Best Hotels Near San Diego Airport: 8 Picks From Cheapest to Most Luxurious

Looking for hotels near San Diego airport? It seems simple until you come across the options. One hotel is located near the main terminal but turns out to be an expensive property, whereas the other is a cheaper one but leaves you searching for a rideshare for an early morning flight. 

Over the years, I have booked and stayed many of the hotels listed in this guide. And today, I have come up with 8 of the best hotels near San Diego airport, which are arranged in order of cheapest to most luxurious. Also, I have only kept the hotels that are located within 5 miles of the airport, because a cheap 13 miles away from the airport may not make sense for an early flight or short layover. 

Where to Stay Around San Diego Airport: Close-In vs. a Few Miles Out

The 1-mile radius of the airport is the most expensive area. If you are willing to stay closest to the airport, then you will have to pay a higher price. For instance, Sheraton and Hilton, the two hotels in this list, sit within a mile, but they carry the highest nightly rate. 

Now, if you move just a little, the price starts to drop. San Diego International Airport sits close to downtown, and thus, the most far options are also just a short drive away. There are several hotels that offer an affordable nightly rate and lie within 2 to 6 miles from the airport. There are many hotels near San Diego airport with free shuttles. However, most of them operate shuttles until midnight only, so for a late-night flight, you may have to arrange a transfer for yourself. 

1. Hotel Iris: The Cheapest Pick on the List

• Distance from airport: About 5 miles (roughly a 10-minute drive)

• Nightly rate: From $59

• Airport shuttle: No

• Pet-friendly: Yes (pet rooms only, around $20 per night)

• Parking: Yes (on-site)

Hotel Iris is the cheapest hotel near San Diego International Airport. You are paying a cheaper price, but you will not compromise with the quality. This 2-star boutique-style hotel features 79 rooms and is located in San Diego’s Mission Valley area. There are certain premium rooms that come with a kitchenette or a jetted tub. Additionally, the major attractions, such as San Diego Zoo and Fashion Valley Mall, are just three miles from the hotel. 

If you are traveling solo, you will definitely not mind arranging your own ride to the airport for an affordable price. Also, it can be a great choice for travelers with short layovers or those who are traveling with a pet. 

Amenities

• Outdoor pool and spa tub

• Free WiFi

• 24-hour front desk

• Laundry facilities

• Daily housekeeping

• Coffee and tea in a common area

• Fax Service (Fees May Apply)

Good to Know: Book your room with free cancellation, but the cancellation request must be made at least 48 hours before arrival. Also, you can book now and pay later at the hotel while checking in. 

2. Motel 6 San Diego, Downtown

• Distance from airport: About 2.6 miles by road (10 to 12 minutes by car)

• Nightly rate: From $77

• Airport shuttle: No

• Pet friendly: Yes (up to 2 pets, listed as no extra fee)

• Parking: Yes (about $20 per day, limited spaces)

This is the most downtown-located budget hotel. The 105-room motel is close to Civic Center trolley station (7-minute walk) and within walking distance of Balboa Park, Waterfront Park, and the Gaslamp Quarter. If you will be spending your days in the city and using the trolley, then that's a good base.

It's ideal for budget travelers and couples seeking to be in the city center and require only basic amenities and a convenient location.

Amenities

• Free WiFi

• 24-hour front desk

• Laundry facilities

• Snack bar/deli on site

• Elevator

• Air conditioning and flat-screen TVs

• Accessible Rooms

• The beach is located within 10 miles of the hotel

• Vending machine

Good to know: The housekeeping service may not be available for the passengers every day for the guests who are staying for multiple nights. Also, there will be a utility fee of $7 on all room bookings. 

3. Americas Best Value Inn, Loma Lodge

• Distance from airport: About 4 miles (roughly an 11-minute drive)

• Nightly rate: From $84

• Airport shuttle: No

• Pet-friendly: No (service animals welcome)

• Parking: Yes (free)

Located on Rosecrans Street, off of I-5 in Point Loma, Loma Lodge is a tiny 43-room Spanish-style motel. The Old Town transportation hub is approximately 1 mile away, and the SeaWorld, Ocean Beach, and the zoo are all approximately a 10-minute drive away. The total price is low, as the parking is available free of charge and free WiFi is provided, and the freeway access also makes mobility convenient when using a car. If you are looking for cheap hotels near San Diego airport, then it is one of the best options available on the list. 

