San Diego Airport Terminals Guide: Gates, Airlines, T1/T2

San Diego Airport Terminals Guide, San Diego International Airport (SAN) has two terminals. Terminal 1 serves Southwest, Frontier, Spirit, and Hawaiian across 22 gates. Terminal 2 splits into an East and West concourse, serving Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, United, and all international arrivals across gates 20 to 51. A free shuttle and a pedestrian walkway connect both terminals in minutes. Everything travelers need to know about Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at San Diego International Airport airlines, gates, layout, inter-terminal travel, and how to get in and out without wasting time.

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San Diego International Airport at a Glance

If you are flying through Southern California this year, understanding the layout of San Diego airport terminals before you leave home will save you more time than almost any other piece of trip planning because unlike most twin-terminal airports, SAN’s Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are separate buildings with their own curbs, their own security checkpoints, and, during current construction, their own quirks. This guide walks through every terminal, every airline, every way to move between them, and every practical detail you need for a smooth trip.

Terminal 1 at San Diego Airport

Terminal 1 is the newest building at SAN, a $3.8 billion, 940,000-square-foot facility designed by Gensler, with its first phase opening on September 23, 2025 to replace a terminal that had served the airport since the 1960s. It’s built as a single long concourse, split across two levels: baggage claim on Level 1 and check-in on Level 2, with one consolidated security checkpoint after ticketing.

• Terminal 1 Airlines and Gates

Terminal 1 currently operates 22 gates, numbered 101 to 122. Southwest Airlines is the anchor carrier here and the airport’s largest by passenger volume, joined by Frontier, Spirit, and Hawaiian Airlines. Air Canada and WestJet are scheduled to add service from Terminal 1 in spring 2026, with additional Delta gates planned for 2028 as the second construction phase completes, eventually bringing Terminal 1 to roughly 30 gates.

• Terminal 1 Layout and Facilities

The ticketing hall runs 69 self-service check-in kiosks alongside 66 staffed ticket counters, and baggage claim is equipped with seven carousels rated to handle 4,000 bags an hour. Security screening runs through 13 lanes, including dedicated TSA PreCheck and CLEAR lines. Beyond the basics, Terminal 1 has 12 food and beverage outlets, 5 specialty retail stores, outdoor dining with bay views, a pet relief area, and more than 250 EV charging spaces in the adjoining parking plaza. The building’s glass “Luminous Wave” façade, designed by James Carpenter, is paired with five major public art installations throughout the concourse.

• Terminal 1 Redevelopment Timeline

Construction isn’t finished. Phase 1B is underway through 2028, and travelers booking ground transportation during this window should expect pickup zones and curbside access points to shift periodically, one more reason to confirm your exact Terminal 1 pickup location when scheduling a ride rather than assuming last year’s layout still applies.

Terminal 2 at San Diego Airport

Terminal 2 handles the bulk of SAN’s traffic, including every international arrival. It’s organized into two connected halls Terminal 2 East and Terminal 2 West joined by a long interior corridor with moving walkways, so once you’re through security you can walk freely between the two sides.

2E

• Terminal 2 East · Gates 20–36
• Delta Air Lines
• United Airlines
• British Airways
• Primary hub for international arrivals processing (CBP)

2W

• Terminal 2 West · Gates 40–51
• American Airlines
• Alaska Airlines
• JetBlue
• Commuter gates 46 to 51 for regional jets and turboprops

Terminal 2 Lounges and International Arrivals

Terminal 2 is home to all five of the airport’s lounges, including the Aspire Lounge and the United Club (both accessible with a day pass for non-elite travelers). Because all international flights land here, Terminal 2 East also houses SAN’s Customs and Border Protection processing area, a detail that matters if you’re arranging pickup for an arriving international passenger, since clearance can add 30–60 minutes beyond the scheduled landing time.

San Diego Airport Terminal 1 vs Terminal 2

Airlines by Terminal at San Diego Airport

Because Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are physically separate buildings at SAN, confirming your airline’s terminal before you leave for the airport is one of the most important steps in trip planning. Arriving at the wrong terminal can cost 20–30 minutes even with the shuttle.

