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Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most frequently asked questions at San Diego International
Airport. If you have a question not answered here — or throughout
our web site — please contact
us.
We look forward to serving you.
Terminals
Ground Transportation
Flights and Airlines
Other
Where do I rent a car
upon arrival at San Diego International Airport?
Top
SDIA has no car rental facilities onsite. Persons who wish to
rent automobiles may visit the Courtesy Phone Boards centrally
located in Baggage Claim of Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and the Commuter
Terminal. Volunteer Airport Ambassador assistance is available
at the Information Desks in each of the baggage claim areas of
Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. For more information, click on
Ground
Transportation.
Where can I catch a shuttle,
taxicab or other mode of ground transportation to destinations in/around
San Diego? Top
Ground transportation at SDIA can be obtained at the Transportation
Plazas located in front of the Commuter Terminal, Terminal 1 and
Terminal 2. Customer Service Representatives (under the blue umbrella)
are located across the street from each respective terminal and
are available for assistance. Public mass transit (bus) is also
available. For further assistance ask a Volunteer Airport Ambassador
located at the Information Desk in the baggage claim area of Terminal
1 or Terminal 2. For more information, click on
Ground
Transportation.
How much can I expect
to pay for the closest parking to San Diego International Airport?
Top
Parking rates at San Diego International Airport are defined
here. Rates are also clearly posted at each parking lot. Your first 24 hours are only $21.00. After the first 24 hours, each additional 24-hour period or any part thereof is $26.00.
Lost tickets will be charged at the maximum daily rate.
What other longer-term
parking options are available in/around San Diego International
Airport? Top
Parking is available at several locations surrounding SDIA at
various rates. SAN Park Pacific Highway is one option, available
for $10 per day, which includes convenient and timely shuttle
service to SDIA. For more information, click on
Parking.
How do I get to Mexico
from San Diego International Airport? Top
You can catch the Airport Flyer #992 public bus in front of each terminal at San Diego International Airport (SDIA). Request a Regional Day Pass for $5 which allows for free transfers. Exit the bus at Broadway and Kettner, take the Blue Line Trolley going towards San Ysidro from American Plaza Transit Center. For more information, visit www.511sd.com. Shuttle and/or taxi service is also available.
Where can I exchange
currency or purchase traveler's insurance at San Diego International
Airport? Top
Foreign currency and travelers’ insurance services are available in Terminal 1 from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and in Terminal 2 (post-security) from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. For additional information call Terminal 1 at (619) 295-1501, or Terminal 2 at (619) 681-1941.
How do I get to the Airport
from locations within San Diego County? Top
Information regarding ground transportation to SDIA, including shuttle and taxicab services can be viewed at
Ground Transportation. You may also drive your own vehicle. On-site short-term parking rates range from $3.00 per hour, to $21 per day (for the first day, $26 each additional day). Other less expensive long-term options are also available.
What services do you
offer for guests with disabilities/mobility impairments?
Top
Various accessibility services are conveniently located throughout
SDIA to assist travelers with disabilities. You may request personal
assistance at any time by calling Airport Paging from any
courtesy
phone or TDD
phone location. Once you are connected, tell the Airport Operator
that accessibility services are required. The nearest Airport
personnel will be dispatched to provide assistance. For assistance,
click on Passenger
Assistance: Accessibility Services. You may download the Accessibility
Guide.
Where are the nearest
mailboxes at San Diego International Airport?
Top
All five mailboxes at SDIA are located curbside (outdoors). Mailboxes
can be found in front of the Commuter Terminal, at Terminal 1
at the Red Bus Stop and United Airlines, and at Terminal
2 near each of the two Red Bus stops.
Where can I smoke at
San Diego International Airport? Top
SDIA is a smoke-free facility. Smoking is only permitted outside
of the terminal buildings. California law prohibits smoking within
20 feet of all entrances to public buildings. For your convenience,
ashtrays are located in the vicinity where smoking is permitted.
