Airport Guide to San Jose International (SJC)

Airport Overview

Terminal Transfer | Getting into Town | Car Parking | Information Desks | Airport Facilities

Just 4km (2 miles) northwest of downtown San Jose, the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) is an important point of entry to the city and to California generally. It functions as an alternative to Oakland International Airport and San Francisco International Airport, both about 56km (35 miles) away. Often called the “capital of Silicon Valley”, this is one of the largest cities in California , and home to the headquarters of several technology companies.

Flights to Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport come in from several major hubs across the US. Since the opening of a new terminal in 2010, the previously much maligned airport has been transformed into a well-equipped and functional facility. You shouldn’t have too much trouble getting through it to San Jose.

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Terminal Transfer

There are two terminals. All international flights go through Terminal A. The new Terminal B building (officially opened in 2010) has two concourses and is used primarily by Southwest Airlines, Delta, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. There’s a free shuttle bus that runs between the two terminals and the outlying car parks every 15 minutes or so, although only in one direction – from Terminal A to Terminal B. If you need to go the other way, ask the driver for assistance.

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Getting into Town

Train: The free VTA Airport Flyer bus (no. 10) runs regularly between the airport and the Metro Light Rail Station and the Santa Clara Caltrain Station on a loop, leaving from the airport every 15–30 minutes between 5am and 11:30pm. From the Metro Light Rail Station you can buy a single ticket for $2, valid for two hours, or a day pass for $6. There’s also an Amtrak station 5km (3 miles) from the airport, although there’s no shuttle or bus service there – you’ll have to catch a taxi.

Taxi: There are a number of taxi companies that serve the airport, with cabs leaving from just outside the terminals. It should cost $15 to $18 to get to downtown San Jose.

Bus: There’s a bus stop in each of the Ground Transportation Centres across from the terminal entrances, where you can catch the free VTA Airport Flyer bus (no. 10) to the Metro Light Rail Station and the Santa Clara Caltrain Station. From there, there’s a decent network of light rail and bus routes.

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Car Parking

There’s a wealth of parking options at San Jose. The garages directly in front of the terminals cost $2 for every 30 minutes up to a daily maximum of $30, and $30 for each additional day. The economy lots are cheaper per day – the Daily Lots 4 and 6, to the west of Terminal B, have a flat rate of $22 a day, while Economy Lot 1, northeast of Terminal A, has a flat daily rate of $15. There is also a cell-phone waiting area between Technology Drive and the Highway 87 overcrossing, which is free. You can catch a free shuttle bus from Hourly Lot 5, Economy Lot 1 and Daily Lot 6.

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Information Desks

There is an information desk in the baggage claim area of Terminal A, manned by volunteers from the community. It’s open from 8am to 9pm, and from 9am on Sundays.

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Airport Facilities

Money and communications: ATMs and currency exchange, Fed-Ex and US Mail post box and telephones throughout.

 Luggage: Lost-and-found office in between Terminal A and Terminal B.

Conference and business: Terminal B has plug points for laptops in the seating area. American Airlines has a lounge in Terminal A with workstations and free Internet, complimentary hot drinks, newspapers and local telephone calls, as well as printers, fax and photocopy machines, and a message service. The lounge also has three fully equipped conference rooms seating 4, 6 and 8 people.

 Other facilities: Baby-changing facilities, pet relief areas, infant nursing rooms, mediation rooms, wheel chair assistance.

 Wi-Fi: There is free Wi-Fi throughout the airport.

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