Global Entry at SAN
Global Entry costs $120 for five years — and it includes TSA PreCheck. You can do your Global Entry interview right at SAN: it has a Trusted Traveler enrollment center. So at San Diego (SAN) it covers faster U.S. security on the way out and faster customs when you fly home, for not much more than PreCheck on its own.
Where to do your Global Entry interview at SAN
SAN has a Trusted Traveler enrollment center, so once CBP conditionally approves your application you can book the in-person interview at the airport. Bring a valid passport and proof of address. Appointment slots fill up, so book early at the Trusted Traveler scheduler.
How much Global Entry costs at SAN
Global Entry is $120 for a five-year membership, and the fee already includes TSA PreCheck — you do not pay the $76.75–$85 PreCheck fee on top. Some travel credit cards reimburse the $120. A few things to know before you apply:
- Every traveler applies separately — there is no family rate, and children need their own membership and interview.
- You get a Known Traveler Number (KTN) to add to every booking, which switches on PreCheck at SAN and beyond.
- Renew early — you can renew online up to a year before your membership expires, and benefits continue while it processes.
Apply at ttp.dhs.gov — Trusted Traveler Programs, the official application.
Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck at SAN
At SAN, TSA PreCheck speeds your way out — the lighter screening lane where shoes, belt, and laptop stay packed. Global Entry adds the way back: skip the customs line when you land from abroad. Because Global Entry bundles PreCheck for only a little more than PreCheck at SAN costs on its own, it is the better buy for anyone who flies internationally. For the head-to-head, read Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck.
Using Global Entry when you land at SAN
Coming home through SAN from abroad, Global Entry members skip the regular passport line and use the Global Entry process at the kiosks or the CBP app instead. That is the arrival side of your trip — for the departure wait that sets when to leave home, watch the live SAN TSA wait times.
PreCheck, Global Entry, or CLEAR at SAN?
Three programs, three jobs — and they can stack. Here is the quick version:
| Program | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| TSA PreCheck | $76.75–$855 years | Most U.S. domestic flyers |
| Global Entry | $1205 years | International travelers (best value — it includes PreCheck) |
| CLEAR Plus | $209per year | Frequent flyers at CLEAR airports |
Curious about the third option? See CLEAR at SAN for whether the face-scan lane is there and worth it.
How Global Entry changes your Leave-By Time
Because Global Entry includes PreCheck, it shrinks the security buffer in your plan — but only when the lane is actually short. Instead of guessing, set your Leave-By Time: it folds the live SAN PreCheck wait, your drive with traffic, and the walk to your gate into one exact time to leave home today.
Driving to SAN? Compare SAN airport parking and fold the lot and shuttle into the same Leave-By Time.
See also: Is TSA PreCheck open right now? and how early to arrive at the airport.
Common questions about Global Entry at SAN
Can you do your Global Entry interview at SAN?
Yes — SAN has a Trusted Traveler enrollment center, so you can book and complete the in-person Global Entry interview at the airport once you are conditionally approved.
How much is Global Entry in 2026?
Global Entry costs $120 for a five-year membership, and that fee includes TSA PreCheck. Every traveler needs their own application, including children.
Does Global Entry include TSA PreCheck?
Yes. A Global Entry membership comes with TSA PreCheck at no extra cost, so your $120 covers both faster U.S. security on the way out and faster customs on the way home.
Is Global Entry or PreCheck better for SAN flyers?
If you ever fly internationally through SAN, Global Entry is the better value — it is only a bit more than PreCheck ($76.75–$85) and includes it. If you only fly domestic, PreCheck alone is enough.
Do kids need their own Global Entry at SAN?
Yes. Unlike PreCheck, where children 12 and under use the lane free with an enrolled parent, every traveler needs their own Global Entry membership and interview — there is no family rate.