DL flight to SAN with a 5 hour stopover enough time to leave airport?

[traceyy]

on our virgin adventures in dec we need to book a delta flight from la to vegas. (will be flying first using points) we can go straight there.....or were thinking of getting a bit adventurous as there is a flight via san diego with a 5.5 hour stopover, would it be stupid crazy to jump in a uber and go to the zoo for a few hours (11 minutes drive from the airport according to google maps) its just me and a teen looking for some fun lol, super crazy or definitely do able?

 

[clipped_wings]

Hi Traceyy,

Whilst theretically possible, there are variables that would affect this itinerary;

Are you flying in to LA on this day? Where is your original point of departure? If Australia - would you have checked luggage to clear and carry? And where would you stow it while you visit the zoo? If backpacking, have you considered delayed flights affecting any part of the journey?

If none of the above applies, and you are relatively fit - I'd say go for it. But I would definitely have a Plan B if the worst happens, such as you miss your Vegas flight.

 

[Vic]

Hi Traceyy,

Whilst theretically possible, there are variables that would affect this itinerary;

Are you flying in to LA on this day? Where is your original point of departure? If Australia - would you have checked luggage to clear and carry? And where would you stow it while you visit the zoo? If backpacking, have you considered delayed flights affecting any part of the journey?

If none of the above applies, and you are relatively fit - I'd say go for it. But I would definitely have a Plan B if the worst happens, such as you miss your Vegas flight.

I would expect luggage checked in at LAX would be held in transit to transfer to the flight to Vegas. Sure moving luggage in LA would be a thing if arriving into the USA same day. But I don't see an issue in San Deigo for checked luggage.

Certainly my delta flights in first involving a transfer, I haven't had to pick up the checked luggage.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Guess if you want to take a cab, to the nearest suburb, away from the airport, something with a TacoBell , or an eatery, not airport related.
But I think it would be too short, a time, to get too ambitious.
That CBP questionings, and TSA precheck line (having to show "real id" etc), at US airports, really puts me off even considering a visit to the US.
We have it easy for domestic travel here in Aust, over there, coming from Aust, its an eye opener.
As above said, have a plan B.
If it was a flight in Aust, ie, MEL dom, 5.5, yes, I would use Skybus to the city, but not the US.

 

[traceyy]

we decided to can the idea....just in case. will go straight to vegas, my friends in the USA were pretty scathing in there opinions of the possible traffic delays so we'll use our extra time for a few more margaritas in vegas lol, hopefully a safer idea.

 

[BriarFlyer]

I'm not sure margaritas in Vegas are always a safer idea, but they're never a bad idea. Enjoy!