Frequently Asked Questions

If you lost an item and know where you may have lost it, please call the respective agency as each agency manages its own lost and found.

• Lost luggage:
  • Contact your airline. Visit our Airlines page for a list of the airline’s “baggage claim” hours and phone numbers (make sure to have your bag tag available).
• Lost items left on aircraft: 
  • Visit our Airlines page for a list of the airline’s “baggage claim” hours and phone numbers.
• Items lost at SJC, including Airport terminals, TSA, checkpoints, inter-terminal shuttles, curbside and parking lots:
  • Contact SJC Lost & Found Office:
    • Phone number: (408) 392-3559
    • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays.
    • Or submit a Lost and Found Form.   
• Items/luggage lost in taxis, public transportation or rental car office/rental car:
  • Contact the respective agency. Visit SJC Lost and Found page for a list of agency's hours and phone numbers.
     

If your driver's license or state-issued ID expired on or after March 1, 2020, and you are unable to renew at your state driver’s license agency, you may still use it as acceptable identification at the checkpoint. TSA will accept expired driver’s licenses or state-issued ID a year after expiration.      

TSA’s job is to make sure you are who you say you are. In the event you arrive at the airport without valid identification because it is lost or at home, you may still be allowed to fly (domestic travel only). The TSA officer may ask you to complete a form to include your name and current address and may ask additional questions to confirm your identity. If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint. You may be subject to additional screening. For more instructions and information about valid forms of identification, visit the TSA website.      

The quick answer is "no," at least if you leave the country. An expired passport is not accepted for overseas travel. If your passport has expired or will expire within the next six months, you must renew it. You should contact your nearest embassy to start the renewal process.      

Escorts for unaccompanied minors may be arranged with your airline, fees may apply. If you wish to escort your minor child to the gate only, a gate pass may be issued by the airline. To obtain a gate pass, proceed to the airline ticket counter and explain to the ticket agent you are escorting your minor child to the gate. If granted, be prepared to have a valid ID and to comply with all security processes and restrictions.      

Note: gate passes cannot be authorized in advance and are issued at the discretion of the airline ticket agent.      

Every airline and airport may have different rules, so it's always best to phone the airline first to obtain any special instructions. Visit our Airlines page for a list of the airline’s hours and phone numbers.       

For Military: Gate passes are usually issued at the airline ticket/check-in counter. You will need the passenger’s name, flight number and a government issued photo ID. If you are escorting a departing military service member, they should have their military orders available as well as government photo IDs for everyone over the age of 18. If you require assistance, let an airline employee know that you wish to obtain a gate pass and explain the circumstances. Be sure to allow plenty of time before flight departure and/or arrival to account for check-in and security screening.      

Who will be considered for a gate pass?      
• A parent with a child flying alone – known as unaccompanied minor (under 18)      
• A companion for a passenger that has a disability (perhaps to push a wheelchair, etc.)      
• A companion for a passenger with special needs (can’t understand signs and/or instructions or perhaps needs a sign language interpreter)      
• A companion for a passenger who is elderly and may become confused or disoriented      
• Family members of military service personnel who are reporting for duty or arriving home from active duty      

Note: gate passes cannot be authorized in advance and are issued at the discretion of the airline ticket agent.      

To sign up for TSA PreCheck, you must submit an online application and schedule an in-person appointment that includes a background check and fingerprinting at an enrollment center. Visit TSA's PreCheck website to submit an application and learn more. Note, TSA PreCheck approval may take up to 60 days and SJC does not have a TSA PreCheck enrollment center.      

To sign up for CLEAR, you can either start the enrollment process online and finish at a CLEAR kiosk or you can complete the entire process at a CLEAR kiosk at SJC. Visit CLEAR's website to enroll and learn more.     

Yes. CLEAR is available in both Terminal A and B security checkpoints.  

Visit TSA's website to learn more about what you can and cannot bring through security screening. 

TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when travelling within the United States.      

