We usually fly out of Sacramento where the parking garage is right by the terminal.

Will be flying Friday to Northwestern game out of SFO and have a couple of questions on long term parking:

1. Looks like the long term lot is located right off of 101 by the Airport and off the Airport exit (we are coming from the North).

2. Anyone know if there is much chance of long term parking filling up by mid morning Friday of Labor Day weekend? If it is full any suggested back up options.

3. Looks like you take a shuttle from long term parking to the terminal, any feedback on how regularly and reliably these run?

Thanks for any tips or feedback.

NVBear78;842347451 said:

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We usually fly out of Sacramento where the parking garage is right by the terminal.

Will be flying Friday to Northwestern game out of SFO and have a couple of questions on long term parking:

1. Looks like the long term lot is located right off of 101 by the Airport and off the Airport exit (we are coming from the North).

2. Anyone know if there is much chance of long term parking filling up by mid morning Friday of Labor Day weekend? If it is full any suggested back up options.

3. Looks like you take a shuttle from long term parking to the terminal, any feedback on how regularly and reliably these run?

Thanks for any tips or feedback.

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When I traveled for business, I never parked at the airport long-term. There are a few major private companies, located a little farther away. The one we used was Park n Fly (no idea if it still exists). I never once had to wait more than 5 minutes for the shuttle from the lot to the airport, usually just a couple of minutes, or often even less than a minute (shuttle driver sees you upon entrance, then follows you to where you park). I'm sure they're all good like that, otherwise they'd quickly lose the lucrative business travel customers. As I remember, most of these lots are off of So. Airport Blvd. (2 exits before the airport, for you). Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I really, really doubt you'd have trouble at all getting a space at any of the lots going into Labor Day Weekend (big weekend for recreational trips, but far less business travel).

Wait, you're not a "burner"?!?

That's GREAT that you're going to the Northwestern game! I was just telling my wife the other day that, if we didn't have little kids, we'd be going, too. She loves Chicago and knows it better than I do, so she would have loved the trip. Let's hope the game goes our way too, especially for you all who are making the game. If you see Fitzgerald afterwards, do tell him he can kiss my azz.

Go Bears!

You're correct on location. LT parking filling up is great because usually (always?) they let you park in the international lot for the same price and then you just take the airtrain. The LT shuttle is pretty reliable and runs frequently maybe every 10 minutes? I would check the website if you need more granularity on the last answer.

I've parked in the long term lot a few times and the shuttles have been very regular. One thing my mother likes to do when she travels is get a room at the Best Western El Rancho Inn in Millbrae the night before she flies. They let you keep your vehicle there for the time you are gone and have a nice shuttle to and from the airport. I have done this a few times also, most recently a few weeks ago when traveling to Europe. From what I saw more and more people are taking advantage of this deal. The rooms at El Rancho are clean, reasonable and they give you the usual hotel type breakfast. I would not rate it above a 3 star, and in fact just checked and that is what Expedia has it. Guest review rating was 3.9 out of 5, which is lower than I usually like, and surprising given what I read on the first 3 pages of reviews (almost all 4s and 5s). This guest rated it a three out of five but the comment was actually pretty positive and accurate: "As a place to sleep after a long flight the hotel fitted the bill. Room was ok but clean & fine as a layover stop. Breakfast was complimentary & the free shuttle bus to/from airport was really handy."

On second thought, if you do happen to try El Rancho,, skip the hotel breakfast and head over to the Millbrae Pancake House, which is nearby. I think it's been there about 60 years.

Big C_Cal;842347459 said:

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When I traveled for business, I never parked at the airport long-term. There are a few major private companies, located a little farther away. The one we used was Park n Fly (no idea if it still exists). I never once had to wait more than 5 minutes for the shuttle from the lot to the airport, usually just a couple of minutes, or often even less than a minute (shuttle driver sees you upon entrance, then follows you to where you park). I'm sure they're all good like that, otherwise they'd quickly lose the lucrative business travel customers. As I remember, most of these lots are off of So. Airport Blvd. (2 exits before the airport, for you). Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I really, really doubt you'd have trouble at all getting a space at any of the lots going into Labor Day Weekend (big weekend for recreational trips, but far less business travel).


Go Bears!

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Park n Fly is still around. They can get crowded too, though.

I don't fly a lot, but I've had pretty good luck at the SFO long-term lot when I've parked there. The shuttles are frequent and ingress-egress is pretty good, especially if you have fastrak (which you can use to pay).

My only complaint is that when the long-term lot (an 8-story or so structure) is full, there are no signs telling you that as you approach. So you have to pull in the lot and do a directed drive-through before being sent to Lot D (which is the employee lot). It would be so much better if they had a sign at the stop light saying "Long Term Lot Full; Proceed to Lot D" or something like that. The shuttles from Lot D seem to run frequently as well.

I like Anza Parking (they are located south of the airport though, so might be a little less convenient for you).

With this coupon: http://www.anzaparking.com/sfo_parking_coupon.php you can park there for $13.75/day. Same price for valet, which is awesome b/c you give your ticket to the driver when he picks you up at the airport and by the time you're there your car is waiting for you.

Shuttles run every 5 minutes or so.

Park and Fly is far superior to the SFO long-term lot. Much more frequent shuttles in both directions. $3 per day cheaper as well ($15 vs. $18). On a Friday you should not have a problem getting a spot, particularly if you have an early flight.

I like Park SFO. Here are coupons to use: http://www.parksfo.com/coupons/. They do not take reservations. You might want to call them to see how close they are to being full. I hope you get to see a Cal win!

Go Bears!
Richard

I use Park SFO as well. With coupons and non valet parking it's a good deal and their shuttles are frequent.