San Diego Airport Parking Southwest Terminal Guide

Quick answer

Southwest Airlines operates from Terminal 1 (New Terminal 1) at San Diego Airport. The airport's Terminal 1 Parking Plaza charges $3 per 15 minutes up to a $40 daily maximum, and valet is $60/day. Off-site lots Triply sells start at about $20/day with a free 24-hour shuttle. Pre-booking is recommended to lock in rates.

San Diego airport parking for Southwest flights is parking at or near Terminal 1 (the New Terminal 1) at San Diego International Airport (SAN), where Southwest Airlines operates all of its flights. The closest on-airport option is the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza, at $3 per 15 minutes with a $40 daily maximum. Off-site lots Triply sells nearby start at about $20/day with a free 24-hour shuttle. Pre-booking is the best way to lock in your rate and guarantee a space.

• Southwest Airlines is at Terminal 1, the brand-new terminal that opened September 22, 2025, replacing the old Terminal 1.
• The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza charges $3 per 15 minutes up to a $40 daily maximum, with a direct pedestrian connection to the terminal.
• Valet parking at the airport is $60/day, curbside at Terminal 1 (Zone J).
• The off-site lots Triply sells run about $20 to $27/day, about 34% to 50% less per day than the $40 Plaza maximum.
• Both off-site lots offer a free shuttle that runs 24 hours: San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly on demand, Aladdin every 10 to 15 minutes and on demand.
• Pre-booking is strongly recommended, especially during summer and holidays.

Back to the Complete SAN Airport Parking Guide

Which Terminal Does Southwest Use at San Diego Airport?

Southwest Airlines operates exclusively from Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport. This is the brand-new facility — officially called New Terminal 1 — which opened its Phase 1A on September 22, 2025, as part of a $3.8 billion redevelopment project by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.

The new terminal replaced the old Terminal 1, which has since been demolished. Other airlines sharing Terminal 1 include Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, and Sun Country Airlines. If you're flying Southwest, you'll check in, go through security, and board entirely within Terminal 1.

Phase 1B is currently underway, adding 3 gates in Spring 2026 for Air Canada and WestJet, with 8 more by early 2028 for a total of 30 gates. The construction is focused on expansion only — Terminal 1 is fully operational for Southwest flights right now. Minor disruptions are possible near the construction zone, so build a few extra minutes into your arrival plan.

How Much Does Parking Cost at the San Diego Airport Southwest Terminal?

On-airport parking near Terminal 1 tops out at $40/day in the Parking Plaza and costs $60/day for valet. The off-site lots Triply sells bring that down significantly, at about $20 to $27/day.

Off-site rates are for a 7-day stay booked ahead and change by date. On-airport rates were checked on san.org in October 2026 and are set by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority; Triply does not sell on-airport parking. Over 7 days that is about $140 at San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly and about $186 at Aladdin, against $280 in the Parking Plaza and $420 for valet. For a full breakdown of on-airport daily and weekly costs, check our San Diego airport parking cost per day guide.

Compare SAN off-site parking lots from about $20/day and book in seconds on Triply's SAN parking search.

What Are the Best Off-Site Parking Options Near SAN's Southwest Terminal?

The two off-site lots Triply sells near SAN offer free 24-hour shuttles and staffed facilities at a fraction of the on-airport rate. Based on current rates, you can pay about 34% to 50% less per day than the $40 Terminal 1 Parking Plaza maximum.

Here are the two options for Southwest flyers:

• San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly (Lots A and B): about $20/day. Lot A is at 3405 Pacific Hwy and Lot B at 3275 Pacific Highway, listed 0.9 mi from the airport, and a reservation for either lot is valid at both. The free courtesy shuttle comes with your online purchase and runs 24 hours on demand; call 619-291-1234 for return pickup. The lot is fenced, well lit, and open and staffed 24/7. There is a 2-day minimum.
• Aladdin Airport Parking: about $27/day. 2548 Kettner Blvd, listed 1.2 mi (about a 5-minute drive). A fully indoor garage with self-park or quick-valet, EV charging, and a Convenience Center with free coffee, tea and hot chocolate. The free shuttle runs 24 hours, every 10 to 15 minutes and on demand, with luggage help. Staff and surveillance are on site around the clock.

Both lots provide a free 24-hour shuttle to the airport. For more on how these shuttles work, see our San Diego airport parking shuttle guide.

How Far Is Each Parking Lot from the Southwest Terminal — and How Long Will It Take?

The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza is the closest option, with a direct pedestrian walkway into Terminal 1. The off-site lots Triply sells are listed 0.9 to 1.2 miles from the airport. The ride is short, but factor in wait time and the walk to the shuttle stop.

• Terminal 1 Parking Plaza: direct pedestrian connection. No shuttle needed. Walk time to Southwest check-in: under 5 minutes.
• San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly (Lots A and B): listed 0.9 mi from the airport. The shuttle runs 24 hours on demand; call 619-291-1234 when you are ready for pickup.
• Aladdin Airport Parking: listed 1.2 mi, about a 5-minute drive. The shuttle runs every 10 to 15 minutes, 24 hours, and on demand.