• Terminal A checkpoint opens at 4:00 a.m. 
• Terminal B checkpoint opens at 4:15 a.m.

Standard closing time is 11:00 p.m., but TSA coordinates with the airlines to remain open when there are late departures. 

The Department of Homeland Security has extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline to May 7, 2025. Learn more about REAL ID.  

There are on-demand and pre-arranged transportation options to get you to SFO from SJC: 
• App-based rideshare. Visit our Rideshare page to learn more. 
• Taxis - visit our Taxis page to learn more. 
• Door to Door Shuttles - visit our Door to Door Shuttles page to learn more. 
• Limos - visit our Limos page to learn more. 
• Public transportation option:      
1. Take the #60 VTA bus (Airport Flyer towards Milpitas BART) to the Milpitas BART Station (1755 S. Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas, CA) 
2. Take a north-bound Orange Line or Green Line BART train towards Oakland. 
3. Get off at the Coliseum stop. Change trains to reach OAK. 

There are on-demand and pre-arranged transportation options to get you to SFO from SJC: 
• App-based rideshare. Visit our Rideshare page to learn more. 
• Taxis - visit our Taxis page to learn more. 
• Door to Door Shuttles - visit our Door to Door Shuttles page to learn more. 
• Limos - visit our Limos page to learn more. 
• Monterey Airbus has regularly scheduled shuttle service between SJC and SFO. Visit our Scheduled/Charter Buses page to learn more. 
• Public transportation:      
1. Take the #60 VTA bus (Airport Flyer towards Winchester Transit Center) to the Santa Clara Caltrain Station (1001 Railroad Ave., Santa Clara, CA) 
2. Get on a north-bound Caltrain towards San Francisco. 
3. Get off at the Millbrae stop. Walk to the Milbrae BART Station and take the Red Line BART train to SFO. 

The Bay Area has plenty of public transportation as well as app-based rideshare options. Going to downtown San Francisco, the most efficient public transit route is taking the #60 VTA bus (Airport Flyer towards Winchester Transit Center) to the Santa Clara Caltrain Station (1001 Railroad Ave., Santa Clara, CA) where you can take a train into San Francisco.      

If you prefer to rent a car, our rental car facility is also conveniently located directly across the street from Terminal B and shuttle buses run to the rental car center from Terminal A every few minutes. Visit our Rental Cars page to learn more. 

All app-based rideshares are authorized to drop off passengers at the departures curbsides of both terminals.      
• Pick-up location for Terminal A is located curbside of parking Lot 2.      
• Pick-up location for Terminal B is located directly across the Rental Car Center.      
• Closest pick-up location for international arrivals is Terminal A.

Yes, several restaurants will generally open by 5:00 a.m. And some will generally remain open at night until the last flight. Visit our Restaurants page to learn more. 

Yes, we have nursing rooms equipped with benches, sinks, changing stations and outlets. They are located within the entrance of the women’s restrooms at Gates 18, 21, 24 and 26; and in a separate room to the left of the restrooms near Gate 8.  
 

Yes, there are four animal relief areas; three pre-security and one post-security.      

Pre-security locations:      
•Outside Terminal A, north of ticketing      
• Outside Terminal A, south of parking garage      
• Outside Terminal B, north of ticketing      

Post-security location:      
• Inside passenger walkway between Gates 16 and 17      

Yes, water bottle filling stations are located at the water fountains near Gates 6, 8, 10, 14, 15, 17, 24 and 32.      

Luggage cart rentals are available curbside at Terminal A and B for departures and in the baggage claim area. They cost $6 – cash, Visa, Mastercard and Discover accepted. Luggage carts are free for international arrival passengers.  

No, unfortunately, due to security restrictions, we do not have storage lockers at SJC.

• Visit TSA's website for requirements for taking your pet through the security checkpoint.
• Please refer to your designated airline for their pet policies. Visit our Airlines page for a list of the airline’s hours and phone numbers.
• Visit our Flying with Pets page to learn more.

