San Diego Airport Terminal 1 Parking Rates: On-Site & Off-Site Options

Quick answer

San Diego Airport Terminal 1 parking costs $3 per 15 minutes at the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza, capped at $40/day, or $60/day for curbside valet. Off-site, Triply sells two airport lots: San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly from about $20/day and Aladdin Airport Parking at about $27/day, both with a free 24-hour shuttle. Triply rates are for a 7-day stay booked ahead and change by date.

Back to San Diego Airport Parking Prices | Complete SAN Airport Parking Guide

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 $3 per 15 minutes ($12/hour), capped at $40/day for self-parking, or $60/day for curbside valet. Triply's off-site airport lots start at about $20/day, about 50% less per day than the $40 Plaza cap.

• Terminal 1 Parking Plaza daily max: $40/day self-park, $60/day valet (checked on san.org in October 2026)
• Hourly rate: $3 per 15 minutes ($12/hour) until the $40 daily cap
• Lowest-priced off-site airport lot on Triply: San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly at about $20/day, with a free 24-hour on-demand shuttle
• Aladdin Airport Parking: about $27/day, a fully indoor garage with a free shuttle every 10 to 15 minutes
• 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 (checked on san.org in October 2026). Here is a breakdown of the airport's own parking options:

For a quick visit, say 90 minutes, you'd pay $18 at the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza. For anything longer than three hours, the $40/day cap kicks in. If you're staying more than one day, you'll pay that cap each calendar day. Reservations are available on the SAN Airport official parking page.

Ready to compare off-site airport parking from about $20/day? Search and compare SAN airport parking on Triply before you book. On a week-long trip, San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly is about $140 versus $280 at the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza.

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 $12/hour. Here's how the hourly costs stack up:

• 30 minutes: $6.00
• 1 hour: $12.00
• 2 hours: $24.00
• 3 hours: $36.00
• 3 hours 15 min or more: $40.00 (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 $40/day cap makes the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza the most convenient, but not the cheapest, choice. A five-day trip costs $200 on-airport. At the daily rate, San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly comes to about $100 for five days and Aladdin Airport Parking to about $133. 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?

Triply sells two off-site lots near SAN, both with a free 24-hour shuttle to and from the airport. They cost about $20 to $27/day, well under the $40/day Plaza cap, and for multi-day trips they are often the smarter choice. Here's how they compare:

Both lots include a free 24-hour shuttle to and from the airport. Aladdin Airport Parking (2548 Kettner Blvd, listed 1.2 miles from SAN) runs shuttles every 10 to 15 minutes and on demand. It is a fully indoor garage with EV charging, 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.

San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly is the lowest-priced airport lot Triply sells, at about $20/day. Lot A (3405 Pacific Hwy) and Lot B (3275 Pacific Highway) are listed 0.9 miles from the airport, and one reservation is valid at both. Its shuttle runs 24 hours on demand, so it suits early and red-eye flights. Scan the QR code from your confirmation email on entry and exit, and arrive 2 to 3 hours before your flight. Arriving early or leaving late is charged at the lot's $24.95 per 24 hours flat rate plus a one-time $4.75 Airport Access fee.

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, with a 1-hour limit. Use it while waiting to pick up an arriving passenger.
• 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: San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly is about $20/day, about 50% less per day than the $40 Plaza cap.
• Aladdin Airport Parking is about $27/day, about 34% less per day than the Plaza cap, with an indoor garage and a free shuttle.
• Free cancellation with a full refund up to 24 hours before check-in on Triply bookings.
• Book the right time block at Park, Shuttle & Fly: arriving early or leaving late is charged at the lot's $24.95 per 24 hours flat rate plus a one-time $4.75 Airport Access fee.

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 the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza.
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 the two airport lots Triply sells near SAN.
3. Select your lot, enter your dates, and confirm your reservation.
4. Bookings come with free cancellation with a full refund up to 24 hours before check-in.

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 $40/day maximum at their parking plazas. The difference is convenience, not price. The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza is brand-new and has direct pedestrian access to Terminal 1. The Terminal 2 Parking Plaza serves Terminal 2 airlines, and using the wrong garage just means a longer walk.

Here's the practical comparison:

• Terminal 1 Parking Plaza: $40/day max | Brand-new, 5 levels, 5,200 spaces, 185 EV ports | Direct walk to Terminal 1
• Terminal 2 Parking Plaza: $40/day max | Near Terminal 2 | Not ideal for Terminal 1 travelers
• Valet: $60/day | Curbside at Terminal 1 (Zone J) and Terminal 2 (Zone W) | Most convenient, highest cost
• Off-site on Triply, San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly: about $20/day | Free 24-hour on-demand shuttle | Lowest-priced airport lot Triply sells
• Off-site on Triply, Aladdin Airport Parking: about $27/day | Free shuttle every 10 to 15 min, 24 hours | Indoor garage with EV charging

The real savings come from off-site lots. Booking San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly at about $20/day versus the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza at $40/day saves you about $20 per day, or about $140 on a seven-day trip (about $140 versus $280). That's about 50% less. Aladdin Airport Parking at about $27/day is about 34% less than the Plaza cap, roughly $94 saved over seven days. Either shuttle adds a short ride 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 run from $3 per 15 minutes up to the $40/day cap at the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza, with curbside valet at $60/day. Off-site, the airport lots Triply sells cost about $20 to $27/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 airport parking on Triply: lots from about $20/day with a free shuttle included.

Compare SAN parking rates. The airport lots Triply sells near San Diego International cost about 34% to 50% less per day than the $40/day Terminal Parking Plazas.