Terminal 1 Parking Lot

Five-minute walk to SAN’s new Terminal 1 security

This is the Terminal 1 Parking Lot, across from SAN’s new T1, priced at a $38/day max. It’s short‑term, on‑airport, and aimed at people flying Southwest, Frontier, or Spirit who care more about walking than saving money. You park, cross the road and plaza, and you’re in the Terminal 1 check‑in area in a few minutes with no shuttle involved.

Drive‑up daily is posted at $38, but FlyerTalk users report the airport’s online system sometimes undercuts that. One person expecting about $200 for six days got a pre‑book quote around $133 in a terminal garage. If your trip is 3–7 days, it’s worth running your dates through the reservation tool before you just pull a ticket at the gate.

The walk time is the trade‑off. Reviews say the walk from the far corners of the T1 structure to security runs closer to 5–10 minutes, depending on your level and construction detours. It’s still faster than waiting on a shuttle loop, but not the 90‑second stroll the map suggests, especially if you’re hauling bags from the upper levels.

EV drivers get a few charging spots inside the Terminal 1 parking, but Google and Yelp reviews note they’re often full by mid‑morning on weekdays. Treat a charger as a bonus, not a plan. A lot of frequent flyers only park here for 1–2 nights, then switch to off‑airport options like WallyPark or Park, Shuttle & Fly when the stay hits three days or more.

Watch the approach: construction near the new T1 means people regularly miss the correct entrance off Harbor Drive and have to loop back. One practical move: pre‑book, screenshot your reservation, and aim to arrive at least 30 minutes earlier than you would for an off‑airport shuttle lot, to absorb any detours and the longer walk from the back of the garage.