Philadelphia (PHL) to San Diego (SAN)

About Philadelphia airports

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is located approximately 10 miles from downtown Philadelphia and serves Pennsylvania’s Delaware region. The airport has excellent links via public transport with the rest of the area and is a hub for American Airlines which has direct flights to San Diego (SAN).

Airline information

Carriers which offer direct flights from PHL to SAN include American Airlines, with others such as Delta offering connecting flights there.

Flight information

The average time for a direct flight from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to SAN is 6 hours and 5 minutes, covering a distance of 2,369 miles. San Diego International Airport is situated 3 miles driving distance from San Diego and handles around 21 million passengers each year.

Getting to PHL Airport

By car

It takes about 15 minutes to get to PHL by car from downtown Philadelphia by way of the I-95 S.

By train and bus

From the centre of Philadelphia the quickest way to reach PHL by train is via the Airport Line service, which stops at Jefferson and Amtrak’s 30^th Street. Passengers can also use the 37, 108 and 115 bus routes.

By taxi

Taxis starting in downtown Philadelphia charge a flat rate of $28.50 for the drive to PHL.

Getting from SAN Airport

By car

Depending on the traffic, it takes about 11 minutes to drive to downtown San Diego from the airport using N Harbor Drive.

By bus

The Pacific Surfliner service is provided by Amtrak, and passengers can also use the COASTER bus route to the Santa Fe Depot, which stops off at various points in the city.

By taxi

Taxis from the airport charge about $18 for the drive to downtown San Diego from SAN

Things to do in San Diego

Balboa Park

Balboa Park covers 1400 acres and was built for the Panama California Exhibition in 1916. Most of its architecture is in the Spanish colonial style, and the most popular themed sub-parks here include the Museum of Man and the Museum of Natural History. San Diego Zoo is also located here.

Gaslamp Quarter

The old Victorian buildings of the National Historic District, locally known as the Gaslamp Quarter, are home to many independent restaurants, shops and art galleries. There are also a number of boutique hotels, and the 20 blocks stretch from San Diego Bay to Broadway.

Shopping in San Diego

The best upscale shopping venue in San Diego is the aptly-named Fashion Valley, with a more laid-back, beachy alternative at Cedros Avenue Design District. The latter specializes in jewelry and antiques. The top area for boutique-style shopping is downtown La Jolla, and there are also a number of street markets across the city.

When to visit San Diego

Fall is the best time to visit San Diego, as then the temperatures are much more pleasant than in the summer months, which see highs in the upper 70s. October and November are especially popular, with temperatures averaging around 64°F.

Philadelphia experiences average winter temperatures of 38°F, rising to around 80°F in the summer months.