Navigating airport parking can typically 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 building, planning your parking technique prematurely saves time, cash, and stress.
I’ll stroll you thru the primary San Diego airport parking choices so you possibly can resolve whether or not to decide on the handy terminal garages or the less expensive off-site tons.
Key Takeaways
On-Airport Parking at SAN: Terminal Comfort
Parking in one of many airport tons affords most comfort, though it’s the costliest possibility. It’s greatest for vacationers who prioritize velocity and direct terminal entry, brief holidays and enterprise journeys, or for these with mobility challenges.
Terminal 1 Parking Plaza
- Location: Instantly throughout from Terminal 1.
- Present Standing: T1 passengers can now park within the brand-new parking construction. Nonetheless, ongoing building at this terminal and on this construction might have an effect on driving routes and entry occasions. There’s loads of directional signage to comply with (albeit typically complicated).
- Time/Price: You possibly can park by the hour till you hit the present most of $38/day. Parking length is usually as much as 30 days.
- Methods to Pay: Earlier than returning to your automobile, you possibly can pay with a serious bank card, Apple Pay, or Google Pockets at automated pay stations (kiosks) close to the plaza’s elevator. You may as well pay with a bank card on the exit gate once 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 a number of indignant or hurried vacationers behind you.
- Ideas: Preferrred for T1 airways (Southwest, Frontier, Spirit, and so forth.). It could possibly fill shortly throughout peak journey. Permit further journey time on account of potential building congestion.
- EV Charging: By the point the construction is full, there shall 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).
- Methods to Pay: Fee 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. You may as well 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 just a little 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 free of charge. 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
Test pricing and availability earlier than you go, however right here’s often what you possibly can anticipate.
- The way it Works: As you drive towards both terminal, comply with indicators for “Valet.” Pull into the designated curbside Valet space, depart your keys with the attendant, and head straight to check-in. Upon return, comply with indicators (or directions supplied at drop-off) to get your automobile from the Valet attendants.
- Hours: Valet parking pick-up at SAN is usually out there 24/7, however drop-off is often restricted to five a.m.–11 p.m.
- Price: Valet has a usually larger charge construction (presently $60/day plus non-obligatory tip).
- Greatest For: Vacationers who prioritize velocity and comfort above price.
Cell Telephone Lot
- Goal: This free lot is solely for drivers ready to choose up arriving passengers. You should stay along with your automobile.
- Location: There’s loads of signage to information you to it. You possibly can 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 often 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 is advisable to decide somebody up, you possibly can’t park on the curb exterior the terminal. You possibly can pull as much as the curb if somebody is ready there. You possibly can keep so long as it takes to load baggage and whomever you decide up.
I see individuals attempt to park and keep on a regular basis. Parking enforcement often 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 often 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 important 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 possibly can (and will) e-book your spot prematurely, guaranteeing availability and sometimes locking in a greater charge.
- Normally Much less Problem: Off-site parking typically includes much less anxious navigation than busy airport garages, particularly throughout peak occasions or building.
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 Tons
- Use Parking Aggregators: Web sites and apps like SpotHero (my household makes use of this app for parking throughout San Diego) are well-liked instruments for evaluating costs, places, facilities, and opinions of varied tons close to SAN.
- E book Direct: You may as well e-book instantly on the parking zone’s web site.
Extremely-Reviewed Off-Web site Lot Examples close to SAN
I usually discover that opinions of each off-site parking place may be blended. When you have a favourite, let me know.
Generally, it is advisable to textual content to summon a shuttle to the airport, so perceive easy methods 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 are usually not the most affordable. However they’re probably the most extremely regarded in my community.
- WallyPark Airport Parking: This facility affords contactless self-parking choices and typically has promo codes on its web site.
- Fox Auto Parks: These are out of doors tons. You possibly can e-book EV chargers and even a automobile wash.
Close by Parking at Sheraton San Diego and Different Motels
Another choice typically discovered through apps like SpotHero is parking at close by airport resorts, such because the Sheraton San Diego Resort & Marina throughout Harbor Drive.
The way it Works: Motels typically promote unused parking areas. The Sheraton is walkable to T1, however it is advisable to cross Harbor Drive. For my part, it’s too far with greater than a carry-on. They do run a shuttle to the airport (name the lodge for the schedule).
See additionally: Aspire Lounge Evaluation at SAN
Ideas for Off-Web site Parking
- E book Forward: Important, particularly throughout holidays or busy journey seasons.
- Permit Shuttle Time: Think about 20-40 minutes further for check-in, ready for the shuttle, and experience time. Know the frequency of the shuttle you plan 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 decide 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 overlook.
Basic SAN Parking Ideas & Different Issues
- E book 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 area and sometimes secures a greater charge.
- Test the Official SAN Web site FIRST: This stays your most dependable supply for present charges, availability percentages, maps, and building updates for on-site parking.
- Think about Further Time: All the time enable extra time than you suppose needed for visitors, discovering a spot, strolling or shuttling, and potential building delays.
- Know Your Terminal: Double-check your airline’s terminal to park conveniently or guarantee your shuttle serves it. That is the stay listing of airways in every terminal.
- Accessibility: Accessible parking spots can be found in official SAN garages. Off-site tons often provide accessible choices, however you’ll must confirm with the corporate you’re utilizing.
- Options Exist: Do you really want to park a automobile? Rideshares (Uber/Lyft), taxis, the free San Diego Flyer electrical bus (connecting from Outdated City Transit Heart), or getting dropped off are all choices.
Last Ideas
Selecting your parking at San Diego Airport is determined by whether or not you favor 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 once you fly. Please share within the feedback!
