San Diego Airport Advice/San Diego Rush hour
 

Hi,
We are flying out of San Diego airport in July to Puerto Vallarta...
Our flight leaves at 11:20 am, and we're driving in from south Orange County, which is usually about an hour drive. Since we'll have to drive to the airport during rush hour, how long extra would you leave for traffic? In other words, how's the freeway during rush hour ;)!
Never having flown out of SD Airport before, how is it? How early would you arrive? Any advice greatly appreciated... THANKS!!!

I'd allow at least an extra hour to be safe. Traffic along the 5 in the mornings can be stop and go, or, not that bad. Hard to tell. Have you considered staying at a hotel the night before, closer to the airport?

One way to avoid the traffic is to use the Coaster Rail- you can park your car at the Oceanside Station - take the train to downtown and transfer to bus- drops you off right in front of terminal- it actually works pretty slick - I have done it several times - and it may be cheaper to park your car at the Coaster Station than at the airport - not sure about that since I am usually dropped off-

As for your question about the aiport: It is not large and is very close to the downtown area -- it is literally possible to walk to the airport from much of downtown -- though I wouldn't try it.

Maybe you're concerned about it being a large, confusing airport. It's not.

You shouldn't have to be at the airport before about 9:20 at teh earliest, so you will be at the tail end of the rush hour. The traffic should be moving fine by then. An extra half hour will help you to be more relaxed and you can spend the extra time at the aiport having a cup of coffee.

You have to know which terminal your flight leaves from..there are only three (commuter, one and two)so it's not hard. The signs are clear and you shouldn't have a problem.

Frankie
Where do you plan to park?
There is a long term parking lot with shuttle transportation close to the terminals.
Also, determine in advance which terminal you will be departing from as it is a long walk between terminals.
I would leave Orange County at least an hour earlier so that you are not rushed.
The rush hour traffic should be cleared out by 9:30 AM but you may run into some by the fair in Del Mar.
I would plan on being in the terminal at the ticket desk by 10:00 AM.
It is better to be early as there may be a delays at the ticket counter or going through security.

thanks so much for replies. We plan to long term park, so now will go figure out which terminal we leave from...(it's America West if anyone knows).
Sounds like San Diego is not as bad as Orange County - John Wayne - in the morning...at least I hope so.

So 2 hours before a flight is ok now, even for Mexico? Thanks so much for everyone's replies. (btewalt, we had thought of staying close to the airport the night before, but pets are involved, so we don't want to be away any extra!)

I was told by travel agent just this week that 3 hours prior is required for international and Canada and Mexico are
considered international - so seems like 2 hrs would be plenty - but??

Check with your airline how much in advance they want you to be there, but I think two hours is quite adequate. The security at Lindbergh Field is pretty efficient, but you never know what will happen right in front of you!

There won't be heavy Fair traffic so early in the morning.

For more detailed info about the airport go to:

http://www.san.org/

thanks for the website, Barbara!

I would say plan on arriving two hours at least before the flight. There was a security problem the morning we left for Italy, and we barely made our flight--and that was only because they held the flight. We had allowed two hours. I think if you leave Orange County around 7AM you should be okay.

thanks again. 7am sounds about right to me.