New to SFO - please help!
 

Hello Bay Area! I have an upcoming RT out of SFO and would really appreciate some parking advice as I'm driving from Santa Rosa and have to work into the evening that day!

I have a 10:20pm flight on AA on Friday night. Flying F to JFK and checking a bag so would like to be at counter at 9pm. What time should I leave Santa Rosa?

I'm flying back on United - if I were to use domestic parking at terminal (I know it's expensive) which parking garage should I use? Looks like AA and UA are next to each other? Is there one garage that's easier to get to/from than the other?

If I find myself able to leave Santa rosa earlier than what you suggest, then I might have more time to find a cheaper parking option. In that case, what's everyone's favorite off-site parking?

Thank you!!!

I would probably leave no later than 7:00.

I only park at the airport for very short term, but if you go into the terminal lot, head all the way around to terminal 3/United and try to park by the elevator.

I use ParkSFO for parking, but you have to leave probably another 20 minutes for parking, shuttle, ect.. Look up coupons on line, as I find with the coupon it is the cheapest and for me most convenient.

The other option is to take the airport express bus from STS airport in Santa Rosa.

It really is an easy ride, but the traffic can be very unpredictable.

Thanks LongingForORD -- how long a walk is it from T3 parking to the AA check in desk approx?

For short trips I always parked at one of the the international short term garages, which are a bit cheaper than the standard short term lot. It's a longish walk to the AA terminal, or three stops on the Air Train. Adds maybe 10 minutes over the short term lot.

I'd leave at 7:30 pm. You'll hit some traffic congestion here and there, but you'll probably arrive around 9 pm. Even if you had unusually bad traffic and were to get in at 9:30, that's still enough time for a 10:20 flight with checked bags. You'll have at least the priority line at T2 security (even better if you have Precheck).

If you use the domestic garage, it makes little difference. That garage is like a hub that is almost encircled by the domestic terminals. The D section for Terminal 2 (your AA flight) is right next to the E section (figures, doesn't it?). It's a very short walk to the D tunnel or bridge wherever you are in there. I recommend parking at the top (level 5) so you're right at the bridge level, or the bottom (level 1) so you're at the tunnel level. It's not a problem, though, to park in a middle level and take the stairs/elevator up or down.

One more thing: AA check-in is to your left after you cross the bridge or go through the tunnel from the domestic garage. Go down or up to your left, depending on your elevation.

May you have safe and enjoyable travels.

This is great - thank you so much! One last question - is the bottom level of the garage the arrivals level? Thanks again!!

It might be, but you can't cross at every level.

I'd allow a bit more time than the normally conservative ;) dhuey has suggested. I'd also suggest parking in the Int'l G garage as it is much easier to maneuver, it saves a few $, and the walk from your car (even with elevators) to T2 security is maybe 10 minutes. From UA back to the G garage is even quicker on your return.

If time is precious, the off-site garages might welcome you with a "do you have a reservation? If not, go away" issue, at which point, you'll end up on-site anyway.

1K thank you!

You could consider parking at a BART station and riding in to SFO. Choose you station depending on where you want to go after returning. I often use the Millbrae station with the tall parking garage.

Parking would be free for the first two days since you leave on Friday night, $6.50/day thereafter. (Purchase your permit starting on Saturday.) Roundtrip fare to Millbrae is $8.50. Purchase your permit here:

https://www.select-a-spot.com/bart/

and print it out ahead of time, you can't purchase parking at the station.

Don't listen to Eastbay1K ! He's a bad person!

Well no, he's actually a really good guy who gives you good advice. I suggest that you go with his idea or your original one: the SFO domestic parking garage or the SFO International parking garage. You're unfamiliar with this territory. Trying to save a few bucks with an off-site parking facility might blow the whole deal. You might get lost, or there might be delays in the shuttle between the lot and SFO.

Thanks to all of you - REALLY appreciate the help and just another reason why Flyertalk is so awesome. I'm gonna leave at 7PM and park in lot E if I'm ahead of schedule so I can have a shorter walk from my United return or lot D if I'm running behind and need to get to my American outbound flight more quickly. Seems pretty straight forward!

Sometimes, LAX departures can get so backed up that I tell my driver or if I'm dropping someone off to go to arrivals for less traffic - is the same true for SFO? If it's backed up in departures can I ditch and go to arrivals and park in lot D or E down there?

You enter the parking garage before you go through the loop around the terminals. So, you never hit departures nor arrivals.

Such a traffic jam is unlikely at SFO late on a Friday evening. Regardless, even if there were such congestion, you wouldn't get stuck in it if you're going to the domestic or international parking garages. Just follow the signs to whichever garage you choose. You won't face any problems doing that unless you encounter something I've never seen in 25 years of using SFO.

Okay then -- LIKE! Thanks again SFO Veterans!