Getting Around in San Diego

Whether driving or using public transport, getting around in San Diego is fairly easy, and new arrivals will likely not need to buy a car thanks to the city's comprehensive public transport infrastructure. Be that as it may, newcomers who will be hauling children around and those who would like to explore further afield may benefit from purchasing a vehicle.

Public transportation in San Diego is administered by the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), which operates buses and a light rail tram system in the city. There are more than 100 bus routes in the city and surrounding areas, as well as three light-rail lines.

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Public transport in San Diego

Single tickets for public transport are readily available and relatively affordable. The most cost-effective option for expats intending to make frequent use of public transport in San Diego is to purchase a monthly pass. Day passes are also readily available.

Physical tickets can be purchased at stations, or tickets can be purchased online using a service known as PRONTO, which was formerly known as Compass Cloud. Regular commuters should purchase a PRONTO Card, which is a smartcard that can be used across all MTS and North County Transit District (NCTD) services.

Buses

The public bus service in San Diego is one of the most economical ways of getting around the city. Most buses run seven days a week, with extra services during weekdays and peak traffic times. There are dozens of bus routes that comprehensively cover the inner city and surrounding areas, including rural routes. There is also a rapid transit bus service of nine lines, with two additional rapid transit lines operational during peak hours.

Light rail

The San Diego Trolley is the city's light rail system and is one of the most recognisable forms of transport in the city. Also known as the Red Trolley, the light rail service consists of 62 stations on four main lines that cover around 65 miles (105km) of track.

A vintage trolley service runs on a single line in downtown San Diego on weekends, select weekdays and during major events. Primarily a tourist attraction, the vintage streetcar Silver Line service is a good way for new arrivals to get to know the city.

COASTER

New arrivals looking to explore the nearby coastal towns such as Carlsbad, Solana Beach and Oceanside, can use the scenic COASTER commuter trains. The trains serve eight stations between downtown San Diego and Oceanside, and with 20 trips over the weekend, it's the perfect mode of transport for a quick weekend getaway.

Useful links

• New arrivals can visit the MTS and NCTD for more on schedules and fares.

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Taxis in San Diego

MTS is responsible for licensing and regulating taxis in San Diego, as well as ensuring that they adhere to safety standards. Rates vary between companies, but a starting cost (known as a 'flag drop fare') plus a per-mile fee is standard. Cabs in San Diego can either be called in advance, hailed from the street or found at a taxi stand.

Several ride-hailing applications, including Lyft and Uber, also have a presence in San Diego. These allow users to summon a cab directly to their location and get an estimated price for the trip upfront.

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Cycling in San Diego

The city actively encourages residents to cycle and is constantly expanding existing infrastructure as part of the San Diego Regional Bicycle Plan.

Given the favourable weather conditions and support from local government and the private sector, commuting by bicycle in San Diego is becoming more popular. The city is constantly expanding its network of bicycle paths and lanes. San Diego also has several bike rental companies that offer e-bikes and e-scooters for those looking to explore the city on two wheels.

Useful links

• New arrivals looking to rent bikes can visit Stay Classy Bikes, Moment Bicycles or Unlimited Biking.

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Driving in San Diego

Given the spread-out nature of the wider region, a car is the most convenient way of travelling outside the city, and most foreigners moving to San Diego are likely to purchase one.

Expats with valid driving licences from foreign countries can drive in the state of California, but once expats become residents of the state, they will need to get a local licence. Some countries have agreements with the state of California, meaning that their citizens can transfer their driving licence without needing to retake a driver's test. Other expats must take a written traffic law test as well as a practical to get a local licence.

See Transport and Driving in the USA for more on national driving practices and legislation.