A vehicle lighting unit includes: a heat sink (12); a light emitting element disposed in the heat sink (12); and a reflector that is disposed above the light emitting element, and reflects emitted light emitted forward from the light emitting element. The heat sink (12) includes a base portion (22) for disposing the light emitting element on a pedestal portion (21); and a fin portion (23) that is disposed on a back surface of the base portion (22), and radiates heat generated by the light emitting element. The back surface of the base portion (22) is inclined with respect to the pedestal portion (21). In the heat sink (12), a thickness of the base portion (22) is thicker on a lower side of the light emitting element than on a rear side of the base portion (22).