Choose SJC Parking by Trip Length, Terminal and Actual Total Cost
Compare San José Airport’s official lots using current rates, walking distance, shuttle access, garage clearance and terminal convenience before you leave home.
Save the exact lot address and one backup. SJC is compact, but the wrong lot can still add an unnecessary walk, shuttle ride or another full daily parking charge.
Fast Answer: Which San Jose Airport Parking Lot Should You Use?
Lowest official daily price: Economy Lot 1 is $19/day and includes complimentary shuttle buses to both terminals every 7–10 minutes, 24/7.
Terminal A convenience: Hourly Lot 2 is covered, costs $25/day and is the practical choice for meeting or departing from Terminal A.
Terminal B convenience: Lot 3 is directly convenient but costs $41/day. Lots 4 and 5 are $31/day and about a 10-minute walk to Terminal B.
Passenger pickup: wait free for up to 30 minutes at the Cell Phone Waiting Area at 2470 Airport Blvd., then drive to the curb after the passenger is ready.
SJC Airport Parking Rates for 2026
Use the daily figure for trip budgeting and the hourly figure only for short pickup or greeting visits. Online reservation pricing may differ from the drive-up rate.
| Lot | Current rate | Terminal convenience | Reserve online? | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Lot 1 | $19/day | 24/7 shuttle to A & B | Yes | Longer trips / lowest official rate |
| Hourly Lot 2 | $4/30 min first day; $25/day | Terminal A | Yes | Terminal A / short trip |
| Hourly Lot 3 | $5/30 min first day; $41/day | Terminal B | No normal reservation | Closest covered Terminal B parking |
| Daily Lot 4 | $4/30 min first day; $31/day | 10 min walk to B | Yes | Terminal B value |
| Hourly & Daily Lot 5 | $4/30 min first day; $31/day | 10 min walk to B | Yes | Terminal B + EV charging |
| Cell Phone Waiting Area | Free | 3–4 min drive to arrivals | No | Waiting for arriving passenger |
Outdated-price warning: many third-party parking pages still show older SJC rates. Use the official airport parking page before making a price-sensitive decision.
What Will SJC Parking Cost for Your Trip?
For multi-day travel, total-trip cost is more useful than comparing only one day’s parking price.
| Trip length | Economy Lot 1 | Lot 2 | Lot 3 | Lots 4 / 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 days | $38 | $50 | $82 | $62 |
| 3 days | $57 | $75 | $123 | $93 |
| 5 days | $95 | $125 | $205 | $155 |
| 7 days | $133 | $175 | $287 | $217 |
These examples use current standard daily rates and assume full daily periods. Your real total can differ with reservation pricing, promotions or an extra parking day triggered by your exit time.
Which SJC Parking Lot Is Most Convenient for Your Airline?
Terminal A side
Lot 2 is the natural starting point for Terminal A. SJC currently identifies it as convenient for American, Delta, Frontier, United, Volaris and ZIPAIR arrivals.
Terminal B side
Lots 3, 4 and 5 are practical for Terminal B. SJC currently identifies these areas as convenient for Alaska, Hawaiian, Southwest and ZIPAIR departures.
Always verify the operating terminal with the airline. Airlines can change terminal use, and international arrivals may use a different pickup point from the departure terminal.
Economy Lot 1: Best Official Option for Long-Term Parking
Economy Lot 1 — 2300 Airport Blvd.
- Address
- 2300 Airport Blvd., San José, CA 95110
- Daily rate
- $19
- Parking type
- Covered garage plus uncovered surface parking
- Garage clearance
- 8 ft 2 in
- Surface clearance
- No garage height restriction
- Shuttle
- Terminals A and B, every 7–10 minutes, 24/7
- Lighting
- 24-hour lighting
- Reservation
- Available online
Lot 2: Covered Parking for Terminal A
Hourly Lot 2 — 2075 Airport Blvd.
- First-day hourly
- $4 per 30 minutes
- Daily rate
- $25
- Coverage
- Covered
- Clearance
- 7 ft
- Terminal B
- About 15-minute walk; SJC shuttle also available
- EV
- Three dual chargers serving six vehicles
- Reservation
- Available online
- Current exit note
- North garage exit closed; use south exit
Lot 3: Closest Covered Garage for Terminal B
Hourly Lot 3 — 1659 Airport Blvd.
