San Diego International Airport Anticipates Busy Winter Holiday Travel Through New Year’s Day

San Diego International Airport (SAN) expects to see as many as 1.3 million people arriving and departing during the upcoming winter holiday travel period which runs for 18 days from Thursday, December 19, 2024 through Sunday, January 5, 2025.

Busiest travel days are anticipated to be Friday through Monday before December 25, 2024 (Christmas Day) and Thursday through Sunday after Christmas Day along with Thursday through Sunday after January 1, 2025 (New Year's Day). During these busy travel days, the airport anticipates as many as 80,000 people arriving and departing daily at SAN.

Compared to the winter holiday travel period in 2023, the airport is forecasting a 4 to 5 percent increase this year in the numbers of travelers and a 6 to 7 percent increase compared to the winter holiday travel period in 2019.

Passengers are urged to plan ahead before heading to the airport. Below are suggested tips for travelers coming through SAN during the winter holiday travel period:

Make parking reservations in advance. The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza is now open, which means no matter which airline you are flying on, you can park right in front of your terminal. Nearly 5,000 covered parking spaces are available at the airport's Terminal 1 and 2 Parking Plazas. Parking and curbside valet reservations can be made on the airport's website at https://www.san.org/parking. Reserve today and save 20% with the promo code HOLIDAYS.

The roadways around SAN are changing. The first phase of the New T1 opens in 2025! In addition to a new airport experience, the roads around the airport are changing. Please pay attention to roadway signage and drive safely.

Expect delays. Travelers should anticipate potential delays on west and eastbound N. Harbor Drive due to potential slow moving construction vehicles.

Pack wisely. Avoid bringing prohibited items in carry-on luggage. Download 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. Before coming to the airport, be sure to check with your airline to confirm your flight time.

Arrive early. Expect traffic congestion due to construction. Plan to arrive at the airport early enough to allow time to travel through security checkpoints and to your gate. 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 around SAN. Need a ride in between Terminal 1 and 2? Passengers can hop on the Terminal Loop Shuttle which transports passengers between the two terminals in an efficient manner.

Free electric shuttle. The San Diego Flyer is a free shuttle bus service between the Old Town Transit Station and SAN. The electric shuttle buses operate seven days a week, with an average arrival time of every 20 to 30 minutes. The first pick up is at 4:45 a.m. and the last pick up/drop off at 12:30 a.m.

Get dropped off or use a ride-share. Have friends or family drop off or pick up. Lyft, Uber, or other rideshare options are also good alternatives.

Follow the signs. Whether dropping off or picking up passengers, please follow construction signage and stay within marked lanes. Be alert and ensure car doors and personal belongings are not blocking other drivers and passengers. Lastly, follow the directions of Airport Traffic Officers - they are there to ensure the safety of everyone at the airport.

Skip the traffic. Picking up? Avoid circling! The Cell Phone Lot in the Terminal 2 West Parking Lot on McCain Road is the perfect place to wait for your party. The lot is open from 5:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Once at the airport, sit back and shop, dine, and relax. Shops and restaurants inside the terminals are open to provide travel necessities, meals, snacks, and more. Visit san.org/Shop-Dine-Relax for hours and locations of SAN concessionaires.

Enjoy holiday performances and cheer! During December, SAN will host holiday carolers, musical performances, and photo opportunities with Santa and his elves and holiday-themed stilt walkers in the terminals. For information on performances and holiday deals, visit san.org/Events.

To learn more about construction impacts, transit options, and more, visit newt1.com.

ABOUT SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SAN)

Owned and operated by San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (Airport Authority), San Diego International Airport (SAN) is one of the busiest single-runway commercial service airports in the world and the third-busiest airport in California. SAN contributes nearly $12 billion in economic activity for the region by connecting the world to San Diego and San Diego to the world. In November 2021, the Airport Authority began construction on the New T1 which includes the replacement of the current Terminal 1, improvements to the airfield, improved transportation connectivity to the airport, and a new administration building. The New T1 program's total project budget is $3.8 billion and is estimated to create between 15,000 to 20,000 construction-related jobs. For more information about the New T1 please visit newt1.com. For more information about SAN please visit san.org.

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