San Diego (SAN) airport guide & terminal map

Airport details change — always confirm your terminal, gate, and fares on your boarding pass before you travel.

Everything you need before you fly from San Diego International, including an interactive map, Terminal 1, Terminal 2 East and Terminal 2 West, gates, parking, car rental, dining, baggage claim and where each airline sits.

An interactive SAN map plus everything you need before you fly, covering the brand-new Terminal 1, Terminal 2 East and West, gates, parking, transit, car rental, dining, baggage claim and where each airline sits.

San Diego International Airport (SAN), still known to locals by its old name Lindbergh Field, is the main airport for San Diego and one of the most-used single-runway airports on earth. Around 25 million travelers pass through each year, all sharing one runway — a feat of scheduling that few airports can match.

SAN also has an unbeatable location. It sits barely 3 miles from downtown, so close that you can watch jets line up over the skyline on approach. A ride from the city center takes under 10 minutes when the roads are clear. Almost no other major American airport is this close to the heart of the city it serves.

The airport is in the middle of a huge change. A brand-new Terminal 1 opened its first phase in September 2025, replacing a cramped 1960s building, and more of it is still being built. That means the layout and the roads around the airport are shifting, so a quick look at the SAN map before you set off is time well spent.

SAN has two terminals: the new Terminal 1 and the older Terminal 2, which splits into an East side and a West side. In this guide, we walk you through the full San Diego airport map — both terminals, where each airline sits, parking, transit, car rental, dining, and baggage claim. We also share travel tips from MyFlyYatra and popular flight routes from San Diego to India.

San Diego International Airport (SAN) Overview

Airport Location and Layout

SAN sits on the north shore of San Diego Bay, right beside downtown, off North Harbor Drive. Because it is boxed in by the bay, the city, and the hills, it has room for only that single runway — which is part of why the place feels so compact.

The largest carrier at SAN is Southwest, followed by Alaska. The airport also serves American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Frontier, Spirit, Sun Country, Breeze, Hawaiian, plus international airlines including British Airways, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, KLM, and Volaris.

Understanding the SAN Airport Layout

SAN is laid out as two terminals side by side along Harbor Drive. Terminal 1 is on the eastern side, Terminal 2 on the western side, and each has its own roadway, check-in, security, and gates.

Here is the plain-English version:

Terminal 1 — the new building. Mostly low-cost and leisure carriers, led by Southwest. One long concourse.

Terminal 2 East — Alaska and American.

Terminal 2 West — Delta, United, and the international airlines.

Getting between the two terminals is the thing to plan for. They are not joined after security, and the road link between them has been broken up by construction. Walking between them along the landside is possible but awkward and takes 5 to 10 minutes through a shifting work zone. The easiest way to hop between terminals is the free San Diego Flyer shuttle, which loops both terminals and the Old Town Transit Center.

Inside each terminal, things are simpler. Terminal 1 has one concourse off a single consolidated checkpoint. In Terminal 2, the East and West concourses have separate checkpoints but join up into one shared area after security, so you can walk between them freely once you are through.

If you are connecting between an airline in Terminal 1 and one in Terminal 2, treat it almost like changing airports: collect your bags, leave, ride the shuttle, and check in again.

San Diego Airport Map (SAN Map)

Interactive SAN Airport Map Overview

The San Diego airport map shows both terminals lined up along the bay. On the SAN map you can see the new Terminal 1 to the east with its parking plaza, Terminal 2 to the west with its East and West concourses, the security checkpoints, the Economy Lot, the Rental Car Center on Harbor Drive, and the roadways feeding in from North Harbor Drive.

The official SAN terminal map is available above. Zoom in to find gates, restaurants, restrooms, lounges, and checkpoints. Because the roads around Terminal 1 keep changing during construction, checking the map of San Diego airport before you drive in genuinely helps.

