San Diego Transportation Guide
How to navigate San Diego and the surrounding areas
Bags are packed, plane tickets are booked and the trip to San Diego is official. And with the amount of options available, getting around the city is just as easy as getting into it. Whether you just need a ride from the airport to your hotel or are looking to get in, out and around the city for the week, there are a number of cheap and convenient options to make your trip a good one.
Rental Car
Located just a few minutes from the airport in Little Italy, National Car Rental provides rental car services with excellent prices, dependent on the type of car being rented. Reservations can be made online in advance or at the counters.
Ride Sharing
UBER and Lyft are reliable ways to travel, as well as affordable. Once in San Diego, you can pull up each APP and wait at a designated area at San Diego's Airport for service.
Public Transportation
Renting a car is not the only option to getting around San Diego. The Metropolitan Transit System has bus and trolley routes that service nearly all parts of the county. The San Diego trolley has 53 stations and runs on three lines (the Orange, Blue and Green). It hits many of popular places around San Diego such as the Gaslamp Quarter, Convention Center, Seaport Village and Old Town. While the trolley doesn’t run to the airport, the bus does. There are 89 fixed MTS bus routes, including two that run to the airport and others that also stop at the Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Old Town and nearly any other popular destination. One way fare runs at $2.25 for the bus and $2.50 for the trolley, but day passes can be purchased for $5. The Coaster, a rail commuter system, runs from downtown San Diego to North County (including Oceanside, Carlsbad, Solona Beach & Encinitas). Route maps, time schedules and a list of points of interest can all be found on the MTS website.
Private Transportation
Super Shuttle is conveniently located at the airport and reservations can be made in advance. Shuttle prices are often low since you share the van with other passengers headed in the same direction. Reservations are recommended but not necessary. If you really want to shell out for some luxury, or have a large group to accommodate, San Diego has its fair share of limo service companies running to and from the airport, and also rent out luxury sedans and SUVs. If you need reliable bus service around San Diego, consider Champion Charter Bus San Diego. Their fleet of mini and charter buses are ideal transportation for plans to the San Diego Convention Center, school field trips and even for wedding parties. There are other excellent bus or private transportation companies around the city and we recommend GOGO Charters San Diego or San Diego Charter Bus Company. If you are visiting our scenic Balboa Park or soaking up the sun near Mission Beach, check out our friends at National Charter Bus San Diego. Their team is dedicated to handling your groups transportation needs.
