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
#271
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,716
In 2018 I have rotated between ParkSFO and Anza. ParkSFO is great if your stay is 2-8 days and you can use a coupon (see wiki). It is often near full if you arrive late morning on a peak travel day but we prefer to valet so it's no big deal for us and the free day coupons still apply. Anza is better if you are traveling during peak holiday periods as we've never been turned away and you get free valet. Anza is also more convenient if you are approaching from the South (i.e. San Mateo) - you might save a little time if you are pressed.
Fridays are busy but you should be fine on December 14 at ParkSFO.
Fridays are busy but you should be fine on December 14 at ParkSFO.
#272
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,527
We use ParkSFO fairly frequencly (even though we do come from the South and Anza is likely more convenient ). Our most recent trip put us there on Thanksgiving Thursday evening for a redeye. Expecting the worst, it was certainly crowded and "near full" as Boraxo suggests. But we did find a space. It's been a while since we had to do the "forced" valet. ANd, no, the outside lot construction is still not done
We will be arriving there on Friday (14th) later in the evening for a redeye again. Leave us a spot
Cheers.
We will be arriving there on Friday (14th) later in the evening for a redeye again. Leave us a spot
Cheers.
#273
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Thanks for the info. The only reason I am shying away from having to do valet is because I am going straight to Tahoe when I get back on the 22nd for Christmas and I'll have a lot of stuff in the car. Nothing valuable or conspicuous per se (all the actual gifts are already going to be up there) but like some of my ski clothes, box of paperwork & home/kitchen goods. It'll be 9 days so I think I can get the 3 day free coupon.
I used ParkSFO a few years ago but for the last say 3-4 years it's always been Anza for 4+ days and the hourly domestic garage for anything less.
I used ParkSFO a few years ago but for the last say 3-4 years it's always been Anza for 4+ days and the hourly domestic garage for anything less.
#274
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SF CA USA. I love large faceless corporations. And they cherish me in return (sometimes). ;)
Programs: UA Premier Gold/disappointed 1MM, HH Gold, IHG Plat, MB Gold, BW Diam Sel
Posts: 17,575
I would not rely solely on the wiki above. Info is sometimes out of date (or erroneous at the time of posting). (I just now found and corrected some errors on ParkSFO.)
#275
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SFO or OAK
Programs: AA 1MM GLD, Hertz #1 Gold, bunch of other programs w/no status
Posts: 1,452
PNF going to valet-only in 2019
Just got off the phone with a Park n Fly rep. After Jan 1, 2019, PNF at SFO is going to only offer valet parking. No more self-park. I have a bunch of Costco vouchers and they state that they are only good for self-park. However, the phone rep said they would have to accept them for valet if that is all they offer. Hopefully that holds true.
I called about this after trying to make a reservation online for over the holidays (starting in Dec, ending in Jan) and the website only offered valet. I was able to make a reservation ending Dec 31 for self-park, using Costco vouchers for each day. Since I won't actually leave the lot until a few days later in Jan, I'll pay the extra days upon exit, also with vouchers.
I called about this after trying to make a reservation online for over the holidays (starting in Dec, ending in Jan) and the website only offered valet. I was able to make a reservation ending Dec 31 for self-park, using Costco vouchers for each day. Since I won't actually leave the lot until a few days later in Jan, I'll pay the extra days upon exit, also with vouchers.
#276
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,602
Just got off the phone with a Park n Fly rep. After Jan 1, 2019, PNF at SFO is going to only offer valet parking. No more self-park. I have a bunch of Costco vouchers and they state that they are only good for self-park. However, the phone rep said they would have to accept them for valet if that is all they offer. Hopefully that holds true.
I called about this after trying to make a reservation online for over the holidays (starting in Dec, ending in Jan) and the website only offered valet. I was able to make a reservation ending Dec 31 for self-park, using Costco vouchers for each day. Since I won't actually leave the lot until a few days later in Jan, I'll pay the extra days upon exit, also with vouchers.
