SJC Airport Code: San Jose California, SJO Costa Rica and SJI Philippines
SJC is the airport code for San José Mineta International Airport in California. This guide also clears up the biggest search confusion: San José, Costa Rica uses SJO, while San Jose in the Philippines uses SJI.
Check these official SJC sources before leaving
Airport code information is stable, but flight times, gates, TSA hours, parking availability, construction notices and pickup rules can change. Use these official pages when travel decisions depend on current data.
What airport is SJC?
SJC is the IATA airport code for San José Mineta International Airport in San José, California. You will see SJC on airline bookings, boarding passes, baggage tags, airport transfer reservations, flight tracking tools and travel insurance documents.
Airport live checks & travel tools
Use current local conditions, official live-status links and planning calculators before you travel. Airline gate, terminal and flight times can change; your carrier remains the final source for flight-specific details.
Live flight center
Check the airport's official flight board, then confirm any last-minute gate or timing change with the airline.
Current airport-area weather
Useful for planning your trip to the airport. This is model-based local weather, not an aviation METAR or an airline operational forecast.
Quick official checks
Open the source that matches the decision you are making right now.
When should I reach the airport?
A planning estimate based on flight type and common time buffers. Always increase the buffer for severe weather, major holidays, unusual airport alerts or airline instructions.
Connection-risk checker
This is a planning heuristic, not an airline minimum-connection-time rule. International arrivals that require U.S. entry processing, baggage claim and security can need substantially more time.
Parking cost estimator
Uses the airport-specific rates stored in this article's configuration. Rates can change; verify availability and final pricing on the official parking page before driving in.
Passenger pickup readiness
Landing time is not curb-ready time. Add time for taxiing, deplaning, baggage claim, customs when applicable and walking to the correct pickup zone.
San Jose airport code comparison: SJC vs SJO vs SJI
The keyword “San Jose airport code” has three different traveler intents. This is the fastest way to avoid booking the wrong country.
San José Mineta International Airport
Use SJC for San José, California, Silicon Valley, Santa Clara, downtown San Jose, SAP Center, PayPal Park and South Bay trips.
Juan Santamaría International Airport
Use SJO for most international flights to the San José, Costa Rica area. The airport is in Alajuela, not California.
San Jose Airport, Occidental Mindoro
Use SJI for San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. It is a different airport and country from both SJC and SJO.
SJC airport tools: code finder, departure timing, parking and pickup
These tools are static planners. They do not display live flight, TSA or parking availability data. Use the official links above for current operational checks.
San Jose airport code finder
Choose the San Jose you mean.
Departure arrival buffer
Estimate how early to reach SJC terminal doors.
Parking estimate
Uses current published SJC drive-up rates as a planning estimate.
Pickup readiness checker
Avoid waiting illegally at the curb.
SJC terminals: Terminal A, Terminal B and International Arrivals
SJC is smaller than SFO, but terminal mistakes still happen because airline counters, international arrivals and rideshare pickup points are not all in the same place.
Terminal A
American, Delta, Frontier, United and Volaris departures are listed at Terminal A. Terminal A is also the side to watch for international-arrival pickup instructions.
Terminal B
Alaska, Hawaiian, Southwest and ZIPAIR counters are listed at Terminal B. Pay attention to ZIPAIR notes because the airport says ticket counters are in Terminal B while flights depart from Terminal A.
International Arrivals
International arrivals from Mexico and Japan use the International Arrivals Building near Terminal A. Lot 2 is the most convenient parking option for greeters meeting international passengers.
SJC TSA checkpoints and arrival timing
Terminal A checkpoint
Terminal A security is published as opening at 4:00 a.m. and running until the last flight departure, subject to change.
Terminal B checkpoint
Terminal B security is published as opening at 4:15 a.m. and running until the last flight departure, subject to change.
Carry-on flexibility
Passengers with a boarding pass and only carry-on luggage may enter through either checkpoint, according to airport guidance.
- Arrive 2 hours before domestic flights.
- Arrive 3 hours before international flights.
- Check airline counter hours before very early departures.
- Use the airport security page for current checkpoint notes.
Getting to and from SJC: rideshare, taxi, VTA, Caltrain, BART and rental cars
Rideshare pickup
App-based rideshares may drop off at departures curbs. Pickup is assigned by terminal: Terminal A pickup is curbside at the parking garage on the left side of the street; Terminal B pickup uses stops near the island across from the Rental Car Center.
Takeaway: Do not order until you are walking to the assigned pickup zone.
VTA Route 60
VTA Route 60 is the airport connector used for Santa Clara Transit Center, Milpitas BART and local light-rail connections. It is useful for downtown San José, SAP Center, Levi’s Stadium and Bay Area rail links when luggage is manageable.
Takeaway: Check VTA schedules before relying on public transit for early or late flights.
SFO or San Francisco by transit
The airport recommends VTA Route 60 toward Santa Clara Caltrain for trips toward San Francisco; passengers can connect northbound by Caltrain and use Millbrae/BART for SFO.
Takeaway: Transit can work, but allow transfer time and check service disruptions.
Rental cars
The Rental Car Center is across from Terminal B. Terminal A passengers use shuttle buses to reach the rental car facility.
Takeaway: Add rental-return and shuttle time before departure.
SJC parking rates and which lot to choose
Current published drive-up rates vary by lot. Reserve ahead if you want discounted parking or if you are traveling during a busy Bay Area event or holiday period.
Economy Lot 1
$19/day. Best for budget-focused multi-day trips when shuttle/walk time is acceptable.
Hourly Lot 2
$4 per 30 minutes first day; $25/day. Most convenient for Terminal A and international greeters.
Hourly Lot 3
$5 per 30 minutes first day; $41/day. Terminal B garage option with higher daily cost.
Daily Lot 4
$4 per 30 minutes first day; $31/day. Good for Terminal B and longer walking routes.
Hourly & Daily Lot 5
$4 per 30 minutes first day; $31/day. Convenient for Alaska, Hawaiian, Southwest and ZIPAIR departures.
Cell Phone Waiting Area
Free for short waits. SJC says drivers can wait up to 30 minutes before moving to the curb when passengers are ready.
Picking someone up at SJC without circling
Ask: Terminal A domestic, Terminal B domestic or International Arrivals?
Use it while the flight lands, passengers deplane and bags arrive. Curbside waiting is not allowed.
Curbs are for active loading and unloading only. Vehicles cannot be parked, abandoned or left waiting.
Use hourly parking, especially Lot 2 for Terminal A or international arrivals and Lots 3/5 for Terminal B.
SJC Lost & Found, customer service and problem routing
Airport public areas
Use SJC Lost & Found for items lost in airport public areas. The airport lists Lost & Found phone support at 408-392-3559.
Aircraft or checked baggage
Items left onboard aircraft and checked-bag problems should start with the operating airline, not airport customer service.
TSA screening questions
For TSA rules, missing ID and checkpoint questions, use TSA support or the official TSA website rather than guessing from airport forums.