May 3, 2013, 1:32 pm
Last edit by: cptlflyer
Short term parking:
ParkSFO
Pros:
QuikPark
Pros:
Burlingame Airport Parking (ParkBAP)
Pros:
Anza
Pros:
BART
Pros:
SFO Long Term Parking and Lot D
** The shuttle buses look exactly the same! One says 'Lot D', the other says 'Long Term Parking' (likely no longer a concern? see below re: AirTrain)
SFO Long Term Parking
Pros:
Cons:
SFO Long Term Parking Lot D
Pros:
ParkSFO
Pros:
- Fast and regular shuttles
- Register for emails to receive monthly coupons
- Coupons for 1 free with 3+ days, 2 free with 5+ days, 3 free with 7+ days, and 4 free with 9+ days parked in a single stay.
- Coupons are blacked out during Thanksgiving, Xmas, and other peak periods
- www.parksfo.com/coupons/
- June 2013 Coupon
- Often full or forced to valet at higher rate
- Somewhat expensive now
- Reservations required or risk likely being turned away at entry
QuikPark
Pros:
- Online reservations
- Relatively cheap
- must prebook online for best rate and bring printout to give to attendant
- Slow shuttles
- Even with a reservation, sometimes fill up and hard to find a spot
(note: if you book on-line and the lot is full, they will find you a space-you will be stopped at the gate but all you have to do is show them your pre-paid receipt)
Burlingame Airport Parking (ParkBAP)
Pros:
- Consistently one of the cheapest, especially for weekly rates.
- Generally do not have to prebook to get the best rate.
- 3 shuttles an hour only, and a bit slower than average due to distance. Try to arrive at or before :00, :20, or :40 to allow a few minutes wait.
- September 2013: For pickups late, I feel the turnaround times are more consistent with 2x per hour for the shuttle. No posted change, however.
Anza
Pros:
- With Burlingame Airport Parking, the only parking South of airport (Other than BART)
- Shuttle frequency is good
- Valet is free (no extra charge) when they are near capacity
- Frequent parker program: Each 30 paid days yields a 5-consecutive-day park for free. Check in on facebook and receive credit for 1/2 paid day as well. (Note: This program has changed. It is now tied into the Fivestars card rather than a paper punch card.)
- When partially full, they require you use their free valet service, and this requirement varies from hour to hour. Be sure to have nothing valuable in your car!
- Need a printed coupon from their website to get the best rate
BART
Pros:
- Free over the weekend (except the cost of using BART to the airport) and holidays if you're only there for the free days (paid if you're there on weekdays and then stay over a weekend)
- Online reservations for weekday parking
- BART schedule is known well in advance
- Pretty much guaranteed a parking spot
- Hard to use if you're trying to park or pick up when BART is closed for the night
- Possibility of getting a ticket if you overstay your reservation
- Can wait up to 20 minutes for BART in off-peak hours, or have to go to San Bruno and back to Millbrae during peak hours (or take a taxi for about $12)
SFO Long Term Parking and Lot D
** The shuttle buses look exactly the same! One says 'Lot D', the other says 'Long Term Parking' (likely no longer a concern? see below re: AirTrain)
SFO Long Term Parking
Pros:
Regular shuttles (not the fastest, not the slowest)- AirTrain blue line now goes to Long Term Parking (no more bus shuttles) but makes quite a number of stops before reaching the domestic terminals
- Sometimes if the normal area and lot d fill up, you'll get a voucher to use the short-term parking at long-term rates
- Covered Parking in the garage - it gets full at peak times
Cons:
- Expensive
- However, current promo is $12/day for 3 days prepaid online (and the rate decreases for additional days)
SFO Long Term Parking Lot D
Pros:
- Sometimes if the Long Term Parking area and Lot D fill up, you'll get a voucher to use the short-term parking at long-term rates
- Expensive
Tips for Long Term Parking and Lot D- Park near Stop 5 in Long Term Parking and you are the first off the bus and out of the parking lot!
- Although the signs will indicate that a floor is full, I am often able to find a spot on these floors.
- Airtrain station is on level 5 of the garage
Month or longer parking:
Someone who's done this please add experiences - I (rob_flies_ua) would just pay for a shuttle or car service at this point. unavaca recommends taking Uber in this case.
AirportParkingReservations.com coupon:
$5 off: FBFRIENDS415
EXPIRES 12/31/16 @ 11:59 PM PST Coupon Valid Online Only
SFO Parking
Aug 22, 2016, 9:26 am
#226
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Article about prices going up:
http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/m...p?t=cf579fe17c
http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/m...p?t=cf579fe17c
Aug 22, 2016, 9:39 am
#227
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Wow, that's quite a jump. It's not that far in the past that International used to be $20/day, now it's getting close to double that at $36/day. Basically they have bought the international lot in line with the domestic lots - it used to be that Intl was cheaper, but now they are all $36/day.
Sep 27, 2016, 2:44 pm
#228
Join Date: Jul 2007
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If you need them for those two periods I'd suggest downloading them now, just in case they decided to add them as exceptions in the future...
