San Diego International Airport is one of the most convenient airports in the United States, located just 3 miles from downtown. However, the airport is smaller in size, and thus, airport parking in San Diego is compact and requires a little planning.
There have been multiple instances when I had to use the on-site garages of SAN. The San Diego Airport parking is available in both Terminal 1 & Terminal 2. Both terminals have their own parking plaza and together have approximately 8,500 parking spaces, out of which only terminal 1 holds 5,200 spaces.
Here are the points that actually matter while choosing the parking space:
Self-parking charges at both terminal plazas are $40/day.
Valet parking costs around $60/day.
The off-airport parking ranges between $5 and $25 for one day.
Reservations for parking are accepted up to 30 days in advance.
If waiting for pickups, use the free cell phone lot.
In this guide, I will be covering all the points, including the policies and cancellation option after the booking, so you can make an informed decision and choose the right San Diego parking lot airport that fits your travel type and budget.
Which San Diego Airport Parking Option Fits Your Trip?
There are multiple parking options available, and which lot fits your travel depends on your budget, duration of stay, and convenience. The two terminal plazas sit directly across from the terminals, and there is also valet parking available at both terminals. Here is a description of each parking, so you can pick one that suits your travel needs:
Terminal 1 Parking Plaza
If you have a flight to catch from Terminal 1, the San Diego Airport parking Terminal 1 parking plaza is the closest option. It is a five-story building with almost 5,200 parking spaces. Here are the points to know:
The parking at the Terminal 1 parking plaza will cost you $3 for every 15 minutes until it reaches the maximum daily limit of $40.
No charges apply to the parking for the first 10 minutes.
The height clearance at the first level is 9 feet 6 inches, whereas it is 8 feet and 4 inches for other levels. Thus, you can park your SUV and vans at level 1.
Plaza amenities worth knowing about
The amenities are the one thing that makes this parking lot different from other lots.
The parking lot has the guidance system that will lead you to the open stall.
The parking lot is divided into three color-coded sections that help you to locate where you parked your car.
It has 185 EV charging spaces for electric vehicles.
There are luggage carts available at all levels.
The plaza has open lightwells that provide ventilation and natural light.
Ticket kiosks with intercoms linked to the airport's parking office.
Hack: You can take a photo of the color-coded section and level. I myself take photos of the section and level that save my time on the way back.
Terminal 2 Parking Plaza
Terminal 2 handles most international departures, making the San Diego Airport Parking facilities near Terminal 2 a convenient choice for international travelers. Here are the points to know:
The San Diego Airport Parking Terminal 2 costs $3 for every 15 minutes. And the maximum daily rate is $40.
The height clearance at Terminal 2 is 8 feet and 2 inches.
The terminal 2 parking has a total of 16 charging points.
Payment can be made via card, and some locations even accept cash payment also.
Plaza amenities
Both the multi-level Terminal 1 and 2 Parking Plaza are equipped with a high-tech environment with automated space-tracking guidance systems, including overhead LED status lights and live spot counts, color-coded navigation zones, glass elevators, and EV charging.
Valet Parking
Valet is the most premium parking at San Diego Airport, which is available in both terminals, 1 & 2. It costs you around $60 for a one-day parking. You simply bring your car and hand over the keys at the entry gate, and you are free to leave the garage. Here are a few points to know:
It costs $20 more than the parking plaza. So, you should avoid when you are on a longer trip.
It is an ideal choice for passengers traveling with children or heavy luggage.
It is useful for San Diego Airport overnight parking when you have a late night return flight. Your car will be directly brought to you.
Cell Phone Lot
If you are visiting the airport just to pick up, drop off, or meet someone, you really do not require paying the San Diego Airport parking rates. The airport has a free cell phone lot for drivers to wait for pickups. And it is located just 2 miles from the airport. However, the passenger must remain with the vehicle for the whole time it is parked. The officials might tow the unattended vehicles.
How Do You Book San Diego Airport Parking Online?
To ensure a spot at the San Diego Airport parking, make a reservation online in advance. The airport opens the online reservation window for parking 30 days before the parking day. If you want to book a spot online, book early, as same-day booking is not available. Here is the complete process:
Go to the website: Visit https://www.san.org/
Select date & time: Select your parking entry and exit dates, along with the corresponding times.
Choose your plaza: You have two options Terminal 1 Parking Plaza & Terminal 2 Parking Plaza. Choose one and click on “Reserve now.”
Fill out the details: Type your personal details and vehicle details and tap on the “Reserve and pay now” button.
Make the payment: Enter the card details and complete the payment and get the confirmation email.
What Are the San Diego Airport Parking Policies and Cancellation Rules?
