San Diego Airport Parking Prices: Full Rate Guide

San Diego airport parking price is the daily or hourly rate charged to leave your vehicle at or near San Diego International Airport (SAN), ranging from free at the Cell Phone Lot to $40/day for on-site valet service. Off-site lots start as low as $8.95/day when pre-booked, making the price gap between on-airport and off-airport parking significant. This guide covers every verified rate at SAN so you know exactly what to expect before you pull in.

This article is part of our Complete SAN Airport Parking Guide, which covers every parking option at the airport. Here we go deep on pricing specifically — lot by lot, hour by hour.

• On-airport daily max: $32/day at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 garages; $20/day at the Economy Lot
• Valet parking: $40/day at curbside drop-off for both terminals
• Off-site lots: $8.95–$24.95/day across 7 verified providers near SAN
• Biggest savings: Pre-booking off-site can cut costs by more than 70% vs on-airport valet
• Economy Lot shuttle: Free, approximately 3-minute ride to terminals
• Cell Phone Lot: Always free — located at 2311 McCain Road

Ready to lock in a low rate before prices climb? Compare SAN airport parking rates from $8.95/day on Triply and reserve your spot with free cancellation.

What Are the Current SAN Airport Parking Rates?

San Diego International Airport offers five on-site parking options, each with a distinct price point. Per the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority's official parking page, rates as of April 2026 are as follows.

• Terminal 1 Parking Plaza: $2.50 per 15 minutes ($10/hour), capped at $32/day
• Terminal 2 Parking Plaza: $2.50 per 15 minutes ($10/hour), capped at $32/day
• Terminal 2 Lot: $2.50 per 15 minutes ($10/hour), capped at $32/day
• Economy Lot: $20/day flat rate
• Valet Parking: $40/day at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 curbside
• Cell Phone Lot: Free (located at 2311 McCain Road)

Off-site lots near the airport start at $9.95/day walk-up and as low as $8.95/day when pre-booked. That's a savings of over 55% compared to the on-airport daily max of $32. All verified off-site lots include a free shuttle to both terminals (verified April 2026).

Short-Term and Hourly Parking Rates at SAN

Short-term parking at SAN means paying by the quarter-hour in the main garages. All three garages — Terminal 1 Parking Plaza, Terminal 2 Parking Plaza, and Terminal 2 Lot — charge $2.50 per 15 minutes, which works out to $10/hour.

For quick pickups and drop-offs, the math is straightforward:

• 15 minutes: $2.50
• 30 minutes: $5.00
• 1 hour: $10.00
• 2 hours: $20.00
• 3+ hours: You'll hit the $32/day cap before the end of the day

The daily cap of $32 kicks in regardless of how long you stay past 3.2 hours. If you're parking for more than three hours, you're already paying the full-day rate. For brief airport visits under 30 minutes, the garages work fine. For anything longer, the Economy Lot or an off-site option makes more financial sense.

The Cell Phone Lot is always free and ideal for waiting while someone's flight lands. You can't linger there indefinitely, but it's designed exactly for this purpose. It's located at 2311 McCain Road, just off North Harbor Drive.

Long-Term and Economy Lot Rates: How Much Per Day?

The Economy Lot is SAN's budget on-airport choice at a flat $20/day. A free shuttle connects it to both terminals, with an approximately 3-minute ride. For trips longer than two or three days, the Economy Lot is significantly cheaper than the main garages.

Here's what a multi-day stay costs at each on-airport option:

For longer trips, our in-depth article on San Diego airport long-term parking options and rates covers weekly stay strategies, EV charging, and off-site lot breakdowns in full detail. The short version: the Economy Lot saves you $84 over 7 days compared to the garages.

Terminal 1 Parking Rates: What Does It Cost?

The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza is the newest structure at SAN. It opened as part of the $3.8 billion New Terminal 1 project, which reached its Phase 1A milestone in September 2025. The garage has 5,200 spaces across 5 levels and connects directly to the terminal by pedestrian walkway.

Terminal 1 serves Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Sun Country Airlines. If you're flying any of these carriers, this is your closest parking option.

• Rate: $2.50 per 15 minutes ($10/hour)
• Daily maximum: $32
• EV charging: 185 EV charging ports available (per SAN's official Terminal 1 announcement)
• Accessibility: ADA-compliant spaces on each level
• Oversized vehicles: Must pay for additional spaces; trailers not permitted in standard spaces

The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza is the best choice for Southwest and JetBlue flyers who want to walk directly from their car to check-in. The 185 EV charging ports make it one of the more EV-friendly airport garages in Southern California. Phase 1B of the Terminal 1 expansion is still underway, adding more gates through early 2028, but parking operations are fully functional now.

Terminal 2 Parking Rates

Terminal 2 has two parking options: the Terminal 2 Parking Plaza and the surface-level Terminal 2 Lot. Both charge identical rates — $10/hour with a $32/day cap.

Terminal 2 is split into two concourses. Terminal 2 East handles Alaska Airlines and American Airlines. Terminal 2 West serves international carriers including British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Japan Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, United Airlines, and Volaris.

