San Diego International Airport Parking Terminal 1: Full Guide

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San Diego International Airport parking for Terminal 1 is a structured system with one dedicated garage, one economy lot, and valet service — all managed by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, with off-site alternatives starting at $8.95/day for travelers who want to save more. The brand-new Terminal 1 Parking Plaza opened alongside the $3.8 billion New Terminal 1, which launched on September 22, 2025. It connects directly to the terminal and costs $32/day at the daily maximum.

• Terminal 1 Parking Plaza: 5,200 spaces across 5 levels with a direct pedestrian walkway to Terminal 1 — no shuttle needed.
• Daily max rate: $32/day on-airport; Economy Lot runs $20/day with a free ~3-minute shuttle.
• Valet parking: Available curbside at Terminal 1 for $40/day — the most expensive and most convenient option.
• Off-site lots near SAN start from $8.95/day pre-booked, with free shuttles running every 5-25 minutes depending on the provider.
• 185 EV charging ports are built into the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza — the most at any SAN facility.
• Phase 1B construction is ongoing in spring 2026. Expect minor disruptions near the terminal but parking access remains unaffected.

Which Airlines Use Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport?

Terminal 1 at SAN is home to six carriers, all operating out of the new 19-gate facility. Knowing your airline before you park saves time navigating the airport.

• Breeze Airways
• Frontier Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Southwest Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• Sun Country Airlines

If you're flying Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, United, British Airways, or another international carrier, you need Terminal 2 — not Terminal 1. Parking at the wrong terminal costs you time. Check your boarding pass before choosing a lot. For a full breakdown of Terminal 2 parking options, see our guide on San Diego International Airport parking Terminal 2.

Phase 1B of the New Terminal 1 expansion is underway in spring 2026 and will add gates for Air Canada and WestJet. Eight more gates are planned by early 2028, bringing the terminal to 30 gates total. San Diego International Airport confirmed the Phase 1A opening in September 2025.

Where Is Terminal 1 Parking at SAN — and How Do You Get There?

The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza sits directly adjacent to the New Terminal 1 building, connected by a pedestrian walkway. You don't need a shuttle to reach your gate from this garage.

To reach it by car, use Harbor Drive or North Harbor Drive as your approach road. From Interstate 5, take the Hawthorn Street exit northbound or the Sassafras Street exit southbound. New roadways serving Terminal 1 — including a 3-lane entrance and dual-level arrivals/departures curb — opened alongside the new terminal. Before you leave, check real-time traffic on Waze since Harbor Drive can back up during morning rush hour and peak travel weekends.

San Diego Airport sits just 3 miles northwest of downtown San Diego — one of the closest major airports to a city center in the country. Most drivers reach the terminal in 7-12 minutes from downtown, depending on traffic.

How Much Does Terminal 1 Parking Cost at San Diego Airport?

Parking rates at SAN Terminal 1 depend on how long you stay and which facility you choose. Here's a full breakdown of on-airport options (verified April 2026).

For a short trip — say, 1-3 hours — the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza works out to $10-$30 before hitting the daily cap. For longer stays, the Economy Lot at $20/day is the better value on-airport option. A 7-day trip in the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza costs $224 at the daily max, compared to $140 in the Economy Lot. For detailed rate comparisons across all durations, visit our San Diego Airport parking rates Terminal 1 guide.

Pre-book your spot through SAN's official parking reservation page to guarantee a space during busy travel weekends. Both credit cards and debit cards are accepted. Oversized vehicles must pay for additional spaces.

Compare SAN Terminal 1 off-site parking rates starting from $8.95/day — search available spots on Triply for San Diego Airport before you book.

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

Off-site lots near SAN offer significant savings — sometimes more than 70% less than the on-airport daily rate. All verified lots below include free shuttle service to Terminal 1 (verified April 2026).

Aladdin Airport Parking runs the most frequent shuttle — every 5-10 minutes around the clock. That's faster than most on-site options, including the Economy Lot shuttle. Four Points by Sheraton San Diego offers the lowest pre-booked rate at $8.95/day through cheapairportparking.org, though the shuttle only runs until 12:30 AM. If you have an early or late flight, SDAP or Fox Auto Parks operate 24/7 and include valet at no extra charge.

For more details on finding the lowest rates near SAN, read our guide to cheap San Diego airport parking lots and rates.

How Does the Terminal 1 Parking Shuttle Work — and How Long Is the Wait?

