Best way to get to San Diego airport

princessmommyx3

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jul 27, 2012
Messages
927
I will be getting off the ship in San Diego after next month's WBPC sailing and I am having a hard time deciding between taking a DCL bus or taxi to the airport. Our flight is at 11:39 am, which is 5 minutes before the earliest flight DCL recommends of 11:45 am. I normally don't like to cut it so close, but this was the only flight option that would get us to the east coast the same day (we arrive at 10:00 pm after a short layover which I am also nervous about). I know that the airport is close by, but I have read conflicting reports about both options. Some people say the taxi line took an hour, others say they did not wait at all. Some say the bus was fast, others say it was slow. I also read that debarkation in San Diego can take forever due to customs issues, although it seems like they have changed the procedure and this is no longer the case? We plan to do express walk-off with all of our luggage to speed things up, but if anyone has any experience or advice I would appreciate it.
 
The Broadway pier is in such close proximity to the San Deigo airport. Your best option with express walk-off is a cab. You'll be ahead of the crowd in a taxi line which should avoid the backup you described. If you take the DCL transfer, the bus will wait to fill before leaving with no guarantees you'll be on your way within the time you need.

Here's a map. The airport is on the far left. It's not even a mile away from the Broadway cruise terminal where the Wonder docks.

san%20diego%20bayfront-shuttle-map_zpsuschbaw0.gif
 
Take a taxi it's cheaper than DCL transportation in San Diego. No advantage to taking DCL transportation. If you take DCL transportion you still have to collect your bags and you will. Be paying more
 
Last edited:

If the line is long you could also use Lyft - that is what we did last year and what we are doing in October. It came very quickly and in other cities tends to be cheaper (I'm not sure with SD since I never looked into it there).
 
I live in San Diego and I would suggest using an Uber if there is a long taxi wait. If the port area is a cluster, walk next door to the USS Midway Museum or across the street to the hotel and meet your Uber driver there.
 
I will be getting off the ship in San Diego after next month's WBPC sailing and I am having a hard time deciding between taking a DCL bus or taxi to the airport. Our flight is at 11:39 am, which is 5 minutes before the earliest flight DCL recommends of 11:45 am. I normally don't like to cut it so close, but this was the only flight option that would get us to the east coast the same day (we arrive at 10:00 pm after a short layover which I am also nervous about). I know that the airport is close by, but I have read conflicting reports about both options. Some people say the taxi line took an hour, others say they did not wait at all. Some say the bus was fast, others say it was slow. I also read that debarkation in San Diego can take forever due to customs issues, although it seems like they have changed the procedure and this is no longer the case? We plan to do express walk-off with all of our luggage to speed things up, but if anyone has any experience or advice I would appreciate it.

Even the 992 public bus route is likely going to be faster than a Taxi as it runs every 15 minutes. 992 bus is only 2.25 per person and it goes straight to the airport and even makes 2 terminal 2 stops. Not as nice as Uber/Lyft, but I have ridden that bus to the airport and I find it to be very convenient. Not sure how much of a value it is for a family, but it is not far from the terminal and the Destination sign says Airport via Cruise terminal and what not. Does not take that much time either, maybe less than 10 minutes I should say.
 
Though Lyft and Uber are probably the quickest options and it should not cost more than $10 to get to the airport from the cruise terminal.
 
It is my understanding that there won't be any regular "DCL" buses there, since that ins't a regular port for DCL they don't have buses in that city, unless they contract with a private carrier. As has been said by others here, taking a taxi or Uber probably is your bet, the airport is literally in sight of the port, about a 10-15 minute car right away depending on traffic. We're walking across the street and over a block to the Amtrak station and taking the train from San Diego to our home in Los Angeles, so I really have no experience with getting to the airport there. I just know it's very close by.
 

GET UP TO A $1000 SHIPBOARD CREDIT AND AN EXCLUSIVE GIFT!

If you make your Disney Cruise Line reservation with Dreams Unlimited Travel you’ll receive these incredible shipboard credits to spend on your cruise!





New Posts





















DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top