San Diego Airport Parking Map: Every Lot Explained

Back to Complete SAN Airport Parking Guide

The San Diego Airport parking map is a layout of all on-airport lots, structures, and off-site facilities serving San Diego International Airport (SAN). On-airport, you have five options: the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza, Terminal 2 Parking Plaza, Terminal 2 Lot, the Economy Lot, and Valet at both terminals. Off-airport, seven verified private lots sit within 2-10 minutes of the terminals — all with free shuttle service. Rates range from $9.95/day at Four Points by Sheraton to $40/day for on-site valet. Knowing the layout before you arrive saves real time and money.

• Five on-site options: Terminal 1 Parking Plaza, Terminal 2 Parking Plaza, Terminal 2 Lot, Economy Lot, and Valet — all managed by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.
• On-site daily max is $32 for covered structures; the Economy Lot caps at $20/day.
• Off-site lots start at $8.95/day pre-booked — up to 72% cheaper than on-site covered parking.
• The Cell Phone Lot is free and located at 2311 McCain Road — ideal for pickups without the meter running.
• Terminal 1 Parking Plaza is brand-new with 5,200 spaces and 185 EV charging ports, opened with the new terminal in September 2025.
• Pre-booking is always recommended — it locks in your rate and guarantees a space on busy travel days.

Ready to skip the lot hunt? Compare SAN parking rates from $8.95/day on Triply — side-by-side, with shuttle details and free cancellation.

Where Is Each Parking Lot Located at San Diego Airport?

Every SAN parking facility sits along Harbor Drive or North Harbor Drive, accessible from Interstate 5 (use the Hawthorn Street exit northbound or Sassafras Street exit southbound). The airport is 3 miles northwest of downtown San Diego — one of the closest major airports to a U.S. city center.

On-Airport Parking Locations

• Terminal 1 Parking Plaza — Directly connected to the new Terminal 1, which opened September 22, 2025. Five-level structure with 5,200 spaces and a direct pedestrian walkway to check-in. Access from the new dual-level departure roadway off Harbor Drive.
• Terminal 2 Parking Plaza — Multi-level structure with a covered walkway directly into Terminal 2 East and Terminal 2 West. Enter from North Harbor Drive.
• Terminal 2 Lot — Surface and structured lot adjacent to Terminal 2. Same daily rate as the Terminal 2 Plaza. Slightly less convenient but feeds the same terminal.
• Economy Lot — Located further from the terminals on airport property. A free shuttle takes you to both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 in roughly 3 minutes. Best for trips longer than two days.
• Valet Parking — Available curbside at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 departure levels. Most expensive at $40/day.
• Cell Phone Lot — Free waiting area at 2311 McCain Road, San Diego, CA 92101. Accessed via McCain Road off Pacific Highway. For pickups only — not overnight storage.

Off-Site Parking Locations

All off-site lots cluster within a 5-10 minute radius of the terminals along the roads surrounding the airport. Key access points include Pacific Highway, W Laurel Street, and North Harbor Drive. Every lot runs a free shuttle to both terminals.

• Four Points by Sheraton San Diego — Hotel lot, self-park. Shuttle runs 6:00 AM–12:30 AM every 30 minutes.
• Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina — 2 minutes from the airport. Shuttle runs 5:00 AM–midnight every 15-20 minutes.
• San Diego Airport Parking (SDAP) — Fenced, outdoor valet lot, 5 minutes out. Shuttle runs 24/7 continuously.
• Fox Auto Parks (San Diego) — Outdoor valet, 5-10 minutes out. Shuttles run every 25 minutes, 24 hours daily.
• Aladdin Airport Parking — Valet with covered and uncovered options, 5 minutes out. Shuttle runs every 5-10 minutes.
• San Diego Park, Shuttle & Fly (Lot A and Lot B) — Both 5 minutes out. Express shuttles 24/7. Call (619) 291-1234 for return pickup from the Courtesy Shuttle area.

Before you drive, check real-time traffic on Waze — Harbor Drive can back up during morning and evening peak hours.

How Much Does San Diego Airport Parking Cost? (2026 Rate Guide)

On-airport covered structures charge $32/day maximum, while the Economy Lot caps at $20/day. Off-site lots range from $9.95 to $24.95/day walk-up — and as low as $8.95/day when you pre-book. Here's the full breakdown (verified April 2026):

On a 7-day trip, parking at the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza costs $224. Booking the Four Points by Sheraton pre-booked at $8.95/day runs just $62.65 — a saving of over $160. For a full breakdown of rates by trip length, see our San Diego Airport parking prices guide.

What Is the Difference Between Short-Term and Long-Term Parking at SAN?

Short-term parking is best for quick trips — pickups, drop-offs, or stays under 2 hours. Long-term parking is designed for multi-day travel and prioritizes daily rate caps over hourly flexibility.

Short-Term Parking

The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza, Terminal 2 Parking Plaza, and Terminal 2 Lot all charge $2.50 per 15 minutes ($10/hour), capping at $32/day. They sit directly adjacent to their terminals with covered walkways. These structures are ideal if you're waiting for a passenger inside. For anything longer than 3 hours, the daily cap kicks in and you're paying full price.

Long-Term Parking

The Economy Lot at $20/day is the most cost-effective on-site option for multi-day trips. Off-site lots beat even that — starting at $8.95/day. If you're flying out for a week or more, off-site is almost always the better choice. For a full comparison, read our guide on San Diego Airport long-term parking options and rates.

How Do Shuttles Work for Off-Site San Diego Airport Parking?

Every off-site lot near SAN includes a free shuttle to both terminals. Frequency and hours vary by lot — knowing this ahead of time prevents surprises on departure day.

