Los Cabos International Airport (SJD)
Los Cabos International Airport has the IATA code SJD and the ICAO code MMSD. It lies about 11 km from San José del Cabo, at km 43.5 of the Carretera Transpeninsular. When people search for the Cabo San Lucas airport, they almost always mean SJD: the separate airfield at Cabo San Lucas is a different airport.
The airport has two terminals. Terminal 1 handles domestic flights and some international ones; Terminal 2 handles international flights only. Check the terminal on your booking rather than assuming every international flight uses Terminal 2.
Many visitors arrive with plans already made. If you want to combine the arrival with a day out, some whale watching tours and desert ATV tours include hotel transfers within Los Cabos.
Taxi and transfer from Los Cabos Airport (SJD)
Most visitors take a pre-booked Cabo airport transfer, a shared shuttle or a taxi from the terminal. Prices for taxis and shuttles depend on the vehicle, the number of people and how far along the coast you go. Agree on the price before you get in, or book the transfer with your accommodation or a provider in advance.
| Destination | Approximate drive | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| San José del Cabo | About 20 minutes | About 11 km |
| Tourist Corridor | About 15 to 50 minutes, depending on the section | – |
| Cabo San Lucas | About 45 minutes | About 44 km |
These are rough travel times by road, not door-to-door guarantees. For most visitors staying on the Corridor or in Cabo San Lucas, a pre-booked shared shuttle or private transfer is the simplest choice; travelers heading to San José can also take a taxi.
Sales pitches in the arrivals hall
After customs in Terminal 2, you walk through an inner corridor where staff offer rides, tours and other services. Some of these are sales pitches, including for timeshare presentations. If you already have a transfer, keep walking to the exit and look for your driver outside. You do not need to stop to find out where your pickup is.
Our pick: the shared shuttle
A shared round-trip transfer from the airport to your hotel.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Los Cabos tours with transfer
Whale watching, quad, UTV and camel rides, Todos Santos and Cabo Pulmo trips, with live prices and availability.
Car rental and parking at SJD
A rental car makes sense if you stay on the Corridor, plan day trips to Todos Santos or the East Cape, or want to move freely between the towns.
Insurance in Mexico
Mexican rules require third-party liability insurance for cars. That is not the same as every extra package a rental desk offers. Read your rental contract and check which liability cover is included before you sign.
The toll road
A toll road links the airport with San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. These are the car tolls valid from 13 April 2026, including VAT:
| Section | Car toll (MXN) |
|---|---|
| Airport to San José del Cabo | MXN 51 |
| Airport to Cabo Real | MXN 86 |
| Airport to Cabo San Lucas | MXN 118 |
| Airport to El Mangle | MXN 126 |
| San José del Cabo to Cabo San Lucas | MXN 93 |
Do not add up sections, as each route has its own toll points. For longer drives on the peninsula, drive in daylight and use toll roads where possible. Parking prices at the airport change, so check them before you leave a car there.
Compare rental car prices at Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) for trips to Todos Santos or Cabo Pulmo on Economybookings.com.
The airport bus
The public bus runs along Highway México 1 from Santa Anita via SJD Terminals 1 and 2, San José del Cabo and the Tourist Corridor to Cabo San Lucas. You do not reserve; you pay on board or with an authorized prepaid option, and tickets are not sold online or by app.
Hours
Service runs daily from early morning to about 10:30 p.m., roughly every 10 minutes, and the whole line takes about 2 hours end to end. Check the current timetable before you rely on a late arrival.
Fares
One way per person in 2026: from MXN 16 for a local ride, about MXN 35 to 38 for a Corridor ride, about MXN 45 to 49 for the long route and about MXN 100 to 110 for the airport fare. Carry some extra cash.
For whom
The bus suits travelers with light luggage heading to San José or the Corridor. With a lot of luggage or a late arrival, a shuttle is easier.
Arriving overland or by ferry
There is no ferry from Los Cabos itself. Car ferries leave from La Paz (Pichilingue), several hours north, to Topolobampo and Mazatlán on the mainland, on set weekdays. Check the current timetable, since times can change without notice.
Entry to Mexico
Citizens of the EU, Switzerland and the US can visit Mexico without a visa for unpaid stays of up to 180 days; the length of stay is decided at entry. For arrivals by air, a paper tourist card is no longer needed. Eligible adult travelers with a biometric passport can use the e-gates at San José del Cabo. Foreign visitors staying more than 24 hours also pay the Embrace It fee of MXN 488 in 2026.
If you are flying in mainly for Cabo San Lucas, the Cabo airport guide covers the route into town.
Los Cabos Airport: questions
Is the Cabo San Lucas airport the same as SJD?
No. Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) lies near San José del Cabo. Cabo San Lucas has a separate airfield, which is not the same airport.
How long is the drive from SJD to Cabo San Lucas?
About 45 minutes for roughly 44 km. San José del Cabo is about 20 minutes away.
Is there a bus from the airport?
Yes. The public bus stops at Terminals 1 and 2 and runs to San José, the Corridor and Cabo San Lucas. The airport fare is about MXN 100 to 110.
What does the toll road cost?
From 13 April 2026, a car pays MXN 51 from the airport to San José del Cabo and MXN 118 to Cabo San Lucas.
Do I need extra insurance for a rental car?
Third-party liability is mandatory in Mexico. Other packages are optional; check your contract before signing.