How much does it cost to park at San Diego airport, and what are the cheaper options?
Both terminal parking plazas at SAN charge $3 per 15 minutes, up to $40 a day. Valet is $60 a day. There's no airport economy lot anymore. The cell phone lot is free for 1 hour, and the 992 bus downtown is $3.
- Parking plazas
- $40/day max
- Valet
- $60/day
- Cell phone lot
- Free, 1 hour
- A week in a plaza
- About $280
$3 per 15 minutes
Curbside at T1 and T2
2311 McCain Road
7 x $40 daily max (our math)
The short version
- Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 Parking Plazas: $3 per 15 minutes, $40 daily max, per SAN.
- Valet at both terminal curbs costs $60 a day.
- The Pacific Highway economy lot became employee parking in December 2018.
- The cell phone lot at 2311 McCain Road is free, with a 1-hour limit.
- Reservations open 30 days ahead, with a full refund until 1 hour before your arrival time.
San Diego International Airport (SAN) has two places to park: the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 Parking Plazas, right across from each terminal. Both charge the same rate. A 2023 Upgraded Points study, reported by KPBS, found SAN's then-$38 daily rate the highest of 50 busy U.S. airports, and it's $40 today.
| Option | Rate | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 Parking Plaza | $3 per 15 min, $40 daily max | Terminal 1 flights |
| Terminal 2 Parking Plaza | $3 per 15 min, $40 daily max | Terminal 2 flights; the Inter-Terminal Shuttle links the terminals |
| Valet (both terminal curbs) | $60 per day | Late arrivals, heavy bags |
| Cell Phone Lot, 2311 McCain Road | Free, 1-hour limit | Waiting to pick someone up |
Terminal 1 Parking Plaza
- Rate
- $3 per 15 min, $40 daily max
- Good for
- Terminal 1 flights
Terminal 2 Parking Plaza
- Rate
- $3 per 15 min, $40 daily max
- Good for
- Terminal 2 flights; the Inter-Terminal Shuttle links the terminals
Valet (both terminal curbs)
- Rate
- $60 per day
- Good for
- Late arrivals, heavy bags
Cell Phone Lot, 2311 McCain Road
- Rate
- Free, 1-hour limit
- Good for
- Waiting to pick someone up
From SAN's Parking page. Checked Oct 29, 2026.
What a trip costs at the daily max
Assumes every day hits the cap. Our math from SAN's posted rates.
SAN doesn't post a weekly rate.
Is there still a cheap economy lot?
No. The airport's Pacific Highway economy lot closed in December 2018 and became employee parking, Times of San Diego reported. The old Terminal 1 surface lot and its pedestrian bridge closed in June 2022 for the new terminal (NBC 7). SAN's parking page now lists only the two plazas, valet and the cell phone lot.
Booking ahead
SAN takes plaza reservations up to 30 days ahead. You get a full refund if you cancel more than 1 hour before your scheduled arrival, but no refund for an unused reservation. The page doesn't promise a discount for booking. Parking customer service: 619-291-2087.
Ways to skip the $40
| Cost | Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| MTS Route 992 | $3 adult, $1.50 reduced | Both terminals to Santa Fe Depot downtown. See the cheapest way downtown. |
| San Diego Flyer | Free | Runs between SAN and Old Town Transit Center, about 4:50 a.m. to 12:20 a.m., per SAN. |
| Private off-site lots | Varies | Run by private companies with their own shuttles. We didn't verify any prices; check reviews and the total with fees. |
| Drop-off by a friend | Free | Watch the traffic: see the airport entrance road and construction. |
Cost
- MTS Route 992
- $3 adult, $1.50 reduced
- San Diego Flyer
- Free
- Private off-site lots
- Varies
- Drop-off by a friend
- Free
Notes
- MTS Route 992
- Both terminals to Santa Fe Depot downtown. See the cheapest way downtown.
- San Diego Flyer
- Runs between SAN and Old Town Transit Center, about 4:50 a.m. to 12:20 a.m., per SAN.
- Private off-site lots
- Run by private companies with their own shuttles. We didn't verify any prices; check reviews and the total with fees.
- Drop-off by a friend
- Watch the traffic: see the airport entrance road and construction.
- Tall vehicles: Level 1 fits up to 9'6"; Levels 2–5 are for vehicles under 8'4".
- EV charging in the plaza costs $1.00 per session plus $0.55 per kWh (rate effective May 7, 2024).
- There's a free tire-inflation station near the Level 1 exit, and luggage carts on every level.
Is this still right?
We last checked this tip against its sources on October 29, 2026, and we re-research every tip on a schedule. Things in San Diego change, sometimes overnight.
Prices, fees, hours and rules change, often at the start of a year or season. Confirm with the official source linked below before you rely on a number.
This is general information, not legal, financial, tax, medical or safety advice.
SOURCES
Everything above traces back to one of these. Follow them — if one has changed and we haven't, that's our mistake, not yours.
San Diego International Airport · checked 2026-10-29
Plaza and valet rates, cell phone lot, reservation rules, height limits, EV rates, 619-291-2087.
- PrimaryShuttles
San Diego International Airport · checked 2026-10-29
San Diego Flyer hours; Inter-Terminal Shuttle.
Times of San Diego · 2018-12-26
Economy lot converted to employee parking.
NBC 7 San Diego · 2022-06-04
Old T1 lot and bridge closed June 2022.
KPBS / City News Service · 2023-10-09
Upgraded Points study: $38 daily rate highest of 50 airports.