How to Get Between Terminals at San Diego Airport

This is the single most-searched practical question about San Diego airport terminals, and the answer depends on whether you’ve already cleared security.

• Before security (Airport Loop Shuttle): A free, frequent shuttle bus connects Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and the Rental Car Center. This is the recommended way to move between terminals if you have bags or a tight connection.
• Before security (walking): A pedestrian sidewalk links the two buildings, but it’s a genuine 10–15 minute walk, and the general-traffic roadway link between the terminal curbs is currently severed by Phase 1B construction, so drivers cannot simply pull from one terminal curb to the other.
• After security (secured connector): If you land in one terminal and connect through the other, a secured indoor connector lets you walk between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 without exiting and re-clearing TSA screening, a detail many airport guides miss entirely.
• Public transit (Route 992 “The Flyer”): This express bus links both terminals to downtown San Diego (Santa Fe Depot, City College) in about 10 to 15 minutes for roughly $2.50, though it’s impractical with a lot of luggage.

Local tip: San Diego airport has no light rail or trolley connection at all and the San Diego Trolley system does not reach SAN. If you’re comparing ground transport options, budget for the shuttle, Route 992, rideshare, or a car service rather than expecting a rail option.

Ground Transportation at San Diego Airport Terminals

Because SAN has no direct rail or trolley connection, how you plan ground transportation matters more here than at most major airports.

• Rental Car Center

All major rental agencies Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National operate out of a single Rental Car Center at 3355 Admiral Boland Way, northeast of the terminals. A free shuttle runs every 5–10 minutes from both terminals.

• Taxi and Rideshare

Taxi zones sit at the transit islands on the arrivals/baggage claim level of both terminals, with metered fares. Rideshare platforms including Uber, Lyft, Wingz, and Opoli pick up from designated curbside zones outside each terminal.

• Public Transit

MTS Bus Route 992 (“The Flyer”) connects both terminals to downtown San Diego Santa Fe Depot and City College in about 10–15 minutes, running every 15–20 minutes on weekdays for a $2.50 fare. From Santa Fe Depot, travelers can transfer to Amtrak, the COASTER commuter rail, or the San Diego Trolley. Note that SAN has no direct trolley or light-rail stop of its own. Route 992 is the only public transit link.

• Private Car Service

Given the lack of a direct rail option and construction-related shifts to Terminal 1 curbside pickup through 2028, a growing share of travelers book San Diego Car Service for predictable, terminal-specific pickup rather than relying on rideshare queues that can shift by the week.

Parking at San Diego Airport Terminals

SAN offers five official on-airport parking options, each tied more or less directly to a specific terminal, plus a wide network of off-site lots that undercut on-airport pricing significantly.

• Terminal 1 Parking Plaza: The new five-level garage attached directly to Terminal 1, with 5,200 spaces and 185 EV charging ports. Rate: $2.50 per 15 minutes ($10/hour), capped around $32/day.
• Terminal 2 Parking Plaza & Terminal 2 Lot: Same rate structure as Terminal 1, capped around $32/day.
• Economy Lot: On-airport but shuttle-served, capped around $20/day.
• Valet Parking: Available curbside at both terminals, around $40/day.
• Off-site lots: Multiple private operators near SAN offer free shuttles to both terminals with pre-booked rates typically starting under $15/day, often the better option for stays longer than a day or two.

Oversized vehicles and vehicles towing trailers are generally required to pay for an additional space in on-airport lots, and pre-booking any lot on-airport or off-site is the most reliable way to guarantee a spot during summer and holiday peaks.

Security, TSA PreCheck & CLEAR at SAN Terminals

Terminal 1 runs a single centralized checkpoint with 13 lanes, including dedicated TSA PreCheck and CLEAR lanes. Terminal 2 splits screening across two checkpoints Checkpoint 5 serving the East hall and Checkpoint 6 serving the West hall which then feed into one shared post-security concourse. Both terminals clear standard TSA screening, but only Terminal 2 processes international arrivals through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), since Terminal 1 currently handles domestic and select near-international routes only.