Oct 5, 2016, 9:42 am
#229
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Looks like their new pricing didn't work out so well - they have bought back the 2 days free/4 day minimum, as well as introduced a 3 day free/6 day minimum. All are valid though the end of the year, and do NOT exclude Thanksgiving/Christmas like they have in previous years.
If you need them for those two periods I'd suggest downloading them now, just in case they decided to add them as exceptions in the future...
If you need them for those two periods I'd suggest downloading them now, just in case they decided to add them as exceptions in the future...
Oct 14, 2016, 11:39 am
#230
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
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Looks like their new pricing didn't work out so well - they have bought back the 2 days free/4 day minimum, as well as introduced a 3 day free/6 day minimum. All are valid though the end of the year, and do NOT exclude Thanksgiving/Christmas like they have in previous years.
If you need them for those two periods I'd suggest downloading them now, just in case they decided to add them as exceptions in the future...
If you need them for those two periods I'd suggest downloading them now, just in case they decided to add them as exceptions in the future...
Oct 14, 2016, 2:15 pm
#231
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Mar 2, 2017, 11:32 am
#232
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Mar 2, 2017, 11:49 am
#233
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I looked at reviews for Park N Fly and the recent ones are horrible. Discussion of poor shuttle coverage, mainly. We've never used them, so wary of booking, even with the substantial savings. We use ParkSFO (with discount coupons) and have been quite happy with service overall.
Cheers.
Mar 9, 2017, 12:47 am
#234
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Posts: 1,090
ParkSFO's elevator is still broken (yes both of them). They said they should be fixed next week. They have a golf cart and will let you drop luggage and then park if you want to, but most people are using valet service.
I had to use valet, which I don't really like and got my car back really dirty tonight.
On the up side, I used a stay 4 days, get 2 days free and it was about $10 more than it usually is (I guess for the valet service). It was the regular lady cashier, so I asked why so expensive? And she said "I'll take 10% off for you". So back down to the good coupon rate. Just an FYI about the elevators.
I had to use valet, which I don't really like and got my car back really dirty tonight.
On the up side, I used a stay 4 days, get 2 days free and it was about $10 more than it usually is (I guess for the valet service). It was the regular lady cashier, so I asked why so expensive? And she said "I'll take 10% off for you". So back down to the good coupon rate. Just an FYI about the elevators.
Oct 16, 2017, 12:49 pm
#235
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: sjc sfo
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Can we talk about OAK parking on here. I was there on Sat 10/14 about 9am and the long term lot was full and they directed me to daily lot...it was full but luckily i drive an Electric Vehicle so they had a couple spots assigned to those. They really need to update their parking status online and I think OAK has outgrown their existing lots. They need a garage there.
Oct 17, 2017, 10:50 pm
#236
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Sorry, but there is a separate thread for OAK parking - if it's not in this forum you can find it in the WN forum. And the options are much better (and cheaper) in the East Bay...
As for Park SFO, the bad news is that part of the outdoor lot is currently closed so valet was the only option when I arrived Thursday morning. The good news is that the periodic emails (easy signup at website) have coupons for 1 free/3 days and 2 free/5 days good for valet!. So the total cost was @$56 for 5 days valet service which IMO is a great deal.
Unfortunately there is a risk everywhere. For longer trips we often park on a residential street in San Mateo and take Uber/Lyft to SFO. Last time we returned to find a large dent in the driver's door from a hit-and-run driver. Free parking ended up costing us $1000 
So there is no worry-free solution except for garaging your car at home...
As for Park SFO, the bad news is that part of the outdoor lot is currently closed so valet was the only option when I arrived Thursday morning. The good news is that the periodic emails (easy signup at website) have coupons for 1 free/3 days and 2 free/5 days good for valet!. So the total cost was @$56 for 5 days valet service which IMO is a great deal.
So there is no worry-free solution except for garaging your car at home...
Last edited by Boraxo; Oct 17, 2017 at 10:59 pm
Nov 6, 2017, 4:14 pm
#237
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: On the road, 24/7/365
Posts: 3,467
A quick survey on parking lots and shuttles.
I'm flying into/out of SFO frequently now. (Elderly parent in the area.) I've been using Park 'n Fly; no particular reason. Lately, the time from arriving at the lot to arriving at Terminal 3 can be an hour or more, even at "peak" times. Return shuttles can be 20+ minutes apart. I stand and watch three "green" shuttles (ParkSFO) come and go, before the "blue" Park 'n Fly shows up. So, is the grass really "greener" at ParkSFO? Somewhere else? Thanks.
I don't care (much) about cost or (at all) about earning free parking.
I'm flying into/out of SFO frequently now. (Elderly parent in the area.) I've been using Park 'n Fly; no particular reason. Lately, the time from arriving at the lot to arriving at Terminal 3 can be an hour or more, even at "peak" times. Return shuttles can be 20+ minutes apart. I stand and watch three "green" shuttles (ParkSFO) come and go, before the "blue" Park 'n Fly shows up. So, is the grass really "greener" at ParkSFO? Somewhere else? Thanks.
