San Diego International Airport Parking Rates: 2026 Guide

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San Diego International Airport parking rates range from free (Cell Phone Lot) to $40/day for on-airport valet, with off-site lots starting as low as $8.95/day when pre-booked. On-airport self-park structures charge $32/day, while the Economy Lot comes in at $20/day. Off-site lots near SAN offer the biggest savings — you can pay 72% less than the on-airport parking plaza rate by booking an off-site spot in advance (verified April 2026).

• On-airport self-park garages: $32/day maximum at Terminal 1 Parking Plaza, Terminal 2 Lot, and Terminal 2 Parking Plaza
• Economy Lot: $20/day with a free ~3-minute shuttle to both terminals
• Valet parking: $40/day at curbside, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2
• Off-site lots: $8.95–$24.95/day across 7 verified providers, all with free shuttles
• Cell Phone Lot: Free — located at 2311 McCain Road while waiting for arriving passengers
• Pre-booking saves money: Fox Auto Parks drops from $19.95 to as low as $8/day when reserved online

How Much Does San Diego International Airport Parking Cost in 2026?

Parking at San Diego International Airport costs between $0 and $40/day depending on the lot and service level. The on-airport parking plazas charge $2.50 per 15 minutes ($10/hour), capping at $32/day. The cheapest on-airport option is the Economy Lot at $20/day. Off-site lots start at $8.95/day with free shuttle service included.

Here is a full breakdown of current SAN airport parking rates, per the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority and verified provider rates (verified April 2026):

Pre-booking is the single biggest factor in what you pay. Walk-up rates at off-site lots can be $6–$12/day higher than pre-booked prices. Booking in advance also guarantees your space — especially important during summer and holiday travel seasons when lots fill up fast.

Compare SAN off-site parking rates from $8.95/day and lock in your spot before you fly — search available lots at San Diego International Airport on Triply.

What Are the Official SAN Parking Lots and Garages?

San Diego International Airport has five official parking options managed by the airport authority. Each serves a different need and budget. Here is what each one offers:

• Terminal 1 Parking Plaza: The brand-new 5-level garage connected directly to New Terminal 1. It holds 5,200 spaces and includes 185 EV charging ports. Rate: $32/day max.
• Terminal 2 Parking Plaza: A covered garage adjacent to Terminal 2. Walkable to both Terminal 2 East and Terminal 2 West. Rate: $32/day max.
• Terminal 2 Lot: An open-air surface lot near Terminal 2. Same daily rate as the plazas — $32/day max.
• Economy Lot: The most affordable on-airport option at $20/day. A free shuttle runs approximately every 3 minutes to both terminals.
• Valet Parking: Available curbside at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Rate: $40/day. Ideal if you are running late or want maximum convenience.

All on-airport lots charge $2.50 per 15 minutes for short stays. That means a 1-hour stay costs $10. The daily maximum kicks in after about 3 hours, so for stays longer than that, the $32/day cap applies. You can pre-book on-airport parking at san.org/parking.

One important note for drivers with large vehicles: oversized vehicles or vehicles towing trailers must pay for additional spaces. Motorcycles park at the standard car rate.

If you drive an electric vehicle, the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza is your best on-airport bet. Its 185 EV charging ports make it one of the most EV-friendly airport garages in California. The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza opened alongside New Terminal 1 in September 2025 as part of the airport's $3.8 billion expansion.

Which Off-Site Parking Options Near SAN Offer the Best Value?

Off-site parking lots near San Diego International Airport consistently undercut on-airport rates by a wide margin. Based on current Triply rates, you can park for as little as $8.95/day compared to $32/day on-airport — a saving of more than 70%. Every verified off-site lot includes a free shuttle to both terminals.

