Every way to and from San Diego International — the $2.50 bus, the free Flyer, rideshare, taxi, rental, parking, and private car — with real numbers and the honest "best for each traveler."
Private car? (858) 522-0264Cheapest: the MTS 992 bus ($2.50) or the free San Diego Flyer to Old Town. Most convenient solo: rideshare (mind the surge). Best for groups, luggage, early flights, multi-day trips, and reliability: a pre-booked private car. Below is every option with real costs so you can pick what actually fits your trip — no spin.
| Option | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| MTS Route 992 bus | $2.50 one-way ($1.25 reduced) | Budget, solo, light luggage, Downtown-bound, daytime |
| San Diego Flyer (to Old Town) | Free | Budget travelers near Old Town / connecting transit |
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | Variable + surge | Convenience on short, off-peak solo trips |
| Taxi | Metered (variable) | No-app curbside rides, short hops |
| Rental car | Daily rate + fees | Multi-day trips where you'll drive a lot |
| Park & drive yourself | $20–$40/day parking | Short trips, economy parking, you don't mind driving |
| Private car service (EGT) | Flat from $145, no surge | Groups, luggage, early flights, multi-day, reliability |
Route 992 stops at both terminals and runs to Downtown's Santa Fe Depot every 15 minutes, 4:15 AM to midnight, in about 15 minutes — connecting to three Trolley lines, the COASTER, and Amtrak (MTS; SAN Airport). Tap a card or phone to pay. If you're solo, light, and heading downtown, this is the smart, cheap choice — full stop.
The all-electric Flyer runs free between the terminals and the Old Town Transit Center every 20–30 minutes (MTS), where you can pick up the Trolley, COASTER, or Amtrak. Free is free.
Rideshare (curbside at the designated pickup) is convenient and often cheap on a short, off-peak solo trip — just watch for surge at peak banks and late nights. Taxis are metered and available curbside, fine for no-app short hops. Rental cars make sense when you'll be driving a lot during a multi-day stay — though then you're paying $20–$40/day to park wherever you go.
Per the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (2026): Economy ~$20/day, terminal garages up to ~$32/day, valet $40/day. For a quick 1–2 day trip, economy self-park is cheap. For 5+ days, parking alone can top a flat-rate private round trip — and you still do the driving. See the worked numbers in the cost guide.
A pre-booked private car (like EGT) isn't the cheapest line on this page, and we won't pretend it is. It's the right call when the trip calls for it: groups and luggage (split a flat rate and it's competitive per head), early flights and tight connections (flight-tracked, guaranteed to show), multi-day trips (a flat round trip vs. days of parking), and anytime reliability matters more than saving a few dollars. EGT runs flat rates from $145 (SAN), no surge, no fuel surcharge, door-to-door in a 100% electric BMW i7 or Cadillac Escalade IQ-L — full rate ladder here.
Flat-rate, flight-tracked, door-to-door. And if the bus or a rideshare is smarter for your trip, take it — we'd rather be your trusted source.
Call (858) 522-0264· Cost guide: private car vs. rideshare vs. driving
Sources: San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS Route 992, San Diego Flyer); San Diego International Airport (SAN) public-transportation page; San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (parking rates, 2026). Costs for rideshare/taxi/rental are inherently variable. Last updated June 2026.