Terminal 1 Parking Entrance & Driving Route at SAN

Quick answer

Terminal 1 Parking Plaza ($40/day max) is directly connected to the terminal via pedestrian walkway. From I-5 northbound, take Hawthorn Street exit; from I-5 southbound, use Sassafras Street exit. For a cheaper option, Triply sells two off-site airport lots from about $20/day, both with a free 24-hour shuttle.

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

San Diego Airport Terminal 1 parking is the on-airport parking structure connected directly to the New Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport (SAN), with a daily maximum of $40/day on-site or rates from about $20/day at nearby off-site lots with free shuttles. The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza opened with the new terminal in September 2025 and offers 5,200 spaces across five levels. Whether you're flying Southwest, JetBlue, or Frontier, finding and reaching Terminal 1 is straightforward once you know which roads and lots to use.

• Terminal 1 Parking Plaza costs $3 per 15 minutes, up to $40/day max, with a direct pedestrian connection to the terminal.
• Valet parking at Terminal 1 curbside (Zone J) costs $60/day, the most expensive on-airport option.
• Off-site, Triply sells two airport lots: San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly (Lots A and B) at about $20/day and Aladdin Airport Parking at about $27/day. Both have a free 24-hour shuttle.
• From I-5 northbound, take the Hawthorn Street exit. From I-5 southbound, use the Sassafras Street exit.
• The new Terminal 1 serves Breeze Airways, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and Sun Country.

Before you drive in, compare SAN parking rates from about $20/day on Triply and lock in your spot before you leave home.

Where Is Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport?

Terminal 1 sits on the north side of San Diego International Airport, along North Harbor Drive near the intersection of Pacific Highway. The New Terminal 1 opened its Phase 1A on September 22, 2025, replacing the old terminal entirely. It is part of a $3.8 billion redevelopment project managed by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.

SAN sits just 3 miles northwest of downtown San Diego — one of the closest major airports to a city center in the United States. From the Gaslamp Quarter, you can reach Terminal 1 in 7 to 12 minutes by car. From neighborhoods like Little Italy and Middletown, the drive is even shorter. Mission Valley, Pacific Beach, and La Jolla residents can reach it easily via I-5 or I-8.

The new Terminal 1 features a dual-level roadway: the upper level handles departures and the lower level handles arrivals. New 4+ miles of roadways were completed as part of the project, making traffic flow significantly better than the old layout.

How Do You Get to Terminal 1 at SAN? (Driving Directions from I-5, I-8, and Downtown)

Most drivers reach Terminal 1 via Harbor Drive, which runs along the waterfront and connects directly to the terminal's main entrance. The exact route depends on where you're coming from. Traffic near the airport can be heavy during morning and evening rush hours, so check real-time traffic on Waze before you leave.

From I-5 Northbound (South San Diego, Chula Vista, Coronado)

1. Head north on I-5.
2. Take the Hawthorn Street exit.
3. Turn left onto Hawthorn Street heading west.
4. Turn left onto Pacific Highway.
5. Follow signs to North Harbor Drive and the Terminal 1 entrance.

From I-5 Southbound (La Jolla, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach)

1. Head south on I-5.
2. Take the Sassafras Street exit.
3. Turn right onto Sassafras Street heading west.
4. Turn left onto Pacific Highway.
5. Follow signs to North Harbor Drive and Terminal 1.

From I-8 (Mission Valley, East San Diego)

1. Head west on I-8 toward the coast.
2. Merge onto I-5 southbound.
3. Take the Sassafras Street exit and follow the directions above.

From CA-163 (Hillcrest, Balboa Park, Mission Hills)

1. Head south on CA-163.
2. Merge onto I-5 south.
3. Take the Sassafras Street exit and follow signs to Terminal 1.

Once on Airport property, follow the overhead signs for Terminal 1 Departures (upper roadway) or Terminal 1 Arrivals (lower roadway). The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza entrance is clearly marked from the main terminal road.

What Are the Parking Options Near Terminal 1 at San Diego Airport?

Terminal 1 travelers have two main on-airport parking choices, plus a free Cell Phone Lot for pickups and a range of off-site lots nearby. Each option offers a different trade-off between price, convenience, and walking distance.

• Terminal 1 Parking Plaza: The closest structure to Terminal 1. Five levels, 5,200 spaces, with a direct pedestrian walkway into the terminal. Includes 185 EV charging ports. $3 per 15 minutes, $40/day max.
• Valet Parking: Drop your car at the Terminal 1 curbside (Zone J). Costs $60/day. No walking or shuttle required.
• Cell Phone Lot: Located at 2311 McCain Road. Free to use while waiting for arriving passengers, with a 1-hour limit. No overnight parking.

For drivers flying out of Terminal 2 (Alaska, American, Delta, and others), the parking setup is different. See our guide on San Diego Airport parking Terminal 2 for details on those lots and rates.

How Much Does Parking Cost at Terminal 1 at SAN?

On-airport Terminal 1 parking runs up to $40/day at the Parking Plaza and $60/day for valet. The off-site airport lots Triply sells cost about $20 to $27/day, roughly 34% to 50% less per day than the Plaza maximum. Here's a full breakdown (on-airport rates checked on san.org in October 2026; off-site rates are for a 7-day stay booked ahead and change by date):

Booking an off-site lot in advance can cut the bill noticeably. A seven-day stay at San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly is about $140 and at Aladdin Airport Parking about $186, versus $280 at the Parking Plazas and $420 for valet. For a deeper look at how rates stack up across all SAN lots, read our San Diego airport parking cost breakdown for 2026.