Here are the seven verified off-site lots near SAN, ranked by price:

1. Four Points by Sheraton San Diego — from $8.95/day: Self-park hotel lot. Free shuttle runs from 6:00 AM to 12:30 AM every 30 minutes. Book via cheapairportparking.org for the lowest rate.
2. Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina — $12/day: Just 2 minutes from the airport. Free shuttle from 5:00 AM to midnight, every 15–20 minutes. Marina views and restaurant on site.
3. San Diego Airport Parking (SDAP) — $18/day: Outdoor fenced valet lot, 5 minutes from SAN. Free valet and free 24/7 shuttle. On-site security cameras and personnel. Save up to 17% with SimplyCodes.
4. Fox Auto Parks — from $8/day pre-booked: Walk-up rate is $19.95/day, but pre-booking online brings it down to as low as $8/day. Free valet with 24/7 shuttle every 25 minutes.
5. Aladdin Airport Parking — from $13/day pre-booked: Covered and uncovered valet options. Free shuttle every 5–10 minutes — the most frequent of any off-site lot near SAN. Also serves the Cruise Ship Terminal.
6. San Diego Park, Shuttle & Fly (Lot A) — from $18.95/day online: Walk-up price is $24.95/day. Free 24/7 express valet shuttle. Call (619) 291-1234 for return pickup from the Courtesy Shuttle area.
7. San Diego Park, Shuttle & Fly (Lot B) — from $18.95/day online: Same pricing and shuttle service as Lot A. Free cancellation on all bookings.

All seven lots offer free cancellation. That means you can book early to lock in the best rate and cancel if your plans change. For a deeper look at these providers, see our guide to San Diego airport parking off-site options and best lot reviews.

How Does Terminal 1 vs. Terminal 2 Parking Differ at SAN?

Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at San Diego International Airport each have dedicated parking structures. The key difference is which airlines use each terminal — and how close the parking is to your departure gate.

Terminal 1 (New Terminal 1) serves Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Sun Country Airlines. The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza connects directly to Terminal 1 via a pedestrian walkway. It is a brand-new 5-level structure with 5,200 spaces and 185 EV charging ports — the largest and most modern parking garage at SAN.

Terminal 2 East serves Alaska Airlines and American Airlines. Terminal 2 West serves international carriers including British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Japan Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, United Airlines, and Volaris. The Terminal 2 Parking Plaza and Terminal 2 Lot both sit adjacent to Terminal 2. Both are within easy walking distance of Terminal 2 East and West.

Both terminals charge the same daily maximum of $32/day for self-park and $40/day for valet. If you are not sure which terminal your airline uses, check the SAN airline directory before you arrive.

All off-site lots offer shuttles to both terminals. So if you park off-site, your terminal assignment does not affect your choice of lot. For short-term drop-offs and pickups, the free Cell Phone Lot at 2311 McCain Road is available for both terminals.

Is There Free or Cheap Parking Near San Diego Airport?

Yes — there is one completely free option at SAN, and several cheap alternatives that cost a fraction of on-airport rates. Here is what travelers use:

• Cell Phone Lot (Free): Located at 2311 McCain Road. Use it while waiting for an arriving passenger. There is no time limit stated, but it is designed for short waits. No parking fee at all.
• MTS Route 992 ($2.50): The bus connects SAN directly to downtown San Diego for $2.50. If you live near a stop, this can eliminate parking costs entirely. The trip takes about 15 minutes.
• San Diego Flyer (Free): This free shuttle connects both terminals to Old Town Transit Center. From there, you can connect to the San Diego Trolley, COASTER commuter rail, or Amtrak Pacific Surfliner.
• Four Points by Sheraton San Diego (from $8.95/day): The cheapest paid off-site lot near SAN when pre-booked through cheapairportparking.org.
• Fox Auto Parks (from $8/day pre-booked): Pre-booking drops the rate significantly from the walk-up price of $19.95/day.

Street parking near the airport is extremely limited due to SAN's location along Harbor Drive and the surrounding industrial and commercial zones. Most travelers find that an off-site lot — even at $9–$12/day — is a better deal than hunting for street parking, especially for multi-day trips.