I don't care (much) about cost or (at all) about earning free parking.
Nov 6, 2017, 8:33 pm
#238
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I recall a mailer from Park SFO that they were adding on 1,500 spaces. Imagine that will only make them busier. I've only used them once this year so can't say much about shuttles. They're a lot closer to the airport than lots south of SFO out by the Hilton (BAP-Anza). In years past they were my primary lot and had reliable, frequent shuttles, but just priced too high for me now.
I'd ask if you've considered the airport's own long term lot out by the UA hangars. That might be the best fit for the fastest ride, though at the highest price of everyone ($25 a day). They run full size buses out to that lot though it's pretty close to Park SFO if that works for you.
http://www.flysfo.com/to-from/parking
I know we've had some reports over the years of the airport long term lots being full at peak times and parkers offered a coupon for the same rate at airport terminal lots. Also, some reports of ParkSFO double parking users when they get packed, and you'd have to leave your keys with them. May not impact you if you're not there during major holidays (I'm not - use BART in for those trips).
Tom in Melbourne, Florida
I'd ask if you've considered the airport's own long term lot out by the UA hangars. That might be the best fit for the fastest ride, though at the highest price of everyone ($25 a day). They run full size buses out to that lot though it's pretty close to Park SFO if that works for you.
http://www.flysfo.com/to-from/parking
I know we've had some reports over the years of the airport long term lots being full at peak times and parkers offered a coupon for the same rate at airport terminal lots. Also, some reports of ParkSFO double parking users when they get packed, and you'd have to leave your keys with them. May not impact you if you're not there during major holidays (I'm not - use BART in for those trips).
Tom in Melbourne, Florida
Nov 8, 2017, 8:31 am
#239
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: On the road, 24/7/365
Posts: 3,467
I recall a mailer from Park SFO that they were adding on 1,500 spaces. Imagine that will only make them busier. I've only used them once this year so can't say much about shuttles. They're a lot closer to the airport than lots south of SFO out by the Hilton (BAP-Anza). In years past they were my primary lot and had reliable, frequent shuttles, but just priced too high for me now.
I'd ask if you've considered the airport's own long term lot out by the UA hangars. That might be the best fit for the fastest ride, though at the highest price of everyone ($25 a day). They run full size buses out to that lot though it's pretty close to Park SFO if that works for you.
http://www.flysfo.com/to-from/parking
I know we've had some reports over the years of the airport long term lots being full at peak times and parkers offered a coupon for the same rate at airport terminal lots. Also, some reports of ParkSFO double parking users when they get packed, and you'd have to leave your keys with them. May not impact you if you're not there during major holidays (I'm not - use BART in for those trips).
Tom in Melbourne, Florida
I'd ask if you've considered the airport's own long term lot out by the UA hangars. That might be the best fit for the fastest ride, though at the highest price of everyone ($25 a day). They run full size buses out to that lot though it's pretty close to Park SFO if that works for you.
http://www.flysfo.com/to-from/parking
I know we've had some reports over the years of the airport long term lots being full at peak times and parkers offered a coupon for the same rate at airport terminal lots. Also, some reports of ParkSFO double parking users when they get packed, and you'd have to leave your keys with them. May not impact you if you're not there during major holidays (I'm not - use BART in for those trips).
Tom in Melbourne, Florida
Nov 27, 2017, 8:04 pm
#240
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,304
Has anyone used TravelCar's SFO parking option? If so, what was your experience like? We made a reservation at TravelCar for several days in Dec as Anza's raised their coupon price to $14.50 per day.
They have 3 price options for parking without renting out your car. The cheapest self park option allows you to keep your keys while AirportParkingReservations states they move your car to a secured & monitored lot if you go for the middle priced "Travelcar SFO" option https://www.airportparkingreservatio...travel_car_sfo The lot is open 5 am - midnight according to their website. However, I'm not sure if they added a gate to the lot as Google Street view shows it is an was the EZ rental car lot without gates with only ~ 30 parking spots?
There's also $10 service fee if you choose their bundled shuttle/rideshare from parking lot <-> SFO vs self park when booking direct or $5 service fee + $10 Airport Access Fee via Airport Parking Res. site. The service fee it is not shown in the initial price quote.
They have 3 price options for parking without renting out your car. The cheapest self park option allows you to keep your keys while AirportParkingReservations states they move your car to a secured & monitored lot if you go for the middle priced "Travelcar SFO" option https://www.airportparkingreservatio...travel_car_sfo The lot is open 5 am - midnight according to their website. However, I'm not sure if they added a gate to the lot as Google Street view shows it is an was the EZ rental car lot without gates with only ~ 30 parking spots?
There's also $10 service fee if you choose their bundled shuttle/rideshare from parking lot <-> SFO vs self park when booking direct or $5 service fee + $10 Airport Access Fee via Airport Parking Res. site. The service fee it is not shown in the initial price quote.