Which Airlines Fly Out of Terminal 1 at San Diego Airport?

Terminal 1 at SAN serves six airlines as of 2026. These are all domestic carriers, making Terminal 1 the primary hub for budget and leisure travel at the airport.

• Breeze Airways
• Frontier Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Southwest Airlines (the highest-volume carrier at SAN)
• Spirit Airlines
• Sun Country Airlines

Phase 1B of the New Terminal 1 project is currently underway. Three additional gates are expected to open in Spring 2026, adding Air Canada and WestJet to the terminal. Eight more gates are planned by early 2028, bringing the terminal to 30 gates total. If you're booking a future international flight, confirm your terminal assignment before you park.

If your airline is not on this list — Alaska, American, Delta, United, British Airways, or others — you are flying from Terminal 2. Double-check your boarding pass before heading to the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza.

Is There a Shuttle from Remote Parking to Terminal 1?

Yes. Both off-site airport lots Triply sells include a free shuttle that runs 24 hours. Frequency and pickup differ by lot, so here's what to expect:

• San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly (Lots A and B): Free courtesy shuttle with your online purchase, 24 hours, on demand. On return, call 619-291-1234 after you collect your bags.
• Aladdin Airport Parking: Free shuttle, 24 hours, every 10 to 15 minutes and on demand, with staff to help with luggage.

On return, call Park, Shuttle & Fly at 619-291-1234 once you have your bags, or head to the airport pickup area for the Aladdin shuttle. For the San Diego Flyer, a free shuttle also runs between both terminals and Old Town Transit Center, useful if you're connecting to the trolley or COASTER rail.

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

Off-site parking near Terminal 1 costs about $13 to $20 less per day than the $40 Parking Plaza maximum, or about 34% to 50% less. Both lots below include a free 24-hour shuttle to the terminals.

Aladdin Airport Parking (2548 Kettner Blvd, listed 1.2 miles from the airport) costs about $27/day. It's a fully indoor garage with self-park and quick-valet options and EV charging. The free shuttle runs every 10 to 15 minutes around the clock and on demand. Read our full review in the Aladdin Airport Parking Kettner Boulevard guide.

San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly is the lowest-priced airport lot Triply sells at SAN, at about $20/day. Lots A (3405 Pacific Hwy) and B (3275 Pacific Highway) are one product: a reservation for either lot is valid at both, with the same price and shuttle. The lots are fully fenced and well lit, open and staffed 24/7, and listed 0.9 miles from the airport. The free courtesy shuttle comes with your online purchase and runs 24 hours on demand.

A few things to know before booking Park, Shuttle & Fly: bookings have a 2-day minimum, and you scan the QR code from your confirmation email at entry and exit. Plan to 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, and large vehicles must book the large-vehicle rate.

For travelers looking to save on longer trips, explore the San Diego airport long-term parking options for weekly rate breakdowns and multi-day strategies.

Tips for Parking at San Diego Airport Terminal 1 Without the Stress

A little planning goes a long way at SAN. The airport is compact and close to downtown, but the Terminal 1 area can back up during peak travel times. These tips will help you arrive, park, and get through security smoothly.

• Pre-book your parking. On-airport lots can fill fast during holidays and summer. Reserving through SAN's official parking reservation page or booking an off-site lot ahead holds your space.
• Add extra time for an off-site shuttle. Allow time to park, board, and ride to the terminal, and don't assume you can park and sprint to your gate. Park, Shuttle & Fly asks you to arrive 2 to 3 hours before your flight.
• EV drivers: use the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza. The new structure has 185 EV charging ports, the most EV-friendly option on airport. Aladdin Airport Parking also lists EV charging.
• Avoid rush hour on I-5. The airport sits right off I-5, and commuter traffic between 7-9 AM and 4-7 PM adds time to your drive. Budget an extra 15-20 minutes during those windows.
• Know your terminal before you park. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 share road access but have separate parking structures. Parking in the wrong structure wastes time. Check your boarding pass first.
• Enroll in TSA PreCheck. TSA PreCheck can cut your security wait significantly. Combined with early parking, it's the fastest way through SAN's Terminal 1.
• Rideshare drop-off uses the upper-level departures curb at Terminal 1. If you're picking someone up, use the free Cell Phone Lot at 2311 McCain Road until they're ready.
• Oversized vehicles must pay for additional spaces. Plan for that cost if you're driving an SUV with a trailer or cargo van.

Follow TSA security screening guidelines to avoid delays at the checkpoint. Liquids, electronics, and shoes all affect how quickly you move through the line — knowing the rules in advance saves everyone time.

The new Terminal 1 runs on 100% carbon-free electricity and captures up to 900,000 gallons of stormwater annually — it's one of the most sustainable airport terminals in the U.S. The facilities inside are modern, spacious, and well-signed. Once you're parked and through security, the terminal experience is genuinely easy.

Ready to lock in your spot? Compare SAN parking rates from about $20/day on Triply and reserve in minutes with free cancellation with a full refund up to 24 hours before check-in.

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