Last updated 8 minutes ago
Average security wait time at SAN: 10 min
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Carry-on only. Checked bags must go through your ticketed terminal.
See how terminals are connected and plan your route through San Diego International Airport
San Diego International Airport (SAN) serves the San Diego metropolitan area in CA. The airport has 2 terminals with 2 TSA security checkpoints. TSA PreCheck lanes are available for expedited screening. CLEAR biometric screening is also offered.
Terminals
2
Checkpoints
2
TSA PreCheck
Available
Arrive at least 2 hours before your domestic flight and 3 hours before international departures at SAN.
Check GateReady for real-time SAN wait times before leaving for the airport.
Midweek travel (Tuesday-Wednesday) typically has the shortest security lines at SAN.
TSA PreCheck is available at SAN — members can keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on.
Enroll in TSA PreCheck ($78 for 5 years) to use expedited screening lanes. PreCheck members can keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and liquids in bags.
Remove prohibited items before joining the line. The most common causes of secondary screening are oversized liquids, forgotten water bottles, and loose electronics.
The fastest way? Let GateReady do the work.
Fast Pass members get tools that take the guesswork out of SAN security:
Long security lines are not inevitable. Several trusted traveler programs let you bypass the standard screening queue at SAN. Here is what is available and what each program costs.
Available at SAN and 200+ US airports
TSA PreCheck members use a dedicated screening lane where you can keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on. Laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids stay in your bag. The average PreCheck wait time is under 5 minutes nationwide.
CLEAR is available at San Diego International Airport
CLEAR uses biometric screening (fingerprints or iris scan) to verify your identity, letting you skip the ID verification line entirely. When paired with TSA PreCheck, you go from the CLEAR lane directly into the PreCheck screening line — often clearing security in under 2 minutes.
Best for international travelers
Several travel credit cards reimburse the enrollment fees for trusted traveler programs. These cards pay for themselves by covering your PreCheck, Global Entry, or CLEAR membership costs as a statement credit.
$400/year annual fee
Reimburses: TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, CLEAR
Signup bonus: 50,000 bonus points
$525/year annual fee
Reimburses: TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, CLEAR
Signup bonus: 80,000 bonus miles
The current average security wait time at San Diego International Airport is approximately 10 min. Wait times are updated every 15 minutes to keep you informed.
San Diego International Airport has 2 terminals, each with its own security checkpoint. Wait times vary by terminal and time of day. GateReady tracks each checkpoint individually so you can compare in real time on the SAN live dashboard.
Yes, San Diego International Airport offers TSA PreCheck at multiple checkpoints. PreCheck members can keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on, and leave laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in bags. Enrollment costs $78 for five years. SAN also offers CLEAR, a separate biometric screening service that lets you skip the ID verification line entirely (from $189/year).
For domestic flights at San Diego International Airport, arrive at least 2 hours before your scheduled departure. For international flights, arrive 3 hours early. During holiday periods and peak travel times, add an extra 30-60 minutes. Use GateReady's Best Time to Arrive calculator for a personalized recommendation based on current SAN security conditions.
Get the tools you need to breeze through San Diego International Airport security, whether you fly once a year or every week.
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Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck and adds expedited US customs processing when you return from international trips. Instead of waiting in the standard customs line, you use a kiosk with facial recognition and walk through in minutes. If you fly internationally even once a year, Global Entry is the better value over standalone PreCheck.
Best for US-Canada travelers
NEXUS is a joint US-Canada trusted traveler program that includes both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry benefits at the same price as Global Entry alone. If you travel between the US and Canada, NEXUS is the best overall value — you get expedited screening in both countries plus all the domestic PreCheck benefits.
$650/year annual fee
Reimburses: TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, CLEAR
See all cards with travel perks on the full comparison page.
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GateReady provides independent airport intelligence. Wait time estimates are based on real-time data and may vary. Not affiliated with TSA or any airport authority.
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