- First-day hourly
- $5 per 30 minutes
- Daily rate
- $41
- Coverage
- Covered garage
- Clearance
- 8 ft 4 in
- Terminal A
- About 15-minute walk; shuttle available
- Reservation
- Not listed among normal reservable lots
- Lighting
- 24-hour lighting
Lot 4 vs Lot 5: Same Price, Different Advantages
| Feature | Daily Lot 4 | Hourly & Daily Lot 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Address | 1639 Airport Blvd. | 1661 Airport Blvd. |
| Daily rate | $31 | $31 |
| First-day hourly | $4/30 min | $4/30 min |
| Walk to Terminal B | About 10 min | About 10 min |
| Walk to Terminal A | About 25 min | About 20 min |
| EV charging | Not listed | Five stations / nine vehicles |
| Reservation | Yes | Yes |
| Coverage | Uncovered | Uncovered |
Easy decision: choose Lot 5 if charging matters; otherwise compare live reservation pricing and which entrance better matches your route.
SJC Parking Reservations: Rules That Matter Before You Pay
3-hour entry grace
The reservation includes a three-hour grace period at the beginning.
3-hour exit grace
The reservation also includes a three-hour grace period at the end.
30-day maximum
Normal reservation maximum is 30 days unless Parking Services approves otherwise.
No specific stall
A normal reservation guarantees facility access, not a numbered space.
Cancellation: current reservation terms allow cancellation up to the beginning of the reservation period for a full refund. Amendments can be made up until arrival, subject to the current terms.
Why Two Extra Hours Can Trigger Another Full Day of Parking
Lots other than Economy use first-day hourly billing followed by flat 24-hour periods.
Your clock begins at entry
The next parking day starts at your original entry time, not at midnight.
Next period = next full rate
Once the next 24-hour period begins, another full daily charge can accrue.
Add flight-delay protection
Include baggage claim, airline delays and walking time when estimating your exit time.
Practical example: if you entered Lot 2 at 9:00 a.m., crossing into the next 24-hour period just after 9:00 a.m. can trigger the next full daily charge.
SJC Passenger Pickup: Free Waiting vs Parking and Walking In
| Passenger status | Best move | Cost | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plane landed, passenger not ready | Cell Phone Area | Free | Avoid circling terminal roads |
| You want to greet passenger inside | Nearest hourly lot | $4–$5 per 30 min | Legal parking while you enter terminal |
| Passenger has bags and is curbside | Arrivals curb | No parking stay | Active pickup only |
Cell Phone Waiting Area
The newer Cell Phone Waiting Area has 75 spaces and is roughly a three-minute drive to Terminal A arrivals and four minutes to Terminal B arrivals.
Where to Park When Picking Up an International Passenger at SJC
International Arrivals Building
International passengers arriving from Mexico and Japan may be picked up in front of the International Arrivals Building just past the Terminal A ticket lobbies.
Best parking if you want to walk inside
SJC identifies Lot 2 as the most convenient parking lot for drivers meeting international arrivals.
If you do not need to enter the building, wait in the Cell Phone Area until your passenger clears immigration, collects luggage and confirms they are ready.
Accessible Parking: Exact Space Locations and Backup Rule
| Parking area | Accessible parking location | Spaces |
|---|---|---|
| Economy Lot 1 Garage | All floors near elevators | 25 |
| Economy Lot 1 Surface | Adjacent to six shuttle stops | 11 |
| Lot 2 | Floors 1 and 2 near elevators | 34 |
| Lot 3 | Near entrance | 10 |
| Lot 4 | Near parking garage | 15 |
| Lot 5 | Near Terminal B baggage claim | 20 |
No ADA discount: standard rates for the selected lot apply.
If all accessible stalls are occupied: a vehicle displaying a valid accessible plate or placard may use designated one-hour Express spaces in Lot 2 or Lot 5 for up to 30 days under the current airport rule.
EV Charging: Which SJC Lot Should Electric-Car Drivers Use?
| Lot | Charging hardware | Vehicles served | Charging fee | Parking fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 2 | ChargePoint CT4000, up to 7.2 kW, J1772 | 6 | Free | Normal Lot 2 rate |
| Lot 5 | ChargePoint CT4000, up to 7.2 kW, J1772 | 9 | Free | Normal Lot 5 rate |
EV stalls are for active charging. SJC warns that a vehicle occupying an EV stall without charging may be cited.
Normal parking reservations do not reserve an EV stall. Arrive with enough battery to use a standard parking space if every charger is occupied.
RV, Tall Vehicle and Motorcycle Parking
RV / oversized vehicle
Use the Economy Lot 1 surface section when space is available and contact Parking Services before arrival.
Multiple parking spaces
Oversized vehicles are charged based on the number of spaces they occupy.
Motorcycles
Use a designated stall. Economy Lot 1 also has dedicated motorcycle parking near the southwest side of the garage.
Call 408-441-5579 before bringing an RV or oversized vehicle so the airport can confirm surface-space availability.