• Terminal 2 Parking Plaza: $2.50/15 min, $32/day max — multi-level structure
• Terminal 2 Lot: $2.50/15 min, $32/day max — surface lot, close to check-in

Both options sit close to Terminal 2's entrance. If you're flying Delta, United, or a major international carrier, either works well. The Parking Plaza gives you more covered space; the T2 Lot is faster for quick drop-offs. Verify current availability before your trip via the SAN official parking reservations page.

Valet Parking Costs at San Diego Airport

Valet parking at SAN costs $40/day and is available curbside at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. You pull up to the departure level, hand your keys to an attendant, and the car is parked for you. Retrieval works the same way in reverse.

That $40/day rate is 25% more than the standard garage rate and double the Economy Lot rate. The convenience trade-off is real, but the math is steep on a multi-day trip:

• 3-day valet total: $120
• 5-day valet total: $200
• 7-day valet total: $280

For comparison, the best-priced off-site valet option — San Diego Airport Parking (SDAP) — costs just $18/day with 24/7 operation and a free shuttle. That's a savings of $154 over 7 days versus on-airport valet. If you want valet service without paying airport prices, SDAP is the direct alternative.

Off-Site Parking Rates: Lot-by-Lot Comparison

Off-site parking near SAN is the single biggest lever for cutting costs. All verified lots include a free shuttle to both terminals. Here's the full breakdown of every confirmed option (verified April 2026):

Note: Hotel lots (Four Points, Sheraton Marina) have limited shuttle hours. If your flight departs before 5–6 AM or arrives after midnight, choose a 24/7 lot like SDAP, Aladdin, or Park Shuttle & Fly instead.

Full Price Comparison: Every SAN Parking Option at a Glance

Below is a side-by-side view of every SAN parking option, from cheapest to most expensive per day. Use this to find the right fit for your trip length and budget.

How Do You Get the Lowest SAN Parking Rate?

The single most effective move is to pre-book off-site. Walk-up rates at the same lot are almost always higher than online rates. Fox Auto Parks drops from $19.95 walk-up to as low as $8/day pre-booked — that's a potential 60% reduction for simply reserving in advance.

1. Book early online. Rates rise as availability drops, especially before major events or holidays. Lock in your spot days or weeks ahead.
2. Use a comparison tool. Search SAN parking rates on Triply to see all available lots side by side, with current pricing and free cancellation options.
3. Check coupon codes. SDAP offers up to 17% off through coupon codes. Aladdin drops to $13/day via airportparkingreservations.com. Fox can drop to $8/day with pre-booking.
4. Pick the right lot for your hours. Hotel lots are cheap but close early. If your flight leaves at 4 AM, choose a 24/7 lot — SDAP or Aladdin run continuously.
5. Fly from Terminal 1 and use the Economy Lot. If proximity isn't critical, $20/day with a free 3-minute shuttle beats paying $32 for the garage.
6. Avoid valet unless it's a short trip. At $40/day, valet only makes sense for one-night stays where convenience matters more than cost.

Also check the Waze live traffic map before heading out. Harbor Drive and I-5 near the airport can back up during morning commutes and event days. Leaving early avoids a stressful drive and last-minute parking scrambles.

Do SAN Parking Prices Change by Season or Event?

Yes — San Diego airport parking prices fluctuate based on demand. SAN is one of the busiest airports in the western United States, and rates at off-site lots especially can spike during high-demand periods.

Key times when parking gets more expensive or books up fast:

• Comic-Con International (July): San Diego's biggest annual event draws over 130,000 attendees. Off-site lots near the airport fill quickly, and prices at some providers rise noticeably in the days leading up to it.
• Thanksgiving week: One of the busiest travel periods at SAN. Economy Lot availability can tighten, and off-site lot rates climb at walk-up.
• Christmas and New Year's: Similar demand surge. Pre-booking 2–3 weeks out is strongly advised.
• Padres home games and concerts: Events at Petco Park, only a few miles from the airport, increase regional traffic and reduce on-street options near off-site lots.
• Spring break (late March–April): Families and students traveling creates a mid-spring demand peak, particularly for longer-stay parking.
• Memorial Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July: Three-day weekends consistently push parking demand above normal levels.

On-airport rates from the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority are fixed — $32/day doesn't change seasonally. But off-site lots that use dynamic pricing can move. Booking 7–14 days in advance during any of these periods is the best way to secure the lowest rate. Same-day walk-up pricing is always higher and availability is never guaranteed.

Tip: If you're traveling over a major holiday, set a price alert or check Triply a few weeks out. Rates at the best-value lots — like Four Points by Sheraton San Diego and Fox Auto Parks — can disappear fast before peak weekends.

Is Pre-Booking SAN Parking Always Worth It?

Pre-booking is almost always worth it for trips longer than one day. The savings are real and the risk is low — every verified off-site lot listed here offers free cancellation, so you're not locked in if plans change.

For same-day or short pickups, walking into the Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 garage is fine. For anything involving an overnight or longer, pre-booking an off-site lot can save you $50–$150+ over a 5–7 day trip compared to on-airport rates.

The guide to SAN long-term parking goes deeper on how to evaluate lot quality, shuttle reliability, and whether a weekly discount structure applies to your trip. If you're parking for more than five days, that article has specific lot recommendations worth reading before you book.

Ready to book? Find the lowest SAN airport parking rate right now on Triply — compare all verified lots, see real-time availability, and lock in your price with free cancellation.