It is a perfect choice for travelers looking for an affordable stay with free parking. Also, the major attractions are nearby, making it an ideal choice if you have layover between two flights. 

Amenities

• Wheelchair Accessible per ADA Standards

• Free parking

• Free WiFi

• Air conditioning

• TV with HBO

• Coffee/tea machine in rooms

• Business center and complimentary newspapers in the lobby

• Vending machines

• Guest Laundry Facilities

• Guests can bring service animals for free

• 24-hour front desk

• Outdoor pool

Good to know: Front desk personnel are very strict about check-in times. So, if you arrive early, before the normal checkout time in the afternoon, you will receive very little flexibility and perhaps wait out front until the hour. 

4. Motel 6 San Diego, Hotel Circle / Mission Valley

• Distance from airport: About 5.7 miles (roughly a 15-minute drive)

• Nightly rate: From $108

• Airport shuttle: No

• Pet-friendly: Yes (cats and dogs, up to 2, listed as no extra fee)

• Parking: Yes (about $5 per night, limited spaces)

This 206-room Motel 6 is located off I-8 near I-5 in Mission Valley and even has an outdoor pool, which most motels at this price don't have. Old Town San Diego State Park and the University of San Diego are just minutes away by car, while the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park are within easy driving distance.

Ideal for families, road-trippers, and pet owners that require a pool and low rate but are not afraid to make their own arrangements to and from the airport. This is the furthest hotel from this list and would be best if you are travelling to San Diego itself, and the airport is just the start and end point.

Amenities

• Outdoor pool

• Free WiFi

• 24-hour front desk

• Laundry facilities

• Kids Stay Free

• Blackout drapes

• Vending Machines

• Free coffee

• Free Local Calls

Good to know: The guests will have to make a deposit of $60 while checking in. Additionally, there is plenty of $40 for early check-in or late check-out. So, make sure to leave the room on time. 

5. Wyndham San Diego Bayside

• Distance from airport: About 2 miles (roughly a 10-minute drive)

• Nightly rate: From about $140

• Airport shuttle: Yes (free, from about 6 AM to midnight at every 30 minutes)

• Pet-friendly: Yes (dogs and cats, up to 2, about $25 per pet per night)

• Parking: Yes (self-parking about $50 per night, valet about $60)

For this place, the three elements are shuttle, location, and price that align in perfect harmony. The 600-room hotel, The Wyndham, is across the street from the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal, the USS Midway Museum is a 7-9 minute walk, and the Santa Fe Depot and Little Italy trolley stop are 7 minutes away. Many rooms have a balcony or patio, and some look out on a bay.

It's best for cruise passengers, first-time visitors to the area wishing to walk to the waterfront, and anyone who would like to travel without paying close in rates to the airport.

Amenities

• Outdoor pool and fitness center

• On-site restaurants and a coffee shop

• Bar/lounge

• Late Check-out Available

• Express Check-out

• ATM

• Tour/Ticket Assistance

• Free WiFi in rooms (3-device limit)

• Gift shop and bike rentals

• Concierge and tour assistance

Good to know: The hotel charges a destination amenity fee of $30 that is included in the room rate. But if you book at a discounted rate, the fee is payable at the counter during checkout. 

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6. Holiday Inn Express San Diego Airport, Old Town

• Distance from airport: About 3.1 miles

• Nightly rate: From about $160

• Airport shuttle: Yes (free, from 5 AM to midnight)

• Pet-friendly: No (service animals welcome)

• Parking: Yes (covered and secured, about $20 per night)

The Holiday Inn Express would be the smart pick on this list. It's a 126-room resort with a free hot buffet breakfast, a heated outdoor pool, and a hotel near San Diego airport with a shuttle available from 5 am until midnight, handling most early morning and late evening flight arrivals. The old town’s restaurants are just minutes away from the hotel. The hotel is located on the Harbor Island and gives a spectacular view of large ships, sailboats, and the sunset.  

