Travel: Flights to San Diego

San Diego International Airport (IATA: SAN) is less than 10 minutes from downtown San Diego. The descent into the airport, passing remarkably close to downtown buildings, can be a bit alarming for first-time visitors. It is served by American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways and most other major West Coast carriers. Beware that even discounted coach airfares between San Diego and Los Angeles (about 120 miles/190 km) can cost nearly as much a trip to the east coast.

There are a number of airport shuttle companies that handle transportation to and from the airport. They cost around $15 per person. Metro bus #992 ("the Flyer", $2.25) travels 10 minutes to downtown San Diego, and connects to the Coaster commuter train, the Trolley, and the Amtrak station.

Private pilots will prefer the nearby general aviation airports, Montgomery Field (ICAO: KMYF) in Clairemont Mesa, Gillespie Field (ICAO: KSEE) in El Cajon, or Brown Field (ICAO: KSDM) east of San Ysidro. Some air taxi and air charter firms offer specials to the San Diego area from local airports, including from many smaller Los Angeles airports and from the San Luis Obispo area.