For Southwest flights, TSA recommends arriving at least 2 hours before departure. Use TSA's official security screening guidelines to understand what to expect at security. If you have TSA PreCheck, you'll move through the dedicated lane faster — which gives you more flexibility on your total arrival buffer.

How Do Shuttle Services Work at San Diego Airport Parking Facilities?

Both off-site lots Triply sells include a free shuttle that runs 24 hours. Frequency differs: Aladdin runs every 10 to 15 minutes and on demand, while San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly runs on demand.

Here's what to expect at each lot:

• Aladdin Airport Parking: free shuttle, 24 hours, every 10 to 15 minutes and on demand, with luggage help. Pull a ticket at the entry machine, and on return check out at the garage office with your email confirmation and the ticket.
• San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly (Lots A and B): free courtesy shuttle with your online purchase, 24 hours on demand. Scan the QR code from your confirmation email on entry and exit, and arrive 2 to 3 hours before your flight. Call 619-291-1234 after you collect your bags for return pickup.

SAN also operates the San Diego Flyer, a free shuttle between Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and the Old Town Transit Center, useful if you're connecting to the trolley or COASTER rail.

Is It Cheaper to Pre-Book Parking or Pay at the Gate at SAN?

Pre-booking locks in your rate and your space. At San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly your reservation covers a block of time, so enter your dates accurately: arriving early or leaving late is charged at the lot's flat rate of $24.95 per 24 hours plus a one-time $4.75 Airport Access fee. Aladdin Airport Parking, at about $27/day, is the higher-priced of the two and the one with an indoor garage and EV charging.

Beyond the price, pre-booking holds your space. During summer, holidays, and Thanksgiving week, it's the safest way to make sure you have a spot. Bookings on Triply come with free cancellation with a full refund up to 24 hours before check-in, so there's little risk to booking early.

For more ways to save, see our San Diego airport parking deals guide.

What Are the Alternatives to Parking at San Diego Airport for Southwest Flights?

If you'd rather skip parking entirely, SAN has solid transit and rideshare options that can be cheaper for short trips.

Rideshare (Uber and Lyft)

Uber and Lyft both have designated pickup and drop-off zones at Terminal 1. For trips of 3 days or fewer, a round-trip rideshare from central San Diego (Downtown, Hillcrest, or Mission Valley) often costs less than daily parking. From Downtown San Diego — just 3 miles away — expect a typical fare of around $15–$25 each way, depending on time of day and demand.

Public Transit

• MTS Route 992 — Runs between the airport and Downtown San Diego for just $2.50. The ride takes about 15 minutes. Stops at both terminals.
• San Diego Flyer — A free shuttle connecting both terminals to Old Town Transit Center, where you can transfer to the San Diego Trolley, COASTER commuter rail, or Amtrak Pacific Surfliner.

Cell Phone Lot

If someone is picking you up after your Southwest flight, direct them to SAN's free Cell Phone Lot at 2311 McCain Road, San Diego, CA 92101. They can wait there at no charge until you text them from baggage claim.

Tips for Parking Near the Southwest Terminal at SAN

• Book at least a week ahead during summer (June to August) and major holidays. SAN is one of the closest major airports to a city center in the US.
• The Terminal Parking Plaza has 185 EV charging points; charging costs $1 per session plus $0.55/kWh. Of the off-site lots Triply sells, only Aladdin Airport Parking lists EV charging.
• Large vehicles need to book the large-vehicle rate at San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly, or they are billed extra at the lot. Check any other lot's vehicle rules before you book.
• Check real-time traffic on Waze before heading to SAN. The airport is accessed via Interstate 5 (Hawthorn Street exit northbound, Sassafras Street exit southbound), Harbor Drive, and North Harbor Drive. Morning and evening rush hours can add time.
• Use the dual-level roadway at New Terminal 1: departures on the upper level, arrivals on the lower level. The new 3-lane entrance road was part of the $3.8B rebuild and makes drop-offs and pickups smoother than before.
• For long trips (7+ days), off-site lots offer the biggest savings. A 7-day stay at the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza costs $280. The same week costs about $140 at San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly or about $186 at Aladdin, a saving of about $94 to $140.

For a full visual overview of where every lot sits relative to Terminal 1, see our San Diego airport parking map guide.

Find the Best SAN Parking Rate for Your Southwest Flight

Southwest Airlines flies from Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport. The closest parking is the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza, at $3 per 15 minutes up to $40/day. The off-site lots Triply sells start at about $20/day, which works out to about $140 for a week at San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly or about $186 at Aladdin, against $280 in the Plaza. Both lots run a free 24-hour shuttle, so the trade-off is a short ride.

Compare SAN airport parking rates near the Southwest terminal, with options from about $20/day, on Triply's SAN parking search. Free cancellation with a full refund up to 24 hours before check-in.

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