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Both terminals send rideshare passengers to the same Transportation Plaza. Here's how to find it and what the ride costs.
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Uber and Lyft do not pick up at the terminal curb at San Diego International. Both terminals route rideshare passengers across the road to the Transportation Plaza, reached by a signed crosswalk from baggage claim; your driver meets you in a numbered zone the app assigns after you request. Expect roughly $18 to $30 to downtown or Little Italy, $25 to $35 to Coronado, $35 to $55 to La Jolla or Del Mar, and surge pricing whenever several flights land at once in the early evening. The MTS Route 992 bus runs the same downtown route for $2.50 and stops right at the terminal curb.
| Destination | Typical fare | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown / Gaslamp / Little Italy | $18-$30 | 10-15 min |
| Coronado | $25-$35 | 15-20 min |
| Pacific Beach / Mission Beach | $28-$40 | 15-20 min |
| La Jolla | $35-$55 | 20-30 min |
| Del Mar / Carlsbad | $50-$95 | 30-50 min |
The walk is short but not obvious if you follow the taxi signs.
SAN airport · Transportation Plaza
Exit baggage claim, cross at the marked crosswalk to the Transportation Plaza island, and match the zone number your app shows. It's a two to four minute walk from the carousels.
Local tip: Request the ride once you're standing in the plaza, not at the carousel — drivers only get a few minutes of wait time.
SAN airport · Transportation Plaza
Same plaza, reached from the west end of Terminal 2 baggage claim. Signs read Rideshare and Shared Ride, not Uber or Lyft specifically.
Departing rideshare passengers are dropped at the normal terminal departures curb, so leaving the airport is the awkward direction, not arriving.
Three options that beat a surging fare.
$2.50 · Every 15 min
The 992 stops at both terminal curbs and runs down Broadway through downtown to the Santa Fe Depot, where it connects to the Trolley and the Coaster. About 15 minutes, luggage-friendly, no crosswalk required.
Local tip: Pay with the PRONTO app or a contactless card — exact change is a hassle.
Several downtown and Mission Valley hotels run free shuttles from the same Transportation Plaza. Ask at booking; it's a quiet perk that saves $25 each way.
Evening banks of arrivals between 5pm and 8pm push fares up 1.5 to 2 times. Twenty minutes at a terminal bar routinely saves more than the drink costs.
At the Transportation Plaza across from both terminals, reached by a marked crosswalk from baggage claim. Your app assigns a numbered zone once you request the ride.
Usually $18 to $30, rising during evening surge periods. The drive takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Yes. MTS Route 992 runs from both terminal curbs down Broadway to the Santa Fe Depot for $2.50, about every 15 minutes.
No. Rideshare trips across the border aren't permitted. Take the Blue Line Trolley to San Ysidro and walk across, or use the Cross Border Xpress from Otay Mesa if you're flying out of Tijuana.
Not by default. Order Uber Car Seat where available or bring your own — California law requires them for young children.
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Written and fact-checked by the Sandi Spots Editorial team — San Diego residents publishing under Sleep Coast LLC. Every place we recommend has been visited in person or verified against an official source, and no business can pay for inclusion or a higher ranking. Last updated .