TSA Security Wait Times

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.

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

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.