Greatest San Diego Airport Parking Choices (SAN Information & Ideas)

Navigating airport parking can usually really feel like the primary hurdle of your journey, and San Diego Worldwide Airport (SAN) isn’t any exception. With its two terminals and ongoing development, planning your parking technique prematurely saves time, cash, and stress.

I’ll stroll you thru the principle San Diego airport parking choices so you may determine whether or not to decide on the handy terminal garages or the less expensive off-site tons.

Key Takeaways

SAN has two terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Signage reveals which airways are in every terminal however because the turn-offs will be difficult, lookup your terminal prematurely.
You’ll be able to park in plazas in entrance of both terminal or use cheaper off-site parking.
Each choices can and ought to be reserved and pay as you go on-line earlier than you park.
Terminal 1 is below development which may affect visitors patterns and parking entry. It’s best to all the time examine the newest up dates on the airport’s parking web page.

On-Airport Parking at SAN: Terminal Comfort

Parking in one of many airport tons provides most comfort, although it’s the most costly possibility. It’s finest for vacationers who prioritize pace and direct terminal entry, quick holidays and enterprise journeys, or for these with mobility challenges.

Terminal 1 Parking Plaza

Location: Straight throughout from Terminal 1.
Present Standing: T1 passengers can now park within the brand-new parking construction. Nonetheless, ongoing development at this terminal and on this construction could have an effect on driving routes and entry instances. There’s loads of directional signage to comply with (albeit generally complicated).
Time/Price: You’ll be able to park by the hour till you hit the present most of $38/day. Parking length is usually as much as 30 days.
The best way to Pay: Earlier than returning to your automobile, you may pay with a serious bank card, Apple Pay, or Google Pockets at automated pay stations (kiosks) close to the plaza’s elevator. It’s also possible to pay with a bank card on the exit gate whenever you drive out. I don’t like doing the latter as a result of the exits are unstaffed, and if the machine doesn’t register your ticket or card, you’ll have lots of indignant or hurried vacationers behind you.
Ideas: Splendid for T1 airways (Southwest, Frontier, Spirit, and so on.). It could possibly fill shortly throughout peak journey. Enable additional journey time resulting from potential development congestion.
EV Charging: By the point the construction is full, there might be 185 charging ports! Further charges apply.

Terminal 2 Parking Plaza

Right here, you’ll discover one other multi-level storage providing self-parking.

Location: It’s instantly throughout from Terminal 2, the place most worldwide flights arrive and depart.
Time/Price: Hourly charges faucet out at a each day most of $38/day (just like T1).
The best way to Pay: Cost works like Terminal 1, the place you should use bank cards at pay-on-foot kiosks close to elevators earlier than getting in your automobile. It’s also possible to pay instantly on the unstaffed exit gate.
EV Charging: There are 16 EV Cost ports right here. Further charges apply.
Brief-Time period Parking: You’ll discover some 3-hour parking areas in an uncovered floor lot (there may be signage to direct you, however you’ll enter the plaza and switch proper towards the open facet of the construction). It’s designed for airport pick-up and drop-off for individuals who want a little bit extra assist attending to and from their gate. Charges apply.
Most Keep: Normally 30 days for each Plaza and Valet (extra on valet under).

All on-site parking garages even have a 10-minute grace interval throughout which you’ll be able to park without cost. Nonetheless, I don’t suppose that is sufficient time to park, run into the terminal to gather somebody, after which get again to your automobile. You’ll want to attend at crosswalks to cross the road between the parking storage and the terminal.

Valet Parking at Each Terminals

Verify pricing and availability earlier than you go, however right here’s normally what you may anticipate.

The way it Works: As you drive towards both terminal, comply with indicators for “Valet.” Pull into the designated curbside Valet space, go away your keys with the attendant, and head straight to check-in. Upon return, comply with indicators (or directions offered at drop-off) to get your automobile from the Valet attendants.
Hours: Valet parking pick-up at SAN is usually accessible 24/7, however drop-off is normally restricted to five a.m.–11 p.m.
Price: Valet has a sometimes greater price construction (presently $60/day plus optionally available tip).
Greatest For: Vacationers who prioritize pace and comfort above value.

Cell Telephone Lot

Goal: This free lot is solely for drivers ready to choose up arriving passengers. It’s essential to stay together with your car.
Location: There’s loads of signage to information you to it. You’ll be able to even put “Cell Telephone Lot” into Google Maps, and it’ll pop up as an possibility on McCain Street.

Different Locations You Can Wait

If my husband is selecting me up from the airport, he’ll drive over to Spanish Touchdown throughout North Harbor Drive the place he can normally park, get out, and stroll alongside the bay. I’ll textual content once we’re on the curb and he’s there inside 5 minutes.