Where can alcoholic
beverages be purchased at San Diego International Airport?
Top
There are several locations at SDIA to purchase alcoholic beverages.
In Terminal 1, options are available pre- and post-security. The
Commuter Terminal and Terminal 2 have only post-security options.
For more information, click on
Terminals:
Food & Beverages.
Where can I store my
luggage at San Diego International Airport?
Top
Due to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) heightened
security requirements, all lockers and storage unit use has been
suspended. It may be possible to check in early with your airline,
please see the ticket agent when you arrive.
Where are ATM machines
located at San Diego International Airport?
Top
There are eight Bank of America ATMs located throughout the three
terminals at SDIA.
- Commuter Terminal - Main lobby (pre-security)
near entrance
- Terminal 1 - Food Court (pre-security) and gate concourses
(post-security)
- Terminal 2 East - Food Court (pre-security near
Starbucks), and gate concourses (post-security)
- Terminal 2 West - Across from Baggage Carousel #7 in Baggage Claim (pre-security) and gate concourses
(post-security)
Where do I catch all
flights to Los Angeles? Top
All flights connecting to/from Los Angeles depart from the Commuter
Terminal. Flights numbered 3000 – 6000 operate from the
Commuter Terminal. The complimentary Inter-Terminal Red Bus connects
all terminals and departs every ten minutes from curbside locations.
Do you have public showers
available at San Diego International Airport?
Top
Public showers are not available at San Diego International Airport.
Where is the Lost and
Found office at San Diego International Airport?
Top
The Airport Lost & Found Office is located on the first floor
of the baggage claim area in Terminal 2 West. Daily office hours
are 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The phone number
is (619) 400-2140.
How do I meet a minor
who is traveling into SDIA? Top
By prior arrangement, unaccompanied minors may be met at the
aircraft arrival gate by an airline representative. As another
option, you may also contact your respective airline to make arrangements
for a Gate Pass. Otherwise, the Information Desks, staffed by
Volunteer Airport Ambassadors and located in each of the baggage
claim areas of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, are good locations to
meet arriving passengers. For a listing of airline telephone numbers,
refer to Flights: Airlines.
What are the hours of
operation for airline ticket counters at SDIA?
Top
SDIA is open 24 hours a day; however, departures only occur between
6:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. Each airline has its own operating hours,
but typically ticket counters are staffed by 5:00 a.m. for check-in.
For specific check-in information, please contact the airline
directly. For a listing of airline telephone numbers, click on
Flights: Airlines.
How early do I need
to check in for flights departing San Diego International Airport?
Top
As a general rule, it is recommended to allow at least two hours
for domestic travel, and three hours for international travel.
For more specific guidance, please contact the airline directly.
Click on Flights: Airlines.
Do you have a business
center at San Diego International Airport? Top
San Diego International Airport does not have a business center.
Many local hotels conveniently located in the vicinity of the
Airport offer business center services.
Does San Diego International
Airport offer Internet or High-speed wireless Internet service?
Top
Yes, the Airport does have wireless service available free of charge to all airport patrons.
Is there a USO located
at San Diego International Airport? Top
SDIA is host to the nation's largest United Services Organization
(USO) center, providing our military with a welcome respite while
traveling. Opened in March 2000, this 6,520 square-foot facility
hosts approximately 150,000 service members and their families
each year.
The Center is located in Terminal, directly across from the second floor American Airlines
ticket counter. Simply walk across the pedestrian bridge, take
the escalator down to the first floor and look to your left.
For more information, please call (619) 296-3192.
Who can I contact with
questions regarding Customs and Immigration at San Diego International
Airport? Top
The Federal Inspection Services International Arrival Terminal
at SDIA can be reached by calling (619) 230-8178. Other offices
are available by pressing the appropriate number when prompted:
- U.S Customs and Border Protection Service
- U.S. Immigration and
Naturalization Service
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- U.S. Public Health Service
The nearest location to renew a Visa is at San Ysidro. Their
offices are open 24-hours a day and appointments can be made by
calling (619) 662-7220 x238 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and
4:00 p.m.
