San Diego: By Air

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By Air

The major airport is San Diego International Airport, called Lindbergh Field locally. The airport's three-letter code is SAN. Major airlines depart and arrive at Terminal 1 (east) and Terminal 2 (west); commuter flights identified on your ticket with a 3000 sequence flight number depart from a third terminal, the commuter terminal. A red shuttle bus provides free transportation between terminals.

With only one runway serving two main terminals, San Diego's airport is too small to accommodate the heavy traffic of busy travel periods. Small problems including weather can cause congested terminals and flight delays. Delays of 20-30 minutes in baggage claim are not unusual.

If you need travel assistance at the airport, note that there are two Travelers Aid information booths, one in Terminal 1 and one in Terminal 2, open daily 8 AM-11 PM.

Most international flights depart from and arrive at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX); both American Eagle and United Express have frequent flights between LAX and San Diego. Ground shuttle service is available between LAX and San Diego.

Carriers

All major and some regional U.S. carriers serve San Diego International Airport. 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.

Major Airlines

AeroMexico (800/237-6639. www.aeromexico.com). Air Canada (888/247-2262. www.aircanada.com). American Airlines/American Eagle (800/433-7300. www.aa.com). Continental Airlines/Continental Express (800/525-0280. www.continental.com). Delta Airlines/Delta Connection (800/221-1212. www.delta.com). Northwest Airlines/Northwest Airlink (800/225-2525. www.nwa.com). Southwest (800/435-9792. www.southwest.com). US Airways (800/428-4322. www.usairways.com).

United Airlines/United Express (800/864-8331. www.united.com).

Regional & Smaller Airlines

Alaska Airlines/Alaska Commuter (800/252-7522. www.alaskaair.com). Aloha Airlines (800/367-5250. www.alohaairlines.com). America West Airlines/America West Express (800/235-9292. www.americawest.com). Frontier Airlines (800/432-1359. www.frontierairlines.com). Hawaiian Airlines (800/367-5320. www.hawaiianair.com). JetBlue (800/538-2583. www.jetblue.com). Midwest Airlines (800/452-2022. www.midwestairlines.com). Sun Country Airlines (800/359-6786. www.suncountry.com).

Flying Times

Flying time to San Diego is 5 hours from New York, 3 1/2 hours from Chicago, 3[1/2] hours from Dallas, and 45 minutes from Los Angeles.

Airport Information

San Diego International Airport (619/400-2400. www.san.org).

Airport Transfers

San Diego International Airport is 3 mi from downtown. Ground transportation services include shuttle vans, buses, and taxis. All services operate from the Transportation Plaza, reached via the skybridges from Terminals 1 and 2. The cheapest and sometimes most convenient shuttle is the Metropolitan Transit System's Flyer Route 992, red-and-blue-stripe buses that serve the terminals at 10- to 15-minute intervals between 5 AM and 1 AM. These buses have luggage racks and make a loop from the airport to downtown along Broadway to 9th Avenue and back, stopping frequently within walking distance of many hotels; they also connect with the San Diego Trolley, Amtrak, and the Coaster. The fare is $2.25, including transfer to local transit buses and the 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 Depot, from where you can take the Coaster commuter train as far north as Oceanside for $3.75-$4.75. Of the various airport shuttles, only Cloud 9 has tie-downs for wheelchairs; however, Access Shuttle can provide curbside service if requested in advance.

Limousine rates vary and are per hour, per mile, or both, with some minimums established.

Taxi fare is $10 plus tip to most downtown hotels. Fare to Coronado runs about $16 plus tip.

Major car-rental agencies have outlets near the airport; use the courtesy phones in the baggage claim areas of Terminals 1 and 2. Agency shuttles cruise the airport continuously and pick you up at the islands outside the terminals to take you to their rental locations. If you rent a car at the airport, take Harbor Drive east to reach downtown, or west to reach Shelter Island and Point Loma. To access I-5 and I-8 to go north or east, take Harbor Drive east to Laurel, follow signs to northbound freeway entrance; follow I-5 North to I-8 East. You can reach La Jolla and North County via I-5 North. Interstate 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 get to Coronado, take Harbor Drive east and turn left on Grape Street to reach I-5 South. Take the Highway 75 exit to cross the San Diego-Coronado Bridge.

Limousines & Shuttles

Access Shuttle (619/282-1515 or 800/690-9090. www.access-shuttle.com). Cloud 9 Shuttle (800/974-8885. www.cloud9shuttle.com). Coronado Livery (619/435-6310). Five Star (619/294-3300 or 866/281-4288. www.fivestarshuttle.com). Metropolitan Transit System (800/266-6883. www.sdcommute.com).