For travelers arriving from Tijuana, it’s worth knowing that San Diego’s cross-border connection to TIJ (the Cross Border Xpress, or CBX) is a separate facility from SAN entirely. Passengers walk across a dedicated bridge and clear CBP at the CBX building itself, not inside either SAN terminal.

Terminal 1 Construction Timeline: What’s Changing Through 2028

Because Terminal 1’s rebuild is still in progress, it helps to know exactly what’s already open and what’s still coming:

• Pre-2025: Old Terminal 1 West building demolished; Southwest operations consolidated into T1 East and temporary facilities during construction.

• September 23, 2025: New Terminal 1 Phase 1A opens, replacing the 58-year-old original building.

• Spring 2026: Three new gates open for Air Canada and WestJet.

• 2026–2028 (Phase 1B): Continued construction; the general-traffic roadway link between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 remains severed, so curb-to-curb driving between terminals isn’t currently possible.

• Early 2028: Eight additional Delta gates open, bringing Terminal 1’s total to 30 gates.

The practical takeaway for travelers through 2028: double-check your terminal and pickup zone every time you book, since gate assignments and curb access are actively shifting as construction phases complete.

Accessibility and Family-Friendly Features

Both terminals are designed with step-free access throughout, elevators and moving walkways connecting concourses, and accessible restrooms and seating near gates. Families traveling with young children will find nursing rooms in both terminals, and pet owners have access to designated pet relief areas in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 a small but frequently searched detail for anyone flying with a service animal or pet.

Practical Tips for Navigating San Diego Airport Terminals

• Arrive at least 1 hour 30 minutes before a domestic flight and 2 hours 30 minutes before an international departure from Terminal 2.
• If your itinerary connects between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, check whether your connection is airside (post-security, via the secured connector) or requires exiting and re-clearing security; this changes your realistic minimum connection time significantly.
• Book parking in advance during summer and holiday weeks; on-airport lots at both terminals routinely sell out.
• If comparing the two terminals for a layover, Terminal 2 currently offers more food, retail, and lounge variety than Terminal 1.
• Confirm your terminal every time you book with Air Canada, WestJet, and eventually Delta gates shifting into Terminal 1 through 2028, an airline’s terminal assignment at SAN can change year to year during this construction window.
• Terminal details, gate counts, and construction timelines at San Diego International Airport are subject to change as Phase 1B of the Terminal 1 project continues through 2028. Always confirm your terminal directly with your airline or at san.org before traveling.

Frequently Asked Questions About San Diego Airport Terminals

Q1: How many terminals does San Diego airport have?

San Diego International Airport (SAN) has two passenger terminals Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 operating as separate buildings connected by a free shuttle and a secured post-security walkway.

Q2: Can you walk between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at San Diego airport?

Before security, yes, via a 10–15 minute pedestrian sidewalk, though the free Airport Loop shuttle is faster and recommended. After security, a secured indoor connector lets connecting passengers walk between terminals without re-clearing screening.

Q3: Which terminal is Southwest Airlines at San Diego airport?

Southwest operates from Terminal 1, where it’s SAN’s largest carrier by passenger volume.

Q4: Which terminals are Delta, United, and American at San Diego airport?

Delta, United, American, Alaska, and JetBlue all operate from Terminal 2, which also handles every international arrival at SAN.

Q5: How big is San Diego International Airport?

SAN serves about 25.3 million passengers a year, runs on a single runway, and sits roughly two miles from downtown San Diego making it one of the most compact major airports in the U.S. despite its passenger volume.

Q6: Does San Diego airport have a train or metro connection?

No. The San Diego Trolley does not reach SAN. Ground transport options are the free inter-terminal shuttle, MTS Bus Route 992, rideshare, taxis, and car services.

Final Words About San Diego Airport Terminals Guide

San Diego’s two-terminal layout is compact by design, but Terminal 1’s ongoing construction through 2028 means the details gate numbers, curbside pickup points, even which concourse handles your airline are worth double-checking before every trip. Whether you’re departing from Terminal 1’s Southwest gates or clearing customs in Terminal 2 East, knowing exactly where you’re headed before you leave the house is what turns a stressful airport run into a straightforward one.

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