SAN to Downtown San Diego: Bus 992, Taxi and Rideshare

For most travelers, MTS Route 992 is the best value. It leaves from both terminals and takes about 15 minutes to Santa Fe Depot. Rideshare and taxi are door to door but cost more, and the airport does not publish fares.

By road, downtown is about 4 miles and roughly 8 minutes without traffic. Traffic changes that.

Route 992 stops at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The airport lists it every day from 4:15 a.m. to midnight, every 15 minutes. The bus is wheelchair accessible. At the airport it stops on the elevated platform at both terminals, per MTS.

• Fare: $3.00 one way, adult. You can tap a credit or debit card or mobile wallet.
• Ride time: about 15 minutes to Santa Fe Depot, per MTS.
• Downtown stop: Kettner Blvd and W. Broadway, across from Santa Fe Depot, in front of a Starbucks, per MTS.

MTS lists slightly different hours (4:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.), so check the MTS trip planner or call 619-233-3004 before an early or late trip.

The Trolley and the COASTER do not stop at the airport. Take Route 992 to connect.

• UC San Diego Blue Line: Santa Fe Depot or America Plaza Station
• Orange Line: Courthouse Station
• Green Line: Santa Fe Depot Station, one block east
• Rapid 215 (SDSU), Rapid 225 (South Bay), Rapid 235 (Escondido)

Amtrak Intercity and COASTER trains reach Santa Fe Depot from Los Angeles, Orange County and coastal North County. COASTER runs daily, including holidays. Buy tickets at the machines on the Santa Fe Depot platform, at GoNCTD.com or in the COASTER app.

For a Trolley closer to the airport, ride the free San Diego Flyer to the Admiral Boland Way stop, one block from Middletown Station on the Blue and Green lines. Tell the driver you want the Palm St. stop.

The San Diego Flyer is a free shuttle between the airport and the Old Town Transit Center. It stops at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, at the terminal transportation islands, and at the Old Town Transit Center on the east side near the depot building.

The airport lists it daily from 4:50 a.m. to 12:20 a.m. MTS says it runs every 20 to 30 minutes and lists 4:45 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Check the live tracker for current times.

Uber, Lyft, Wingz and PrimeTime are authorized. Drop-off is curbside at both terminals.

• Terminal 1 pickup: after baggage claim, use the pedestrian crosswalk and follow the signs.
• Terminal 2 pickup: use the main crosswalk to Transportation Plaza. Rideshare pickup is in the second lane.

The airport does not publish rideshare prices. Check your app for a quote.

Five taxi companies are listed by the airport:

• Yellow Radio Service: 619.444.4444
• American Radio Service: 619.234.1111
• Orange Radio Service: 619.223.5555
• San Diego Dispatch: 619.226.8294
• USA Radio Dispatch: 619.231.1144

The airport does not publish taxi fares or a fixed rate to downtown. Taxi fares are shown on the meter. The San Diego Tourism Authority says drivers add an airport surcharge to trips that start at the airport, so ask for an estimate before you get in. Taxi stands are at the airport, and shuttles for hire load at the Transportation Plazas across from Terminals 1 and 2.

For hire shuttles include Sea Breeze Shuttle (619.204.5744) and San Diego Direct Coronado Livery (619.542.1924). Hotel and motel shuttles pick up at the Transportation Islands outside each terminal. Use the crosswalk to the Ground Transportation Island at Terminal 1, and the crosswalk outside baggage claim at Terminal 2.

Only use rides you requested or the taxi service arranged. Drivers may not solicit on airport property. Report violations to 619.400.2710.

A shared-use path connects the airport to Little Italy, downtown San Diego, Liberty Station and Point Loma along the bay waterfront. Signaled crosswalks on North Harbor Drive help you cross. Buses and trolleys accommodate bicycles.

From I-5 northbound, take the San Diego Airport / Hawthorn Street exit. From I-5 southbound, take the Sassafras Street exit, then Pacific Highway and Laurel Street to North Harbor Drive. From SR 163 southbound, join I-5 north. Terminal 1 comes first, with Terminal 2 about 1/4 mile past it.