Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at San Diego International Airport. Use an ATM with a no-fee card — the ATM gives you the real mid-market rate, while airport exchange booths charge 10–20% above it. On a $500 exchange, that difference is $50–100 in hidden costs.
The key rule
Airport currency exchange booths typically charge 10–20% above the mid-market rate.
On a $500 exchange, that is $50–100 in hidden fees. The ATM is almost always better — even with a bank fee. And with a no-fee card, the ATM is unambiguously better.
ICE (International Currency Exchange) operates a kiosk in Terminal 2 near the international gates. San Diego primarily handles US–Mexico international routes, so peso exchange is the primary demand.
ICE kiosks at SAN charge 12–18% above the mid-market rate, with USD-to-MXN carrying a particularly wide spread. Cross-border travelers are better served withdrawing pesos at destination ATMs in Tijuana or elsewhere in Mexico.
ATMs are in both terminals. Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Chase ATMs are throughout Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and at the baggage claim exits on the arrivals level.
SAN ATMs are on the Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, and STAR networks. A no-fee card (Schwab, Wise, or Revolut) is particularly valuable for frequent SAN–Mexico travelers who exchange currency regularly.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for SAN
Use an ATM with a no-fee card (Schwab, Wise, or Revolut) and decline any offered currency conversion at the ATM. Airport exchange booths charge 15-20% above the real rate.
Pro Tip
For Mexico-bound travelers, withdraw pesos at your Mexican destination ATM rather than at SAN — Mexican banks' Banxico-based rate is typically 10-15% better than the ICE kiosk rate at SAN.
Before you leave
Order foreign currency from your bank before departure — Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo all offer currency ordering at branches and online (3–7 business days). Rates are better than airport booths, and you avoid the airport rush entirely.
At your destination
Withdraw from a local ATM at your destination — you get the real mid-market exchange rate, minus a small network fee. A no-fee card eliminates even that. This is almost always the cheapest option.
In transit
Currency exchange at city banks or post offices in your destination country is typically far better than airport rates in both countries. Most major cities have walk-in currency exchange with rates 5–10% better than airport booths.
Is it better to exchange currency at SAN airport or at my destination?
Almost always at your destination. Airport exchange booths at San Diego International Airport charge 10-20% above the mid-market rate. At your destination, ATMs give the real interbank rate minus a small network fee — typically saving $50-100 on a $500 exchange versus the airport booth.
Where are the ATMs at SAN airport?
ATMs are in both terminals. Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Chase ATMs are throughout Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and at the baggage claim exits on the arrivals level. SAN ATMs are on the Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, and STAR networks. A no-fee card (Schwab, Wise, or Revolut) is particularly valuable for frequent SAN–Mexico travelers who exchange currency regularly.
Which currency exchange is at SAN airport?
ICE (International Currency Exchange) operates a kiosk in Terminal 2 near the international gates. San Diego primarily handles US–Mexico international routes, so peso exchange is the primary demand. ICE kiosks at SAN charge 12–18% above the mid-market rate, with USD-to-MXN carrying a particularly wide spread. Cross-border travelers are better served withdrawing pesos at destination ATMs in Tijuana or elsewhere in Mexico.
What is the best card to use for foreign currency at SAN?
The Charles Schwab debit card is the top choice — it reimburses all ATM fees worldwide and charges 0% on international transactions, giving you the real mid-market exchange rate. Wise and Revolut travel cards are strong alternatives with similar 0% fee structures. Avoid using a standard bank debit card, which typically charges 1-3% foreign transaction fee plus an ATM surcharge of $3-5.
See also: Getting around SAN airport · Live SAN TSA wait times
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