San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Security wait right now, how busy SAN is today, how early to arrive, drop-off and parking, delays and nearby airports.
- Quietest today
- 12 PM–2 PM 15–25 min
- Busiest today
- 7 AM–9 AM 25–45 min
- Arrive
- 2 h / 3 h domestic / international
Modeled from FAA passenger volumes, TSA's daily screening numbers, time of day and current airport conditions; refreshed every 15 minutes, not a checkpoint sensor. How we estimate
How busy is SAN airport right now?
Right now the standard security line at San Diego International Airport is moderate: about 15–30 min (updated 2:33 PM PDT). In the next 12 hours it should peak around 4 PM (20–40 min) and be lightest around 12 AM (5–15 min).
San Diego International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the U.S.. Current conditions:
- Airport operationsDisrupted
- DelaysFAA reports: Ground Delay
- Weather nowSlight Chance Rain Showers, 70°F
- LocationSan Diego, CA
- Passengers / year11,139,933
- U.S. rank#25 of 501
- CodesSAN · KSAN
Security wait, next 12 hours
Show as table
| Hour | Estimated wait | Line |
|---|---|---|
| 2 PM | 15–30 min | Moderate |
| 3 PM | 15–35 min | Moderate |
| 4 PM | 20–40 min | Moderate |
| 5 PM | 20–40 min | Moderate |
| 6 PM | 20–35 min | Moderate |
| 7 PM | 15–30 min | Moderate |
| 8 PM | 10–25 min | Short |
| 9 PM | 10–25 min | Short |
| 10 PM | 10–20 min | Short |
| 11 PM | 10–20 min | Short |
| 12 AM | 5–15 min | Short |
| 1 AM | 5–15 min | Short |
SAN airport delays today
The FAA is reporting 1 active program at SAN (checked 2:33 PM PDT):
- Ground delay program due to high traffic volume: flights held on the ground average 32 minutes (max 56 minutes).
Weather at SAN: Slight Chance Rain Showers, 70°F, good visibility and high clouds (VFR).
The FAA lists airport-wide programs only. A single late or cancelled flight is shown by your airline, so check its app as well. Delays at all U.S. airports →
How early to get to SAN
Airlines recommend 2 hours for domestic and 3 hours for international flights. Enter your flight to see when to be at San Diego and when to leave home, based on today's security estimate.
| Trip | Arrive before departure |
|---|---|
| Domestic, carry-on only | 1 h 30 min – 2 h |
| Domestic, checked bag | 2 h |
| International | 3 h |
| Flying 7 AM–9 AM | add 15–30 min |
Getting to SAN: drop-off, pick-up and parking
San Diego International Airport is in San Diego, CA. For drop-off, follow the Departures signs to your airline's curb; curbside stopping is for active loading only, and pick-ups are usually directed to the arrivals curb or the cell-phone lot. At the busiest hours today (7 AM–9 AM) add time for curb and garage traffic.
Parking rates, cell-phone lot and shuttle details are on the official SAN website.
Airports near San Diego
Security wait right now at the closest alternatives to SAN.
SAN airport FAQ
How long is the TSA line at SAN right now?
The current estimate for the standard security lane at San Diego International Airport is 15–30 min (updated 2:33 PM PDT). It refreshes every 15 minutes; follow airport signs and staff if the line in front of you looks different.
Are there delays at SAN today?
Yes. The FAA reports: Ground delay program due to high traffic volume: flights held on the ground average 32 minutes (max 56 minutes). (checked 2:33 PM PDT).
Is SAN airport open right now?
The FAA reports no closure at SAN as of 2:33 PM PDT. For weather or security emergencies, check the official SAN website.
How busy is SAN airport today?
Today (Friday) SAN security is expected to be busiest 7 AM–9 AM (25–45 min) and quietest 12 PM–2 PM (15–25 min).
What time does TSA open at SAN?
Security checkpoints at San Diego International Airport open before the first morning departures, which at most U.S. airports means around 4–5 AM (earlier at some large hubs). Hours differ by checkpoint and terminal, so for a very early flight confirm on the official SAN website.
Where do I drop off passengers at SAN?
Follow the Departures signs to the upper or departures-level curb for your airline. Curbside stopping is for active loading only; at peak hours (7 AM–9 AM) allow extra time for curb traffic. Cell-phone lots and parking rates are listed on the official SAN website.
Is TSA PreCheck open at SAN?
PreCheck lanes usually run during the main morning-to-evening operating hours but can open later and close earlier than standard lanes, and not every checkpoint has one. Outside those hours PreCheck travelers are screened in the standard lane, so plan for the standard wait.
How early should I get to SAN?
Airlines and TSA recommend 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international one. At the busiest hour today the SAN security line alone can reach 45 minutes; use the calculator on this page for your flight time.
Are these live SAN TSA wait times?
They are modeled estimates refreshed every 15 minutes, not a camera or sensor count at the checkpoint. They combine FAA passenger volume, TSA's daily national screening numbers, the hour, weekday, holiday periods and current FAA and weather conditions.
Where can I see the hour-by-hour SAN security forecast?
The SAN TSA wait times page has today's hourly chart, the weekly heatmap and PreCheck details.