Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport [SJC] — Ultimate Terminal Guide

Key Takeaways

• Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) consists of 2 terminals that are linked by a free shuttle bus that operates every 7 to 10 minutes.
• SJC features 3 lounges: 2 The Club at SJC in Terminal A and a USO Lounge between the 2 terminals.
• There are multiple ways to get to and from the airport, including Ace Rail, Amtrak, BART, Caltrain, and VTA buses.

Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) served 12.1 million passengers in 2023 and is the second busiest airport in the Bay Area.

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, SJC is well-connected to San Francisco and Oakland through numerous train services, offering an alternative airport for passengers departing or arriving in the Bay Area.

Southwest Airlines accounts for nearly 50% of the departing and arriving passengers at SJC with 116 peak daily departures, followed by Alaska Airlines as the next busiest airline.

Quick Info

Airport: Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)
Terminals: 2 terminals — A and B
Airport Address: 1701 Airport Blvd., San Jose, CA 95110
Distance From Downtown San José: 4 miles (6.5 km)
Website: flysanjose.com
Phone Number: 408-392-3600
Annual Passengers: More than 12 million
Flight Information: Departures and arrivals info can be found online

Airlines Operating From SJC

Terminal A

Terminal B

SJC Airport Terminals

SJC’s 2 terminals are situated in a long straight line with Terminal A at the north end and Terminal B at the south end. On 1 side of the terminal are the parking garages and terminal access roads, and on the other, the runways.

The airport is easily accessible from US-101 and the Guadalupe Freeway, and the rental car center is located on-airport property, directly across from Terminal B.

Terminal A

Terminal A handles domestic and international flights and processes all of the airport’s international arrivals.

The terminal is split across 2 buildings and 2 levels. The arrivals area and baggage claim are located across Terminal Drive in the same building as the parking garage on the lower level. A cafe, shop, and information counters are also on this level.

The departures building is across Terminal Drive with the ticketing counters on the lower level and the security checkpoint on the upper level. The international arrivals area with customs and immigration is on the lower level.

Flights operate from the terminal’s 17 gates numbered 1 to 7, 7a, and 8 to 16, and 2 The Club at SJC lounges can be found near gates A8 and A15.

Terminal B

Terminal B operates domestic flights and international departures (international arrivals are into Terminal A). Ticketing counters and baggage claim are located on the lower level, and the security checkpoint is on the upper level.

After clearing security, passengers will arrive into the departures concourse where there are 19 gates numbered B17 to B35. A good selection of shops and restaurants can be found in the departures area, and a USO Lounge is located pre-security between Terminals A and B.

Inter-terminal Transport

Courtesy shuttle buses loop Terminals A and B, the rental car center, and daily lot 4. Shuttles operate every 7 to 10 minutes.

Security and Customs at SJC

SJC has 2 security checkpoints — 1 located in Terminal A and the other in Terminal B. The Terminal A checkpoint opens at 4 a.m. and the Terminal B checkpoint opens at 4:15 a.m. Both close at the last departure.

TSA PreCheck

There are dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes at the security checkpoints that are open during peak hours.

SJC does not have a TSA Enrollment Center, with the closest location at 2570 N. 1st St., 245 San Jose, CA 95131.

Global Entry

There are Global Entry kiosks at SJC for passengers who have been approved for expedited clearance. Applicants must apply online and arrange an interview at an Enrollment Center, or participating airports with Enrollment on Arrival.

There’s no Global Entry Enrollment Center at SJC, but passengers can enroll on arrival from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Mobile Passport

SJC has dedicated Mobile Passport Control lines for speedier U.S. Customs and Border clearance.

Eligible participants must submit their details on arrival at SJC and obtain an instant receipt that can be presented to a CBP agent, along with your passport.

SJC Airport Lounges

* Hours are subject to change without notice. Lounge access may be restricted at times due to capacity.
** Day Pass for any passenger. Lounges marked as N/A only allow entry for eligible passengers in their premium cabins, frequent flyer programs, or participating credit card programs.

Hot Tip: Many personal and business credit cards include complimentary airport lounge access, so you can avoid paying for a lounge day pass at the airport.

Priority Pass

Priority Pass holders can access both locations of The Club at SJC with their membership 3 hours before their departure.