I called about this after trying to make a reservation online for over the holidays (starting in Dec, ending in Jan) and the website only offered valet. I was able to make a reservation ending Dec 31 for self-park, using Costco vouchers for each day. Since I won't actually leave the lot until a few days later in Jan, I'll pay the extra days upon exit, also with vouchers.
#277
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SFO or OAK
Programs: AA 1MM GLD, Hertz #1 Gold, bunch of other programs w/no status
Posts: 1,452
Do you know if they're keeping both lots? Or both lots (for storing cars) but only the "new" lot valet entrance? I was on the verge of buying a few Costco voucher packets for an upcoming trip, but just found a hotel that came in at just about the same price for 14 days' parking.
#279
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SFO or OAK
Programs: AA 1MM GLD, Hertz #1 Gold, bunch of other programs w/no status
Posts: 1,452
I ended up booking my 13 day parking reservation at PnF using the Costco vouchers. I had made a reservation up until Dec 31 online using the vouchers, and called in to have them add a second reservation extending it to Jan 4. When we arrived, the self-park lot was full, so ended up in valet. No issues, and service was very friendly. I asked the attendant when leaving about them switching to valet-only and she didn't seem to know anything about it, so maybe I got bad info from rep on phone earlier. I haven't tried making any new reservations yet.
#280
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AS 75K (OW), SK Silver (*A), UR, MR
Posts: 3,334
DW is going to SFO for her Global Entry interview next week, and it suddenly occured to us to use a Costco voucher for Park n Fly, valet parking not to forget. The pressure is off!
#281
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,895
If you have an AMEX card check for a $15 off $75 or similar offer for Park n Fly (expires 4/9)
#282
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
Just park your car at International Garage G. Just $8/hr.
I don't really think the GE interview can take that long.
#283
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AS 75K (OW), SK Silver (*A), UR, MR
Posts: 3,334
And driving from far away, I have no interest in waiting around in the cellphone lot until ready for entrance.
BART naturally is an option. But you’re at the mercy of someone else, and a one way ticket is more than $2.50.
Plus on top of it I have to carefully match walking to the enrollment center with the time of the appointment.
And who knows if they’re running late. A big machinery subject to all kinds of stuff such as a federal shutdown.
Not to forget returning to the car and being at the exit before the hour is up. No, that’s not going to work.
#284
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 3
Haha, I’m afraid so. I have been at G before. It took me an hour just to find it, park and get out of the garage.
And driving from far away, I have no interest in waiting around in the cellphone lot until ready for entrance.
BART naturally is an option. But you’re at the mercy of someone else, and a one way ticket is more than $2.50.
Plus on top of it I have to carefully match walking to the enrollment center with the time of the appointment.
And who knows if they’re running late. A big machinery subject to all kinds of stuff such as a federal shutdown.
Not to forget returning to the car and being at the exit before the hour is up. No, that’s not going to work.
And driving from far away, I have no interest in waiting around in the cellphone lot until ready for entrance.
BART naturally is an option. But you’re at the mercy of someone else, and a one way ticket is more than $2.50.
Plus on top of it I have to carefully match walking to the enrollment center with the time of the appointment.
And who knows if they’re running late. A big machinery subject to all kinds of stuff such as a federal shutdown.
Not to forget returning to the car and being at the exit before the hour is up. No, that’s not going to work.
#285
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,147
Well here's something I never thought I'd see - SFO is *reducing* the price of parking, although only for long-term.
From https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/...g-13781804.php :
Will be interesting to see how the other lots respond. $18 makes it cheaper than ParkSFO by the time you add in tax (but before their coupons), so you've got to presume they will have to reduce priced to stay competitive, especially given their own expansion. Similar for Park 'n' Fly and several others.
From https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/...g-13781804.php :
Believe it or not, San Francisco International Airport is celebrating the opening of its new, $154 million long-term parking garage by lowering its rates.
Starting May 1, the day rate at the six-story garage will drop to $18 a day, $7 less than the current $25 daily rate.
Starting May 1, the day rate at the six-story garage will drop to $18 a day, $7 less than the current $25 daily rate.