If you park at the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza, you won't need a shuttle — a direct pedestrian connection links the garage to the terminal. The walk takes just a few minutes.

If you park at the Economy Lot, a dedicated shuttle runs continuously and takes approximately 3 minutes to reach both terminals. It's the fastest shuttle ride on-airport. For off-site lots, shuttle times vary by provider — see the table above. All off-site lots drop you at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

The San Diego Flyer offers a free shuttle between terminals and the Old Town Transit Center, where you can connect to the San Diego Trolley, COASTER commuter rail, and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner. If you're coming from downtown by bus, MTS Route 992 connects directly to SAN for just $2.50 and takes about 15 minutes. For a full breakdown of how airport shuttles work across all SAN lots, see our guide on the San Diego airport parking shuttle.

Is There ADA Accessible or EV Charging Parking at SAN Terminal 1?

The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza is the most EV-ready parking facility at San Diego International Airport. It contains 185 EV charging ports — more than any other lot at SAN. These are located across the garage's 5 levels. Check availability before arrival using the PlugShare location for Terminal 1.

ADA-accessible spaces are available within the Terminal 1 Parking Plaza. The garage is fully enclosed and level, with elevator access between floors. The pedestrian connection to Terminal 1 is step-free and designed to meet accessibility requirements as part of the new terminal's construction standards. If you need additional accessibility details, the San Diego Airport services and facilities page has current information.

Valet parking at Terminal 1 curbside is also an option for travelers who prefer not to navigate a parking structure. The curbside drop-off puts you steps from the check-in counters — useful if you're traveling with mobility aids or heavy luggage.

Should You Reserve Terminal 1 Parking in Advance or Pay at the Gate?

Reserve in advance whenever possible — especially for travel on holiday weekends, summer Fridays, or long weekend Monday mornings. The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza has 5,200 spaces, but popular dates fill up fast at SAN.

Here's a simple rule to follow:

• Staying 1-3 hours: Pay at the gate. Short-term parking rarely sells out.
• Staying 1-3 days: Reserve online to lock in your space. Rates don't change but availability can.
• Staying 4+ days: Book off-site parking instead. You'll save $60-$140+ on a week-long trip compared to the on-airport daily max.
• Holiday travel: Book at least 1-2 weeks ahead. Both on-airport and off-site lots can sell out.
• Off-site lots: Pre-booking online typically saves $4-$6/day off the walk-up rate.

You can reserve through SAN's official parking page for on-airport options. For off-site comparisons, search SAN parking on Triply to see real-time availability and pre-book with free cancellation.

Also factor in security time. Even with TSA PreCheck, plan to arrive at least 75-90 minutes before your departure at Terminal 1. Review TSA security screening guidelines so you know exactly what to expect at the checkpoint.

Terminal 1 vs. Terminal 2 Parking at SAN: What's the Difference?

Both terminals share the same on-airport daily max rate of $32/day for their parking plazas. But there are real structural differences worth knowing before you arrive.

• Terminal 1 Parking Plaza: Brand new (opened 2025). 5 levels, 5,200 spaces, 185 EV charging ports, direct pedestrian walk to terminal. No shuttle needed.
• Terminal 2 Parking Plaza & Lot: Also $32/day max. Serves Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and all international carriers. Separate shuttle or pedestrian access depending on the specific facility.
• Economy Lot: Serves BOTH terminals at $20/day. One shuttle, roughly 3 minutes to each terminal.
• Off-site lots: All verified lots drop off and pick up at both terminals. You don't need to choose a lot based on your terminal.

The biggest practical difference is the parking structure itself. The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza is significantly newer, better-lit, and has far more EV infrastructure. If you drive an electric vehicle, Terminal 1's garage is the clear choice on-airport. For more on Terminal 2 options, read our full article on San Diego Airport parking Terminal 2.

Find the Best SAN Terminal 1 Parking Rate for Your Trip

San Diego International Airport parking for Terminal 1 ranges from $8.95/day at the cheapest pre-booked off-site lot to $40/day for on-airport valet. The Terminal 1 Parking Plaza is the most convenient option at $32/day, with direct access and 185 EV charging ports. If you're staying more than three days, an off-site lot with a free shuttle can save you $84-$161 compared to the on-airport daily max.

Don't just default to the first lot you find. Compare real options before you book. Search SAN Terminal 1 parking on Triply — find verified rates, free cancellation, and off-site lots starting at $8.95/day for your next San Diego trip.