San Diego Airport Terminal 1 Parking Plaza: Full Guide

Back to San Diego Airport Parking: The Complete Guide to SAN

The San Diego Airport Terminal 1 Parking Plaza is a five-level, 5,200-space parking garage attached directly to the new Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport (SAN). It costs $32 per day (charged at $2.50 per 15 minutes, or $10 per hour) and offers a direct pedestrian connection to Terminal 1 — no shuttle required. The plaza opened alongside the new Terminal 1, which launched Phase 1A on September 22, 2025, as part of SAN's $3.8 billion redevelopment project.

• Daily rate: $32/day (capped) — charged at $2.50 per 15 minutes, $10 per hour
• Location: Directly attached to Terminal 1 via pedestrian walkway — no shuttle needed
• Size: 5 levels, 5,200 spaces — the largest parking facility at SAN
• EV charging: 185 EV charging ports built into the structure
• Airlines served: Southwest, JetBlue, Frontier, Breeze, Spirit, and Sun Country
• Savings tip: Off-site lots start from $8.95/day — up to 72% cheaper than the plaza

Want to skip the $32/day rate? Compare SAN Terminal 1 parking options — including off-site lots from $8.95/day — on Triply and lock in your spot before you fly.

What Is the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza at San Diego Airport?

The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza is the primary on-airport garage serving the new Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport. It is a brand-new, purpose-built structure completed as part of SAN's multi-billion-dollar terminal replacement project, managed by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.

The plaza spans five levels and holds 5,200 vehicles — making it the largest single parking structure at SAN. A direct, covered pedestrian walkway connects the garage to Terminal 1 check-in, so you walk from your parking spot to the terminal in minutes without stepping outside.

The garage features a dual-level roadway system with a dedicated arrivals level and a departures level. This separation keeps traffic moving and reduces the bottlenecks common at older airport garages. The new road network also added a three-lane entrance to improve access from Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway.

The structure was built with sustainability in mind. It runs on 100% carbon-free electricity and includes 185 EV charging ports spread across its levels — one of the largest airport EV charging installations in California (verified April 2026).

How Much Does It Cost to Park at San Diego Airport Terminal 1 Parking Plaza?

The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza charges $2.50 per 15 minutes, which works out to $10 per hour. The daily maximum caps at $32 per day. There is no published weekly rate — you are charged the $32 daily cap for each calendar day your vehicle is in the garage.

For a quick pickup or drop-off, the Cell Phone Lot at 2311 McCain Road is free. For short stays under an hour, the parking plaza is convenient but costs up to $10 for the first hour. The airport also offers pre-booking through SAN's official parking reservation page — this guarantees your space but does not change the rate for the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza.

For a full breakdown of all SAN parking costs — including the Economy Lot and off-site alternatives — see our San Diego Airport Parking Cost guide.

How Do You Get From Terminal 1 Parking Plaza to Your Gate?

Getting from the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza to your gate is straightforward. The garage connects directly to Terminal 1 via a covered pedestrian walkway — no shuttle, no bus, no outdoor walking.

Here is the basic flow from car to gate:

1. Enter the parking plaza from North Harbor Drive or the new terminal access road off Pacific Highway.
2. Park on any of the five levels. Higher levels typically have more open spaces during peak hours.
3. Take the elevator or stairwell to the pedestrian bridge level.
4. Follow the covered walkway signs toward Terminal 1 Departures.
5. Enter Terminal 1 at the departures level. Check-in counters for all Terminal 1 airlines are directly ahead.
6. Proceed through TSA security. Review TSA security screening guidelines before you arrive to speed up the process.
7. Walk to your gate in the 19-gate concourse.

The walk from the garage elevator to Terminal 1 check-in is short — most travelers complete it in under five minutes. Add your TSA screening time on top of that. If you have TSA PreCheck, security lines at SAN are typically much faster. Plan to arrive at least 90 minutes before domestic departure regardless.

What Airlines Fly Out of Terminal 1 at SAN?

Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport currently serves six carriers operating from its 19-gate concourse (Phase 1A). All check-in counters and gates are located inside the new terminal building, directly accessible from the parking plaza.

• Southwest Airlines — the busiest carrier at SAN
• JetBlue Airways
• Frontier Airlines
• Breeze Airways
• Spirit Airlines
• Sun Country Airlines

Phase 1B is currently underway. It will add three more gates in Spring 2026 for Air Canada and WestJet, with eight additional gates planned by early 2028. When complete, Terminal 1 will hold 30 total gates. If you fly Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, United, or international carriers, your flight departs from Terminal 2 — the Terminal 2 Lot or Terminal 2 Parking Plaza would be a better fit. See the San Diego Airport Parking Terminal 2 guide for those options.

