San Diego International Airport (SAN) is just north of downtown, easily accessible from all points of the city. Due to its proximity to popular attractions like the San Diego Zoo and beach towns like Mission Beach and Ocean Beach, it’s feasible to spend an entire trip at a hotel near the San Diego Airport without missing a beat of the city. It’s also super easy to bookend a trip at one of the below hotels, making your flight schedule a breeze.
Photo: Booking.com
Bookend Your SoCal Trip at These Top San Diego Airport Hotels
Traveling to San Diego? Check out Matador’s guides to the best places to stay in Southern California:
- These beautiful San Diego Airbnbs put you close to the beach and downtown
- The top San Diego hotels near downtown and the beachfront
- 9 dreamy oceanfront Airbnbs up and down the California coast
- 10 soulful beach Airbnbs for the perfect SoCal yoga retreat
- 12 very zen Joshua Tree Airbnbs perfect for families and groups
We hope you love the San Diego airport hotels we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
- Headliner San Diego airport hotels
- Top Hilton Honors hotels near San Diego Airport
- Top Marriott Bonvoy hotels near San Diego Airport
- Top IHG Rewards hotels near San Diego Airport
- Top Wyndham Rewards hotels near San Diego Airport
Headliner San Diego airport hotels
The Inn at Sunset Cliffs
Close to the coastal hiking trails, the Inn at Sunset Cliffs is one of the best beach hotels near San Diego Airport with Pacific Ocean views. Rooms vary from two-bedroom suites with kitchens to poolside sanctuaries and the luxurious Presidential Suite. Kitted out with bamboo flooring, a hot tub for two, and million-dollar views, this is a cushy hideaway for a couple.
Amenities include the courtyard pool, shared barbecue grills, and an oceanside terrace. Seasonal yoga classes are available while surfers can squeeze in a pre-departure session at Ocean Park. There’s no airport shuttle but a 10-minute cab ride drops you at SAN.
Price: From $200 per night
Hampton Inn San Diego Airport and Liberty Station
The closest hotel to San Diego International Airport is the Hampton Inn. Located just over the water from Liberty Station NTC Park, a stay here puts you in prime position to avoid a long check-in line for that morning flight (or an expensive Uber ride upon a late arrival). Onsite, swim a few laps in the outdoor pool, have a drink on the terrace, or simply relax in your well-trimmed room. With a convenient shuttle, nice fitness center, and — despite its proximity to the terminal –quick city center access, you can’t go wrong here, making it Matador’s top pick for a quick one-night stay or bookend.
Airport shuttle: yes
24-hour front desk: yes
Fitness center: yes
Price: From $176 per night
Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina
The clear winner for a luxury hotel near San Diego Airport, the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay has a full-service spa complete with holistic massages, scrubs, and wraps. The resort’s three pools and waterslides, free yoga classes, and s’mores packages cater to all travelers’ needs – vacationers and layovers alike.
Consisting of 438 domains, the most appealing come with scenic balconies, personal fire pits, or even a rooftop terrace. The Red Marlin specializes in sustainable seafood while the Chef’s Table experience is available to mark a special occasion. Mere minutes from SeaWorld, the waterfront hotel is a 10-minute drive from the airport.
Airport shuttle: yes
24-hour front desk: yes
Fitness center: yes
Price: From $258 per night
Top Hilton Honors hotels near San Diego Airport
Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island
A stay at the Hilton San Diego Airport comes with the use of the outdoor pool and 24/7 gym. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served at the aptly-named Panorama Grill where the executive chef cherrypicks techniques from Hawaiian and Mediterranean cooking mixed with California’s sunkissed produce. A free airport shuttle connects the hotel with SAN.
Airport shuttle: yes
24-hour front desk: yes
Fitness center: yes
Price: From $212 per night
Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego Airport
One of the top-rated San Diego hotels near the airport with free breakfast, Homewood Suites by Hilton is located in the artistic Liberty Square suburb. The property offers a free airport shuttle service while SeaWorld San Diego and Ocean Beach are a 10-minute drive.
Family-friendly suites are furnished with kitchens, dining areas, and shower-tub combinations. Splurging on a bay view balcony is something you’d never regret although the expansive grounds and poolside will give you your fill of sunshine and ocean air. If you’re not keen on cooking, the hip eateries of Liberty Public Market are 15 minutes away on foot.
Airport shuttle: yes
24-hour front desk: yes
Fitness center: yes
Price: From $243 per night
Top Marriott Bonvoy hotels near San Diego Airport
Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina
This pet-friendly hotel runs a complimentary airport shuttle both ways while public buses connect to the downtown area. You’ll also have the benefit of express check-in and check-out. Resort amenities include three swimming pools, bike rentals, and water sports gear.
Airport shuttle: yes
24-hour front desk: yes
Fitness center: yes
Price: From $205 per night
TownePlace Suites by Marriott San Diego Airport/Liberty Station
There’s a reason why all-suite hotels hold such a strong place in airport hotel villages. They’re designed for the frequent traveler, the family traveler, and any who want guaranteed comfort before or after a hectic day. TownePlace Suites by Marriott San Diego Airport/Liberty Station epitomizes this for SAN. Each room boasts an apartment-esque vibe, without the need to cook — the hotel’s breakfast buffet is worth a stay in itself. With gorgeous views out over the bay and easy access to the entire central city, this is a sure-bet for a relaxing stay.
