ParkSFO v. QuikParkSFO a/k/a Aloft hotel, Millbrae

Having recently used QuikParkSFO for the first (and maybe last) time I thought I'd offer my observations:

Price: QuikPark is slightly cheaper for 2+ days but only if you make non-refundable advance payment via internet. ParkSFO outdoor lot is cheaper without reservation.

Convenience: QuikPark is better approaching SFO from the Peninsula, right off the Millbrae exit. Easy to find a space without driving around lot. ParkSFO is maybe 2 minutes farther up 101 and sometime requires additional time in lot to find a space.

Shuttle Service ParkSFO wins hands down. Never had to wait more than 5m, they use multiple shuttles and will even drop you in the lot at your car. A straight shot from airport on return, slightly longer trip on outbound. Predictable, i.e. no need to pad your schedule. QuikPark shuttle took 20m (timed it) after I boarded to get me to the American terminal. He drove around the lot, then to the Westin hotel, then international terminal, and finally to domestic. And shuttle theoretically runs every 20-30m. Very slow. Similar on return, though had to wait a few minutes at curb.

Overall For me the top factor is time, which is extremely valuable. ParkSFO seems far more reliable and saves me time v. Quikpark. If you have a 7-day holiday or vacation trip then maybe worth savings at QP, but otherwise I'm sticking with ParkSFO assuming they aren't continuously sold out.

Just to add that QuikParkSFO has a frequent parker program where you get one sticker for each stay and 3 stickers = 1 free day, 6 stickers = 3 free days and 12 stickers = 1 week free (and it's "very high tech" so if your friends are using Quikpark, don't forget to give them your card to get stickered" ;))

Any suggestions for a month of parking at SFO? I see Sky Park is up to $190.

Assuming taxi is too expensive (from Morgan Hill?) maybe consider a monthly parking spot at Caltrain Burlingame for $40? Check first to see how long you can park there. Alternatively BART offers long-term airport parking ($156 for 30 days at Millbrae). Finally maybe see if you can find a lot in San Mateo which may be outside the gouge zone for SFO. Taxis only run @ $20.

Taxis are very expensive and even shuttles are quite high. Millbrae Bart sounds very good. Thanks.

Caltrain is 24 hours maximum, even if you have a monthly parking pass - plus you can't buy a monthly parking pass without also having either monthly caltrain ticket or at least an 8-pass ticket.

30 days at Millbrae BART will be at least $168 (if the weekends line up correctly - $180 if they don't) - plus $8 for the train.

Instead of paying for a month of parking, check into renting a car. Depending on discounts, where you pick up the car, and when (weekends tend to be cheaper), you may come out ahead with 2 one-way rentals.

Thanks for the nice review. We're flying out of SFO on Thanksgiving day. I contacted ParkSFO (our preferred) and they expect to be full. Valet at normal rates possible, but he suggested to call that morning.

So, I went with Quik Park to get a reservation. I called and he indicated that they won't give any more reservations if they don't have space (I know that's the case at the Quik Park SJC, which is our overall favorite). He also indicated that they go straight from their facility to the airport. This is at odds with your review, and I'm inclined to believe you...but at least that was the claim :)

Cheers.

Has BAP set a new high in off-airport parking? Their web site shows the rate jumping to $15 a day Dec 13-Jan 2. I do have JFK trip in there but think I'll BART down for it as it would take five parking days.

Years ago that was the case but to/from the Peninsula that hasn't been true for years. Much better to take SuperShuttle (if you want cheapest) or a car service (if you want convenience).

Depends a lot on where and when. I've been using one-way rentals on and off for the past 6 months, and frequently they are cheaper than parking.

eg, Budget today will do a one-way SJC to SFO for about $15. If you happen to live near to SJC like I do (via the free VTA bus there from Santa Clara) then that works out significantly cheaper than parking. At other times these one-ways can be over $100, which makes it not worth it.

QuikparkSFO is back down to $10.80 ($8.00 + $2.80 tax) per day

And now a Bart parking question....

I know Millbrae Bart parking is free on weekends starting at 3pm on Friday but how sticky are they for 15 minutes as I'd rather catch the 2:45 train to SFO than the 3:05 train

They'd have to allow time for someone to park and then use the pay machine inside the station. How long they'd allow for that? Who knows.

Remember it's not a straight meter, they use the central machine. Parking is also not by the hour, it's by the day.

So it's fairly likely that by 2:45 p.m., you're getting someone's spot who vacated previously (and already paid).

They would have to prove the spot went unpaid all day, and you took it, in order to back a ticket.

I don't think that's how it works.

If I had to guess, BART Police probably checks the machine sometime after rush hour, gets a report of unpaid spots, and starts writing tickets. Once a day, low budget.

The chance of that happening at 2:45 p.m. exactly is quite low.

Totally agree. Plus, no matter what time you wander through that parking lot, you will rarely (if ever) see anyone enforcing it.