Navigating airport parking can typically really feel like the primary hurdle of your journey, and San Diego Worldwide Airport (SAN) is not 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 possibly can resolve whether or not to decide on the handy terminal garages or the more cost effective off-site heaps.
Key Takeaways
On-Airport Parking at SAN: Terminal Comfort
Parking in one of many airport heaps provides most comfort, though it’s the most costly choice. 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: Instantly throughout from Terminal 1.
- Present Standing: T1 passengers can now park within the brand-new parking construction. Nevertheless, 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 observe (albeit generally 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.
- Learn how to Pay: Earlier than returning to your automotive, 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 also 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 offended or hurried vacationers behind you.
- Suggestions: Superb for T1 airways (Southwest, Frontier, Spirit, and many others.). It may possibly fill shortly throughout peak journey. Enable further journey time resulting from potential development 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 (much like T1).
- Learn how to Pay: Cost works like Terminal 1, the place you should utilize bank cards at pay-on-foot kiosks close to elevators earlier than getting in your automotive. You may also pay instantly on the unstaffed exit gate.
- EV Charging: There are 16 EV Cost ports right here. Further charges apply.
- Quick-Time period Parking: You’ll discover some 3-hour parking areas in an uncovered floor lot (there’s signage to direct you, however you’ll enter the plaza and switch proper towards the open aspect 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: Often 30 days for each Plaza and Valet (extra on valet beneath).
All on-site parking garages even have a 10-minute grace interval throughout which you’ll park totally free. Nevertheless, I don’t suppose that is sufficient time to park, run into the terminal to gather somebody, after which get again to your automotive. 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 count on.
- The way it Works: As you drive towards both terminal, observe 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, observe indicators (or directions supplied at drop-off) to get your automotive from the Valet attendants.
- Hours: Valet parking pick-up at SAN is usually accessible 24/7, however drop-off is often restricted to five a.m.–11 p.m.
- Price: Valet has a sometimes increased charge construction (at the moment $60/day plus non-obligatory tip).
- Finest For: Vacationers who prioritize pace and comfort above price.
Cell Telephone Lot
- Function: This free lot is solely for drivers ready to select up arriving passengers. You could 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 choice on McCain Highway.
Different Locations You Can Wait
If my husband is choosing 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 after we’re on the curb and he’s there inside 5 minutes.
Curbside Parking on the Terminals — Not Allowed
If that you must choose 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 choose up.
I see folks attempt to park and keep on a regular basis. Parking enforcement often waves drivers alongside if there’s no signal they’re actively choosing somebody up.
Curbside Pickup Suggestions
Should you’re choosing 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-Website Parking Close to SAN: Worth and Planning
For longer journeys or budget-conscious vacationers, off-airport parking heaps 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 heaps.
Why Select Off-Website Parking?
- Price Financial savings: Usually significantly cheaper per day, particularly for longer stays.
- Reservations: You possibly can (and may) e-book your spot prematurely, guaranteeing availability and sometimes locking in a greater charge.
- Often Much less Problem: Off-site parking generally includes much less annoying navigation than busy airport garages, particularly throughout peak instances or development.
The way it Works: Sometimes, you drive to a non-public 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-Website Heaps
- 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, areas, facilities, and opinions of varied heaps close to SAN.
- E-book Direct: You may also e-book instantly on the parking zone’s web site.
Extremely-Reviewed Off-Website Lot Examples close to SAN
I typically discover that opinions of each off-site parking place may be combined. You probably have a favourite, let me know.
Generally, that you must 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: Recognized for its dependable service, lined parking, and shuttle service, which operates 24/7. They’ve been round for over 20 years and usually are not 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 heaps. You possibly can e-book EV chargers and even a automotive wash.
Close by Parking at Sheraton San Diego and Different Motels
Another 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: Motels generally promote unused parking areas. The Sheraton is walkable to T1, however that you must 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 Overview at SAN
Suggestions for Off-Website Parking
- E-book Forward: Important, particularly throughout holidays or busy journey seasons.
- Enable Shuttle Time: Consider 20-40 minutes further for check-in, ready for the shuttle, and journey 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 folks run into this concern the place their flight is delayed, and by the point they choose up their automotive, the lot is closed.
- Be aware Your Spot: Take an image figuring out the place you’ve parked within the storage so that you don’t overlook.
Common SAN Parking Suggestions & Different Concerns
- 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 house 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 development updates for on-site parking.
- Consider Further Time: At all times enable extra time than you suppose crucial for site 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 record of airways in every terminal.
- Accessibility: Accessible parking spots can be found in official SAN garages. Off-site heaps often provide accessible choices, however you’ll must confirm with the corporate you’re utilizing.
- Alternate options Exist: Do you really want to park a automotive? Rideshares (Uber/Lyft), taxis, the free San Diego Flyer electrical bus (connecting from Previous City Transit Heart), or getting dropped off are all choices.
Remaining Ideas
Selecting your parking at San Diego Airport will depend on whether or not you favor the benefit of terminal garages or the financial savings of off-site heaps. 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!