It is an ideal choice for guests traveling with families looking for a relaxed and quiet sleep and needing a reliable airport transfer. 

Amenities

• Area shuttle

• Free breakfast buffet

• Daily housekeeping

• Bean-to-Cup Coffee

• Heated outdoor pool

• Fitness center

• Free WiFi

• Business center

• Daily housekeeping

• Kids can eat for free

• In-room fridge, microwave, coffee maker, and safe

• Convenience store with snacks and drinks

Good to know: Guests will start their day with free breakfast with a grab-and-go option. However, the breakfast is only available between 6:30 am and 9:00 am. Also, the hotel offers the Park Stay & Go 8-day package, where guests can park for 8 days by staying to the hotel just one night. 

7. Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina

• Distance from airport: About 0.5 mile (a few minutes by car)

• Nightly rate: From about $190

• Airport shuttle: Yes (free, from roughly 4:45 AM to midnight)

• Pet-friendly: Yes (about $150 per stay; check size limits when you book)

• Parking: Yes (self-parking about $55 per night, valet about $67)

The Sheraton is the largest and the nearest hotel to the airport on this list, having over 1,000 rooms in two towers in Harbor Island. There are three outdoor swimming pools, two hot tubs, a 24-hour fitness center that has Peloton bikes, a marina that has water sports and bike rentals, tennis courts, and multiple restaurants and bars located on site. It sounds like a respite area that is located adjacent to an airport.

It's best for families, couples, and anyone who wants resort-style amenities either before or after a flight and anyone who wants the shortest possible trip between the terminal and the pool.

Amenities

• Three outdoor pools and two hot tubs

• 24-hour fitness center with Peloton bikes

• On-site bar & restaurants 

• Marina, water sports, and bike rentals

• Guest room entertainment

• Children’s recreation

• Gift shop

• Convenience store

• Luggage storage

• Free yoga classes

• Room service and housekeeping

• Free WiFi for guests

Good to know: This is the closest property from the airport just across the street, and yet, a walk to Terminal 2 can take about 10 minutes. And a taxi ride to Terminal 2 can cost you around $10. 

8. Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island

• Distance from airport: About 1.3 miles (a 3-minute drive)

• Nightly rate: From about $270

• Airport shuttle: Yes (free, daily from 4:30 AM to 11:30 PM)

• Pet-friendly: Yes (up to 75 lbs.; $75 for 1 to 4 nights, $125 for 5 or more nights)

• Parking: Yes (self-parking $35 per night)

The highest-priced stay in this guide is the Hilton, a 211-room hotel on Harbor Island. Rooms feature high-quality bedding, balconies, and the Panorama Bar & Grill, which overlooks the bay. It operates almost all night, and the airport is just a few minutes away, making it the best choice when you have to get to the airport very early in the morning or very late at night.

It's ideal for business travelers, couples, and Hilton Honors members that prefer a serene and sophisticated experience, with minimum hassle in getting to and from the airport.

Amenities

• Complimentary breakfast

• EV charging

• Fitness center

• Outdoor pools

• Room service

• On-site restaurant

• Meeting rooms

• Connecting rooms for children 

Good to know: Hilton is close to the airport, but it sits far from many restaurants and shops; thus, the hotel is the only viable option left for dining. Breakfast is available for free, but other options can be expensive. 

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Conclusion 

The best hotel near San Diego Airport is dependent on your financial capability, trip itinerary, and the amenities that you are looking for. If you are on a budget, Hotel Iris is your choice, and travelers who want basic accommodations will want to stay at a Motel 6 property. The Wyndham San Diego Bayside and Holiday Inn Express turn out to be reliable options for quick transfer to and from the airport. Whereas the Sherton and Hilton are closest to the main terminal. However, before booking the room, it's best to compare the nightly rates and shuttle hours to pick the best for your travel.