Whether you live in San Diego or are just visiting San Diego, many of the best flights depart from LAX rather than San Diego. It has more airlines, more direct flights, and more international routes, and fares are often lower.
Traveling between the two cities is the hardest part. There are no trains, the drive is long and transit dependent, and the remaining SAN to LAX flight is over 30 minutes long and expensive. Rentals add fees, hotel parking fees, and sometimes one-way fees.
The easiest solution is to take the San Diego to LAX shuttle, and the one I always come back to is reLAXsan. It runs several times a day, with three pick-up points across the county, and drops off at your terminal. Book in advance and it's $68 per person one way. I was wondering if I could recommend it, so I sent my daughter, who travels a lot, on a midnight flight from Old Town to Seoul.
why this works
There is nothing to manage. You don't have to drive, rent, park, or think about where to park at LAX. You arrive in the old town with your luggage. The coach made two brief stops in Sorrento Valley and Oceanside before heading directly on Interstate 5.
Price is another attraction. The one-way price is $68, far less than car services or rideshares, with no surge pricing and no worries about whether the driver will take that long to travel.
My daughter took the late afternoon shuttle and got stuck in afternoon traffic, but she still had a few hours to get to LAX for check-in and security.
San Diego Airport Shuttle Pickup Locations
reLAXsan has three pickup locations in San Diego County:
- old town san diegolocated on the old town side of the train station
- Sorrento Valley/Del Mar
- Oceanside/Carlsbad
We used Old Town Station, which is adjacent to a spacious car park and was easy to find and park.
I parked the car, we spotted the shuttle and she was on it a few minutes later. The driver took her luggage, checked her ticket, and that was it.
For Uber or Google Maps, the address is 2728 Congress Street, San Diego. The exact corner is Congress Street and Telegraph Way, opposite the Old Town Transport Centre.
a local note
If you are coming from the west side near the Esplanade you may be blocked by tram and train crossings. There is currently construction in the area and regular fixes are not available, so please be 5 to 10 minutes early to be safe.
What does the reLAXsan shuttle look like?
reLAXsan requires you to arrive ten minutes before departure, which is about right. The driver loads your luggage in the back, checks your ticket, and you get on. My daughter was on a full size shuttle with two seats on each side of the center aisle, it was clean and well maintained and the seats were roomy as reLAXsan advertises. Fleets appear to vary from run to run, so your vehicle size may vary on each departure.
On board you will find:
- There is a plug for your device at every seat (USB-C)
- Free Wi-Fi
- snack: Bottled water, pretzels, Rice Krispies snacks
- There is no bathroom on boardif this is important to you
A note for taller travelers: My daughter is tall and had no issues with legroom, but I would say this is typical of car seat positioning.
luggage
The $68 fare includes one personal item, one carry-on bag and one checked bag per passenger. There is a $15 fee for a second checked bag, and the same $15 applies to any bag over 50 pounds or oversized (more than 62 inches long, wide, and high), with a hard limit of 75 pounds per bag. For most people flying internationally, you just need to check your bag.
Traveling with kids? Have a car seat attendant
reLAXsan offers free car seats and valet parking. You bring your seat with you and they store it at the San Diego office while you travel. Book a round trip and they will provide the service on your return. Book a one-way trip and collect it from the office when you return. When you're flying rather than driving, don't lug your car seat through the airport.
Make a reservation in advance. Popular models are sold out.
The shuttle is not a walk-in service, and seats disappear quickly on the most convenient departures. Book in advance via reLAXsan reservation systemand don’t leave it until the day before.
Standard tickets can be redeemed up to 24 hours before departure. Flex tickets add a few dollars in refund options, making them a worthwhile option for any international trip, especially return travel.
Reader Discount: Use code
LAJOLLAMOMEnjoy 5% discount when booking. It's not life-changing, but it's not nothing.
San Diego to Los Angeles International Airport Shuttle Schedule
reLAXsan operates multiple shifts every day, 7 days a week. The schedule is seasonal and changes several times a year, so be sure to check the current times their website.
My daughter left in the late afternoon for a flight that left just before midnight. She arrived at Los Angeles International Airport just after 7:00 p.m., giving her time to check in, go through security and get settled in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. TBIT has been carefully renovated in recent years. Catering is good and quiet corners are easy to find and extra time can be spent comfortably.
Most international flights to Asia depart between 10:30 pm and 1:00 am, so the late afternoon shuttle will naturally be paired with these flights.
How much does the reLAXsan shuttle cost?
- $68 Per adult, standard fare
- $57 Per adult when booking two or more passengers together
- $48 for children
- Gift certificates can save up to 25% and are worth considering if you make this trip more than two or three times a year
- Reader Discount: Code
LAJOLLAMOM5% discount
Where you'll be dropped off at LAX and where to find it on your return trip
reLAXsan takes you to lower/arrival level At LAX, right at your terminal. For round-trip flights from LAX to San Diego, you can fly at Orange “Carpool” sign In the lower level/arrivals area, also in your terminal. No off-airport pickup, no parking shuttle, and not a lot of walking in the rain. For a shuttle service, this is the cleanest curbside experience you can find.
Who would I send, who would I send elsewhere
Taking a shuttle is the right choice if:
- You are a solo traveler or a couple flying from LAX
- You are about to travel to San Diego and need to drive to the airport to catch your flight home
- You want to buffer traffic without spending all day behind the wheel
- You don’t want your family to give up an afternoon of commuting time
A private car is a better answer when:
- Your flight time does not match the shuttle schedule
- You'd rather have the privacy and quiet of a car
There really aren't many other ways to get to LAX from San Diego if you don't want to drive yourself, and the reLAXsan shuttle is now my recommended option.
FAQs in my inbox
Is there a train from San Diego to LAX?
No. Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner runs along the coast from San Diego, but the closest stations are downtown Los Angeles or Irvine, and neither station has direct access to the airport.
How to get from San Diego to Los Angeles International Airport without renting a car?
There are shuttles like reLAXsan. Your other options are to rent a private car, hail a ride share, or arrange for a private driver. The shuttle is the only one that is both reliable and affordable.
Where does the reLAXsan shuttle pick up passengers in San Diego?
Three points: Old Town San Diego, Sorrento Valley/Del Mar, and Oceanside/Carlsbad. All three use the same booking system and the same fares.
How early should I arrive at the station?
Ten minutes. This is what they recommend, and in our experience, it's accurate.
Do I really need to book in advance?
Yes. Seats on international departure flights are sold out.
What if my return flight is delayed?
Standard tickets are redeemable for up to 24 hours. Flex Tickets provide you with a refund window. For international round-trip flights, I would choose the Flex upgrade.
Can I bring a car seat on the shuttle?
Yes, reLAXsan offers free car seats and elevated valet parking. They will store your seat at the San Diego office while you travel. Book a round trip and they will bring you your return ticket; book one way and you can collect it from the office. Otherwise, they do not provide car seats.
