When are Early Bird Hotel Sales happening? The answer is right now.
The Early Bird Hotel Sale is back for 2025, with reservations now open through onPeak.
Just like in previous years, the Early Bird sale is not for downtown hotels, but rather for hotels in further-out areas, like Mission Valley or the airport. These hotels are typically a little cheaper (rates run from $199-$284 per night for a single occupancy room) than the downtown offerings available in the Downtown Hotel Sale (otherwise known as Hotelpocalypse), but attendees have to use transportation in order to get downtown to the convention center. Also, remember: these hotels are non-refundable and do NOT guarantee you a badge for Comic-Con.
In recent years, transportation to and from these hotels have become easier than ever, in part thanks to an improved Shuttle Service offered by CCI. While the shuttle times have not yet been posted, we expect them to be similar to the 2024 times.
- Wednesday, July 23 3PM-12AM
- Thursday, July 24 5AM-1AM
- Friday, July 25 5AM-1AM
- Saturday, July 26 5AM-1AM
- Sunday, July 27 5AM-7PM
Several of these hotels offer free parking though – so you may not have to pay for parking your entire Comic-Con week. Please check with each hotel’s policy for details.
It is also worth noting that this year, there is a possibility that for those hoping for non-downtown hotels, they may not be available in Hotelpocalypse. While historically that sale, which involves a form you submit with ranked hotel choices, has included both downtown and non-downtown hotels, the comparison chart on Comic-Con International’s site sure makes it seem like this year’s version may only include downtown hotels. If true, that means that those hoping to stay somewhere other than downtown will be required to pre-pay in full.
The Early Bird hotels sell out much slower than the downtown hotel sale, but each room requires full prepayment at the time of booking, and there will be no refunds or exchanges on rooms – so for those even hoping for a downtown hotel room, this might not be the hotel sale for you. There’s also a three or four-night minimum stay on each room, which must include both Friday, July 25, and Saturday, July 26.
Depending on the hotel, check-in as early as Friday, July 18 and check-out as late as Monday, July 28.
There is also a non-refundable service fee equal to 3% of each hotel deposit, which will be charged to the credit card provided for each reservation. Any change to a reservation that increases the required hotel deposit amount, such as extending the length of stay, changing to a more expensive room type, changing hotels, etc.; will incur an additional non-refundable service fee in the amount of 3% of the additional deposit amount. All charges will appear as “Comic-Con 2025 Hotels” on the user’s credit card statement.
Name changes and adding nights to your stay will be accepted through onPeak up to May 1, 2025.
Hotel rates on their own are exorbitant, which is why one of the biggest sticking points for Comic-Con International to stay in San Diego continues to be the hotel block. These are locked-in, negotiated rates that CCI has secured for attendees, so that you aren’t paying $1,000 per night. That’s why we highly recommend booking within their system for the best rate, even if the General Sale is always a bit of a mess.
