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Visitors Information
Travel Tips
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The major airport is San Diego International Airport (SAN) (PHONE: 619/231-2100, www.portofsandiego.org), called Lindbergh Field locally. If you need travel assistance at the airport, Travelers
Aid has three information booths, one in Terminal One (east) and two in Terminal Two (west), open daily 8
AM-11 PM. Because of congestion, delays of 20-30 minutes in baggage claim are not unusual. Major airlines depart and arrive at Terminal One and Terminal Two; commuter flights identified on your ticket
with a 3000 sequence flight number depart from the commuter terminal. A red shuttle bus travels between
terminals. Coastal fog can delay landings and take-offs, and a delayed flight or two can jam the small boarding areas.
During inclement weather call your airline to see if there are delays.
Flying time to San Diego is 5 hours from New York, 3½ hours from Chicago, 3 hours from Dallas, ¾ hour from Los Angeles, 10-11 hours from London.
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All major and some regional U.S. carriers serve San Diego International Airport. British Airways, Aero Mexico, and Air Canada are the only international carriers to San Diego. All others require a connecting flight, usually
in Los Angeles. Other connection points are Chicago, Dallas, and San Francisco.
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AeroMexico (PHONE: 800/237-6639, www.aeromexico.com).
Air Canada (PHONE: 888/247-2262, www.aircanada.ca).
Alaska Airlines (PHONE: 800/426-0333, www.alaska-air.com).
America West (PHONE: 800/235-9292, www.americawest.com).
American (PHONE: 800/433-7300, www.americanairlines.com).
British Airways (PHONE: 800/247-9297, www.british-airways.com).
Continental (PHONE: 800/231-0856, www.continental.com).
Delta (PHONE: 800/221-1212, www.delta.com).
Frontier (PHONE: 800/432-1359, www.frontierairlines.com).
Hawaiian Airlines (PHONE: 800/367-5320, www.hawaiianair.com).
Northwest (PHONE: 800/225-2525, www.nwa.com).
Southwest (PHONE: 800/435-9792, www.iflyswa.com).
United (PHONE: 800/538-2929, www.ual.com).
US Airways (PHONE: 800/428-4322, www.usairways.com).
From the U.K.
American (PHONE: 0345/789-789).
British Airways (PHONE: 0345/222-111).
Delta (PHONE: 0800/414-767).
United (PHONE: 0800/888-555).
Virgin Atlantic (PHONE: 01293/747-747) via Los Angeles.
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| Transfers Between the Airport & Town |
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Ground transportation services include shuttle vans, buses, and taxis. All services operate from one of three islands in front of the terminals.
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The cheapest and sometimes most convenient shuttle is the San Diego Transit (PHONE: 619/233-3004, www.sdcommute.com) Transit Flyer, red- and blue-striped express buses equipped with luggage racks that cruise the airport's terminals at 10- to 15-minute intervals between 5 AM and 1 AM. These buses will drop you at most downtown businesses and hotels. The fare is $2.25, including transfer to local transit buses and the San Diego Trolley, and you should have exact fare handy. If you're heading to North County, the Flyer can drop you off at the Santa Fe Terminal, from which you can take the Coaster commuter train as far north as Oceanside for $3.75-$4.75.
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If you rent a car at the airport, take Harbor Drive, at the perimeter of the airport, to downtown, which is 3 mi east. Take Harbor Drive west to reach Shelter Island and Point Loma. To reach I-5 and I-8, take Harbor Drive west to Nimitz Boulevard, then right on Rosecrans Street. You can reach La Jolla and North County via I-5 North. I-8 East leads to Hotel Circle, Fashion Valley, Mission Valley, and Qualcomm Stadium. To reach Mission Bay continue on Nimitz Boulevard, which intersects with Sunset Cliffs Boulevard. To reach Coronado, take Harbor Drive east and turn left on Grape Street to reach I-5 South. Take the Hwy. 75 exit to cross the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge.
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Limousine rates vary and are per hour, per mile, or both, with some minimums established. Most offer bilingual guide service. Try LJL Transportation/La Jolla Limousines (PHONE: 619/232-6533).
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Cloud 9 Shuttle (PHONE: 800/974-8885 San Diego County; 858/974-8885 elsewhere, www.cloud9shuttle.com) can accommodate wheelchairs and offers an extensive fleet of vehicles.
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Taxis departing from the airport are subject to regulated fares -- all companies charge the same rate
(generally $1.80 for the first mile, $1.20 for each additional mile). Taxi fare is $7-$9 plus tip to most downtown hotels. Fare to Coronado runs about $15 plus tip. Fares vary among companies on other routes, however, including the ride back to the airport. If you call ahead and ask for the flat rate ($8), you'll get it, otherwise you'll be charged by the mile (which works out to $9 or so).
Taxi companies include:
Silver Cabs (PHONE: 619/280-5555).
Yellow Cab (PHONE: 619/234-6161, www.driveu.com).
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Greyhound (120 W. Broadway, PHONE: 619/239-8082 or 800/231-2222) operates 26 buses a day between San Diego and Los Angeles, connecting with buses to all major U.S. cities. Many buses are express or
nonstop; others make stops at coastal towns en route. Smoking is prohibited on all buses. Boarding is on a
first-come first-served basis One-way fare to Los Angeles is $13, round-trip is $22. You can buy tickets at the depot or in advance by
phone.
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Amtrak (PHONE: 800/872-7245, www.amtrak) offers daily trains to and from Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo. Connecting service to Oakland, Seattle, Chicago, Texas, Florida, and points beyond is available in Los Angeles. Many Amtrak trains require reservations, especially for long-distance transcontinental routes. Advance reservations are suggested for trains running on weekends between San Diego and Santa Barbara. For security reasons, Amtrak requires ticket purchasers to appear in person with photo ID.
Amtrak frequently offers discount passes that are good for travel within a specific geographic region of the United States, but you must book your schedule when buying the pass. If you want sleeping-car accommodations, in off-peak season you often can get a better price for a room by contacting the conductor after you board the train. Amtrak vending machines accept all major credit cards.
The Coaster (PHONE: 800/262-6883, www.sdcommute.com) runs between Oceanside and San Diego about every half hour during the rush hours on weekdays. There are four trains on Saturday, none on Sunday. One-way fares are $3.50 to $4.75, depending on the distance traveled.
You can pick up Coaster flyers or brochures with detailed itineraries for each stop, including walking directions and connections to local bus service. Trains are typically on time. No smoking is allowed. Coaster vending machines accept all major credit cards.
Metrolink (PHONE: 800/371-5465) operates high-speed rail service between the Oceanside Transit Center and Union Station in Los Angeles. Metrolink requires cash.
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Santa Fe Depot (1050 Kettner Blvd., PHONE: 619/239-9021) is in downtown San Diego.
Oceanside train station (PHONE: 760/722-4622).
Solana Beach Amtrak station (PHONE: 858/259-2697).
The Oceanside, Carlsbad, and Solana Beach stations have beach access.
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