Meter drops around $3 at SAN for Taxi San Diego
Flag a Taxi San Diego cab right outside baggage claim at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2; the starting meter runs about $3 plus per-mile charges. You’ll see dedicated taxi zones marked with yellow curb signs, with ground staff directing queues during peak bank times around 8–10 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.
From San Diego International Airport to downtown Gaslamp Quarter typically runs 10–15 minutes and lands in the $20–$30 range before tip, depending on traffic on N Harbor Dr and Pacific Hwy. Drivers take the direct route unless you ask for a detour along the waterfront, which adds a few dollars and a couple of extra lights.
A run to La Jolla from SAN usually takes 25–35 minutes and comes out closer to $45–$60 in regular traffic via I-5 north. If you’re heading all the way to Carlsbad or Oceanside, plan on 40–60 minutes and a fare in the $90–$130 band, especially during rush hour bottlenecks near the I-5/I-805 split.
Taxis queue 24/7, but after midnight the line outside Terminal 2 sometimes thins to just 2–3 cabs, so you might wait 10–15 minutes. Early mornings between 5–7 a.m. see more departures than arrivals, so supply is usually good and you’re moving within 5 minutes from stepping to the curb.
All San Diego airport taxis, including Taxi San Diego, accept credit cards via in-car terminals; just confirm before the driver pulls away from the Terminal 1 or 2 stand. Typical tipping runs 15–20%, which adds $3–$6 on a short downtown ride and closer to $10 on a La Jolla trip.
Shared rides are allowed by local rules, so you can split a Taxi San Diego car from SAN to Mission Valley or Old Town with a colleague and keep the individual cost under $15 each. Just know the meter keeps running as normal, so any detours or extra stops around Hotel Circle stack on top.
One tip: if Lyft/Uber surge pricing is showing 2.0x or higher for a downtown ride, walk straight to the Terminal 2 taxi zone and ask the Taxi San Diego driver for a fare estimate before you toss your bag in the trunk.