Your driver will meet you at your address in Los Angeles International Airport.
Door-to-door service
Help with your luggage
Trip
You’ll travel in comfort for 2 hours.
Optional sight-seeing
Clean, comfortable car
Professional driver
Bottled water
Child seats
Prepared for handicapped
Smoke-free
Pet friendly
Drop-off
Your driver will drop you off at your address in San Diego.
Door-to-door service
Help with your luggage
In total
203 km2 hours
Questions & Answers about Traveling from Los Angeles International Airport to San Diego
Is there a shuttle from LAX airport to San Diego?
There are shuttle buses from the LAX airport that can either take you to San Diego after a transfer to a second bus in downtown LA or be combined with the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train to reach your destination in San Diego.
How to travel from Los Angeles Airport to San Diego?
The fastest route from Los Angeles Airport to San Diego is a 2-hour drive, which is often easiest with a private car transfer service such as Daytrip. This transportation option offers sightseeing stops along the way or direct door-to-door service from LAX Arrivals to your accommodation in San Diego.
Is San Diego worth seeing?
San Diego is an incredibly popular travel destination due to its pristine beaches, year-round warm weather, and world-class attractions such as the famous San Diego Zoo and the plethora of art museums and studios. The city also offers a diverse palate of Mexican and Latino-influenced cuisine, making it an essential stop for foodies.
How much is a shuttle from Lax to San Diego?
The most common airport shuttle bus route from LAX to San Diego costs $55-75 and can take around 3-4 hours, sometimes involving a transfer to a second bus in downtown Los Angeles.
Can you surf in San Diego?
San Diego is a popular surf destination, and some of the best beaches for trying your hand at the sport are Oceanside Beach and Pacific Beach. Note that other spots such as La Jolla Windansea have a bigger break that is not recommended for beginner surfers.
How to get from Lax to San Diego without a car?
Without a rental car, the best option for getting from LAX to San Diego is with Daytrip's private transfer service. You'll be brought door-to-door without even having to lift your luggage. Alternatively, take the LAX Linq shuttle bus service from the airport to downtown LA, and then continue on the same line to your destination in San Diego. This option takes 3-4 hours and will cost you around $55-75.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions, here are the answers.
Daytrip is the most convenient way to experience 14,600+ cities around the world.
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Overview: car trip from Los Angeles Airport to San Diego
It takes just under 2 hours to drive from Los Angeles Airport to San Diego, covering a distance of about 125 miles (201 km). Taking parts of the Pacific Coastal Highway (Highway 1) offers a more scenic route, treating you to cliffside views of the ocean below. With a Daytrip private transfer, you can stop along the way at some of California’s most iconic beaches, including Huntington Beach with its year-round surf culture and famous pier, or Newport Beach, home to many a celebrity and a plethora of ice cream shops.
Your Daytrip transfer from the Los Angeles Airport (LAX) can also be a direct journey to San Diego if you prefer, with seamless airport pickup and drop off at your accommodation. Better than a standard taxi, your friendly and knowledgeable driver will help you with your luggage and ensure you have the smoothest transfer possible to provide a welcoming start to your time in California.
About San Diego
Once you’ve completed your transfer from the Los Angeles Airport to San Diego, you’ll find yourself in one of the most popular coastal cities in California. With over 70 miles of beaches, a world-renowned zoo, and seemingly unlimited art studios and gardens, there is truly something for every traveler.
San Diego is often referred to as the birthplace of California because it was the first West Coast entry point of Spanish settlers, where it had previously been inhabited solely by Kumeyaay Native Americans. The city was historically operated under Spanish colonial rule, and then Mexican rule, before officially becoming part of the U.S. in 1848 (just before the 1850 admission of California as a state).
This heritage is evident in the city’s rich international presence, Spanish colonial-style architecture, and widespread Hispanic and Latino culinary influences. Be sure to sample the classic dishes such as fish tacos and some of the city’s own Mexican-American fusion creations, like carne asada fries.
