Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport

San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) is Silicon Valley's primary airport, serving the South Bay and the heart of the technology industry. Located approximately 3 miles northwest of downtown San Jose, the airport handles around 15 million passengers annually and offers a convenient alternative to San Francisco International (SFO) and Oakland International (OAK) for travelers visiting the Bay Area.

The airport has two terminals arranged in a linear layout:

• Terminal A: Southwest Airlines (primary hub), Spirit Airlines, Sun Country, Volaris
• Terminal B: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, United Airlines, international carriers

Southwest Airlines operates the majority of flights at SJC, making Terminal A the busier of the two. Terminal B handles most legacy carriers and all international flights.

The terminals are connected airside via a connector walkway past the security checkpoints, making transfers between terminals straightforward without re-screening.

Bay Area Airports

The San Francisco Bay Area has three major airports. Connections between them require ground transportation—there are no direct links.

San Francisco (SFO) — 49 km north

• United hub, major international gateway
• Best for: International flights, San Francisco destinations

Oakland (OAK) — 47 km north

• Southwest hub, budget alternative
• Best for: East Bay, budget domestic flights

Connecting between San Jose and SFO/OAK:

Route	Method	Time	Cost
SJC ↔ SFO	Caltrain + BART	90-120 min	~$15
SJC ↔ SFO	Uber/Lyft	40-70 min	$50-90
SJC ↔ OAK	BART + bus/shuttle	90+ min	~$15
SJC ↔ OAK	Uber/Lyft	45-75 min	$60-100

Step-by-step transit to SFO:

1. Take VTA bus (Route 10 or Airport Flyer) to Santa Clara Caltrain
2. Caltrain northbound to Millbrae station
3. Transfer to BART (same station) for SFO

Minimum connection time: Allow 3-4 hours between separate bookings. Highway 101 traffic can be severe during Silicon Valley rush hours (7-10am, 4-8pm).

Pro tip: If you're visiting Silicon Valley companies, SJC is usually the most convenient airport. But for international flights, check SFO first—its route network is much larger, and total travel time may be similar once you factor in layovers.

SJC is conveniently located approximately 3 miles from downtown San Jose, making it one of the most accessible airports in the Bay Area:

• Downtown San Jose: 10-15 minutes by car or VTA Light Rail
• Santa Clara/Levi's Stadium: 10-15 minutes
• Mountain View/Googleplex: 15-25 minutes
• Palo Alto/Stanford: 20-30 minutes
• Cupertino/Apple Park: 15-25 minutes
• San Francisco: 50-70 minutes (depending on traffic)

VTA Light Rail connects the airport directly to downtown San Jose and the Caltrain system, providing a traffic-free option for reaching destinations throughout Silicon Valley.

Uber and Lyft are available at SJC with a designated pickup area:

To find rideshare pickup:

1. Exit baggage claim and follow signs to "Rideshare/TNC Pickup"
2. Cross to the center median area
3. Wait at the designated rideshare zone

Typical rideshare fares (2025):

• Downtown San Jose: $15-25
• Santa Clara: $15-25
• Mountain View: $25-40
• Palo Alto: $35-50
• Cupertino (Apple Park): $25-40
• San Francisco: $70-100

Wait times are typically 5-10 minutes. Surge pricing can occur during peak commute hours and after major flight arrivals.

Taxis are available outside baggage claim at both terminals. Metered fares:

• Downtown San Jose: $20-30
• Mountain View: $35-50
• San Francisco: $90-120

VTA Light Rail provides direct service from SJC to downtown San Jose and connections to Caltrain for destinations throughout the Peninsula.

Getting to VTA Light Rail

1. From baggage claim, follow signs to "VTA Light Rail" or "Ground Transportation"
2. Take the free Airport Flyer shuttle (Route 10) from the terminal to the Metro/Airport Station
3. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes and takes about 5 minutes
4. Board the VTA Blue or Green Line

Note: The VTA station is not directly at the terminal. The free Airport Flyer shuttle connects the terminals to the Metro/Airport Light Rail station.

