San Juan Airport is compact and no-nonsense, which means flying in or out is almost always efficient and painless. I’ve been through about a dozen times, so I know exactly what makes this airport tick and where travelers tend to get tripped up. Here’s everything you need to navigate it like a pro.
Airport layout
Terminals and concourses
San Juan Airport is straightforward to navigate with two terminals (A and B) and two concourses (C and D). The good news? You can easily walk between all of them post-security. Terminal B is busy, handling international flights alongside Terminal A and housing many gates.
You’ll find the usual kiosks selling magazines, gum and souvenirs alongside a decent range of bars and restaurants. Heads up though: some of these may close before the last flights of the night. SJU has late-night departures back to the US mainland (times vary by day and season), and if you’re on one, you won’t find much open. Plan ahead and grab snacks before you get to the airport.
Security
SJU has two security checkpoints, one for each terminal. Either checkpoint gets you to all concourses, so just use whichever is closest. TSA PreCheck is available whenever security is open, which is whenever flights are running.
Customs and immigration
No passport needed for flights from the mainland US. Puerto Rico is a US territory, so it’s treated as a domestic flight with no passport check. San Juan does have Customs & Border Patrol facilities for flights arriving from Latin America and Europe.
Getting to and from the airport
The airport is close to San Juan proper. Even with the notorious traffic on the island, you can get to Old San Juan in about 10 to 20 minutes, and the hotel-heavy Condado area in about the same time. If you’re just sticking to the city, a taxi or rideshare is a solid choice to avoid the headache of parking.
Rental car
Public transport is lacking outside San Juan, and taxis get scarce once you leave the city. If you want to explore the island’s empty beaches and hidden spots, a rental car is your go-to option. Book in advance and follow terminal signs for pickup. It’s a quick walk.
Insider tip: During busy seasons, rentals can get pricey or sell out. If that happens, check out local companies like Charlie Car Rental. They’re located off-site at 6050 Isla Verde Avenue but offer a complimentary 24-hour shuttle service.
Taxis
Traditional taxis run on fixed rates with an extra charge for luggage. They’re a perfectly fine option and the ride into town is short.
Rideshare
Many travelers (myself included) default to Uber out of habit. Pickup areas are at both terminals outside arrivals and they’re easy to find.
Public transportation
I’ll be honest, I’ve never taken the public bus from the airport. But I hear it’s a solid, cheap option that’ll get you to most spots in San Juan. Just make sure you’re not traveling too late at night when service might be limited.
Airlines and destinations
You can catch a flight from just about every US airline here, from the big legacy carriers to the budget-friendly ones. Most fly to major cities on the East Coast and beyond. JetBlue runs a huge operation out of Terminal A, while pretty much everyone else is in Terminal B.
While the vast majority of flights are domestic, SJU has decent international service too. You can find flights to places like Madrid (often served by Air Europa), Bogota, and Panama City. It’s enough to get you where you need to go for your next adventure.
Lounges at SJU
SJU has two lounges, both called The Lounge San Juan (one in Terminal A, one in Terminal C). Both accept Priority Pass and other memberships. They’re relatively forgettable but better than the terminal. Here’s the catch: both close at 8pm, well before the red-eye departures that typically run between 10pm and 2am. I’ve made this mistake and spent unpleasant hours on uncomfortable seating. Don’t show up too early for late flights, and if you must, bring food.
What to do during a layover
Most travelers are starting or ending their trip in San Juan, so long layovers are rare. But if you find yourself with time to kill, the airport location is a huge plus. You don’t even have to go into the city to have a good time.
If you have 3+ hours
Grab a taxi to Piñones, a stretch of beach just east of the airport. Little kiosks and beach bars line the area, serving classic Puerto Rican fried snacks and cold drinks. It’s a perfect mini-escape just minutes away, but be warned: it can turn into a party at night, so don’t cut it too close getting back for your flight.
If you have 6+ hours
Rent a car for the day and drive 45 minutes to El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System. It’s an incredible place that feels a world away from the airport terminal. I make it a point to visit every time I’m on the island, and you should too.
Cape Air’s Caribbean hub
One of the coolest things about SJU is that it’s a hub for Cape Air’s flights to nearby islands. You can connect directly to the gorgeous Puerto Rican islands of Vieques and Culebra on regional carriers like Vieques Air Link without ever leaving the airport.
They also run multiple daily flights to St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. Just be ready for a different kind of flying experience, as these routes use small propeller planes like the Cessna 402, Britten-Norman Islander, and Tecnam P2012 Traveller.
The other San Juan airport
Believe it or not, there’s another airport even closer to Old San Juan. Isla Grande Airport (SIG) is a small but mighty hub worth knowing about, especially if you’re already in the city and want to hop over to Culebra.
It’s also the go-to spot for private jets, with fixed-base operators offering hangars and concierge services. The 5,539-ft. runway at the airport can handle midsize to larger business jets like the Dassault Falcon 900 and Gulfstream G550. So if you’re flying private (we can all dream, right?), this is your place.
Airport hotels
The San Juan Airport Hotel is located inside Terminal D. While it wins on convenience, I’ll be frank: it’s not a great hotel. Luckily, there are dozens of other options nearby at every price point.
If I had to choose, I’d pick the Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort. It’s about a mile from the airport *and* it’s on the beach. If you’re going to be stuck overnight in Puerto Rico, you might as well get some sand between your toes, right?
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