San Diego boasts a series of beautiful beaches that suit every coastal craving, from surfing to sunbathing. The city’s consistently temperate climate and 146 days of sun on average mean your visit promises ideal conditions for outdoor adventures or simply strolling around town. The city offers plenty of family-friendly activities, like spending a day picnicking in the huge open green spaces of Balboa Park or taking a trip to the famous San Diego Zoo to see its collection of over 12,000 species, including rare and endangered creatures.
From Los Angeles Airport to San Diego: travel tips
As you plan your transportation from Los Angeles Airport to San Diego, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure a simple, stress-free travel experience. As these are the two most populous cities in California, the most common routes between them can sometimes be affected by traffic and planning ahead is best, particularly if you will be transferring by car.
Choose a private driving transfer
To relieve the stress of navigating busy traffic around the airport, it can be a good idea to opt for a private car service. This allows you to make the most of the journey along the way through optional sightseeing stops, and to see parts of California you might otherwise miss.
With Daytrip, you will receive door-to-door service, directly from the airport to your accommodation or destination of choice in San Diego, and your friendly driver will assist you with your luggage on both ends (much less of a hassle than lugging suitcases on and off public transportation).
Communicate any issues or delays
When flying into Los Angeles, as with any other major airport, delays do happen from time to time. At Daytrip, the team understands that minor delays are sometimes out of travelers’ hands, which is why there is a free wait time of up to 1 hour for airport transfers. For longer delays, especially from international flight arrivals, you must communicate with the Daytrip team to prevent a missed pickup or other issues that could affect your trip.
How to get from Los Angeles Airport to San Diego
There are a few options for your Los Angeles Airport to San Diego transfer, including the public bus/airport shuttle service and the train. However, the most convenient way to cover the distance between LAX and San Diego is to drive, as this allows you the most flexibility in terms of route and any sightseeing you would like to pursue along the way.
Bus from Los Angeles Airport to San Diego
There are a few bus routes from LAX to San Diego, but you will need to anticipate a longer journey time. The LAX Linq airport shuttle service is the most direct route, taking just over 3 hours with ticket prices ranging from $55 to $75. There will sometimes be a transfer required to a second bus in central Los Angeles.
Train from Los Angeles Airport to San Diego
There is not a direct train route from LAX to San Diego, but it is possible to combine an airport shuttle bus (namely the LAX FlyAway-LAX2US) and the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train to San Diego. The shuttle bus takes an hour and will drop you off at Union Station in Los Angeles. From there, the train takes an additional 3 hours to reach the San Diego city center, so it's not a fast option. In total, this trip can cost anywhere from $20-95 (last-minute tickets are more expensive!).
Group charters from Los Angeles Airport to San Diego
There are a few companies offering group van shuttles from LAX to San Diego, but the prices for these are widely variable and it is best to book well in advance to avoid any last-minute surges. Keep in mind that these group transportation options tend to be more expensive overall than public transit, and will not allow you to stop along the way for sightseeing as a private transfer will.
Private car transfer from Los Angeles Airport to San Diego
The most efficient way to get from the Los Angeles Airport to San Diego is with a private car transfer such as the one offered by Daytrip, giving you door-to-door service in less than 2 hours, making this the fastest choice.
This trip starts at $115 and you’ll arrive in San Diego with a local driver who can guide you to your accommodation safely and swiftly. This is also a great option for groups, as Daytrip offers larger vans to accommodate transfers with up to 7 passengers.
Transportation options at a glance from Los Angeles Airport to San Diego
Bus: 3-4 hours | $55-75 | Average of 1 transfer
Train: 4 hours min. | $20-95 | Minimum 1 transfer
Group Shuttle: 2-3 hours | Prices Vary
Private driving transfer: 2 hours door-to-door | $115 per passenger
Things to do when you get to San Diego
Sunny San Diego is known throughout the US and beyond for its friendly, welcoming atmosphere, incredible food, and beautiful beaches. Once you’ve traveled from the Los Angeles Airport to San Diego, you are free to explore the many attractions of the “Birthplace of California”.
