San Diego International Airport Parking
San Diego, CA · SAN · 25.0M passengers/year
Parking Near San Diego International Airport
SAN is one of the most congested airports in the US due to downtown San Diego's urban setting. On-airport parking is expensive and fills fast — Terminal 1 and 2 garages run $30–36/day. Off-airport lots in the Midway District and on Pacific Hwy run $14–22/day. Book at least 72 hours ahead — SAN is notoriously low on parking inventory year-round, especially summer.
Short-Term vs Long-Term Parking at SAN
Short-Term Parking
Short-term parking in Terminal 1 and 2 garages starts at $4/20 min. Best for pickups directly connected to baggage claim.
Long-Term & Economy Parking
Official parking runs $30–36/day. Off-airport lots in the Midway District run $14–22/day. For a 5-day trip, off-airport saves $40–110.
Best & Worst Parking at SAN
✅ Best Options
Off-airport lots on Pacific Hwy and in the Midway District run $14–22/day with free shuttles — best value by a significant margin. Economy parking on-airport is rarely worth $30+/day.
⚠️ Avoid
Official terminal garages at $30–36/day are among the most expensive for a mid-size airport. Off-airport is almost always the better choice.
Getting to San Diego International Airport Without a Car
MTS Route 992 Airport Shuttle runs between the airport and downtown San Diego's Santa Fe Depot for $2.50. The Trolley (light rail) stop at Old Town connects to the airport via a short bus or rideshare. Rideshare from Downtown San Diego is $12–20 — often the most convenient option.
San Diego International Airport Terminals
- Terminal 1
- Terminal 2
- Commuter Terminal
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest parking near San Diego airport?
Off-airport lots on Pacific Hwy and in the Midway District run $14–22/day with free shuttle service. Book on ParkWhiz or SpotHero at least 72 hours ahead — SAN has limited parking inventory year-round.
How do I get from downtown San Diego to the airport?
MTS Route 992 runs between Santa Fe Depot (downtown) and the airport for $2.50. Rideshare from Downtown is $12–20. The airport is only 3 miles from the Gaslamp Quarter.
Why is SAN parking so expensive?
San Diego International is built in one of the most land-constrained urban settings of any US airport. There's very little space for parking expansion, which keeps prices high and inventory tight. Off-airport lots in the Midway District are the best solution.
How much does SAN airport parking cost?
Official terminal garages run $30–36/day. Off-airport lots run $14–22/day. For a 5-day trip, off-airport saves $40–110.
How far in advance should I book San Diego airport parking?
Book at least 72 hours ahead — and 1–2 weeks ahead for summer travel (June–August). SAN consistently has some of the tightest parking inventory of any mid-size US airport. Spots go fast.