Paying for SJC Parking Without Delaying the Exit
Credit / debit card
Use the parking ticket at exit and pay with an accepted card.
Mobile wallet
Supported contactless payment includes mobile-wallet options at applicable payment points.
Cash
Use an airport Parking Pay Station before driving to the exit lane.
Dead Battery, Wrong Charge, Lost Confirmation or Towing: What to Do
| Problem | Next step | Keep ready |
|---|---|---|
| Dead battery | Call 408-441-5570 for complimentary jump-start help. | Lot, level and row |
| No reservation confirmation | Contact Parking Services before arrival if possible. | Email and payment information |
| Entered wrong lot with reservation | Use the intercom; do not assume the reservation transfers. | Correct facility and QR code |
| Parking charge dispute | Submit the fee dispute within 30 days. | Receipt and flight documentation |
| Vehicle remains over 30 days | Arrange authorization with Parking Services in advance. | Vehicle and travel details |
| Vehicle towed | Use the airport/tow recovery process and contact the appropriate tow information number. | Registration and plate |
Parking / Vehicle Assistance
Local SJC Parking Tips That Actually Save Time
Know A vs B before entering Airport Boulevard
Picking the terminal-side lot before the final airport loop prevents unnecessary cross-airport walking.
Use Economy for a week-long trip unless convenience wins
At current rates, a seven-day stay is $133 in Economy versus $287 in Lot 3.
Do not leave the Cell Phone Area when the plane lands
Wait until the passenger has baggage and confirms they are physically ready for pickup.
Photograph more than your space number
Save the lot name, garage floor, row, elevator and shuttle stop.
Watch your parking-day renewal time
For Lots 2–5, a late flight can push you into another full daily charge.
Lot 2 drivers: use the south exit
The north garage exit is currently closed, so follow the current on-site exit signs.
Official SJC Maps and Driving Directions
Airport Boulevard uses a one-way terminal loop, so use the exact parking address rather than navigating only to the airport name.
From Highway 87
Use the Skyport Drive exit toward the airport.
From I-880
Brokaw Road / Airport Parkway or Coleman Avenue can provide airport access depending on direction.
Interactive terminal map
SJC’s interactive airport map can help locate terminals, amenities and passenger-service areas.
San Jose Airport Parking Google Map
Do not navigate only to “SJC Airport.” Economy Lot 1 and Lots 2–5 each have their own address. Use the exact parking address for the final approach.
Official SJC Parking Links Worth Using
San Jose Airport Parking FAQs
How much is SJC Airport parking in 2026?
Current standard rates are $19/day for Economy Lot 1, $25/day for Lot 2, $41/day for Lot 3 and $31/day for Lots 4 and 5. Lots 2, 4 and 5 charge $4 per 30 minutes during the first day, while Lot 3 charges $5 per 30 minutes.
What is the cheapest official long-term parking at San Jose Airport?
Economy Lot 1 is the lowest-priced standard official option at $19/day and includes 24/7 shuttle service to Terminals A and B.
How often does the Economy Lot 1 shuttle run?
SJC states that Economy Lot 1 shuttle buses generally operate every 7–10 minutes and run 24 hours a day.
Where should I park for Terminal A?
Lot 2 is the main covered Terminal A garage and costs $25/day at the current standard rate.
Where should I park for Terminal B?
Lot 3 is the closest covered option but costs $41/day. Lots 4 and 5 are $31/day and roughly a 10-minute walk to Terminal B.
Can I reserve SJC parking on the same day?
Yes. Current SJC rules allow reservations up to two hours before intended arrival, subject to availability.
Does SJC have free parking while waiting to pick someone up?
Yes. The Cell Phone Waiting Area at 2470 Airport Blvd. is free and open 24 hours, with a 30-minute maximum. The driver must stay with the vehicle.
Is accessible parking discounted at SJC?
No. Accessible parking is available in every SJC parking facility, but the regular posted rate for that lot applies.
Can I charge an electric vehicle at SJC?
Yes. Free ChargePoint charging is available in Lot 2 and Lot 5. Normal parking fees still apply and charging stalls are first-come, first-served.
Why was I charged another full day for only a short overstay?
In Lots 2–5, after the first day the next full daily rate begins when the next 24-hour parking period starts based on your original entry time.
Independent SJC Parking Information
Parking Guide Hub is an independent informational website and is not San José Mineta International Airport, the City of San José, an airline, ChargePoint or a parking operator.
Parking rates, availability, construction, airline terminal use, reservation offers and charging availability can change. Verify time-sensitive details through the official SJC links before driving or paying.
Visit the Parking Guide Hub homepage for additional parking guides.