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How to get free SFO parking when picking up passengers 

  • Airport Parking Guide
  • Renee Martin
  • 4 minutes

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The San Francisco Airport is a busy place – it’s no easy task to keep up with 20 million passengers every year! Apart from the hundreds of flights operating from SFO Airport, thousands of cars drive to and from the airport every day. While some drivers intend to park at the on-site lots for the duration of their trip, others intend to pick someone up from the airport. It’s common knowledge then that SFO parking is in high demand. 

How to get free SFO parking when picking up passengers

An airport pick-up might seem like a smooth drive-by job. However, in some instances, you might find yourself needing to park somewhere. This could be because of a delay in your passenger’s flight or if they are held up in airport customs.  

You may already be acquainted with the different SFO parking lots and their rates. However, these may not be of much use to you if you’re only there to pick someone up. Short-term parking rates aren’t cheap – you’ll have to shell out $8 per hour of parking. That’s a lot of money to spend on a simple task.  

Circling the airport is also not an attractive option. Not only will you be wasting gas, but you’re more likely to be caught in traffic on the airport roads. You don’t want to be caught in a maze of vehicles and keep your passenger waiting outside the terminal! The best option is to try and get free parking for the short while you will be waiting.   

The hack to find free SFO parking 

This is not a new problem at SFO Airport – it is common at all major airports. There is a solution to your problem. Most drivers can find free parking for a certain period at the SFO Airport Cell Phone Waiting Lot. 

Conveniently located near the SFO Long-term Parking facility, the Cell Phone Lot provides easy access to the terminal curbside. It is located at North McDonnell Rd. and San Bruno Ave. It is free for one hour, which is more than enough time to pick up your passenger and leave without any hassles. However, there are some important conditions that you need to remember before parking here. 

  • The lot is closed between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. 
  • No commercial vehicles are allowed 
  • Personal vehicles must have a driver at all times

If you follow these rules, free SFO parking at the Cell Phone Lot is the most convenient choice to go easy on your wallet! 

If you’re looking to drop someone off without a hassle, SFO’s Kiss and Fly area is convenient. Passengers can take the AirTrain BlueLine directly into the terminal. 

If your passenger is delayed for more than an hour, you need not spend good money on an expensive hourly parking spot. Instead, you can find cheap and affordable off-site SFO parking just a stone’s throw away from SFO. You can get a convenient spot for as low as $6/day! That’s a huge difference over the on-site rates, which start at $8/day! Log on to the Way.com website or Way app to access up to 60% discounted rates on SFO parking. 

SFO Parking and Travel Tips 

  • SFO Airport address: San Francisco, CA 94128, USA. 
  • SFO Airport is 15 miles from downtown San Francisco. Ideally, it should take you around 45 minutes, but it’s always best to expect delays. To be on the safe side, leave from home 90 minutes before check-in time.   
  • Parking coupons can be accessed for SFO airport parking through sites like Groupon, RetailMeNot, and Ebates.   

How to get free SFO parking when picking up passengers


Check out more blogs on the best parking spots in your city, the most affordable insurance for your car, and top-rated car washes near you 


 

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