Enjoy the San Diego Zoo
No trip to San Diego is complete without a visit to the world-class San Diego Zoo, the #1 most visited zoo in the US and one of the top zoos globally! The zoo operates safari-style tours throughout its nearly 100-acre presence in Balboa Park, and visitors can expect to see everything from hippos and elephants to arctic exhibits with polar bears and penguins. The zoo also operates as a nonprofit conservation organization.
Visit the many art museums
San Diego is a wildly creative city and has an abundance of art museums and studios to show for it. You could easily spend a day (or more) roaming the San Diego Museum of Art to admire the 32,000 items on display. Or take the whole family to The New Children’s Museum for a colorful and interactive introduction to the world of art.
Soak up the sun on the beaches
San Diego’s coastline plays host to a wealth of public beaches, all perfect for soaking up the city’s warm weather and immersing yourself in California beach culture. Try Mission Beach for beautiful scenery and a laid-back, friendly atmosphere, or head to Law Street Beach off Ocean Boulevard for some of the best sunsets on the West Coast.
Old Point Loma Lighthouse
Visit this iconic fixture of the San Diego Bay, which guided ships around the area from 1855 to 1891. The Old Point Loma Lighthouse sits on the southern edge of the Sunset Cliffs Natural Park and is a short 26-minute trip from the heart of San Diego.
When is the best time to visit San Diego?
As you plan your journey from the Los Angeles Airport to San Diego, it is worth considering the best season for your trip. San Diego offers a uniquely consistent climate all year round. Summers hover around 76-78° F (24.5-26° C), and winters are mild with highs of 66-67° F (19-20° C), meaning the ideal travel time will have more to do with avoiding the summer tourism crowds than seeking the ideal weather.
The best bet for finding deals on flights and accommodation is to visit in the spring from March to April, or in the fall from September to November. This means you will beat the crowds and likely avoid the (slightly) rainier winter months.
Visit these sights on the way
Huntington Beach
With its year-round swells rolling beneath its world-famous pier, this beach city lives and breathes surfing. Surf City USA
Newport Beach
Movie stars, surf, and ice cream bars. Life is good in America’s most affluent city. The Sweet Life
San Juan Capistrano
California’s oldest neighborhood is awash with historic charms, and for half the year, migrating swallows. A Wing and a Prayer
Dana Point Harbor
This quiet seaside city and its small beach are still largely undeveloped, leaving it the only romantic place left on the coast. Baby Please
“I used this service for a transfer from Split in Croatia to Perast Montenegro. My experience was exceptional. My driver Bojan was helpful, informative and ensured my journey was comfortable and enjoyable. I highly recommend the service.”
“We were extremely satisfied with the quality of service we received from Day Trip. We had two Day Trip rides on August 31 from Athens to Lefkada and September 7 from Lefkada back to Athens. Both trips included stops at scenic sites in Greece. Both drivers were excellent and accommodating. However, we’d especially like to recognize Panos Peppas, who was our driver from Lefkada to Athens. Panos was incredibly nice & pleasant and delivered outstanding customer service, which included handling all of luggage, providing us with cold waters throughout the trip, providing us protein bars, providing us with printed materials on the Corinth Canal (one of scenic stops), looking up and providing us with terminal & gate info for our flight back home and providing us with a recipe for tzatziki.”
Reviewed by Tripadvisor
traveler Daydream20046758137
“We absolutely love this company and have used it many times over the years to get from A to B without the hassle of hiring a car ourselves. Excellent drivers every time. Efficient and professional. It’s worth every penny and we can honestly recommend Day Trip to everyone. It’s 5 star rating is well deserved.”
“We traveled from Nuremberg to Munich in a beautiful Audi. Driver picked us at our hotel at the exact time requested. Got us to Munich in plenty of time for our next tour. Driver made sure we were comfortable”
“Gonzalo from daytrip was our driver and he was absolutely amazing. He went over and beyond trying to locate us as our service wasn't so good on our phones. He patiently awaited our arrival to the lobby so he could take us from Tulum Dreams Resort to our other hotel in cancun an hour and a half away near the airport prior to our departure flight home. He was polite, respectful and kind. Made sure we were comfortable during our long ride. Fast and to the point. I recommend this company as finding a one way ride from Tulum to Cancun isn't easy or cheap and this company provides a great service for a great price. I will definitely be using them again whenever I'm in the Cancun/Tulum area. Thank you DayTrip and Gonzola.”