Is There EV Charging or ADA Parking at Terminal 1 Parking Plaza?

Yes — the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza includes 185 EV charging ports, making it one of the most EV-ready airport garages in Southern California. Chargers are distributed across multiple levels of the structure.

The chargers are Level 2 stations compatible with most electric vehicles. You can locate available stalls before you arrive using PlugShare's Terminal 1 location map. Payment is handled at the charger kiosk or through a compatible app — no separate RFID card is required for most stalls at this location.

ADA-accessible spaces are included in the parking plaza across all five levels, in compliance with California accessibility standards. Look for blue-marked stalls near the elevators on each floor. These spaces are wider, have level access, and are positioned close to the pedestrian walkway to Terminal 1. No advance ADA reservation is required — accessible spaces are available on a first-come basis.

Pro tip: EV charging ports at the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza fill up quickly during summer travel season. Arrive early or check PlugShare before leaving home to confirm availability.

How Do You Reserve a Spot at the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza in Advance?

You can pre-book a spot at the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza through the official SAN airport parking reservation system. Reserving in advance guarantees you a space in the garage — useful during busy holiday weekends when the lot can fill up.

Here is how to book:

1. Go to san.org/parking and select "Terminal 1 Parking Plaza."
2. Enter your arrival date, departure date, and vehicle details.
3. Choose your reservation window and pay by credit or debit card.
4. Save your confirmation. You will use it to access the reserved section of the garage.

Pre-booking the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza does not discount the daily rate — you still pay $32/day. The main benefit is a guaranteed space, especially during peak travel periods. Oversized vehicles and those hauling trailers must pay for additional spaces; motorcycles park at the standard car rate.

For full step-by-step guidance on booking any SAN parking spot in advance, see our San Diego Airport Parking Reservations guide.

What Are the Best Cheaper Alternatives to Terminal 1 Parking Plaza?

Off-site parking near SAN starts at $8.95/day — that is up to 72% cheaper than the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza's $32/day rate. Every verified off-site lot includes a free shuttle to both terminals. Here is how the main options compare:

The Four Points by Sheraton San Diego is the cheapest verified option at $8.95/day pre-booked through cheapairportparking.org. The shuttle runs every 30 minutes between 6:00 AM and 12:30 AM — plan your return flight timing around that window. If you need faster shuttle frequency, Aladdin Airport Parking sends a shuttle every 5–10 minutes at $20/day (or from $13/day pre-booked).

The Economy Lot is the best on-airport alternative at $20/day. Its shuttle runs approximately every 3 minutes and stops at both terminals. You give up the direct walk to Terminal 1, but you save $12/day — that is $84 on a week-long trip.

On-Site vs Off-Site: Quick Comparison

• Terminal 1 Parking Plaza: $32/day — no shuttle, direct walk, guaranteed proximity, 185 EV ports
• Economy Lot: $20/day — 3-minute shuttle, both terminals served, simpler booking
• Off-site lots: $8.95–$24.95/day — free shuttles, valet options, free cancellation, biggest savings
• Best for short stays (under 4 hours): Terminal 1 Parking Plaza (hourly rate caps quickly)
• Best for 3+ day trips: Four Points or SDAP off-site for maximum savings
• Best for EV drivers: Terminal 1 Parking Plaza (185 charging ports on-site)

For a deeper look at off-site options serving both SAN terminals, the San Diego Airport Parking Off-Site guide covers every verified lot with shuttle details and booking tips.

What Happens If the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza Is Full?

The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza holds 5,200 vehicles, but it does fill during holiday weekends and summer peak season. If the garage is at capacity, SAN's dynamic signage on Harbor Drive and the terminal access road will direct you to available alternatives.

Your best overflow options are:

• Economy Lot — on-airport, $20/day, short shuttle to Terminal 1
• Terminal 2 Parking Plaza — same $32/day rate, connected to Terminal 2 but accessible from the same road network
• Off-site lots — never fill up the same way; pre-booking guarantees your space

Pre-booking through san.org/parking is the simplest way to avoid overflow stress. Alternatively, locking in an off-site reservation through Triply means you always have a guaranteed spot — even if you book the day before. Check real-time SAN parking availability and compare Terminal 1 alternatives on Triply — off-site lots start from $8.95/day with free cancellation.