Dining and Drinks at SJC

SJC has 20+ restaurants, cafes, and fast-food counters. Both terminals have a cafe located outside the secure area, and all others are post-security.

SJC Wi-Fi and Charging Points

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout Terminals A and B, and you can connect by selecting “sjcfreewifi.”

SJC Airport Lost and Found

Passengers will need to submit a lost item form if they lose an item in one of the following locations:

• Curbside
• Terminal
• Parking lot
• Airport-operated shuttle
• Security checkpoint

You can visit the lost and found office between Terminals A and B or call the office at 408-392-3559. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you lose an item on board an aircraft, you need to contact the relevant airline.

Additional Airport Information

Information Services

Information booths are located in the baggage claim areas of both terminals and are staffed Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Children’s Play Area

SJC has a children’s play area called the Zoom Zone, located in Terminal B between gates 24 and 25. Built by the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, this interactive play area teaches kids all about flying.

Hot Tip: Explore the most kid-friendly U.S. airports and see why SJC was one of the top airports on our list.

Baby Facilities

SJC has 5 private nursing rooms located near gates 8, 18, 21, 24, and 26.

Traveling With a Pet

While SJC doesn’t rank among the top pet-friendly airports, SJC has 4 pet relief areas located at:

• Terminal A, north of the ticketing area outside
• Terminal A, south of the parking garage outside
• Terminal B, north of the ticketing area outside
• Between gates 16 and 17 (inside the secure area)

Smoking Areas

Smoking is only permitted in designated areas outside the terminals.

Money

ATMs are located in the baggage claim areas and near gates 6, 10, 13, 15, between 17 and 18, and 26. They’re also located in the arrivals area and rental car facility.

Luggage Storage

There are no luggage storage facilities at SJC.

Important SJC Phone Numbers

Customer Service: 408-392-3600

Parking Services: 408-441-5570

Lost and Found: 408-392-3559

Travel to and From SJC

Transport Options

Train

• Ace Rail: The Altamont Corridor Express is a commuter service from San Jose to Stockton. Passengers can ride the VTA Airport Flyer bus (route 60) from the airport to Santa Clara Caltrain Station to pick up services.
• Amtrak: Services depart from San Jose Diridon Station. To reach the station, take the VTA Airport Flyer bus to the Metro/Airport LRT Station and then the Green Line to San Jose Diridon Station.
• BART: Services to Oakland and San Francisco depart from the Milpitas BART Transit Center. From the airport, take the VTA Airport Flyer bus to the transit center.
• Caltrain: This commuter rail service runs along the San Francisco Peninsula from the Santa Clara Caltrain Station. From the airport, take the VTA Airport Flyer bus to the station.

Bus

• VTA Bus: Route 60 provides free services from the airport to the train stations and transit centers mentioned above, as well as the Winchester Transit Center. A small charge applies for routes to the airport.
• Greyhound Bus: Take the VTA Airport Flyer bus followed by the green line to Diridon Station to connect to Greyhound services.
• Scheduled Buses: Buses pick up passengers from stop 4 at the Terminal A ground transportation center and stop 10 directly across from at the Terminal B baggage claim.

Door-to-Door Shuttles

Shuttles are available on a pre-arranged or on-demand basis. On-demand shuttles depart from stop 2 at both terminals and pre-arranged shuttles pick up at Terminal A, stop 3, and Terminal B, stop 11. The airport recommends these door-to-door shuttle companies.

Limousines

Pre-arranged limousines pick up from the following locations:

• Terminal A: On the first floor of Hourly Lot 2 (Terminal A Garage) outside the baggage claim
• International Arrivals: At the southeast side of lot 2, from stop 3
• Terminal B: South of Terminal B, from hourly lot 5

Taxi

Taxis are available from stop 2 at Terminal A and stop 1 at Terminal B. Pre-arranged taxis pick up from stop 3 at Terminal A and stop 11 at Terminal B.

Rideshare

Rideshare operators Uber, Lyft, and Wingz are authorized to operate from SJC. Vehicles may drop off curbside, and pick up from stop 1 at Terminal A and stops 8 and 9 from Terminal B.

Directions by Car to SJC

Arriving From Downtown San Jose

Take CA-87 N and then exit 8 for Skyport Drive towards Mineta San José Int’l Airport. Turn left onto Skyport Drive and then merge onto Airport Boulevard for access to the terminals.