How to Navigate SAN Efficiently

Here is the simple way to read the SAN gate map and move fast:

Confirm your terminal — Terminal 1, or Terminal 2 East or West. Your boarding pass has it.

Take the right turn off Harbor Drive. Hold the center or left lanes to reach Terminal 2 without getting stuck in the Terminal 1 queue.

Park in the plaza next to your terminal, or use the Economy Lot shuttle.

Check in and clear security at your terminal.

Walk to your gate. In Terminal 2, East and West connect after security.

Mornings and late afternoons are the busiest at SAN, so give yourself more time in those windows.

SAN Terminal Map Guide

Here is what sits in each terminal.

Terminal 1 Map and Facilities

Terminal 1 is the headline story at SAN. The first phase of a completely new building opened on September 22, 2025, replacing the old terminal that dated to the 1960s. It is the centerpiece of a roughly $3.8 billion redevelopment.

The new Terminal 1 currently has around 19 to 22 gates on a single long concourse, numbered in the 100s. Check-in is on the upper level and baggage claim on the lower level, with one large consolidated security checkpoint running 13 lanes with TSA PreCheck and CLEAR.

What sets it apart:

An all-glass "Luminous Wave" front designed to flood the building with daylight

Five large public art installations

Around a dozen food and drink outlets and several shops, including outdoor dining with bay views

69 self-service check-in kiosks and 66 counters

Seven baggage carousels built to move up to 4,000 bags an hour

A pet relief area and 250-plus EV charging spaces in the adjoining parking plaza

It is a genuine leap from the old building — brighter, roomier, and far more comfortable.

Still being built: Phase 1B is adding three more gates in spring 2026 (to welcome Air Canada and WestJet), and eight further gates are planned by 2028, bringing Terminal 1 to a final total of around 30 gates. Expect ongoing construction near the terminal entrance and some shifting access roads until then.

Terminal 2 East Map and Facilities

Terminal 2 East is home to Alaska Airlines and American Airlines. It has its own check-in area and security checkpoint, and after screening it connects through to Terminal 2 West.

Alaska is the anchor here, and this concourse holds the Alaska Lounge.

Terminal 2 West Map and Facilities

Terminal 2 West handles Delta, United, and all of SAN's international flights, including British Airways, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, KLM, and Volaris.

It has its own check-in and checkpoint, and it holds most of the airport's lounges plus a good food court. Because international flights use this side, it is where U.S. Customs and Border Protection processes arrivals.

Terminal 2 East and West share one connected secure area, so once you are through either checkpoint you can walk between the two concourses to reach lounges, food, or your gate.

San Diego Airport Airlines by Terminal

Knowing your terminal before you leave home saves time at SAN, especially since the two terminals do not connect after security. Here is the quick guide. Assignments can change during the construction, so check your boarding pass.

Southwest Airlines Terminal at SAN

Southwest, the largest carrier at SAN, flies from the new Terminal 1.

Alaska Airlines Terminal at SAN

Alaska flies from Terminal 2 East, where the Alaska Lounge is located.

American Airlines Terminal at SAN

American flies from Terminal 2 East.

Delta and United Terminals at SAN

Both fly from Terminal 2 West.

JetBlue, Frontier, Spirit, Sun Country and Breeze Terminals at SAN

These low-cost and leisure carriers fly from Terminal 1.

International Airlines at SAN

Foreign carriers use Terminal 2 West, including British Airways, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, KLM, and Volaris. Air Canada and WestJet are moving into Terminal 1 as Phase 1B gates open in spring 2026.

Airport Lounges at SAN

SAN's lounges are concentrated in Terminal 2, with the new Terminal 1 lounge picture still developing as the building expands.

Since Terminal 2 East and West connect after security, you can reach any Terminal 2 lounge from either side. Terminal 1 passengers cannot use these lounges without leaving and switching terminals.

San Diego Airport Parking Map

Parking at SAN is on the pricey side, mostly because the airport sits on scarce land right next to downtown. There are on-airport plazas at each terminal plus a cheaper Economy Lot.