Fares and Destinations (as of 2025)

Destination	Fare	Time
Metro/Airport Station	Free shuttle	5 min
Santa Clara (Caltrain connection)	$2.50	15 min
Downtown San Jose (Diridon Station)	$2.50	25 min
Convention Center	$2.50	20 min

VTA hours: Service runs approximately 5 AM to midnight daily. Check current schedules for late-night travel.

Caltrain Connection

For destinations on the Peninsula (Palo Alto, Mountain View, San Francisco):

1. Take VTA Light Rail to the Santa Clara station (15 min)
2. Transfer to Caltrain (same station)
3. Caltrain runs north to San Francisco (~1.5 hours to SF) and south

Caltrain fares: Vary by zone. San Francisco is approximately $10 from Santa Clara.

VTA Bus Routes

Several VTA bus routes serve the airport:

• Route 10 (Airport Flyer): Free shuttle to Metro/Airport Light Rail station
• Route 60: Connects to Milpitas and Santa Clara

SJC offers multiple parking options (as of 2025):

Short-Term Parking

Location	Rate	Notes
Hourly Lot	$3/hour, $36/day max	Closest to terminals
Terminal Parking Garage	$3/hour, $30/day max	Covered, walking distance

Long-Term Parking

Location	Daily Rate	Notes
Economy Lot A	$18/day	Free shuttle to terminals
Economy Lot B	$18/day	Free shuttle to terminals
Long-Term Garage	$24/day	Covered parking

Off-site alternatives: Private lots along Airport Boulevard offer rates from $8-15/day with free shuttle service. Pre-booking is recommended, especially during holidays.

Cell phone lot: Free parking while waiting for arriving passengers, located on Airport Boulevard.

SJC offers a solid selection of dining options, with local and national chains represented:

Terminal A (Southwest):

• La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill: Burritos, tacos, and Mexican favorites
• Peet's Coffee: Bay Area coffee chain
• Gordon Biersch: California brewery and restaurant
• Sushi Maki: Japanese cuisine
• Starbucks: Multiple locations

Terminal B:

• Left Bank Brasserie: French-inspired California cuisine
• Yankee Pier: Seafood and raw bar
• Andale Mexican Restaurant: Fresh Mexican food
• Peet's Coffee: Espresso and coffee drinks
• Mediterranean Wraps: Quick healthy options
• Quiznos: Sandwiches

Best terminal for food variety: Terminal B offers more sit-down dining options. Terminal A is better for quick-service.

Local tip: Left Bank Brasserie in Terminal B is one of the better airport restaurants in the Bay Area, with a full bar and quality food.

Free WiFi is available throughout SJC:

• Network name: SJC Free Wi-Fi
• Cost: Free, unlimited
• Quality: Generally adequate for browsing, email, and video calls

To connect:

1. Select "SJC Free Wi-Fi" from available networks
2. Open your browser and accept terms
3. Connection activates

For faster speeds, airline lounges offer premium WiFi options.

SIM cards and mobile services are available at:

• InMotion Entertainment (both terminals): Prepaid SIM cards and travel tech
• Best Buy Express kiosks

Major U.S. carriers available:

• T-Mobile prepaid: Starting around $30
• AT&T prepaid: Starting around $35

eSIM option: T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon offer eSIM activation through their apps for compatible phones.

ATMs are located throughout both terminals:

• Near security checkpoints
• Inside terminal concourses near gates
• Baggage claim areas

Major banks represented include Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo. Out-of-network fees are typically $3-5 per withdrawal.

Currency exchange: Limited currency exchange services are available. For better rates, use a no-foreign-fee bank card or services like Wise.

SJC offers convenience shopping throughout both terminals:

Terminal A:

• Hudson News: Books, magazines, travel essentials
• SJC Market: Snacks and convenience items
• Tech on the Go: Electronics and accessories

Terminal B:

• InMotion Entertainment: Electronics, headphones, travel tech
• Hudson News: Reading material and sundries
• SJC Newsstand: Magazines and travel items

Duty-Free: Limited duty-free shopping is available for international departures in Terminal B.

