San Diego Airport Parking Rates Terminal 1: Full Guide

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San Diego Airport Terminal 1 parking is the on-site self-park and valet option directly connected to the new Terminal 1 building at San Diego International Airport (SAN). The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza charges $2.50 per 15 minutes ($10/hour), capped at $32/day for self-parking — or $40/day for curbside valet. Off-site lots near Terminal 1 start at $8.95/day when pre-booked, saving you up to 72% versus on-airport rates.

• Terminal 1 Parking Plaza daily max: $32/day self-park, $40/day valet (verified April 2026)
• Hourly rate: $2.50 per 15 minutes ($10/hour) — no grace period discounts
• Cheapest on-airport option: Economy Lot at $20/day with a free ~3-minute shuttle to Terminal 1
• Best off-site rate: Four Points by Sheraton San Diego from $8.95/day with free shuttle
• Airlines at Terminal 1: Southwest, JetBlue, Frontier, Breeze, Spirit, Sun Country
• The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza has 5,200 spaces across 5 levels and 185 EV charging ports
• Pre-booking is strongly recommended — it locks in your rate and guarantees a space

What Are the Current San Diego Airport Terminal 1 Parking Rates?

The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza is the primary on-airport garage for Terminal 1 travelers at SAN. Rates are set by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority and apply consistently across the structure (verified April 2026). Here is a full breakdown of every on-airport parking option:

For a quick visit — say, 90 minutes — you'd pay $15 at the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza. For anything longer than three hours, the $32/day cap kicks in. If you're staying more than one day, you'll pay that cap each calendar day. Pre-booking through the SAN Airport official parking page is available for the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza and the Economy Lot.

Ready to compare off-site SAN Terminal 1 rates starting at $8.95/day? Search and compare SAN airport parking on Triply before you book — you could save over $100 on a week-long trip.

Where Is Terminal 1 Parking Located at SAN Airport?

The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza sits directly adjacent to the New Terminal 1, which opened on September 22, 2025, as part of SAN's $3.8 billion redevelopment project. The garage has a direct pedestrian connection to the terminal building — no shuttle needed. It's a brand-new, five-level structure with 5,200 spaces.

To reach Terminal 1 by car, take Interstate 5 and exit at Hawthorn Street (northbound) or Sassafras Street (southbound). From there, follow signs toward Harbor Drive and North Harbor Drive. The new roadway system includes a three-lane entrance and a dual-level arrivals and departures setup, which significantly reduces traffic congestion compared to the old layout.

The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza also features 185 EV charging ports — one of the largest airport EV charging installations in California. The structure runs on 100% carbon-free electricity, per the airport authority. Motorcycles park at the standard car rate, and oversized vehicles or trailers must pay for additional spaces.

How Much Does Short-Term vs Long-Term Terminal 1 Parking Cost?

SAN does not separate the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza into labeled "short-term" and "long-term" zones — it's one structure with a single rate. That said, the math plays out differently depending on how long you stay.

Short-Term Parking at Terminal 1

Short-term use (under three hours) is straightforward at $10/hour. Here's how the hourly costs stack up:

• 30 minutes: $5.00
• 1 hour: $10.00
• 2 hours: $20.00
• 3 hours: $30.00
• 3 hours 15 min or more: $32.00 (daily cap)

For quick pickups or drop-offs, consider the free Cell Phone Lot at 2311 McCain Road instead. Park there, call your traveler, and pull to the curb when they're outside — no fees at all.

Long-Term Parking at Terminal 1

For multi-day stays, the $32/day cap makes Terminal 1 Parking Plaza the most convenient — but not the cheapest — choice. A five-day trip costs $160 on-airport. The Economy Lot cuts that to $100, and the best off-site lots bring it down to $45–$50. For long trips, the savings from off-site parking add up fast. Our guide to San Diego airport long-term parking options and rates goes deep on multi-day strategies.

What Are the Best Off-Site Parking Options Near Terminal 1?

Off-site lots near SAN serve both terminals with free shuttles. They're significantly cheaper than on-airport rates and, for multi-day trips, often the smarter choice. Here are the top verified options (verified April 2026):

All of these lots include a free shuttle to Terminal 1. Aladdin Airport Parking runs the most frequent service — every 5–10 minutes — and offers a covered parking option, which is a nice bonus during San Diego's occasional marine layer. For a detailed look at the Aladdin option, see our Aladdin Airport Parking Kettner Boulevard guide.

The Four Points by Sheraton San Diego is the cheapest option at $8.95/day pre-booked via cheapairportparking.org. Its shuttle runs from 6:00 AM to 12:30 AM — so it's not ideal for very early or very late flights. For red-eye travelers, SDAP and both Park, Shuttle & Fly lots run 24/7.

What Airlines Use Terminal 1 at San Diego Airport?

