terminal 1 is divided into 2 parts i.e. East and West supporting 19 gates (1A and 1–18). It is used mainly by Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines.

Terminal 2: Terminal 2 also has 2 parts, namely East and West with a total number of 32 gates (20 to 51). The rest of the airlines that serve the airport are found in Terminal 2. It supports all the international operations and arrivals at gate 20, 21 and 22.

Airport Facilities:

Wi-Fi Service: You can avail the free Wi-Fi facility at San Diego International Airport but it is limited to two hours. All you need is to connect to the “#SAN free wifi” network.
Airport Art: At the airport, there are several well-known pieces of art exhibits and scheduled live performances available.
Information Desk: For any query or doubt there are the information providers you roaming all around in green polo shirts of “AIRPORT INFORMATION” print.
ATM: There is a total of 9 Bank of America ATM throughout the airport. You can find the ATM at:

AT TERMINAL 1:

1. Opposite food court and Gates 1, 2, 5 and 13

AT TERMINAL 2:

1. Gates 20-32 area- 1st level lobby near the escalator

2. Gates 33-51 area – baggage claim near carousel 4

Luggage Storage:-

Since there is no option for storing the luggage at this airport.

Currency Exchange:-

Currency exchange by Travelex is available in the airport at:

Terminal 2 near baggage claim area
Near gate 22 airside

Baby Care: Traveling with an infant or baby is not so easy. There are lactation rooms available at the airport for proper baby care. These support hand-washing stations, comfortable seating, artwork, a child seat, and more. You can find them at:

TERMINAL 1:

West Rotunda, 2nd level across from the elevator

East Rotunda, ground level

TERMINAL 2:

Located at 2nd level, near Gates 34-35

Duty-Free Shops: At Terminal 2, airside, near Gates 20-21 duty-free shops are available where you can buy everything from clothing to snacks to wines and much more.

Food & Beverages:

When it comes to travel mostly everyone needs healthy food. At the airport, there are various food facilities available. You can find the food concessions throughout the airport. For 24/7 availability reach at:

Ryan Bro’s Coffee (Terminal 1, landside, ticketing area)
Einstein Bros. Bagels (Terminal 2, Landside)

On the other hand, vending machines are also available throughout the airport:

At Terminal 1, parking lot under the pedestrian bridge
At Terminal 2, near International Arrivals, ground level
At Terminal 2, near bag carousel 7
Cell Phone Lot on Harbor Drive
Economy Lot on Pacific Highway
Taxi/Shuttle Hold Lot on Harbor Island Drive

Mobile Charging: There are power outlets and USB ports under the seats at the airport. Also, there are some kinds of fuel rod machine to get power banks that can be exchanged after they run out; but you have to buy one on the first time.
Meditation Room: Those who want to sit peacefully can go to the meditation room located at Terminal 2 airside area.

Airport Lounges:

Airspace Lounge: Located at Terminal 2, Airside, between East Security and the new bridge to Terminal 2 West, near Gates 22 and 23.

Lounge Access:

Pay at the Door

United Club: Located at Terminal 1, Airside, Mezzanine Level, near departure gates.

Lounge Access:

Pay at the Door with proof of United Airlines ticket
United Club Membership

Airport Hotel:

Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina: Situated 4 minutes away from the airport which can be accessed by paying at the airport
Holiday Inn Express San Diego Airport: Situated 5 minutes from the airport to which a free shuttle bus is available.
La Quinta Inn & Suites San Diego Old Town / Airport: Situated 5 minutes from the airport to which a free shuttle bus is available.

Transport Facility:

To travel to/ from the airport there are many transport services available at the airport. You can opt for any of them which suit you the best as You can book a flight to India.

Bus, Car on rental, hotel shuttle, and inter-terminal shuttle services are available here.

Customer Reviews:

R Matthews (United States) 13th February 2017

San Diego airport is a nice size. At Terminal 1 there are two isolated gate concourses and each only has one real restaurant. You can’t get from one concourse to the other without going back through TSA. Getting to the airport can get very congested at busy times as there are some severe bottlenecks for cars, taxis, shuttles, Uber, etc. But at non-peak hours and times of year it’s generally pretty good.

It’s not the airport’s fault directly, but the surface streets around the airport are crumbling, sometimes too narrow, have pot holes that could swallow a germanshepard, and make getting to and from the airport unpleasant at best. Also look for the nearby Mobile station to refuel your rental car.

The closer Shell is nearly a $1/gallon more (at least in Feb 2017). It’s annoying all the shuttles, taxis, rental car bus, etc pick you up and drop you off on the other side of an impenetrable fence.On the plus side the WiFi is free, fast, and easy to access. What few food options there are tend to be fairly decent (if typically airport expensive). They also have some decent options before passing through TSA (unlike many airports) including the Breeze and Jack In The Box at Terminal 1.

And the restaurants that I’ve been to (including Breeze) clearly display the prices for everything including adult beverages (unlike many airports). TSA lines are generally reasonable and, even at peak times,I think I’ve waited at most around 15 minutes. But each TSA station serves relatively few gates which helps a lot.

Assis Pontes (South Africa) 18th November 2015

We must have parked at the far end, though the airport is huge. Seats offer recharge facilities for mobile and laptop near boarding gates. Toilets are plenty and never too far. A good variety of shops. Wifi was disappointing. Able to move in and out of the airport quickly.