San Diego International (SAN) TSA Security Wait Times Information
San Diego TSA Security Wait times
Wondering what the San Diego Airport wait times are at any given time? According to a recent Upgraded Points analysis, the average SAN airport security wait times are around 15.5 minutes. The best TSA wait times SAN occur on Friday and Saturday from 10-11pm. The worst SAN TSA wait time is on Monday from 10-11am, where you could wait up to 38 minutes.
Get CLEAR Expedited Security at San Diego Airport!
Maps, Airlines & Amenities
San Diego Airport (SAN) Terminals
Helpful Tips & Resources
iFly.com can help you get to, through, and between airports around the world. Here are some things you may need to know that can help you on your journey specific to SAN:
- Once you get through security, pull up the interactive terminal map to navigate to your gate, and see all the restaurant and shopping options along the way.
- Remember that a great low-cost alternative to parking within the airport facility is to use on off-airport parking lot. They offer lower costs, a bit further away from the terminals. Reserve here.
- If you have some time before your flight's departure, be sure to grab a bite, peruse the shops, or jump on the free wifi and get caught up on those emails.
- Lose something while in the terminal area? Find the contact info you need for lost & found here.
- If your flight is arriving to the airport from another city and need a quick way to get to your destination, give a call to one of these taxi or limo service providers.
SAN Flight Delays
Before you head to the airport, keep yourself informed of SAN delays by checking SAN Arrival Delays, SAN Departure Delays, or use iFly's SAN Flight Tracker. Having knowledge of San Diego International Airport delays will help with stress-free travel.
San Diego Airport Security Checkpoints - Location and Hours
There are 5 security checkpoint locations at SAN. Terminal 1 has 3 separate security checkpoints that are specific for the corresponding gates - Gates 1-2, Gates 3-10 and Gates 11-18. Terminal 2 has 2 main checkpoints and ticketed passengers can access all gates by using either checkpoint. While San Diego International Airport is open 24 hours, departures typically occur between 6:30AM and 11:30PM and therefore security opens daily at approx 4:15AM. See hours below:
Terminal 1
TSA Checkpoint - Gates: 1, 1A, 2
Type: All passengers, No TSA Pre
Hours: Subject to operational needs, check with Airline
TSA Checkpoint - Gates: 3-10
Type: All passengers and TSA Pre
Hours: Daily, 3:00 AM to 10:00 PM
TSA Checkpoint - Gates: 11-18
Type: All passengers and TSA Pre
Hours: Daily, 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Terminal 2
TSA Checkpoint - Terminal 2 East
Gates: 20-32
Type: All passengers and TSA Pre
Hours: Daily, 3:00 AM to 10:00 PM
CLEAR: Daily, 4:30 AM to 7:00 PM
TSA Checkpoint - Terminal 2 West (International)
Gates: 33-51
Type: All passengers and TSA Pre
Hours: Daily, 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM
TSA PreCheck at SAN
SAN TSA Pre Lanes can be found at both Terminal 1 and 2 checkpoints. As the TSA operates these special checkpoints, the hours may be different from the Terminal operating hours. See the TSA Pre schedule the specific hours for the date and time you are traveling.
San Diego Airport TSA wait times can be cut down considerably if you participate in the TSA Pre program. You can even sign up for TSA PreCheck before your next SAN flight - there’s an enrollment center in the San Diego International Airport at Terminal 2 East, Ticketing Level. According to the TSA, the enrollment center is open from 8:00AM to 4:30PM from Monday - Friday.
TSA PreCheck passengers can enjoy expedited screening at SAN, and in most cases you don’t have to remove your: shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets. For more information and to enroll/pre-enroll, visit the TSA website.
About SAN Security Wait Times
Security wait times at San Diego SAN Airport are approximate and can vary based on several factors including severe weather, TSA staffing, airport construction, etc.
SAN TSA wait time forecasts are made leveraging flight volume data and TSA staffing models. Using advanced data science, wait times for San Diego (SAN) Airport are projected, that barring extreme outliers, are within five minutes in accuracy, as validated by large US airlines. The TSA urges all travelers to arrive at the airport well in advance of scheduled flight departures and has provided security checkpoint wait time information as a guide to assist in travel planning. Please be sure to check with your airline for ticket counter wait times as well as possible changes to flight schedules, as these and other factors influence your decision regarding how early to arrive at SAN. Please be aware that each airline has a recommended arrival time and even stricter required arrival times.
All airlines require that you arrive at the check-in counter, the flight's departure gate and even onboard and in your assigned seat a prescribed amount of time before the flight's scheduled departure time. The amount of the advance arrival time required varies depending on the airline you are using. Most airlines' conditions of carriage state that with many of their tickets, failure to arrive at the check-in counter, the flight's departure gate and your assigned seat a prescribed amount of time before the flight's scheduled departure time may cause you to be denied boarding and cause you to forfeit any refund or other compensation due for the unused ticket even if you have advance seat assignments and advance boarding passes.
TSA Pre Check at SAN
Terminal 1
Gates 11-18 Checkpoint
Gates 3-10 Checkpoint
Terminal 2
Gates 20-32 Checkpoint
Gates 33-51 Checkpoint
San Diego Airport wait times Q&A
There are 5 security checkpoint locations at SAN - 3 in Terminal 1 and 2 in Terminal 2.
Yes, there are TSA PreCheck lanes at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 checkpoints. You can also sign up for TSA PreCheck before your next SAN flight - there’s an enrollment center in Terminal 2 East, Ticketing Level.
Yes, CLEAR lanes are available in Terminal 2. The enrollment is located to the left of the entrance in Terminal 2, and the checkpoint is located along the left and right wings of the northern security checkpoint. Both are open from 4:30 am to 7:00 pm.