Knowing your airline matters because it tells you which terminal — and which parking structure — to use. Terminal 1 (New Terminal 1) serves the following airlines:

• Breeze Airways
• Frontier Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Southwest Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• Sun Country Airlines

Terminal 2 serves Alaska Airlines, American Airlines (Terminal 2 East), and international carriers including British Airways, Delta, Hawaiian, Japan Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, United, and Volaris (Terminal 2 West). If you're flying Southwest or JetBlue, the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza is your most direct on-airport option. Phase 1B of the terminal expansion will add Air Canada and WestJet by Spring 2026, bringing even more carriers to Terminal 1. For a side-by-side parking comparison between the two terminals, check our article on San Diego Airport Terminal 2 parking rates and options.

Is There Free or Discounted Parking at SAN Terminal 1?

There is no free self-park lot at Terminal 1, but there are a few ways to reduce your costs significantly.

Free Options

• Cell Phone Lot: Free, at 2311 McCain Road. Use it while waiting to pick up an arriving passenger. No time limit posted, but it's intended for short waits.
• San Diego Flyer: The airport's free shuttle connects both terminals to the Old Town Transit Center. From there, the San Diego Trolley, COASTER commuter rail, and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner are all accessible.
• MTS Route 992: Bus service between downtown San Diego and the airport costs just $2.50 each way, per the San Diego MTS airport page. The ride takes about 15 minutes.

Discount Strategies

• Pre-book off-site: The biggest discount available. Four Points rates drop to $8.95/day when booked online versus higher walk-up prices.
• Economy Lot: The cheapest on-airport option at $20/day — a $12/day savings versus Terminal 1 Parking Plaza.
• SDAP promo codes: SimplyCodes lists up to 17% off SDAP's online rate; online reservation already saves $4/day versus walk-up.
• Fox Auto Parks pre-book: Walk-up can be considerably higher; pre-booking online brings rates down significantly.

Faster security can also save you time — and time means flexibility on when you arrive, which affects how long you park. TSA PreCheck members typically clear security faster, which means you can arrive closer to departure and spend less time (and money) in the garage.

How Do I Reserve Terminal 1 Parking in Advance to Save Money?

Pre-booking locks in your rate and guarantees a space — especially important during peak travel periods like summer and holidays. There are two main paths to reserving parking.

Option 1: Book On-Airport Parking

1. Go to the SAN Airport parking reservations page.
2. Select Terminal 1 Parking Plaza or Economy Lot.
3. Enter your dates and pay by credit or debit card.
4. Save your confirmation — you'll scan it at the gate.

Option 2: Book Off-Site Parking via Triply

1. Visit Triply's SAN parking search.
2. Compare rates across all verified off-site lots.
3. Select your lot, enter your dates, and confirm your reservation.
4. Most lots offer free cancellation if your plans change.

Before heading to the airport, check real-time traffic on Waze — especially during morning rush hour on Interstate 5. SAN is just 3 miles northwest of downtown San Diego, which makes it fast to reach but susceptible to Harbor Drive backups during peak hours. Build in extra time when flying during evenings or holiday weekends.

Terminal 1 vs Terminal 2 Parking: Which Is Cheaper?

On-airport, both terminals charge the same $32/day rate for their parking plazas. The difference is convenience, not price. Terminal 1 Parking Plaza is brand-new and has direct pedestrian access to Terminal 1. The Terminal 2 structures serve Terminal 2 airlines, and using the wrong garage just means a longer walk.

Here's the practical comparison:

• Terminal 1 Parking Plaza: $32/day | Brand-new, 5 levels, 5,200 spaces, 185 EV ports | Direct walk to Terminal 1
• Terminal 2 Parking Plaza: $32/day | Near Terminal 2 | Not ideal for Terminal 1 travelers
• Terminal 2 Lot: $32/day | Near Terminal 2 | Same rate, different location
• Economy Lot: $20/day | Free ~3-min shuttle to both terminals | Best for budget-conscious parkers regardless of terminal
• Valet: $40/day | Available at both terminals | Most convenient, highest cost

The real savings come from off-site lots. Booking Four Points by Sheraton San Diego at $8.95/day versus Terminal 1 Parking Plaza at $32/day saves you $23.05 per day — or $161.35 on a seven-day trip. That's a 72% savings, based on current pre-booked rates. The free shuttle to Terminal 1 adds just a few minutes to your trip. For most travelers flying Southwest or JetBlue out of Terminal 1, off-site is the smarter financial call.

Before your next trip, review TSA security screening guidelines so you know what to expect at the checkpoint — Terminal 1's new security lanes are modern and efficient, but preparation always helps.

Find the Best SAN Terminal 1 Parking Rate for Your Trip

San Diego Airport Terminal 1 parking rates range from $20/day at the Economy Lot to $40/day for curbside valet — with the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza sitting at $32/day. Off-site lots bring that cost down to as low as $8.95/day with a free shuttle included. Whether you're flying Southwest, JetBlue, or Frontier, comparing your options before you drive takes less than two minutes and can save you significantly.

Compare SAN Terminal 1 parking rates on Triply — find off-site lots from $8.95/day with free shuttle included.