Terminal 1 Parking Plaza

The new Terminal 1 Parking Plaza is a five-level, 5,200-space garage connected to the terminal by a covered walkway — no shuttle, and no walking in the rain. It opened alongside the new terminal.

It costs $2.50 per 15 minutes, which works out to $10 an hour, capped at $32 a day. The plaza also holds 185 EV charging ports, one of the largest airport charging setups in California.

Terminal 2 Parking

Terminal 2 has two on-airport options — the Terminal 2 Parking Plaza (a multi-level garage) and the Terminal 2 Lot (a surface lot). Both charge the same $32 a day and both put you within a direct walk of the Terminal 2 concourses.

Economy Lot

The Economy Lot is the cheapest on-airport choice at $20 a day, with a free shuttle that reaches both terminals in about three minutes — the quickest shuttle ride at the airport.

For anything beyond a day or two, this is the smart on-airport pick.

Valet Parking

Valet is available curbside at both terminals for $40 a day, the most expensive option. You hand over the keys and walk straight in.

Cell Phone Lot

Free, at 2311 McCain Road. Wait there until your arriving passenger is ready, then drive to the curb.

SAN Parking Rates at a Glance

Rates are set by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority and were verified in spring 2026. Given how close SAN is to downtown, a rideshare or transit trip often beats parking for a short stay — see the next section. Book ahead during summer and holidays, when lots fill.

San Diego Airport Car Rental Map

Rental cars at SAN are all in one place, off the airport, reached by a quick shuttle.

Rental Car Center

All the major brands share a large Rental Car Center on North Harbor Drive — a big consolidated facility serving 14 rental companies, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Sixt, and Thrifty.

Free rental car shuttles pick up outside both terminals and run to the center. Look for the marked stop on the arrivals level.

Rental Car Return

Return your car at the Rental Car Center on Harbor Drive, then ride the shuttle to your terminal. Add about 30 minutes to your usual check-in time.

Ground Transportation

Taxis, rideshares, hotel shuttles, and the free San Diego Flyer all load from the arrivals level outside baggage claim. Follow the signs down from your gate.

Getting To and From San Diego Airport

Because SAN is so close to downtown, getting in and out is quick and cheap.

San Diego Flyer (free shuttle). This free shuttle links both terminals to the Old Town Transit Center. From Old Town you can pick up the San Diego Trolley, the COASTER commuter train up the coast, or the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner. It is the key connection for reaching the region's rail network without paying for a ride.

MTS Route 992 bus. Route 992 runs between downtown San Diego and both terminals for $2.50, taking about 15 minutes. A simple, cheap option if you are headed downtown.

Driving. Downtown is about 3 miles and 7 to 12 minutes via North Harbor Drive. Traffic near the terminals can bunch up at peak times, and construction has made the Terminal 1 approach busier.

Taxi and rideshare. Both pick up on the arrivals level. Downtown fares are low simply because the distance is short.

A note on transit: SAN does not yet have a train or trolley station inside the airport. Everything connects through Old Town via the free Flyer shuttle. A direct transit link has long been discussed but is not built.

San Diego Airport Food Map

SAN's dining has jumped up a level with the new Terminal 1, and there is a strong Southern California and Mexican flavor throughout. Here is what the SAN food map looks like.

Dining in Terminal 1

The new Terminal 1 brought a dozen or so fresh food and drink spots, from quick coffee to sit-down meals, plus something rare at any airport: outdoor dining with views over the bay. If you are flying Southwest or another Terminal 1 airline, the choice here is far better than it was in the old building.

Dining in Terminal 2 East

Terminal 2 East has a solid mix of cafés, bars, and grab-and-go counters serving Alaska and American passengers.

Dining in Terminal 2 West

Terminal 2 West has the airport's food court plus additional restaurants and bars geared toward Delta, United, and international travelers.