Arriving From Downtown San Francisco

Take US-101 to exit 389 for Brokaw Road towards First Street. Keep right at the fork and merge onto Airport Parkway. Take a slight right onto Airport Boulevard for access to the terminals.

SJC Airport Parking Information

Economy Lot 1

Economy lot 1 is around half a mile from the terminals, and passengers may ride the courtesy shuttle bus between the parking lot and the terminal. Parking costs $18 per day.

Terminal Lots 2, 3, and 5

Terminal lot 2 is directly opposite Terminal A, terminal lot 3 is opposite Terminal B, and terminal lot 5 is next to Terminal B. All provide covered and uncovered parking and charge $2 per 20 minutes (for the first day only). Daily rates are $24 for terminal lot 2, $38 for terminal lot 3, and $30 for terminal lot 5.

Hot Tip: Electric vehicle charging stations are located in terminal lot 2 and terminal lot 5 and are free to use on a first-come, first-served basis.

Daily Lot 4

The daily lot 4 is located south of the rental car center, and passengers can ride the looping inter-terminal shuttle bus to/from the parking lot. Parking is charged at $2 per 20 minutes (for the first day only) and a daily rate of $30.

Pick-up and Drop-off Parking

SJC has 2 cell phone waiting lots, with 1 located south of Terminal B off Airport Boulevard and the other along Airport Parkway. Visitors may wait with their vehicles for free for up to 30 minutes before proceeding to the curbside pick-up area.

Off-site and Hotel Parking

If you’re looking for the cheapest parking available, then off-site lots and hotels will offer you the best rates. Most of the off-site lots are located 1 to 3 miles away from the airport and operate free airport shuttle buses to and from the terminals.

Daily parking starts from $7 when booked with airportparkingreservations.com, which is significantly cheaper than the airport’s lowest daily rate of $18.

Parking for Passengers With Disabilities

Accessible parking spaces are located in all SJC parking lots and are charged at the standard rate.

Parking Contact Number

General Inquiries: 408-441-5570

Car Rental at SJC Airport

The rental car center is located across from Terminal B, and passengers can walk across the crosswalks from baggage claim. Passengers arriving into Terminal A can ride the terminal shuttle bus to the rental car center.

The following rental companies are available at the rental car center:

Hot Tip: Avoid paying expensive insurance fees directly with the rental agency by registering for a credit card that includes car rental insurance as a benefit.

SJC Airport Hotels

Although there are no hotels on-site, there are a lot of choices for accommodation within easy reach of the airport.

Top 3 Hotel Stays Using Points

The DoubleTree by Hilton San Jose is just 5 minutes from SJC thanks to its complimentary airport shuttle, available to all guests. The hotel also offers an outdoor pool, fitness center, on-site restaurant, and an executive lounge for Hilton Diamond members. Hilton does not publish an award chart, so award nights start from 39,000 points per night. Nights tend to be much cheaper during the weekend when there are fewer business travelers.

Located both near the SJC airport and in the heart of Silicon Valley, the Residence Inn by Marriott San Jose Airport boasts all the amenities you’ll need for a comfortable stay. Rooms come with a fully equipped kitchen and complimentary grocery delivery service so you can cook your favorite meals during your stay. The hotel also offers free hot breakfast every morning, along with a fitness center, outdoor pool, and complimentary airport shuttle. Award nights start at 31,000 points per night.

The Hyatt House San Jose Airport offers a comfortable, no-frills stay for those who need to stay near the airport. Hyatt House offers pet-friendly rooms, a complimentary airport shuttle, a fitness center, and an omelet bar each morning. Those looking to use their World of Hyatt points for an award stay can do so at this Category 3 property from just 9,000 points per night.

Hot Tip: If you’re looking to top off your points to stay at any of these options, see our guides on the best ways to earn Hilton Honors points, World of Hyatt points, or Marriott Bonvoy points.

Final Thoughts

SJC is an easy airport to navigate with 2 terminals that are connected inside the secure area. With the car rental center and many of the parking lots within walking distance of the terminal, everything is conveniently located on airport property.

With a 28% increase in passenger traffic over the 3 years before the pandemic, SJC has been developing a long-term plan to increase capacity. In fact, SJC is forecasting to serve 22.5 million by 2037 passengers as it continues to grow, and the current improvement program covers increased parking and departure gates.