Which option should I take from SJU?
Your arrival time, the number of people and how much luggage you have decide it. Discover Puerto Rico puts the airport about 15 minutes from downtown San Juan.
| Option | Cost | Frequency and hours | Best when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi Turístico | Fixed zone fare, cash; extras possible | At the rank whenever flights land | Groups, heavy bags, after dark |
| Uber or Lyft | App quote | Depends on drivers available | You want card payment and an upfront price |
| AMA bus D53 | $0.75 per person | Every 67 min on weekdays, 6 am to about 8 pm | Solo, light bags, Condado or Old San Juan |
| AMA bus T5 | $0.75 per person | Every 20 min on weekdays, about 5 am to 9 pm | Solo, light bags, Isla Verde or Old San Juan |
Bus frequencies and hours come from the DTOP route listing. At weekends T5 runs every 40 minutes and D53 every 55 minutes, and the last trips are earlier, around 8 pm.
How much is a taxi from SJU to Old San Juan?
Taxis from the airport charge a fixed fare to each tourist zone, not the meter. The airport's transport page says these rates are regulated and approved by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, and it links a fare sheet. That sheet is an image and we could not read it, so we cannot print the official amounts here.
What the official sources do say, via Discover Puerto Rico's taxi page:
- Within the tourist zones, fares are fixed and posted. Elsewhere in San Juan, taxis use the meter.
- You pay the driver in cash only.
- Tolls and tips are not included.
- Extra charges for luggage, late-night travel and airport trips may apply.
- Airport dispatchers tell you the fare before you get into the cab.
For a rough idea only: an unofficial guide, sju-airport.com, last updated in September 2025, lists about $12 to Isla Verde, $17 to Condado and $21 to Old San Juan. It adds a $3 airport charge, $1 per bag after the first, and $2 between 10 pm and 6 am. Official sources did not confirm these figures, so go by the dispatcher's quote.
Taxis wait at the main dispatch point on the Terminal A arrivals level and on the Terminal B arrivals level, according to the airport.
Where do I catch Uber at San Juan airport?
Uber and Lyft both operate at SJU. The airport's transport page puts the pickup points at Terminal A, and at Terminals B and C by columns 16 to 19. Discover Puerto Rico describes these as designated spots on the ground floor.
Request the car only once you have your bags and are walking to the bay. The app shows a price before you confirm, which suits people who want to pay by card. The Discover Puerto Rico rideshare page says Uber is the main app on the island and works best in the San Juan metro area, and that there are still some rules on where it can pick up and drop off.
Taking the AMA bus
The buses are cheap and cover the three main tourist areas. The airport lists stops on the second level (Departures) and these routes:
| Going to | Route |
|---|---|
| Isla Verde | T5 or D53 |
| Condado (Ashford Avenue) | D53 |
| Old San Juan | T5 or D53 |
| Convention Center | D53 |
| Avenida Piñero (Tren Urbano) | E40 |
The regular fare is $0.75, per the DTOP AMA page, with half fare of $0.35 for ages 60 to 74 and free travel from 75 with ID. The Autoridad de Transporte Integrado's bus page says you pay on boarding with exact change or an ATI card. It lists the Piñero–airport route 40 as hourly, from 5 am to 8 pm on weekdays and 6 am to 8 pm at weekends.
The bus makes sense for one person with a backpack and time to spare. With a suitcase each, a 67-minute gap between D53 buses, and a long ride through Isla Verde and Condado, the saving over a shared taxi is small.
Worked examples: one traveller and a family
One person, landing at 3 pm on a weekday, staying in Condado, with a carry-on. D53 costs $0.75, but departures are 67 minutes apart, so you could wait up to an hour plus the ride. A taxi means one fixed zone fare in cash plus any extras and a tip. The dispatcher tells you the exact figure. Take D53 if saving money matters more than the hour; otherwise take a taxi or Uber.
Four people, landing at 7:30 pm, going to Old San Juan, with four suitcases. The last D53 or T5 may already have gone, or be the last of the evening. Even if one comes, four fares are only $3.00, but you are carrying four cases onto a public bus in the dark. A single taxi at the Old San Juan zone rate, plus any per-bag and night extras, is the practical choice. If there are more than four of you, or large cases, ask the dispatcher for a larger vehicle, or choose a larger car in the rideshare app.
| Arriving | Solo, light bags | Group or heavy bags |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday daytime | T5 or D53 if the timing fits | Taxi Turístico or rideshare |
| Weekend daytime | Bus with 40- to 55-minute gaps, or taxi | Taxi Turístico or rideshare |
| After about 8 pm | Taxi or rideshare | Taxi or rideshare |
Before you leave the arrivals hall
International passengers clear US Customs at SJU; Discover Puerto Rico says this typically takes 15 to 45 minutes. Flights from the US mainland skip customs because Puerto Rico is a US territory. The airport says it is open 24 hours, has free bellhop help (tip what you like) and a baggage storage service.
If you are picking up a rental car instead, read our guide to AutoExpreso tolls in a Puerto Rico rental car. For a day trip into the rainforest, see El Yunque reservations and fees.