Last edit by: RichardInSF
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:
- Generally highest rated by FTers
- Fast and regular shuttles
- Quick & easy access from 101 freeway
- 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
- More expensive than other off-airport options, especially if no coupon
- Reservations required or risk likely being turned away at entry
- Price listed online does not include tax and fees (which is around 16%)
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.
- Poor ratings (see yelp)
Anza
Pros:
- With Burlingame Airport Parking, the only parking South of airport (Other than BART)
- Easy access dropoff, not so easy to get back on freeway (S-101)
- 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!
- Poor shuttle service for SFO arrivals at busy weekend/holidays (30-45min wait)
- 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, even as part of a longer stay
- 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
#526
FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 34,039
#527




Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AS Titanium (OW), HA Platinum, SK Silver (ST), UA (*A), UR, MR, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 4,898
#528
FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 34,039
#529
Moderator: Chase Ultimate Rewards



Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 2P, MR LT Plat, IHG Plat, BW Dia, HH Au, Avis PC
Posts: 5,669
SFO On-airport Parking Sale: 20% Off until August 29
Just received this email from SFO's parking office:
Planning a trip from SFO? Take advantage of our flash sale by using code FLASH20 to book parking at any garage for an additional 20% off! Book your spot by August 29, 2024, to receive the discount. Offer is valid for garage entries through November 10, 2024.
#531
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 18,104
Park SFO now $20/day (undiscounted) - we paid an effective rate of $18/day all-in on a 4-day stay fter subtracting 1 day with the coupon. Those taxes will eat you alive!
On the plus side we literally waited zero minutes for the shuttle after we landed at SFO.
After the driver was done loading the shuttle driver told everyone that we needed to tip him because "sometimes people forget". This had the effect of reducting my tip from the usual $5 to $1 (which he only received because he did assist with luggage when we exited).
This place is prohibitive without coupons, but at least the shuttle frequency is good.
On the plus side we literally waited zero minutes for the shuttle after we landed at SFO.
After the driver was done loading the shuttle driver told everyone that we needed to tip him because "sometimes people forget". This had the effect of reducting my tip from the usual $5 to $1 (which he only received because he did assist with luggage when we exited).
This place is prohibitive without coupons, but at least the shuttle frequency is good.
#532




Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: AA, United, R34 ftw
Posts: 2,064
So used SFO Long term with coupons for in on Friday 6am ish and out Monday 11pm and it was $57.60 or so total with the coupon code posted above and the current sale. Almost 4 days so ~$15/day all in or a tad higher if you look at it as ~90 hours. It was a bit daunting finding a spot since the web site said it was 96% full, but we did find one after a bit of searching. Couldn't EV charge though as that was originally our plan since all the chargepoints were occupied.
#533
FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 34,039
Park SFO now $20/day (undiscounted) - we paid an effective rate of $18/day all-in on a 4-day stay fter subtracting 1 day with the coupon. Those taxes will eat you alive!
On the plus side we literally waited zero minutes for the shuttle after we landed at SFO.
After the driver was done loading the shuttle driver told everyone that we needed to tip him because "sometimes people forget". This had the effect of reducting my tip from the usual $5 to $1 (which he only received because he did assist with luggage when we exited).
This place is prohibitive without coupons, but at least the shuttle frequency is good.
On the plus side we literally waited zero minutes for the shuttle after we landed at SFO.
After the driver was done loading the shuttle driver told everyone that we needed to tip him because "sometimes people forget". This had the effect of reducting my tip from the usual $5 to $1 (which he only received because he did assist with luggage when we exited).
This place is prohibitive without coupons, but at least the shuttle frequency is good.
Even at similar pricing, I think I prefer ParkSFO over LTP. But the tipping comment was definitely inappropriate.
Cheers.
#534
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP; UA 1MM & PP; Marriott AMB; Hyatt Globalist; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 62,375
#535




Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AS Titanium (OW), HA Platinum, SK Silver (ST), UA (*A), UR, MR, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 4,898
#536
FlyerTalk Evangelist



Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 16,206
Park SFO now $20/day (undiscounted) - we paid an effective rate of $18/day all-in on a 4-day stay fter subtracting 1 day with the coupon. Those taxes will eat you alive!
On the plus side we literally waited zero minutes for the shuttle after we landed at SFO.
After the driver was done loading the shuttle driver told everyone that we needed to tip him because "sometimes people forget". This had the effect of reducting my tip from the usual $5 to $1 (which he only received because he did assist with luggage when we exited).
This place is prohibitive without coupons, but at least the shuttle frequency is good.
On the plus side we literally waited zero minutes for the shuttle after we landed at SFO.
After the driver was done loading the shuttle driver told everyone that we needed to tip him because "sometimes people forget". This had the effect of reducting my tip from the usual $5 to $1 (which he only received because he did assist with luggage when we exited).
This place is prohibitive without coupons, but at least the shuttle frequency is good.
as for pricing, where else are you going to go for better pricing (unless you want to do BART Milbrae, but not even cheaper, I don’t think, unless you are parked at least a week+ when you include BART fare back and forth). Parking Spot (formally Park ‘n Fly) and Anza all more expensive (IME), and not as convenient - Anza last time I used them put me in the old, not properly paved part of lot, then ‘forgot’ to stop at T2 even though I clearly told them that’s where I was going, then had a long wait for a shuttle back even with calling. LTP lot I used a bit during pandemic with promos.
end of pandemic and on, seems to often have the new garage closed off to Parkers. Hike from the old garage to train is a PITA.
last time, I had a 7am flight, so rather then shlep the fam super-early from East Bay, we did the park ‘n fly rate at Hyatt Regency. I think that worked out pretty well, obviously, with the caveat that although the parking add on is not expensive, it’s an additional hotel night/room cost.
#537
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 18,104
Anza is generally cheaper when reserved online (no prepay required). But - as many including myself have noted - you can often wait 30-60 minutes for an Anza shuttle from the airport back to the lot. So how much is your time worth - especially when returning late night and you just want to drive home and zzz ??!!
Obviously ParkSFO coupons are a no-brainer, but the best rates will vary depending on the length of your stay. $18 per day is high, $14 is competitive with Anza.
If <3 days I will typically park at terminal but that runs $36/day compared to $20+tax at ParkSFO.
If >8 days then it makes more sense for me to book a car service or maybe rideshare, but YMMV.
Obviously ParkSFO coupons are a no-brainer, but the best rates will vary depending on the length of your stay. $18 per day is high, $14 is competitive with Anza.
If <3 days I will typically park at terminal but that runs $36/day compared to $20+tax at ParkSFO.
If >8 days then it makes more sense for me to book a car service or maybe rideshare, but YMMV.
#538




Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AS Titanium (OW), HA Platinum, SK Silver (ST), UA (*A), UR, MR, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 4,898
I seem to remember for ParkSFO that for checking out you are allowed up to one hour past the time of day you checked in and to pay hourly up to four hours? Even if you use say an eight day coupon with three days free?
Added:
https://www.parksfo.com/faqs/
Added:
All rates are daily, Park SFO does not have hourly rates.
Last edited by vanillabean; Aug 6, 2024 at 4:15 pm
#539




Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SFO or OAK
Programs: AA 1MM GLD, Hertz #1 Gold, bunch of other programs w/no status
Posts: 1,755
Burlingame Airport Parking tends to be a little over $10/day all-in. Downside is the shuttle (shared with Hilton) only runs every 30 min or so. I come in from the north, so it's also a longer drive than Park SFO, which is what I usually use.
Never tried LTP before, but with the FLASH20 code for an upcoming 6 day stay it's pricing out at $86 all-in which is better than Park SFO even with the 2-day free coupon, which is ~$80 + tax. What is the tax at ParkSFO...9%, 10%?
[edit]: Actually, if tax is 9% and ParkSFO doesn't tax free days (do they?) then it's on par with LTP.
Never tried LTP before, but with the FLASH20 code for an upcoming 6 day stay it's pricing out at $86 all-in which is better than Park SFO even with the 2-day free coupon, which is ~$80 + tax. What is the tax at ParkSFO...9%, 10%?
[edit]: Actually, if tax is 9% and ParkSFO doesn't tax free days (do they?) then it's on par with LTP.
Last edited by mangoMan; Aug 6, 2024 at 3:05 pm
#540




Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: AA, United, R34 ftw
Posts: 2,064
Where LTP shines for me is when you have an ev and can charge the car when you're gone. You can literally come in on empty and have a 'full tank' on the way out. With the coupons and promos this works out well--if you can find a free charger.



