San José Mineta International Airport
Also known as: San Jose Airport, SJC Airport, San Jose International Airport, San Jose California Airport, Mineta Airport, Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport. Formerly San Jose Municipal Airport.
Private transfer from SJCSee pricesSee pricesAbout San José Mineta International Airport
San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) is the airport for San Jose, California, and the heart of Silicon Valley at the south end of San Francisco Bay. The City of San José owns and runs it.
Southwest Airlines carries most passengers and flies across the West, Hawaii and to cities such as Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Nashville and Baltimore. Alaska Airlines adds Seattle, Portland, Hawaii and Mexico, and Delta, United and American link SJC with their hubs in Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Denver, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth and Phoenix. Volaris flies to Guadalajara and other cities in Mexico, and ZIPAIR has seasonal flights to Tokyo Narita.
Flights use two terminals, A and B, set in a line along Terminal Drive and connected inside security. All international arrivals clear customs in Terminal A.
The airport sits about 3 miles (5 km) northwest of downtown San Jose, between US 101, I-880 and SR 87, so the drive downtown is short outside rush hour. From here travelers head to downtown San Jose and the SAP Center, Santa Clara and Levi's Stadium, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Cupertino and Palo Alto.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
City of San José Airport Department
- Passengers per year
About 10.7 million in 2025
- Runways
Two parallel runways, 12L/30R and 12R/30L, each 11,000 ft (3,353 m)
- Terminals
Terminal A (gates 1 to 16) and Terminal B (gates 17 to 36)
- Main airline
Southwest Airlines
Arrival tips for San José Mineta International Airport
Domestic flights arrive without any passport check: walk down to baggage claim at your terminal. At Terminal A, baggage claim is on the lower level of the building across Terminal Drive that also holds the Terminal A garage; at Terminal B, it is on the lower level of the terminal itself.
All international flights arrive at Terminal A, whatever terminal they leave from. You go through US Customs and Border Protection on the lower level of the international arrivals area, collect your bags and pass customs before you exit. Visitors need an approved ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program or a valid US visa.
Outside, follow the ground transportation signs. Each kind of ride has its own numbered stop: taxis, app-based rideshares, pre-arranged cars and the free VTA Airport Flyer bus. Pre-arranged cars and limousines wait outside baggage claim at Hourly Lot 2 for Terminal A and Hourly Lot 5 for Terminal B; international arrivals use Terminal A's stop 3. Ignore anyone offering rides inside the terminal.
San Jose is on Pacific Time.
Ground transportation
Most travelers take a taxi, a rideshare or a pre-booked car, since the airport is close to downtown and Silicon Valley; the free Airport Flyer bus connects with rail.
Compare providers for your exact address
Enter your hotel to see the price and every provider serving it.
Book a transfer from SJCTaxi from San Jose airport
On-demand taxis wait at Terminal A stop 2 and Terminal B stop 1. The ride to downtown San Jose, about 3 miles away, is short outside rush hour.
Uber, Lyft and Waymo
App-based rideshares pick up at Terminal A stop 1 and Terminal B stops 8 to 10, across from the Rental Car Center; Waymo uses Terminal A stop 9 and Terminal B stop 7. International arrivals use the Terminal A location.
VTA Airport Flyer (route 60)
The free route 60 bus stops at both terminals and links them with the Metro/Airport light rail station, the Santa Clara Caltrain station and Milpitas BART. It is the cheapest option but means a change to reach most addresses.
Private transfer
A pre-booked car meets you at the pre-arranged pickup zone outside baggage claim, useful for families, groups, business travelers and trips up the Peninsula. It has to be booked ahead.
Rental cars
All rental companies are in the Rental Car Center directly across from Terminal B, reached on foot from Terminal B or by free shuttle bus from Terminal A.
Moving between terminals
- 1
Walk inside security
Terminals A and B are connected airside, so you can change terminals for a connecting flight without going through security again.
- 2
Free shuttle bus
Free courtesy buses loop between Terminal A, Terminal B, the Rental Car Center and the parking lots, every few minutes.
- 3
International arrivals
Arriving international passengers clear customs in Terminal A, so a connection from Terminal B starts with a walk or shuttle ride back through landside.
Terminals
Terminal A
Used by American, Delta, Frontier, United and Volaris. Its international arrivals building, with customs and immigration, handles every international arrival at SJC.
Airlines commonly assigned here: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, United Airlines, Volaris
Terminal B
Used by Southwest, Alaska Airlines and ZIPAIR, with international departures from gates 17 and 18. The Rental Car Center is directly across the street.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, ZIPAIR
Airlines and destinations
Facilities
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available in both terminals on the sjcfreewifi network.
Restaurants and shops
More than 20 restaurants, cafes and shops, mostly past security; each terminal also has a cafe before security.
Nursing rooms
Private nursing rooms are near gates 8, 18, 21, 24 and 26.
Pet relief areas
Three outdoor relief areas near the terminals and one inside security in the walkway between gates 16 and 17.
Children's play area
The Zoom Zone play area is in Terminal B between gates 24 and 25.
ATMs
ATMs are in baggage claim, near several gates and at the Rental Car Center.
Information booths
Staffed information booths in the terminals help with directions and hand out Sunflower lanyards.
Rental Car Center
All rental car companies share one building directly across from Terminal B.
Airport lounges
The Club SJC, Terminal A
Near gate 8 in Terminal A. Open to Priority Pass and LoungeKey members and to travelers who buy a day pass; the airport lists its hours as 5 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily, subject to change.
