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Getting Around Old Town: Trolley, Airport & Walks

SAN airport is 10–15 minutes away, the MTS Trolley stops right here, and the historic district is completely walkable. Everything you need to know before you arrive.

📍 Old Town / Mission Hills✏️ Updated March 2026🚗 Transportation guide

SAN Airport — 10–15 Minutes Away

San Diego International Airport (SAN / Lindbergh Field) is one of the closest major airports to any neighborhood in the country. From baggage claim to your Old Town rental, you are looking at 10–15 minutes by car or rideshare, even with traffic.

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Best way from the airport: Uber or Lyft runs $12–$20 and takes 10–15 minutes. Taxis are available at the terminal. The MTS bus Route 992 also connects the airport to Old Town Transit Center for a cheaper option.
From SAN toDrive TimeRideshare Cost
Old Town10–15 min$12–$20
Downtown SD10–15 min$12–$18
La Jolla20–25 min$25–$35
Coronado20–25 min$20–$30

Old Town Transit Center

The Old Town Transit Center is a major transportation hub right in the neighborhood. The MTS Trolley Green Line stops here, along with multiple bus routes and the Coaster commuter train. It is the easiest way to connect to downtown, Balboa Park, and other San Diego neighborhoods without a car.

MTS Trolley — Green Line

The Green Line trolley drops you right at Old Town Transit Center. It connects to downtown San Diego in about 10 minutes, making it perfect for day trips to the Gaslamp Quarter, convention center, or Petco Park. Fares are $2.50/ride; the Pronto card or app makes it easy.

Coaster Commuter Train

The Coaster runs along the coast between Oceanside and downtown San Diego, stopping at Old Town. Great for a day trip to Solana Beach, Encinitas, or Carlsbad without dealing with I-5 traffic.

Bus Routes

Several MTS bus routes connect at the Transit Center, providing access to Mission Hills, Hillcrest, and other neighborhoods. Route 992 connects to the airport.

Do You Actually Need a Car?

For exploring Old Town itself, no. The historic district is compact and very walkable. The Transit Center connects you to downtown and other neighborhoods via trolley and bus.

A car becomes helpful if you want to explore Mission Hills, make day trips to La Jolla, Coronado, or the beaches, or visit Mission Trails Regional Park. Old Town is centrally located, so drives to most San Diego destinations are 10–20 minutes.

✓ Skip the car if...

  • Focused on Old Town Historic Park and plaza dining
  • Using trolley for downtown day trips
  • Comfortable with Uber/Lyft for occasional trips
  • Staying in the walkable historic district

⚑ Get a car if...

  • Planning day trips to La Jolla, Coronado, or beaches
  • Wanting to explore Mission Trails or Cabrillo
  • Dining at multiple neighborhoods
  • Traveling with kids or lots of gear

Rideshare, Bikes & E-Scooters

Uber and Lyft are widely available in Old Town with short wait times. The proximity to the airport and downtown means driver availability is consistently good.

  • Uber/Lyft: 3–7 minute wait times typical. Fares within Old Town/downtown run $8–$20.
  • Bike share: E-bikes and bike share options are available in the area. Old Town is flat; Mission Hills has some hills.
  • E-scooters: Lime, Bird, and other e-scooter services operate throughout Old Town and connect to downtown.

Distances from Old Town

DestinationDrive TimeNotes
Downtown SD~10 minAlso accessible via Green Line trolley
Balboa Park~10 minFree parking in the park
La Jolla~15 minVia I-5 north
Coronado~20 minVia Coronado Bridge
Mission Bay / SeaWorld~10 minVia I-8 west
Ocean Beach~15 minVia I-8 west
Mission Trails Park~15–20 minVia I-8 east
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Central location: Old Town is one of the most centrally located neighborhoods in San Diego. Almost everything worth visiting is within a 20-minute drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Old Town, San Diego

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