Old San Juan, formally named San Juan Antiguo, is a colourful historic district in Puerto Rico. Founded in 1521 by Spanish colonists, Old San Juan is the oldest city in US sovereignty and is the second oldest city in the West Hemisphere. The blue cobblestoned city is situated along the coast within old fortification walls and features over 400 restored colonial buildings and several UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Old San Juan is around 12 km from San Juan Airport. To get from SJU airport to Old San Juan, you can easily catch a cab, or you can take the public bus. Taking an San Juan airport taxi is by far the most convenient way to reach your destination, with the ride taking around 15 minutes at a flat rate of $24 (€21.99) including the airport surcharge; the final price also depends on any other surcharges that may apply. If you want to save a little money and are travelling light (large luggage is not allowed), you can also take an AMA bus (Autoridad Metropolitana de Autobuses) to go from SJU to Old San Juan. A single, regular bus ticket costs $0.75 (€0.69), and the journey takes around 50 minutes.
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Getting from Luis Muñoz Marín San Juan Airport to Old San Juan
Dori RauschenbergerMarch 15, 2022
Comparison of the options
How to get from San Juan airport to Old San Juan by bus
If you are travelling light and want to save some money, you can also catch a bus to get from SJU airport to Old San Juan. The AMA (Autoridad Metropolitana de Autobuses) operates buses T5 and D53 from SJU to Terminal Covadonga in Old San Juan. Only small carry-on items are allowed on the bus, so if you have regular luggage, taking the bus won’t be an option. The T5 bus operates every 30 minutes from 5:00 to 21:00 Monday to Friday and from 6:00 to 20:00 on Saturday. The D53 bus operates about every 30 minutes from 5:00 to 8:45 Monday to Friday and 6:00 to 20:00 on Saturday. Buses do not operate from the airport on Sundays. The journey takes around 50 minutes, and a regular ticket costs just $0.75 (€0.69).
How much is the bus from San Juan airport to Old San Juan?
A regular one-way ticket for an AMA bus from SJU to Old San Juan costs $0.75 (€0.69). The bus is free for persons 75 and older and kids 6 and under. There are also discounted rates of $0.60 (€0.55) for students and $0.35 (€0.32) for Medicare beneficiaries, people aged 60 to 74, and people with disabilities. Bus tickets can be purchased on the bus from the driver with the exact change.
Cost
$0.75 (€0.69)
Trip Duration
50 min.
*There's a waiting time of up to 30 minutes for the bus.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
Buses are available from 5:00 to 21:00 Monday through Friday and from 6:00 to 20:00 on Saturday. Buses do not run on Sundays.
Where do I get it from?
There are three bus stops at San Juan Airport. You can find all three stops on the Departure level (the second level), and the stops are outside of terminals A, D, and E.
Convenience
If you are on a tight budget and aren’t travelling with luggage, taking the bus from San Juan airport to Old San Juan is a good way to save some money. But, taking the bus may require some patience as the bus makes many stops and the journey takes 50 minutes, whereas, it’s just a 15-minute ride by taxi or private transfer. Also, the bus doesn’t run at night, nor on Sundays.
Editor’s Note
Moovit and Google Maps provide transit directions and schedules for the AMA buses in Puerto Rico.
Useful Tips
How to get from San Juan airport to Old San Juan by taxi
Taking a taxi is by far the fastest and easiest option to get from SJA to Old San Juan, and it is the only option if you are travelling with bigger luggage items, late at night, or on a Sunday. Taxis are available 24/7 from the airport taxi queue, or you can pre-book an airport transfer with one of Puerto Rico’s taxi companies or with one of Welcome Pickups’ knowledgeable English-speaking drivers. The ride to Old San Juan takes around 15 minutes and the fare is set at a base rate of $24 (€21.99) including the airport surcharge.
Taxi fare from San Juan airport to Old San Juan
In Puerto Rico, taxi fares are regulated and approved by the government-owned Puerto Rico Tourism Company. Fares to five defined tourist zones are set at a flat base rate, and if you are headed outside of the tourist zones, the fare is calculated using a taximeter. Old San Juan is in Zone 4, with the fare set at a base rate of $21 (€19.24). For airport transfers, there is a surcharge of $3 (€2.75), bringing the total of your San Juan airport to Old San Juan journey to $24 (€21.99). There is also a surcharge of $1 (€0.92) for each luggage item, $1 (€0.92) for travel between 22:00 and 6:00, and $2 (€1.83) for groups with 6-7 passengers. Tolls and tips are not included, whilst only cash payments are accepted.
Cost
$24 (€21.99)
Trip Duration
15 min.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
Taxis from San Juan airport to Old San Juan are available 24/7.
Where do I get it from?
There are official taxi booths on the Arrivals levels of Terminal A and Terminal B. A concierge will confirm your taxi rate and will direct you to one of the white Taxi Turistico cabs.
Convenience
Taking a San Juan airport taxi is by far the quickest and most comfortable way to reach your destination. It is also the only option if you are travelling late at night, on Sundays, or if you have more than just carry-on luggage with you.
Editor’s Note
If you pre-book a transfer with one of Puerto Rico’s taxi companies, fares may vary depending on several factors. Welcome Pickups guarantees a driver will be waiting for you upon your arrival and offers personalised door-to-door services at competitive rates.
Useful Tips
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.
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20 minute gap between transfers
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Regular Car Sanitisation
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Contactless ride
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Sanitiser in every car
Frequently asked questions
How to get from San Juan airport to Old San Juan?
Taking a San Juan airport taxi is the best way to get from SJA airport to Old San Juan. You can take a cab from the Arrivals level of Terminal A and Terminal B. Alternatively, you can pre-book a ride with Welcome Pickups at a competitive rate. Also, if you are travelling light (only a carry-on bag), you can take the AMA bus (line T5 or D53) to reach Old San Juan.
What is the cost of a taxi from the airport to Old San Juan?
Taxi fares are set at a base rate of $21 (€19.24) to Old San Juan. On top of the base rate, there is a $3 (€2.75) surcharge for travel from/to the airport. There is also a surcharge of $1 (€0.92) for each luggage item, $1 (€0.92) for trips between 22:00-6:00 and an additional $2 (€1.83) for groups of 6-7 passengers. Tolls and tips are not included. That’s why if you want to avoid overcharges it’s recommended you pre-book your ride.
How far is Old San Juan from San Juan airport?
Old San Juan is about 12 km away from San Juan airport. By taxi or private transfer, it takes around 15 minutes to reach Old San Juan, and by bus, it takes around 50 minutes.
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