San Diego International Airport (SAN) is about a 21-minute drive from a 2.5-star hotel in Chula Vista. You can travel by rental car, taxi or rideshare, or take transit from SAN toward downtown San Diego and connect onward.
- Driving: The drive from SAN to the hotel takes about 21 minutes.
- Bus: MTS Route 992 serves both airport terminals and connects SAN with downtown San Diego.
- Transit connections: Route 992 serves downtown transfer points including Santa Fe Depot and America Plaza.
- Overnight service: MTS Route 910 runs overnight between the U.S.–Mexico border and downtown San Diego, with stops in Chula Vista and other South Bay communities.
How far is San Diego International Airport from Chula Vista?
The drive from SAN to Chula Vista takes about 21 minutes. That gives you a point of comparison when weighing a direct car trip against a transit journey with a downtown connection.
SAN is served by several ground-transport options, but the transit details matter if you plan to continue by bus or rail. Route 992 connects the airport with downtown San Diego; it does not run directly to Chula Vista.
Driving, taxi and rideshare options
Driving, taxis and rideshares offer direct ways to leave SAN, while rental cars require a trip to the airport’s Rental Car Center.
Rental car
Rental-car pickups and drop-offs serving SAN are at the Rental Car Center, at 3355 Admiral Boland Way, San Diego, CA 92101. An airport shuttle runs between the terminals and the center 24 hours a day. SAN’s posted driving directions describe access to the airport from I-5 northbound and southbound, but do not give directions from SAN to Chula Vista.
Taxi
At Terminal 1, follow the pedestrian crosswalk to the Ground Transportation Island for taxis. At Terminal 2, use the crosswalk outside the baggage claim area. SAN also has customer-service representatives across the street from each terminal at the Transportation Plazas.
Rideshare
SAN identifies Uber, Lyft, Wingz and PrimeTime as authorized rideshare companies. At Terminal 1, exit baggage claim and cross the pedestrian walkway to the pickup area. At Terminal 2, cross to Transportation Plaza; rideshare pickup is in the second lane.
Use only transportation you requested or that a taxi customer-service representative arranged. SAN advises passengers to refuse rides from drivers who solicit business or cannot show valid operating permits.
Using public transit from SAN
MTS Route 992 runs from both airport terminals to downtown San Diego, where you can connect with other transit services.
The airport stops for Route 992 are on the second level, the Departures level, at Terminals 1 and 2. The route serves downtown transfer points including Santa Fe Depot and America Plaza, with connections to the UC San Diego Blue Line, Green Line, COASTER, Amtrak and other bus routes.
Route 992 runs every 15 minutes, with service roughly from 4:15 a.m. to 1 a.m. Check the official site before you go, as service details can change.
You can pay for Route 992 by tapping a credit or debit card, mobile wallet or wearable device on the bus fare validator. Each passenger needs a separate form of payment.
The airport’s free San Diego Flyer connects the terminal transportation islands with Old Town Transit Center. The airport describes it as ADA accessible, air-conditioned and equipped with luggage racks.
Choosing a route for your arrival time
Your arrival time affects which transit services may be running, so compare the airport-to-downtown connection with the overnight bus schedule.
The San Diego Flyer runs between SAN and Old Town Transit Center daily from 4:50 a.m. to 12:20 a.m.
For overnight travel, MTS Route 910 runs every 30 minutes from approximately 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. between the U.S.–Mexico border and downtown San Diego, stopping in Chula Vista and other South Bay communities. MTS says a standard transit fare applies. Check connections for your arrival time.
If you are comparing airports for a trip to Chula Vista, the Tijuana airport-to-Chula Vista route has separate planning considerations.
Final approach to the hotel area
SAN’s posted driving directions cover how to reach the airport from I-5, rather than a turn-by-turn route to Chula Vista, so use current navigation for the final drive.
If you travel by transit, Route 992 takes you to downtown San Diego transfer points, while Route 910 serves Chula Vista overnight. These are separate route details rather than a confirmed, end-to-end airport itinerary; check the connections that match your arrival time before setting out.
FAQs
How long is the drive from San Diego International Airport to Chula Vista?
The drive to the hotel takes about 21 minutes.
Does Route 992 go directly from SAN to Chula Vista?
No. Route 992 connects SAN with downtown San Diego, including Santa Fe Depot and America Plaza, where other transit services connect.
Where do you catch a taxi at SAN?
At Terminal 1, cross to the Ground Transportation Island. At Terminal 2, use the crosswalk outside baggage claim.
Is there public transit overnight between San Diego and Chula Vista?
MTS Route 910 runs overnight between the U.S.–Mexico border and downtown San Diego, with stops in Chula Vista and other South Bay communities. MTS says it runs every 30 minutes from approximately 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m.