Curbside Parking on the Terminals — Not Allowed

If it’s worthwhile to choose somebody up, you may’t park on the curb exterior the terminal. You’ll be able to pull as much as the curb if somebody is ready there. You’ll be able to keep so long as it takes to load baggage and whomever you choose up.

I see individuals attempt to park and keep on a regular basis. Parking enforcement normally waves drivers alongside if there’s no signal they’re actively selecting somebody up.

Curbside Pickup Ideas

In the event you’re selecting somebody up on the terminal curb, search for the inexperienced indicators labeled with letters. Have your passenger name or textual content you the letter of the zone they’re in so yow will discover them simply. For instance, I’m normally in Zone O or P, which is exterior American Airways’ baggage declare in Terminal 2.

Off-Web site Parking Close to SAN: Worth and Planning

For longer journeys or budget-conscious vacationers, off-airport parking tons close to SAN provide vital financial savings in comparison with terminal garages.

Vacationers becoming a member of cruises departing from the close by cruise terminals additionally use San Diego airport parking tons.

Why Select Off-Web site Parking?

Price Financial savings: Typically significantly cheaper per day, particularly for longer stays.
Reservations: You’ll be able to (and may) e-book your spot prematurely, guaranteeing availability and sometimes locking in a greater price.
Normally Much less Problem: Off-site parking generally entails much less irritating navigation than busy airport garages, particularly throughout peak instances or development.

The way it Works: Usually, you drive to a personal lot close to the airport, park, and take their complimentary shuttle service to your terminal. Upon returning, use designated pick-up spots to catch the shuttle again to the lot.

Discovering & Reserving Off-Web site Heaps

Use Parking Aggregators: Web sites and apps like SpotHero (my household makes use of this app for parking throughout San Diego) are standard instruments for evaluating costs, places, facilities, and critiques of varied tons close to SAN.
Guide Direct: It’s also possible to e-book instantly on the parking zone’s web site.

Extremely-Reviewed Off-Web site Lot Examples close to SAN

I typically discover that critiques of each off-site parking place will be blended. When you’ve got a favourite, let me know.

Generally, it’s worthwhile to textual content to summon a shuttle to the airport, so perceive tips on how to meet your shuttle earlier than you go.

Aladdin Airport Parking: Identified for its dependable service, coated parking, and shuttle service, which operates 24/7. They’ve been round for over 20 years and aren’t the most affordable. However they’re essentially the most extremely regarded in my community.
WallyPark Airport Parking: This facility provides contactless self-parking choices and generally has promo codes on its web site.
Fox Auto Parks: These are outside tons. You’ll be able to e-book EV chargers and even a automobile wash.

Close by Parking at Sheraton San Diego and Different Lodges

An alternative choice generally discovered by way of apps like SpotHero is parking at close by airport lodges, such because the Sheraton San Diego Lodge & Marina throughout Harbor Drive.

The way it Works: Lodges generally promote unused parking areas. The Sheraton is walkable to T1, however it’s worthwhile to cross Harbor Drive. In my view, it’s too far with greater than a carry-on. They do run a shuttle to the airport (name the resort for the schedule).

See additionally: Aspire Lounge Evaluation at SAN

Ideas for Off-Web site Parking

Guide Forward: Important, particularly throughout holidays or busy journey seasons.
Enable Shuttle Time: Consider 20-40 minutes additional for check-in, ready for the shuttle, and experience time. Know the frequency of the shuttle you propose to take.
Confirm Hours: Guarantee 24/7 operation if wanted for early or late flights. I’ve seen individuals run into this difficulty the place their flight is delayed, and by the point they choose up their automobile, the lot is closed.
Observe Your Spot: Take an image figuring out the place you’ve parked within the storage so that you don’t neglect.

Common SAN Parking Ideas & Different Issues

Guide Forward: Sure, I’ll say it once more. Whether or not utilizing an app for an off-site deal or reserving instantly, reserving ensures your house and sometimes secures a greater price.
Verify the Official SAN Web site FIRST: This stays your most dependable supply for present charges, availability percentages, maps, and development updates for on-site parking.
Consider Further Time: At all times permit extra time than you suppose vital for visitors, discovering a spot, strolling or shuttling, and potential development delays.
Know Your Terminal: Double-check your airline’s terminal to park conveniently or guarantee your shuttle serves it. That is the reside checklist of airways in every terminal.
Accessibility: Accessible parking spots can be found in official SAN garages. Off-site tons normally provide accessible choices, however you’ll have to confirm with the corporate you’re utilizing.
Alternate options Exist: Do you really want to park a automobile? Rideshares (Uber/Lyft), taxis, the free San Diego Flyer electrical bus (connecting from Previous City Transit Middle), or getting dropped off are all choices.

Remaining Ideas

Selecting your parking at San Diego Airport relies on whether or not you like the benefit of terminal garages or the financial savings of off-site tons. Understanding your choices and planning forward makes the method a lot smoother. I’d like to know the place you park whenever you fly. Please share within the feedback!