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Getting from San Diego International Airport to La Jolla

La Jolla is a hilly, seaside neighbourhood within the city of San Diego, California that is unfailingly voted one of the top beach destinations in the world. With 11 km of picturesque beaches along the Pacific Ocean, fine dining restaurants, luxury boutiques and jaw-dropping ocean views, its popularity does not come as a surprise.

When travelling to La Jolla, you will be landing at San Diego International Airport (SAN) and you have 2 transportation options to reach this beautiful town; you can either take a taxi or private transfer, or you can take the MTS bus line 30. Taking a taxi or a private airport transfer from San Diego airport to La Jolla is the fastest and only direct way to get to the city, taking only 20 minutes. Your next and more affordable option is to take the bus, however, the bus is not direct and is more time-consuming. More specifically, you will first need to make your way to Old Town Transit Center before heading to La Jolla, with a total travel time of around 1 hour.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to San Diego at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Taxi €40 20min 24/7
Bus €4.40 60min 00:02–23:26

How to get from San Diego Airport to La Jolla by taxi

Taking a San Diego airport taxi or private transfer is the fastest and most convenient way to travel to La Jolla. Cabs not only provide 24/7 door-to-door transportation in the comfort of a private vehicle, but they are also the only direct way to get to La Jolla, taking only 20 minutes to reach.

Taxi fare from San Diego International Airport to La Jolla

Taxis in San Diego calculate their fare using a taximeter, which is based on the time and distance travelled. A San Diego airport taxi to La Jolla costs around $45 (€40), depending on traffic conditions.

Nonetheless, if you wish to travel at a fixed rate fare, with no hidden fees, it is recommended to pre-book your San Diego airport shuttle online.

Cost

$45 (€40)

Trip Duration

20 Min.

*Rates may vary unless you book your cab in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at San Diego International Airport (SAN)

Where do I get it from?

You can find the official San Diego (SAN) airport taxi ranks at the Transportation Plazas outside of each terminal. Once there, you will be allocated a taxi.

Convenience

Whilst being a more expensive travel option, taking a San Diego airport taxi to La Jolla is the fastest and only direct way. Knowing that you just need to jump into a SAN cab and enjoy the ride to your La Jolla hotel is priceless.

However, as San Diego cab prices vary depending on different factors, it is highly recommended to book a San Diego airport shuttle in advance and avoid any hidden fees.

Editor’s Note

It is customary to tip your taxi driver in San Diego; a tip of around 15% is the norm. However, if your cab driver provides assistance with luggage and offered conversation you can always leave a 20% tip.

Useful Tips

Please note that there is no price difference for day, night or weekend taxi trips in San Diego.
All taxi drivers accept credit card payments, nonetheless, it is best to ask your San Diego cab driver beforehand.
It is good to know that there are no airport supplements, nor luggage surcharges for San Diego International Airport transfers.

How to get from San Diego Airport to La Jolla by bus

A cost-savvy alternative to an airport cab is to take the San Diego public transportation system. Unfortunately, there are no direct routes to La Jolla, for that reason, you will first have to take the San Diego Flyer from SAN airport in order to reach the Old Town Transit Center before taking the bus line 30 to the Silverado St & Herschel Ave in La Jolla. The flyer takes 5 minutes to reach Old Town, and the bus takes 40 minutes to La Jolla, taking around 1 hour in total if we consider the average wait times.

How much is a bus ticket from San Diego airport to La Jolla?

The San Diego Flyer offers free airport shuttle rides to-and-from Old Town Transit Center. However, a regular one-way bus ticket from the Transit Center to La Jolla costs $2.50 (€2.20).

Please note that the MTS public transportation service offers reduced prices for senior, disabled, medicare and youth citizens for the price of $1.25 (€1.10).

Cost

$2.50 (€2.20)

Trip Duration

1 hour

The San Diego Flyer runs every 20-30 minutes and the bus line 30 runs every 15 minutes.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The bus line 30 is available Monday to Saturday from 00:02 to 23:26 and Sundays from 06:22 to 22:23.

Where do I get it from?

You can find the San Diego Flyer at each terminal at the airport; passengers will be picked up and dropped off at transportation islands and taken to Old Town Transit Center. From there, you will find bus line 30 which will then drop you off at Silverado St & Herschel Ave in La Jolla.

Convenience

Although having to take two transport methods to get to La Jolla, bus line 30 offers frequent, inexpensive and convenient services.

However, keep in mind you will have to find another way to get from La Jolla bus station to your hotel, which can be tedious, particularly if you are travelling with children and heavy luggage.

Editor’s Note

The San Diego Flyer is free and runs daily from SAN airport to Old Town Transit Center, every 20 to 30 minutes.

Useful Tips

Please note that priority seats on the bus are located by the doors and are reserved for seniors and disabled riders.
Trained service animals accompanying travellers with disabilities are always welcome on board.
Eating is not allowed on the buses.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

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Frequently asked questions

What airport is near La Jolla?

The closest airport to La Jolla is San Diego International Airport (SAN), located 23 km away.

How to get from San Diego airport to La Jolla?

There are two transportation options to get from San Diego airport to La Jolla. If you’re looking for convenience and comfort, you can take a taxi or private shuttle, taking just 20 minutes to get to your destination. Alternatively, you can take the free ‘San Diego Flyer’ to Old Town Transit Center, where you can take bus line 30 to La Jolla, for a total travel time of 1 hour.

How much is a cab from San Diego International Airport to La Jolla?

Taxis in San Diego calculate their fare using a taximeter; a trip from San Diego airport to La Jolla costs around $45 (€40), traffic dependant.

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