How much is it to leave my car at SFO?

[LaBarrett]

Parking at SFO costs between $18 to $36 per day for official long-term options, with off-site lots starting as low as $6 per day. The final price depends on your chosen lot, duration, and vehicle size. For a typical week-long trip, expect to pay $126 to $252 at an official SFO garage, while comparable off-site parking can cut that cost by 30-50%.

The most direct factor in your cost is choosing between SFO’s official onsite parking and privately operated off-site lots. Onsite parking offers maximum convenience but at a premium, while off-site lots provide significant savings, usually with a short shuttle ride to the terminals.

Official SFO Onsite Parking Rates (Daily)

• Long-Term Garage: $18 per day. This is SFO’s most economical official option, located in the Rental Car Center with a mandatory AirTrain connection.
• Domestic Garage: $36 per day. Centrally located for Terminals 1-3.
• International Garage: $28-$36 per day. Serves the International Terminal.
• Valet Parking: $45 per day. The most expensive but most convenient front-door service.

For short stops, hourly rates apply. The Domestic and International Garages charge $2 per 20 minutes, with a daily maximum hitting their 24-hour rate.

Off-site parking near SFO is consistently cheaper. Rates fluctuate based on demand, season, and amenities (like covered vs. uncovered spots). Airport industry data shows off-site daily rates typically range from $6 to $22, with an average around $14-$19 per day. Many include free, frequent shuttle service to all terminals.

Parking Type	Daily Rate Range	Key Features
SFO Official (Onsite)	$18 - $45	Maximum convenience, direct terminal access or AirTrain, secure.
Off-Site (Private)	$6 - $22 (avg. $14-$19)	Requires shuttle, often includes reservation discounts, can be valet or self-park.

To get the best deal, always reserve your spot in advance. For SFO official parking, use the SFO Parking Reservation system. For off-site lots, use comparison and booking platforms like SpotHero or The Parking Spot. Pre-booking online often locks in a lower rate than driving up without a reservation.

Be mindful of vehicle height restrictions if you drive a large SUV, van, or truck. The Domestic Garage clearance is 6 feet 6 inches, while the International Garage accommodates vehicles up to 8 feet 2 inches. Most off-site shuttles and facilities can handle larger vehicles, but it’s wise to confirm during booking.

Ultimately, the cost to leave your car at SFO is a trade-off between budget and convenience. For trips under three days, the time saved using an onsite garage may justify the higher daily rate. For longer trips, the savings from a reserved off-site lot are substantial. Always factor in the shuttle time (typically 10-20 minutes) when planning your airport arrival.

[Trenton]

As someone who flies out of SFO every month, I never just drive up. I always book ahead. Last trip, I paid $19.50 a day at an off-site lot with a covered spot and a shuttle that ran every 5 minutes. It took me 15 minutes from parking to my terminal.

If I’m only gone for a night or two, I might splurge on the Domestic Garage for $36 a day. The walk to the terminal is unbeatable. But for anything longer, that adds up way too fast. My rule is: over 48 hours, I go off-site.

The key is using an app to compare. Prices change daily like hotel rooms. I’ve seen the same lot range from $15 to $28 a day. Booking on a Tuesday for a Thursday flight usually gets me the best price.

[StTheo]

We’re a family of five, so saving on parking means more for souvenirs. Our minivan fits in most lots, but we always check the height. SFO’s long-term lot at $18 a day is a steal, but the AirTrain with all our bags and kids is a hassle.

We’ve had great luck with the valet-style off-site places. You pull up, they take your car, and a shuttle is right there. We paid around $22 a day last summer, and they had our van ready when we landed. For a week’s vacation, that’s over $100 saved compared to the main garages.

My advice? Book the off-site shuttle parking. Look for coupons online, and always leave an extra 30 minutes for the shuttle process. With kids, that buffer is a lifesaver.

[DeSophia]

For business travel, my priority is reliability and speed. I typically use SFO’s Valet parking at $45 daily. The cost is expensable, and the time saved is worth it. I pull up to my departure terminal, hand my keys over, and I’m done. Upon return, my car is often waiting curbside.

If my trip is extended, I opt for the International Garage. At $36 a day, it’s a short walk from the International Terminal, and my corporate card gets charged a predictable, receipt-able amount.

I only consider off-site if I have a very early morning or very late-night flight where traffic is light and shuttle timing is predictable. In those cases, I reserve a spot at a reputable, well-reviewed lot near the freeway exit for about $25 a day.

[Laurie]

Living nearby, I drive friends and family to SFO often and have researched all the options. The official airport rates are just the starting point. The real savings are off-site.

Don’t be scared by the lower prices. Lots like Anza or Park 'N Fly by the Millbrae Avenue exit are secure and have been operating for years. Their shuttles are efficient. I’ve seen daily rates as low as $8.99 for an uncovered spot during off-peak times.

Always, and I mean always, check the height limit if you have a roof box or a tall vehicle. Getting stuck at the garage entrance is a nightmare. For oversized vehicles, the off-site lots are usually more accommodating.

My go-to move is to check prices on a booking site a week out, then again two days before the trip. If prices drop, some services let you rebook at the lower rate. A little effort can easily save you $50 on a week-long trip.