How to prepare for holiday travel at San Diego International Airport
Dec 18, 2024
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Travelers, get ready for the holiday rush!
Between this Thursday and Sunday, Jan. 5, as many as 1.3 million people are expected to arrive and depart at the San Diego International Airport.
SAN anticipates to see around 80,000 people during the busiest days from Friday to Monday; Thursday, Dec. 26 to Sunday, Dec. 29; and Thursday, Jan. 2 to Sunday, Jan. 5.
Here are some tips the airport recommends before your trip:
Make parking reservations in advance: With the new Terminal 1 Parking Plaza now open, there are nearly 5,000 covered parking spaces between T1 and T2 parking plazas. Save 20% with the promo code HOLIDAYS on parking and curbside valet reservations.
Pay attention to roadway signage: The roads around the airport are changing, so drivers should drive safely and be prepared for roadway signage.
Expect delays: Slow-moving construction vehicles may cause delays on west and eastbound North Harbor Drive.
Pack wisely: Find out what travelers can and cannot bring in their luggage by downloading the MyTSA app and use the “What Can I Bring?” feature, or snap a picture of an item and send it to @AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook Messenger for real-time assistance. Travelers can also send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).
Check your flight status and arrive early: The busiest times curbside are 4 a.m. to 6:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Traveling to and around SAN: A free shuttle bus called the San Diego Flyer provides service between the Old Town Transit Station and SAN seven days a week, with an average arrival time of every 20 to 30 minutes. To get to and from T1 and T2, passengers can take the Terminal Loop Shuttle. Use a ride-share vehicle to get dropped off or picked up at the airport.
The airport is forecasting a 4 to 5 percent increase this year in the number of travelers compared to the winter holiday travel period in 2023.