How to Get Around San Diego on a Budget
With so much to explore across the San Diego region, you'll make the most of your time here if you do a little planning on how to get around. San Diego County spans more than 4,000 square miles, but even if you plan to stay in San Diego proper (perhaps with a visit to North County as well), that’s a lot of room to roam. Luckily for you, San Diego's great transportation options — from public transit to ferries and shuttles — make it all very doable (with or without a car), and all without blowing your budget.
Public Transit
Public Transit
San Diego’s public transit system includes the San Diego Trolley light rail system, the Coaster commuter rail and the SDMTS bus system that connects the city’s network of neighborhoods.
The four trolley lines can get you to many popular destinations throughout central and southern San Diego. For instance, you can take the trolley from Downtown to La Jolla for about $2.50 for adults. It’s a convenient and cost-effective way to see the sights and get from one destination to another quickly and easily. And with the Pronto app, you can pay for tickets right from your mobile device without needing a physical fare card.
Similarly, most rides on the SDMTS bus system cost around $2.50 for an adult, but rides are capped at $6 per day if you use Pronto, so you can really get around at a bargain price. The system also offers specials such as family weekends, when up to two kids under 12 can ride for free with a fare-paying adult.
The Coaster is one of San Diego’s most efficient methods of getting to the North County Coastal region. It's also the perfect way to make a day trip to the string of classic beach towns in the region, including Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside. An average one-way adult ticket is $6.50, but purchasing a day pass ($15) gets you unlimited trips, plus free transfers to the trolley and buses.
Pacific Surfliner
Pacific Surfliner
For a relaxing and budget-friendly way to travel to San Diego — and enjoy stunning views of the coastline along the route — book a ride on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train, which travels to the Old Town Transit Center and the Santa Fe Depot in Downtown San Diego (with an additional stop in North County’s Solana Beach) from Los Angeles and other points north. Multiple Surfliner trains serve San Diego each day, and the service connects seamlessly to the San Diego Trolley as well as bus routes from Old Town and Downtown so you can continue your San Diego adventures. Depending on the length of your trip, riding the Pacific Surfliner can cost from $35 to $70.
Ferries
Ferries
One of the most fun and scenic modes of transport in San Diego is the ride across the sparkling harbor on Flagship Cruises & Events’ Coronado ferry service. The ferry runs daily from two locations Downtown (the Broadway Pier and the San Diego Convention Center) to the Coronado Ferry Landing.
You can enjoy fantastic on-the-water views of such landmarks as the San Diego-Coronado Bridge, the USS Midway Museum and the historic Star of India sailing ship (part of the Maritime Museum of San Diego) on the 10- to 15-minute trip, and a one-way ticket is just $9.
It’s a relaxing and fun alternative to traveling across the bridge. And Flagship has also added a 45-minute route from Chula Vista in the South Bay region to the Convention Center for $15 one-way.
Trolley Tours
Trolley Tours
A great bargain travel hack for seeing San Diego is to grab a ticket on the Old Town Trolley Tours that run throughout the city. For around $50 for a full-day ticket, you get all-day access. The tours run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and a ticket gets you on-off privileges at 11 popular spots around the city, including Old Town, Coronado, Little Italy and the Embarcadero. Old Town Trolley Tours lists more than 100 points of interest on this tour, which means your $50 ticket goes a very long way.
The company also offers discounts, including a promotion during Kids Free October that lets youngsters ride free with the purchase of an adult ticket.
Hotel Bike Perks
Hotel Bike Perks
Because San Diego is such an outdoor city, many hotels embrace options for guests to get around and enjoy the open air and the city’s beauty. And what better way to do that than on a bike?
The Hotel Z, located in Downtown, offers guests complimentary bike rentals. Helmets and locks are included so you can park your bike and explore worry-free.
The Hotel Republic San Diego, near Little Italy, also offers guests bikes to explore the city. From the hotel, you can easily ride to Balboa Park or the San Diego Padres’ Petco Park. The bikes are free for the first two hours.
The historic Hotel del Coronado also provides bikes as part of its Bike The Del program. While the rentals are not complimentary, they are available to everyone, whether hotel guests or not. And enjoying the bike paths around Coronado is a classic San Diego experience.
The Kona Kai San Diego Resort on Shelter Island offers guests the use of Zybra bikes, complete with locks and helmets, allowing guests to zip down to the bay and spend the afternoon. The Kona Kai bikes are available complimentary for the first two hours.
As always, do your best to book in advance and be aware of specials and promotions before you plan your trip. With the right booking at the right time, you can maximize your time in San Diego — and have a worry-free time getting around — by taking advantage of off-season prices, amenities and more.