If you are flying out of Terminal 1 on Southwest, JetBlue, or Frontier, and want to explore all your low-cost options in detail, the San Diego airport short-term parking guide covers hourly and same-day rates in depth.

How Do You Reserve SAN Airport Parking in Advance?

Booking SAN parking in advance takes less than five minutes and can save you a significant amount of money. Here is how to do it:

1. Choose your lot: Decide between on-airport (Terminal 1 Parking Plaza, Terminal 2 structures, Economy Lot) or off-site (Four Points, SDAP, Fox, Aladdin, Park Shuttle & Fly, Sheraton).
2. Book on-airport parking: Go to san.org/parking. Enter your dates and choose your structure. Credit cards and debit cards are accepted.
3. Book off-site parking: Use a comparison tool like Triply's SAN parking search to compare all off-site lots side by side. You will see real-time availability and pre-booked rates.
4. Confirm your booking: You will receive a confirmation by email. Print it or save it to your phone. Most lots accept digital confirmation on arrival.
5. Check cancellation policy: All seven verified off-site lots near SAN offer free cancellation. On-airport pre-bookings — check the cancellation terms at time of booking.

Pre-booking matters most during peak travel periods. Summer weekends, holiday weekends, and San Diego Comic-Con (July) are the busiest times at SAN. Lots can fill up days in advance. Booking early locks in both your rate and your space.

If you are looking for discount codes to stack on top of pre-booked rates, the San Diego airport parking coupons and promo codes guide lists current verified offers by lot.

What Are the Best Tips for Saving Money on SAN Airport Parking?

Parking at San Diego International Airport does not have to cost $32/day. Travelers who plan ahead routinely pay half that amount or less. Here are the most effective ways to cut your parking bill:

• Book off-site and pre-pay: Off-site lots near SAN start at $8.95/day — that is 72% less than the on-airport parking plaza rate. Pre-paying locks in the lowest price.
• Use the Economy Lot for shorter trips: At $20/day with a free 3-minute shuttle, the Economy Lot is the best on-airport deal for stays of 2–5 days.
• Stack a promo code: SDAP offers up to 17% off via SimplyCodes. Fox Auto Parks can drop to as low as $8/day when booked online. Always check for active codes before booking.
• Use the free San Diego Flyer shuttle: If you live near Old Town, take the free San Diego Flyer shuttle to the airport and skip parking entirely.
• Avoid walk-up pricing: Walk-up rates at Park Shuttle & Fly are $24.95/day. The same lot costs $18.95/day online — a saving of $6/day just for booking ahead.
• Choose a hotel lot for long trips: The Four Points by Sheraton and Sheraton Hotel and Marina both offer hotel-quality facilities at sub-$12/day rates. Great for trips of 5+ days.
• Check TSA PreCheck status: Faster security screening via TSA PreCheck means you can arrive closer to departure — reducing the temptation to pay for closer, pricier parking just to save time.

One more tip: always check traffic before you drive. SAN sits just 3 miles northwest of downtown San Diego on Harbor Drive — one of the closest major airports to a city center in the United States. But Harbor Drive and I-5 can back up during rush hour. Use the Waze live traffic map to pick the best approach route and avoid arriving late.

Find the Best SAN Parking Rate for Your Trip

San Diego International Airport parking rates range from $8.95/day (pre-booked off-site) to $40/day (on-airport valet). The gap is wide — and the savings are real. Off-site lots with free 24/7 shuttles routinely beat on-airport prices by 50–72%. Pre-booking is free, takes minutes, and guarantees your space.

The best rate depends on your trip length, terminal, and how much convenience you need. For most travelers flying out of SAN for 2–7 days, an off-site lot pre-booked online delivers the best combination of price, security, and ease.

Compare every SAN parking option side by side — from $8.95/day — and reserve your spot at San Diego International Airport on Triply.