Tip: within Terminal 2, East and West connect after security, so you can walk to whichever side has what you want. Between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, you cannot — those are separate secure areas, so eat on your own side.

San Diego Airport Baggage Claim Map

Baggage claim at SAN is on the lower level of each terminal. Follow the signs down from your gate and check the screens for your carousel.

Domestic Arrivals

Head to the lower level of the terminal you landed in. The new Terminal 1 has seven carousels moving up to 4,000 bags an hour, so waits there should be short. Ground transportation and the rental car shuttle stop are on the same level.

International Arrivals

International flights are processed through U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the Terminal 2 West area. You clear passport control, collect your bags, pass the customs check, then exit to the lower level.

If you are connecting onward, re-check your bags and clear security again. And remember: if your onward flight leaves from Terminal 1, you will need to leave Terminal 2 entirely and ride the shuttle over. Allow at least three hours for an international connection.

Lost and Found

For items left on the plane, contact your airline. For anything lost elsewhere in the airport, contact SAN's Lost and Found through san.org. Report it as soon as you can.

Travel Tips from MyFlyYatra

Treat a Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 Connection Carefully

The two terminals at SAN do not connect after security, and the road between them is broken up by construction. If your trip involves a gate in each terminal, plan for it: collect bags, exit, take the free San Diego Flyer shuttle, and check in again. Do not assume a quick walk.

Use the Airport's Closeness to Your Advantage

SAN is 3 miles from downtown. For a short trip, a rideshare or the $2.50 Route 992 bus often beats paying $32 a day to park. If you are staying in the city center, you may not need a car at all.

How Early to Arrive

Arrive 2 hours ahead for domestic flights and 3 hours for international. Mornings and late afternoons are the busiest, so add time then. The new Terminal 1 checkpoint has 13 lanes, which has eased the old bottlenecks, but peak waves still build.

Watch the Roads Near Terminal 1

Because Terminal 1's Phase 1B is still under construction, the roadway loop around it keeps changing, and the direct road link to Terminal 2 is severed. When you turn off Harbor Drive, hold the center or left lanes for Terminal 2 so you do not get funneled into the Terminal 1 queue. Follow the signs — they get updated as work moves.

Fly In or Out at Golden Hour

This is a local's tip rather than a logistics one: SAN's approach runs right over downtown and the bay. A window seat at sunset gives you one of the best airport views in the country. Terminal 1's outdoor dining and big glass front make the most of it too.

What's Changing at SAN

SAN is in the middle of a roughly $3.8 billion redevelopment, most of it centered on Terminal 1.

New Terminal 1 Phase 1A — opened September 22, 2025, with about 19 gates, the Luminous Wave glass front, a new parking plaza, and far more dining and retail.

Phase 1B — three more gates in spring 2026, welcoming Air Canada and WestJet.

Further gates — eight more planned by 2028, for a final total of around 30 Terminal 1 gates.

Roads and access — the landside loop and terminal-to-terminal road remain affected by construction through 2026 and beyond.

Because access roads and gate assignments keep shifting, check san.org before you drive in.

San Diego (SAN) to India Flights

Flying from San Diego to India? SAN connects to every major Indian city with one-stop and two-stop routes through hubs in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. If you are looking for the best USA to India flights, the table below shows popular starting fares to help you plan. Prices move with season and demand, so check current rates before you book.

Want to fly in more comfort? MyFlyYatra also helps you find business class flights to India with extra legroom, better meals, and lie-flat seats on long routes. Whether you want a low-cost economy seat or a premium business class flight deal, our team finds the best deals that fit your budget.

Ready to book your flight to India? MyFlyYatra brings you the best deals on flights to India from San Diego and across the USA, with friendly support at every step. Compare fares and reserve your seat today.

Note: Airline and terminal assignments at SAN can change, including during ongoing airport upgrades. Always confirm your terminal and gate with your airline or your boarding pass before you travel.