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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.

San Diego International Airport (SAN) is open twenty-four hours a day; however, departures only occur without penalty between 6:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. Each airline has its own operating hours, but typically ticket counters are staffed by 4:30 a.m. for check-in. For specific check-in information, please contact the airline you are flying directly.

Click on a Question below to expand the relevant answer.

Terminals
Parking
Ground Transportation
Flights & Airlines
Other FAQ

Foreign currency exchange and travelers’ insurance services are available daily at two locations in Terminal 2: in the Baggage Claim area (5am - 6pm) and in the gate areas (5am - 1pm, 4:30pm - 7:30pm). You can reach the Baggage Claim location at (619) 260-1921, or the location in the gate areas at (619) 200-3530 for more information.

Various accessibility services are conveniently located throughout SANto assist travelers with disabilities. TDD telephones, visual paging monitors and a courtesy cart operated by the Volunteer Airport Ambassadors are conveniently located throughout San Diego International Airport. Also, Volunteer Airport Ambassadors, Harbor Police Officers and Airport Traffic Officers are available at key locations inside and outside the terminals to assist travelers with special needs. For assistance, visit our

Accessibility Services page.

All three mailboxes at the airport are located curbside (outdoors). Mailboxes can be found in front of the Commuter Terminal, at Terminal 1 at the Airport Loop, and at Terminal 2 near American Airlines curbside check-in.

SAN is a smoke-free facility. Smoking is only permitted in designated smoking areas located outside of the terminals. Local and State law prohibit smoking within 25 feet of all entrances to public buildings. For your convenience, ashtrays are located in designated smoking areas.

There are several locations at SAN to purchase alcoholic beverages. In Terminal 1, options are available pre- and post-security. Terminal 2 has only post-security options. For more information, visit our Shopping and Dining Directory

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.

There are seven Bank of America ATMs located throughout the three terminals at SAN.

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)

Public showers are not available at San Diego International Airport.

The Airport Lost & Found Office is located on the first floor of the baggage claim area in Terminal 2 West. Daily office hours are 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The phone number is (619) 400-2140.

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.

Parking rates at San Diego International Airport are clearly posted at each parking lot. Both payment areas accept cash and major credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and Diner’s Club). For your convenience, several ATMs are located within each terminal. Lost tickets are charged at the maximum daily rate.

Parking for travelers with disabilities is available in all lots. Parking spaces for the disabled are available in these lots and the airport provides a wheelchair-accessible complimentary shuttle to the terminals. For additional information, call Ace Parking at 619.291.2087.

Parking lots are regularly patrolled by airport personnel.

Emergency lockout service and/or towing can be arranged by calling Ace Parking at 619.291.2087.

Long Term Lot parkers can use the complimentary shuttle bus services to be taken and picked up from their terminals by proceeding to the designated pick-up location in the parking lot.

Curbside parking is never permitted at San Diego International Airport. Curb fronts are reserved for active loading and unloading only, and stopping times should be brief. This policy is in accordance with heightened security measures and is strictly enforced by airport personnel.

Unattended vehicles and vehicles in “No Parking” areas will be ticketed and towed.

When picking up arriving travelers, be aware that parking in front of the terminals is in high demand and can be expected to fill to capacity. Alternatively, those meeting and greeting visitors can park in the airport’s convenient cell phone lot to avoid circling on airport roadways.

Parking management services provided by Ace Parking. For additional questions about Airport parking, please call Ace Parking, 24 hours a day at 619.291.2087.

Effective, January 20, 2016, all car rental pick-ups and drop-offs for rental car companies serving San Diego International Airport will occur at the new Rental Car Center. Free dedicated shuttle busses will run continually to ferry customers between the airport terminals and the Rental Car Center. For a list of local rental car agencies, visit our Rental Cars page.

Ground transportation at SAN can be obtained at the Transportation Plazas located in front of 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, visit our Parking & Transportation pages.

You can catch the Airport Flyer #992 public bus in front of each terminal at San Diego International Airport (SAN). 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.

The Cruise Ship Terminal is located approximately two miles east of SAN on N. Harbor Drive. Visit our Parking & Transportation pages for transit options.

WHAT ARE THE HOURS OF OPERATION FOR AIRLINE TICKET COUNTERS AT SAN?

HOW EARLY DO I NEED TO CHECK IN FOR FLIGHTS DEPARTING SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT?

HOW DO I CHECK THE STATUS OF ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES AT SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT?

WHERE ARE THE AIRLINE CARGO OFFICES LOCATED AT SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT?

HOW DO I FIND OUT PRICES FOR AIRLINE TICKETS FROM SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT?

WHAT ARE THE HOURS OF OPERATION FOR AIRLINE TICKET COUNTERS AT SAN?
SAN is open 24 hours a day; however, departures only occur without penalty 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

HOW EARLY DO I NEED TO CHECK IN FOR FLIGHTS DEPARTING SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT?
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.

HOW DO I CHECK THE STATUS OF ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES AT SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT?
To check the status of arriving and departing flights to/from SAN click here. To ensure the most accurate and timely information, contact your respective airline directly. For a listing of telephone numbers to airlines serving SAN, visit Flights: Airlines

WHERE ARE THE AIRLINE CARGO OFFICES LOCATED AT SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT?
The following companies have air cargo offices located near SAN:

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 FIND OUT PRICES FOR AIRLINE TICKETS FROM SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT?

The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority is the owner and operator of the San Diego International Airport (SAN). Each airline operating at SAN is its own business enterprise. For destinations served from SAN,

click here

. For availability and pricing information, please contact the airlines directly. For telephone numbers of air carriers operating at SAN,

click here .

For current rates at our Airport parking lots, visit our Parking Page.
Lost tickets will be charged at the maximum daily rate.

Parking is available at several locations surrounding San Diego International Airport at various rates. SAN Economy Lot - Pacific Highway is one option, available for $13 per day, which includes convenient and timely shuttle service to SAN. For more information, visit our Parking Information page

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.

The Federal Inspection Services International Arrival Terminal at SAN 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 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) governs regulations regarding items that may be transported aboard aircraft. For more information, visit our Security & Regulations page

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.

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.