Local finds: Look for Silicon Valley and San Jose-themed souvenirs. The selection is modest compared to larger airports.

SJC has limited lounge options compared to larger Bay Area airports:

Alaska Lounge

• Location: Terminal B, near Gate B10
• Access: Alaska Lounge membership, Alaska MVP Gold 75K, First Class on Alaska, Oneworld Sapphire/Emerald
• Amenities: Complimentary food, beverages, WiFi, workstations

The Club SJC

• Location: Terminal B
• Access: Priority Pass, Diners Club, day pass purchase (~$50)
• Hours: Varies based on flight schedules
• Amenities: Snacks, beverages, WiFi, seating

Airline Lounges

• Delta Sky Club: Not available at SJC
• United Club: Not available at SJC
• American Admirals Club: Not available at SJC

Note: SJC's lounge options are limited. Travelers with Priority Pass have access to The Club. Premium cabin passengers on airlines without dedicated SJC lounges may have access to partner lounges.

Day Pass Options

The Club SJC sells day passes for approximately $50 when space permits.

Near Airport:

SJC does not have on-airport hotels, but several options are within minutes:

• Hyatt House San Jose/Silicon Valley: Modern extended-stay hotel, 5-minute drive
• Four Points by Sheraton San Jose Airport: Free airport shuttle, 5 minutes
• DoubleTree by Hilton San Jose: Full-service hotel, 10 minutes
• The Domain Hotel: Boutique option in nearby Sunnyvale, 10 minutes
• Hyatt Place San Jose/Downtown: In downtown San Jose, 10-minute VTA ride

Budget Options:

Hotels along North First Street and near the airport offer rates from $100-150/night with airport shuttles:

• TownePlace Suites San Jose Santa Clara
• Hampton Inn San Jose Airport
• Staybridge Suites San Jose

Downtown San Jose (10-15 minutes via VTA):

• The Fairmont San Jose: Landmark downtown hotel
• San Jose Marriott: Convention center location
• AC Hotel by Marriott San Jose Downtown: Modern boutique option

For early departures, hotels along Airport Boulevard offer the quickest access to terminals.

San Jose and Silicon Valley offer unique attractions, particularly for technology enthusiasts:

Tech Tourism:

• Apple Park Visitor Center (Cupertino, 20 min): Tour Apple's flagship campus and store
• Computer History Museum (Mountain View, 20 min): Extensive technology history exhibits
• Googleplex (Mountain View, 20 min): View Google's campus and Android sculpture garden (exterior only)
• Intel Museum (Santa Clara, 15 min): Free museum on semiconductor history

Downtown San Jose (10-15 min via VTA):

• San Pedro Square Market: Food hall and nightlife hub
• The Tech Interactive: Hands-on science and technology museum
• San Jose Museum of Art: Contemporary art in a historic building
• SAP Center: Home of the San Jose Sharks (NHL)

Nature and Parks:

• Santana Row: Upscale outdoor shopping and dining district (10 min)
• Japanese Friendship Garden: Peaceful park in downtown San Jose
• Almaden Quicksilver County Park: Hiking and historic mining trails (25 min)

Day Trips:

• San Francisco: 1-1.5 hours via Caltrain or car
• Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: 45 minutes to the coast
• Monterey/Carmel: 1.5 hours south for coastal beauty and the aquarium
• Napa/Sonoma Wine Country: 1.5-2 hours north

Getting Around Silicon Valley: Having a car is convenient for exploring the South Bay, as destinations are spread out. VTA Light Rail and Caltrain work well for downtown San Jose and destinations along the Peninsula corridor.

Weather Note: San Jose enjoys mild, Mediterranean weather with more sunshine and less fog than San Francisco. Summers are warm and dry (70-85°F), while winters are mild with occasional rain (50-60°F). Pack layers for cooler evenings year-round.

Why choose SJC over SFO: SJC offers shorter security lines, easier parking, and faster access to South Bay destinations. For travelers visiting Silicon Valley companies, SJC is typically the more convenient choice. SFO offers more flight options and international routes.