Airport shuttle: yes
24-hour front desk: yes
Fitness center: yes
Price: From $188 per night
Courtyard San Diego Airport/Liberty Station
Less than a mile west of San Diego International, the Courtyard by Marriott is convenient for exploring Liberty Station’s thriving Arts District. And, seeing as this neighborhood has a cracking craft beer scene, you’ll appreciate the walkability. Cozy rooms are elevated when you book a balcony unit overlooking the bay.
One of the best San Diego hotels near the airport for getting out on the water, West Coast at the Courtyard rents kayaks and paddle boards to guests and those staying elsewhere. Only residents may use the pool and open-air hot tub. The hotel runs a complimentary shuttle service to the terminal.
Airport shuttle: yes
24-hour front desk: yes
Fitness center: yes
Price: From $185 per night
Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Old Town
Another of the best Courtyard by Marriott hotels near San Diego Airport for families, the Old Town property is a 10-minute drive from SeaWorld. Meanwhile, the cultural sites of Presidio and the state historic park are moments away on foot.
This landscaped resort curls around a heated pool – further warmed by the Californian sun – and a Jacuzzi. Recently renovated rooms assure a restful night’s sleep with custom comforters and plump pillows. Spring for a private patio and you can awake to a mug of coffee under the palms. It’s free to catch the San Diego Flyer from the Old Town Transit Town.
Airport shuttle: no
24-hour front desk: yes
Fitness center: yes
Price: From $215 per night
Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott San Diego Old Town
An alternative hotel near San Diego Airport in Old Town, Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott puts you in the heart of this walkable district. Traditional rooms are appointed with microwaves while downtime can be spent in the heated pool or whirlpool tub.
A complimentary buffet breakfast is served from 6.30 a.m. (weekdays) and 7 a.m. (weekends). Taco joints, sushi places, and historic sites of interest are right out of the door. Again, the San Diego Flyer is a free transit option otherwise an Uber/Lyft will get you to the terminal in 10 minutes flat.
Airport shuttle: no
24-hour front desk: yes
Fitness center: yes
Price: $223 per night
Top IHG Rewards San Diego airport hotels
InterContinental San Diego, an IHG Hotel
Considering how central the airport is, you could always stay in a San Diego hotel downtown. Minutes from the 992 bus stop, rooms at the waterfront InterContinental Hotel skim the ocean and skyline. Light and bright, all feature coffee makers and designer bathrooms.
Loosen up your limbs before a long-haul flight with a dip in the rooftop pool or splash out on a cabana. Open seasonally, you’ll love sipping signature cocktails at Layover while planes take off from the airport. Both the gym and fitness center are open 24/7 and the round-the-clock front desk team is there to ensure you make your flight.
Airport shuttle: yes
24-hour front desk: yes
Fitness center: yes
Price: From $375 per night
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites San Diego Airport
Holiday Inn Express is what happens when a chain hotel reinvents itself and succeeds. Rooms are bright and clean, the front desk runs all night, and you’re just a few miles from Old Town in one direction and the beach in the other. As far as continental breakfasts go, this is a good one — with fresh omelets and one-minute pancakes headlining the show. If flying out of SAN because you live between here and LA, or otherwise are venturing to the city to fly out, this is the spot for you.
Airport shuttle: yes
24-hour front desk: yes
Fitness center: yes
Price: From $144 per night
Top Wyndham Rewards San Diego airport hotels
Ramada by Wyndham SeaWorld/Mission Beach
Photo: Booking.com
Photo: Booking.com
A staple near airports nationwide, Ramada by Wyndham San Diego Airport offers mid-level comfort and a quiet night’s sleep. This one offers the benefit of also being near two of the city’s top attractions. If in San Diego for a weekend and looking to do the highlights without stressing about your flight home, this is the place to stay. Be sure to check out Ocean Beach while you’re here.
Airport shuttle: yes
24-hour front desk: yes
Fitness center: yes
Price: From $97 per night
Is there a place to sleep at the San Diego Airport?
There aren’t any in-terminal hotels or sleeping areas at San Diego International Airport. Provisioned with upright seating, dining, and showers, Aspire Lounge at San Diego International is open daily from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. Offering a free shuttle and resort amenities, the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina is the hotel closest to SAN.
Can you walk to San Diego Airport?
Situated three miles north of Downtown San Diego, it is possible to walk to the airport along the waterfront sidewalks. It takes around one hour to walk from Seaport Village or half an hour from Waterfront Park. This is a safe, scenic, and well-trodden route popular with local joggers.
Does San Diego International Airport have sleeping pods?
San Diego Airport has neither sleeping pods nor designated sleeping zones. If you need somewhere to sleep during a layover, you’ll need to check into one of the hotels near San Diego Airport.
How early should I get to San Diego Airport?
The busiest single-runway airport in the world, the ongoing construction of the new Terminal 1 at SAN has contributed to congestion around the facility. With that in mind, travelers are advised to arrive at least two hours before a domestic departure and three hours before an international flight.
What is the busiest time of day at San Diego Airport?
Due to curfews restricting flights out of SAN after 11:30 p.m., early morning and late afternoon are the peak hours at this busy airport. TSA checkpoints are generally at their busiest between 5 a.m. – 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. 