San Francisco International Airport Parking
San Francisco, CA · SFO · 51.0M passengers/year
Parking Near San Francisco International Airport
SFO parking is expensive and often full. Official garage parking runs $36–44/day. Off-airport lots in South San Francisco and Millbrae run $15–25/day. BART is highly recommended for Bay Area travelers — SFO is one of the few airports where transit is genuinely faster and cheaper than driving and parking. Book off-airport lots 4–5 days ahead for weekend travel.
Short-Term vs Long-Term Parking at SFO
Short-Term Parking
Short-term parking in terminal garages starts at $4/20 min. Most convenient for pickups directly connected to each terminal. Best for stays under 2 hours.
Long-Term & Economy Parking
Long-term garage parking runs $36–44/day on-airport. Off-airport lots in South San Francisco run $15–25/day. For a 5-day trip, off-airport saves $55–145.
Best & Worst Parking at SFO
✅ Best Options
Off-airport lots in South San Francisco on Produce Ave run $15–25/day with free shuttles. Millbrae BART + AirTrain is best for those traveling without heavy luggage.
⚠️ Avoid
Official hourly garages at SFO run $4/20 min and are expensive for anything over a quick pickup. Terminal garage long-term at $44/day is hard to justify.
Getting to San Francisco International Airport Without a Car
BART's SFO-Millbrae line runs directly to SFO International Terminal every 15–20 minutes. Downtown San Francisco is about 30 minutes away. Free AirTrain connects the BART station to all terminals. BART is the best option for San Francisco and East Bay travelers.
San Francisco International Airport Terminals
- Terminal 1 (B Gates)
- Terminal 2 (C Gates/D Gates)
- Terminal 3 (E Gates/F Gates)
- International Terminal (A Gates/G Gates)
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I take BART to SFO or drive and park?
For most Bay Area travelers, BART is cheaper and often faster — especially from San Francisco, Oakland, and the East Bay. SFO parking costs $36–44/day. BART from Embarcadero to SFO costs $10.65 round trip. For 3+ day trips, BART saves $90+.
What is the cheapest parking near SFO?
Off-airport lots on Produce Ave in South San Francisco run $15–25/day with free 24-hour shuttle service. Book on ParkWhiz or SpotHero at least 4–5 days ahead for weekend travel.
How much does SFO long-term parking cost?
Official long-term garages run $36–44/day. Off-airport lots in South San Francisco run $15–25/day. For a 7-day trip, off-airport saves $77–203.
How does AirTrain at SFO work?
AirTrain is a free automated train that runs 24/7 connecting all four terminals, the BART station, rental car center, and long-term parking. Trains run every 4–8 minutes and are the fastest way to move between terminals.
How far in advance should I book SFO parking?
Book 4–5 days ahead for weekend travel and 1–2 weeks ahead for holidays. SFO inventory is tight, especially during summer and major tech conference weeks in the Bay Area.