There are certain rules and regulations for parking at San Diego Airport worth knowing before booking a parking slot.
Cancellation: The refund will be initiated to the source account one hour prior to the scheduled arrival time.
Unused reservation: No refund will be initiated, if you did not use the parking slot after making the reservation.
Same-day changes: You are not allowed to make changes to your parking on the arrival day.
Curbside rules: The curbside parking is not allowed at SAN Airport. It means that you cannot leave your car along the terminal curb to wait for arriving passengers. The airport might tow the unattended vehicles.
Disabled parking: All parking lots have dedicated spaces for passengers with limited mobility.
Security and help: The airport personnels patrol the parking lots. And the parking operators are available to help you.
What Are the Parking Lots Near San Diego Airport?
If you find the terminal plazas are full or costly, the off-site parking becomes the ideal choice. Most of the low-cost parking is available within 1 to 2 miles from the airport, and most of them run free shuttles. The table below shows you a few long-term parking options at San Diego Airport outside the airport.
| Parking Lot | Daily Rate (Approx.) | Distance from Airport | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDPSF Lot B | $12.50/day | 0.5 miles | It is the nearest offsite parking lot and accommodates larger and taller vehicles | An ideal choice for SUVs and vans |
| Premium P1003 | $4.99/day | 4 miles | It comes with the lowest price; however, shuttle is not available | It is the best choice for budget-conscious travelers |
| Premium P1082 | $6.99/day | 1 mile | The parking lot is affordable as well as close to the airport | Perfect for someone looking for an affordable option near the airport |
| San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly (Lot A) | $15.00 - $19.00/day | 1.2 miles | It is an uncovered parking space that comes with free shuttle and free cancellation | Travelers seeking EV parking spaces or flexibility |
| Aladdin Airport Parking | $23.00/day | 1.4 miles | It is a covered self-parking and can be prebooked | Travelers looking for a guaranteed spot and peace of mind |
Final Tips for San Diego Airport Parking
Whether you choose to park in a public lot or private parking facility, there are some habits that can make the experience much easier. These are the ones that I depend upon each time I travel.
Book early: Holiday weekends, summer weekends and cruise weekends are popular and get booked up quickly. You can book the slot up to 30 days in advance.
The right plaza for the right airline: Though the distance between terminal 1 and terminal can be covered within 5 to 10 minutes but it may be painful with bags in your hand. So, park your vehicle at the right terminal.
Use the numbers for longer trips: For the plazas, it's about $280 per week at $40 per day, and off-airport lots cost approximately $35 to $160 for a week.
Confirm the height of your vehicle: The height clearance for the first floor is 9 feet and 6 inches, and the rest of the other floors are 8 feet and 4 inches. Confirm the height of your vehicle and move to the right level.
The 10-minute window: If the vehicle exits the Terminal 1 Plaza within 10 minutes of arrival, it will be exempt from charges, an ideal slot for a fast stop.
Do not park at the curb: There is no curbside parking at SAN and unattended vehicles are ticketed and towed. Pick up at the free cell phone lot.
Give the airport a bit of extra time: When checkpoints are crowded, arrive at least 2.5 hours prior to the flight. If you park your vehicle at an offsite parking lot, allow some extra time for the shuttle, as some run on request.
Save evidence: Save the confirmation email and save a picture of the level and section color.
Check the airport website before you leave: Rates and policies may change, so check the airport's website for the latest airport parking rates in San Diego.
Conclusion
It's a matter of time vs. money. The closest parking areas to the airport are the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 plazas, which charge up to $40 per day for the shortest walk. If you are looking for speed, valet at $60 is the easiest option for overnight parking at the San Diego Airport. If you are traveling longer distances, you might find that your parking costs at San Diego Airport will be significantly reduced by off-airport lots, including Lot B which is the closest to the airport, P1082 which offers the best price/value and P1003 which is the cheapest. Either way, make reservations, be aware of the 1-hour refund policy, and pick up from the cell phone lot. Clear up rules for parking at San Diego airport before you pack and leave home, so you can start your trip calmly.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best place to park at San Diego Airport depends on your budget and terminal. Terminal parking provides convenient access to the terminals, whereas off-site parking offers you the affordable rates; prices start from just $5 a day.
The parking exceeds the period of 24 to 48 hours are generally considered as long-term parking. Off-site parking lots offer the best rates for long-term parking.
You can easily spot the best parking deals outside the airport. The best off-site parking prices range between $5 and $20 for a day.
The cheapest parking near San Diego Airport is typically available at off-site lots, such as Premium P1003 and SDPSF Lot B located 1-2 miles from the airport. These garages can save you $20-$35 compared with on-site terminal parking.