“We were picked up by Marianna to drive us from Heraklion to Chania. The weather was terrible & due to this Marianna arrived a few minutes late. She contacted me to advise of this. Marianna lives in Chana and she made our trip very interesting by informing us of local things to do and see in Chania. Marianna is a safe driver and we all felt comfortable with the speed she drove at and how good her driving was in heavy rain. She is a lovely person with fluent English. We highly recommend Daytrips and if you are in Heraklion or Chania please make sure you ask for Marianna.”
“Used the service to go from Luxor to Hurghada, Egypt. Ahmed H was our driver and he was perfect. The car was new, clean, he had water and snacks for us, and accommodated our stops. Great service from him and would recommend it.”
“Used Daytrip for two rides in Mexico, which were both great. So comfortable, and we arrived at each of our destinations at a great time. Both were incredible drivers, and we felt so safe. One of our drivers, Miguel, also played the best music! Will definitely use Daytrip on our next trip to Mexico.”
“We did not know what to expect with this trip and booked from Australia. We were initially looking for an easy way to travel from Granada to Malaga. We decided not to waste the opportunity to see something additional on our way. Miguel certainly exceeded our expectations. His English was excellent (unfortunately we speak very little Spanish), and he was very friendly and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the regions as we passed through and also discussing some of the local ways. Miguel took us to Antequera as planned and ensured we were able to easily get our tickets to the attractions without any sense of rushing us. We were picked up and dropped off punctually and really enjoyed our trip. Hopefully we will return to Spain and we can use this service again sometime.”
“We used the service twice while in Thailand. Extremely prompt and efficient customer service. Best rate being offered in Chiang Mai for the travels. Polite, punctual, professional and English speaking drivers. Clean, comfortable vehicles. Being a regular visitor to Thailand, this was hands down the best service. Most pleased with the company. I hope it sustains the excellence of service that was rendered to us.”
Reviewed by Tripadvisor
traveler Omar
Good to know
Children
If you’re traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!
Pets
Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.
Tips
Gratuity isn’t included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).
Luggage
Big luggage
29x21x11 inches
74x53x28 cm
Small luggage
22x14x9 inches
56x36x23 cm
Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If you’re traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.
Payment methods
Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!
Daytrip is a platform that connects you with local drivers who will transport you door-to-door, from one city to the next. We also give you the opportunity to explore sights/attractions along the way. We drive, you discover.
Yes! A return trip will take you back to your city of origin in the same size car in which you arrived. Return trips can be booked for the any day. You can also add customized sightseeing stops separately for each trip! Don’t worry if you don’t know your exact address at the time of booking - you’ll have the opportunity to update us closer to your travel date. Make sure to select “Return” when you start the booking process, then choose the dates and times of your departures.
For private trips, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. For the Daytrip Pool shared shuttle, we offer 3 ticket options when booking: Non-refundable, Flexible with cancellations 24 hours before departure, and Super-flexible with cancellations up to 15 minutes before departure.
Simply choose your origin and destination via our homepage and enter your departure date and time. Browse and add sightseeing stops along the way by following the booking instructions provided on-screen. Select “One Way” or “Return” to change the type of trip you need. It’s a simple, easy, and fun way to book your next adventure! And if you don’t see your desired route on our website, you can request a custom trip. You can even book without knowing your exact pick-up or drop-off address - we let you add these later!
Each passenger is allowed one large bag (29" x 21" x 11" / 74 x 53 x 28 cm) and one small bag (22" x 14" x 9" / 56 x 36 x 23 cm). Luxury sedans can only accommodate 2 large bags. We always send the vehicle that is the best fit for you and your luggage, so make sure to select the actual amount of luggage you are traveling with when booking. If you have oversized luggage, or are unsure if your luggage will fit, contact us.
Everywhere except the USA, drivers will supply appropriate child seats (just let us know during booking). In the USA, certain states require you to supply your own child seats.