• Aladdin Airport Parking: Every 5-10 minutes — the most frequent off-site shuttle at SAN.
• San Diego Airport Parking (SDAP): Continuous 24/7 service. No fixed schedule — you rarely wait long.
• San Diego Park, Shuttle & Fly (Lot A & B): 24/7 express service. Call (619) 291-1234 when you land for your return pickup from the Courtesy Shuttle area.
• Fox Auto Parks: Every 25 minutes, 24 hours. Ride to terminal takes 5-10 minutes.
• Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina: Every 15-20 minutes, 5:00 AM to midnight. Note the midnight cutoff.
• Four Points by Sheraton San Diego: Every 30 minutes on the hour, 6:00 AM–12:30 AM. Plan around this schedule for early departures.

The on-airport Economy Lot shuttle is separate — it runs continuously and takes about 3 minutes to reach the terminals. The free San Diego Flyer shuttle connects both terminals to the Old Town Transit Center for transit riders, but it doesn't serve the off-site lots.

For very early flights (before 6:00 AM), stick with SDAP or Park, Shuttle & Fly — both operate around the clock. Hotel-based lots have cutoff times that can leave early risers stranded.

Which Parking Option Is Closest to Terminal 1 and Terminal 2?

The closest parking to each terminal is the structure directly connected to it. For off-site, proximity matters less because the shuttle handles the transfer.

Closest to Terminal 1

The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza has a direct pedestrian connection to the new Terminal 1 building. This is the terminal for Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Sun Country Airlines. The plaza has 5,200 spaces across 5 levels and 185 EV charging ports — the largest and newest structure at SAN.

Closest to Terminal 2

Both the Terminal 2 Parking Plaza and the Terminal 2 Lot sit adjacent to Terminal 2. Terminal 2 East serves Alaska Airlines and American Airlines. Terminal 2 West serves British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Japan Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, United Airlines, and Volaris. The covered walkway from the plaza to check-in is direct.

EV Charging at SAN Parking Structures

The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza contains 185 EV charging ports — a significant amenity for electric vehicle drivers. This is one of the largest EV charging installations at any California airport parking structure. Terminal 2 also has EV charging available. Check availability in advance through the parking reservation system at san.org/parking.

How Can You Reserve San Diego Airport Parking in Advance?

Pre-booking guarantees your space and locks in a lower rate. Walk-up prices at off-site lots can run significantly higher than pre-booked rates.

1. Choose your lot — on-site structures via san.org/parking, or off-site lots via Triply, cheapairportparking.org, or airportparkingreservations.com.
2. Enter your travel dates — the system calculates total cost upfront with no surprise fees.
3. Confirm your reservation — most platforms send a confirmation code. Keep it in your phone for entry.
4. Arrive and park — for valet lots, hand over your keys at the entrance. For self-park, scan your QR code.
5. Return pickup — for Park, Shuttle & Fly, call (619) 291-1234 from baggage claim. Other lots monitor flights automatically.

Pre-booking Fox Auto Parks, for example, drops the rate to from $8/day versus a much higher walk-up rate. Aladdin pre-books from $13/day versus $20/day walk-up. These are real, bookable savings — not estimated discounts. For more ways to cut costs, our San Diego Airport parking coupons and promo codes guide covers the best active deals by lot.

Where Is the Cell Phone Lot at San Diego Airport?

The SAN Cell Phone Lot is free and located at 2311 McCain Road, San Diego, CA 92101. Access it via McCain Road off Pacific Highway. It's designed for drivers waiting to pick up arriving passengers — you wait here at no cost, then proceed to the terminal curb once your passenger texts that their bags are ready.

The Cell Phone Lot keeps terminal curbside clear and saves you from circling or paying hourly rates in the parking structures. There is no published time limit per the airport authority's current policy, but the lot is not meant for long-term storage. Do not use it as an overnight parking option.

Is Off-Site Parking Near SAN Worth It? Pros, Cons, and Cost Comparison

Off-site SAN parking is worth it for most travelers staying more than one day. The cost difference is significant, and the shuttle logistics are simple once you've done it once.

Pros of Off-Site Parking

• Price: Up to 72% cheaper than on-site covered structures ($8.95/day vs. $32/day).
• Valet service: Most off-site lots offer free valet — you drop your car at the entrance, no searching for a space.
• 24/7 availability: SDAP, Park Shuttle & Fly, Fox, and Aladdin all operate around the clock.
• Free cancellation: All verified lots offer free cancellation on pre-booked reservations.
• Security: SDAP operates a fenced, monitored lot with security cameras and on-site personnel.

Cons of Off-Site Parking

• Shuttle time: Add 10-20 minutes to your airport arrival — 5-10 min drive plus boarding time.
• Hotel lot hours: Four Points and Sheraton shuttles stop running at midnight or 12:30 AM. Not great for late arrivals.
• Shuttle frequency: Fox runs every 25 minutes. If you just miss one, you wait.

For a detailed look at the Sheraton's park-and-fly value specifically, see our Sheraton San Diego Hotel parking guide.

The math is clear on a 5-day trip: on-site covered parking costs $160. Aladdin pre-booked runs $65. That's $95 back in your pocket for a 5-10 minute shuttle ride. For most travelers, that trade-off is an easy yes.

If you're also curious about the short-term side — say you need to pop in for under two hours — our San Diego Airport short-term parking rates and tips breaks down exactly when the hourly lots make sense versus when the daily cap clicks in.

Understanding the San Diego Airport parking map means you can plan the right lot for your terminal, trip length, and budget before you ever leave home. On-site structures offer the most convenience at the highest price. The Economy Lot splits the difference. Off-site lots offer the best savings with a short shuttle. Pre-book any option to lock in your rate.

Compare every SAN parking lot in one place on Triply — see real-time availability, shuttle details, and pre-booked rates from $8.95/day. Reserve your spot before you fly.