Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)

Overview

Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, known locally as simple San Jose International Airport, is a busy facility located four miles (6km) northwest of central San Jose. Home to Silicon Valley, San Jose is less a tourist destination and more of a business travel hub; the airport is also conveniently situated as an alternative to airports in Oakland and San Francisco, both 35 miles (56km) away.

Previously known for its poor facilities, San Jose International Airport opened a new terminal in 2010 that is earning rave reviews from passengers for its smooth processing and good facilities.

Flights to San Jose International Airport come in from destinations all over North America, including cities such as Los Angeles, Boston, New York, Denver, Houston, Honolulu, Portland, San Jose de Cabo, Guadalajara, and Phoenix.

Location

The airport is located four miles (6km) northwest of San José.

Getting to the city

The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) operates a special Airport Flyer service that links the airport to the Metro Light Rail Station and the Santa Clara Caltrain Station. It runs every 15 to 30 minutes between 5am and 11.30pm. There are also limousines and taxis available, and several hotels offer door-to-door shuttles for their guests.

Time

GMT -8 (GMT -7 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).

Contacts

Tel: +1 (408) 392 3600.

Car rental

Car rental companies can be found at the Rental Car Centre, which is serviced by a blue shuttle bus from Terminal A, and is within short walking distance from Terminal B. Companies represented at the airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, Fox, National, Payless, and Thrifty.

Airport Taxis

Both on-demand and pre-arranged taxi services are available from San Jose airport, from both terminals. Travellers should expect to pay a minimum fee of $15, which includes the first three miles (5km) and the airport surcharge of $1.50. Beyond that, the metered rate is $3 per mile.

Transfer between terminals

A courtesy shuttle connects Terminals A and B and the parkings lots, running every 7 to 10 minutes from 2.30am to 1am.

Facilities

Facilities at the airport include several restaurants and cafes, WiFi access, a gift shop, ATMs, bureaux de change, lounges, and massage chairs. Facilities for the disabled are good.

Parking

Short-term parking at San José International Airport starts at $2 per 20 minutes and goes up to $30 per day. Daily parking has a flat rate of $30 per 24 hours, and Economy Lot 1 has a flat daily rate of $18.

Website

www.flysanjose.com

Airlines

Flights to San Jose International Airport are available via Alaska Airlines, Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest and United.

Internet

The airport offers free WiFi in both terminals.

Business Lounges

There are charging points for laptops and cell phones in Terminal B, while Terminal A is home to the American Airlines lounge, offering internet-ready workstations, refreshments, telephones, printing, fax, copy machines, newspapers and a message service; the lounge also has three meeting rooms for up to eight people.

San Jose International Airport Taxis: the taxi fares above are intended as a guideline only.