What items are permitted
for transportation aboard aircraft? Top
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) governs regulations
regarding items that may be transported aboard aircraft. Click
on Security: Traveler Tips
or Security: Prohibited Items.
What is the address
of San Diego International Airport? Top
SDIA is comprised of three adjacent terminal buildings and is
located approximately four miles west of downtown San Diego.
- Commuter Terminal - 3225 N. Harbor Drive
- Terminal 1 - 3665 N.
Harbor Drive
- Terminal 2 - 3707 N. Harbor Drive
Each address is located in San Diego, California 92101.
How do I check the status
of arrivals and departures at San Diego International Airport?
Top
To check the status of arriving and departing flights to/from
SDIA click here or call Airport Paging (619) 400-2900. To ensure
the most accurate and timely information, contact your respective
airline directly. For a listing of telephone numbers to airlines
serving SDIA, click here.
Where are the airline
cargo offices located at San Diego International Airport?
Top
The following companies have air cargo offices located near SDIA:
- Delta Air Lines (619) 231-7122
- California Air Cartage (619) 291-8644
- Northwest Airlines (619) 231-7340
- United Airlines (619) 231-5604
- Southwest Airlines (619) 231-7345
Please contact the company directly for the exact location.
How do I get to the
Cruise Ship Terminal from San Diego International Airport?
Top
The Cruise Ship Terminal is located approximately two miles east
of SDIA on N. Harbor Drive. Click on
Ground
Transportation for options.
How do I find out prices
for airline tickets from San Diego International Airport?
Top
The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority is the owner
and operator of SDIA. Each airline operating at SDIA is its own
business enterprise. For destinations served from SDIA, click
here.
For availability and pricing information, please contact the airlines
directly. For telephone numbers of air carriers operating at SDIA,
click here.
Where are bicycle racks
located at San Diego International Airport?
Top
Bicycle racks are available free for public use in the following
locations:
- Commuter Terminal Lot (East End) - Located on the east side
of the parking lot directly in front of the Commuter Terminal.
- Terminal 1 Parking Lot - Under the Terminal 1 sky bridge
in the area between the escalator and Transportation Island.
- Terminal 2 Parking Lot (East End) - Located outside of the
building in the parking lot that is connected to Terminal
2 via a sky bridge.
- Terminal 2 Parking Lot (West End) - These racks are located
below the west sky bridge connecting the west end of Terminal
2 with the parking lot.
Bicycles may be parked
for up to 30 days.
Where can I get a tax
refund for items purchase inside the U.S. before I return to my
country? Top
Foreign visitors to the United States frequently confuse the
California state sales tax with the value-added tax (VAT). The
state sales tax is a small tax on purchases or services, calculated
at the time of purchase, which individual states assess and which
the U.S. federal government neither determines nor receives. The
VAT, on the other hand, is a national tax commonly applied in
foreign countries that is included in the actual sales price rather
than at the time of purchase. The United States does not have
a VAT and the federal government cannot refund state sales taxes.
State taxes are generally not charged to diplomats or employees
of some international organizations who have been issued a tax-exemption
card. This card must be presented at the time of purchase in order
for sales taxes to be waived.
For additional information, please visit the U.S.
Customs website.
How may I contact San
Diego International Airport to offer my company’s services
or products? Top
Thank you for your interest in San Diego International Airport,
operated by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.
The Procurement Department maintains a list of suppliers interested
in doing business with the Authority. Vendor registration must be completed for your business to be registered in the Authority's Vendor Database. Register your business here.
The Authority encourages open competition and conducts business
in a fair and impartial manner. Contracts can be awarded on the
basis of best value using predetermined evaluation criteria and
weights. For additional information please call (619) 400-2540.
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