Accessibility and passenger assistance
Requesting assistance
Ask your airline ahead of time for a wheelchair or escort, or request an escort to your gate at the airline ticket counter. Courtesy phones in the terminals reach the airlines for a skycap.
Reduced mobility
Restrooms, shops and restaurants are wheelchair accessible, accessible parking spaces are in every lot, and wheelchair-accessible taxis and shuttles serve both terminals through permitted operators.
Hidden disabilities
SJC takes part in the Sunflower lanyard program: pick up a free lanyard at airline check-in or an information booth, with no proof required.
Service animals
Service animals may fly after inspection. Relief areas are outside both terminals and inside security between gates 16 and 17.
Parking
The airport recommends reserving ahead through its parking website.
Hourly Lot 2 (Terminal A Garage)
The garage facing Terminal A, also used for pre-arranged pickups; it can be reserved.
Hourly Lot 3 (Terminal B Garage)
The hourly garage facing Terminal B.
Hourly & Daily Lot 5
Next to Terminal B, about a 10-minute walk from it; it can be reserved.
Daily Lot 4
South of the Rental Car Center, about a 10-minute walk to Terminal B; it can be reserved.
Economy Lot 1
Lower-cost parking lot and garage on Airport Boulevard, served by the airport shuttle; it can be reserved.
Cell phone waiting area
A free waiting lot at 2470 Airport Blvd for drivers collecting arriving passengers.
Frequently asked questions
How far is San Jose airport from downtown San Jose?
San José Mineta International Airport is about 3 miles (5 km) northwest of downtown San Jose, between US 101, I-880 and SR 87. The drive downtown is usually short outside rush hour. Taxis, rideshares and pre-booked cars go door to door, and the free VTA Airport Flyer connects with the Metro/Airport light rail station into downtown.
How many terminals does San Jose airport have?
SJC has two terminals, A and B, set in a line along Terminal Drive. Terminal A has gates 1 to 16 and Terminal B has gates 17 to 36. They are connected inside security, so connecting passengers can walk between them, and free shuttle buses also loop between the two terminals and the Rental Car Center.
Which terminal does Southwest use at SJC?
Southwest Airlines uses Terminal B, together with Alaska Airlines and ZIPAIR. American, Delta, Frontier, United and Volaris use Terminal A. Every international flight arrives at Terminal A for customs, even if the airline departs from Terminal B, so check your arrival terminal before someone comes to meet you.
Where do international flights arrive at San Jose airport?
All international flights arrive at Terminal A, in its international arrivals building. You pass US immigration on the lower level, collect your bags and clear customs before exiting. Pre-arranged cars for international arrivals pick up at stop 3, on the southeast side of Hourly Lot 2, and rideshares use the Terminal A pickup.
Which airlines fly to San Jose, California?
Southwest Airlines flies the most routes from SJC, across the West, Hawaii and to cities such as Chicago, Dallas and Nashville. Alaska Airlines serves Seattle, Portland, Hawaii and Mexico. Delta, United, American and Frontier fly to their hubs and to Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Volaris flies to Mexico, and ZIPAIR has seasonal flights to Tokyo.
Where do I find a taxi at San Jose airport?
On-demand taxis wait at Terminal A stop 2 and Terminal B stop 1, outside baggage claim; follow the ground transportation signs. Pre-arranged taxis pick up at Terminal A stop 3 and Terminal B stop 11. A taxi goes door to door to downtown San Jose and the rest of Silicon Valley.
Where is the Uber and Lyft pickup at SJC?
At Terminal A, app-based rideshares pick up at stop 1, curbside at the parking garage. At Terminal B, they use stops 8, 9 and 10 on the island across from the Rental Car Center. Waymo pickups are at Terminal A stop 9 and Terminal B stop 7. International arrivals use the Terminal A location.
Is there a bus or train from San Jose airport?
Yes. The free VTA Airport Flyer, route 60, stops at both terminals and runs to the Metro/Airport light rail station, the Santa Clara Caltrain station and Milpitas BART. From Santa Clara, Caltrain continues up the Peninsula to San Francisco, and BART at Milpitas runs to Oakland and the East Bay.
Where is the rental car center at San Jose airport?
All rental car companies share the Rental Car Center, directly across the street from Terminal B. From Terminal B you walk across; from Terminal A, free shuttle buses run to it every few minutes. Rental cars give you the most freedom for exploring Silicon Valley, Santa Cruz or the Monterey coast.
Is there a lounge at San Jose airport?
Yes. The Club SJC is in Terminal A near gate 8. Priority Pass and LoungeKey members can enter, and other travelers can buy a day pass. The airport lists its hours as 5 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily, subject to change, so check before you plan a long wait there.
Where can I park at San Jose airport?
SJC has hourly garages facing each terminal, Lot 2 for Terminal A and Lot 3 for Terminal B, plus Hourly & Daily Lot 5, Daily Lot 4 and Economy Lot 1 on Airport Boulevard. Most lots can be reserved ahead online, and a free cell phone waiting area is at 2470 Airport Blvd.
What do I need to enter the US at San Jose airport?
International visitors need a valid passport and either an approved ESTA, for citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries, or a valid US visa. You clear US Customs and Border Protection in Terminal A, and you must declare food, plants and other farm products. Check the current rules for your nationality before you fly.
What time zone is San Jose airport in?
San Jose is on Pacific Time, UTC-8 in winter and UTC-7 during daylight saving time, from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. Flight times and arrival boards at SJC use local Pacific Time, the same as San Francisco, Los Angeles and the rest of California.