Prior to your arrival at SJC, you may contact your airline for wheelchair or porter service. Drivers who need extra time on the curb to load/unload because of a disability should notify uniformed Airport traffic staff. Vehicles should never be left unattended on the curb. Visit our Accessible Services page to learn more. 

Yes. Shuttles stop at each terminal to transport passengers between Terminals A and B. Shuttles arrive every 7 to 10 minutes, 24 hours per day. All Airport shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible. Visit our Inter-terminal Shuttles page to learn more.    

The Club at SJC is open to passengers of all airlines. Complimentary access to The Club is provided to those who have Priority Pass, Discovery, LoungeBuddy, Lounge Pass or a Lounge Club Membership. Others may purchase a day pass for $50 or $42.50 with a valid AAA membership. More information about The Club at SJC.  

Because our terminals sit on a narrow real estate footprint, they are not wide enough to accommodate moving walkways while still allowing the necessary space for the flow of foot traffic.    

Accessible parking and van accessible spaces can be found in all SJC parking lots. All spaces are free to use on a first-come, first-serve basis. Regular parking fees of the associated parking lot apply. No discounts are available for accessible parking. If you have any questions or need assistance, please call (408) 441-5570. Visit our Accessible Parking page to learn more.  

The Rental Car Center is located directly across from Terminal B. Passengers from Terminal B can walk across the crosswalks from baggage claim to reach the Rental Car Center. Passengers can get to or from Terminal A by using an Airport shuttle bus. Visit our Rental Cars page to learn more. 

Individual rental car agencies hours vary. Please visit our Rental Cars page for a list of the agency’s hours and phone numbers. 

Yes, there are two cellphone waiting areas. They are free and located on Airport Parkway and Airport Boulevard. Rules and regulations apply. Visit our Cellphone Waiting Areas page to learn more. 

• Passengers arriving on American, Delta, Hawaiian, jetBlue, Spirit and United may be picked up curbside at Terminal A. If you’d like to park and greet your passenger, the most convenient parking lot is Lot 2.
• Passengers arriving on Alaska* and Southwest* may be picked up curbside at Terminal B. If you’d like to park and greet your passenger, the most convenient parking lots are Lots 3 & 5.
• Passengers arriving on international flights from Mexico (served by Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines), Volaris and ZIPAIR may be picked up curbside in front of the International Arrivals Building, located just past Terminal A ticketing lobbies. If you'd like to park and greet your passenger, the most convenient parking lot is Lot 2. 
  
  Drivers can also wait in one of our two free cellphone waiting areas. Visit our Parking page to view more parking options. 

Lot 2 is the most convenient parking lot for drivers who are picking up international passengers. International passengers may also be picked up curbside on right-hand side of the roadway in front of the International Arrivals Building, located just past Terminal A ticketing lobbies. For more information, visit our International Arrivals page.   

Ticketed passengers with a valid boarding pass for a connecting flight may remain in the terminals overnight. You should know, however, that security announcements continue intermittently throughout the night and there is no designated sleeping area. View our Overnight Lodging Policy. 

Security checkpoints open at 4:00 a.m. in Terminal A and 4:15 a.m. in Terminal B. Only ticketed passengers are allowed past security checkpoints. Once through the security checkpoint, access to all restaurants and retail options in both Terminal A and Terminal B are available to all travelers. Visit our Security Checkpoints page to learn more. 

• Terminal A: American, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Spirit, United, Volaris
• Terminal B: Alaska, Southwest, ZIPAIR      
  Note: though ZIPAIR's ticket counters is located in Terminal B, flights depart from Terminal A. 

Ticket counter hours vary by Airline. Visit our Airlines page for a list of the airline’s hours and phone numbers.  

We’d love to add more routes. Ultimately, the airlines make those decisions. You can always help us by reaching out to your preferred airlines and letting them know of your interest in a particular route.

You can find pricing and booking information on the airline websites or by calling their toll-free numbers. Visit our Airlines page for a list of the airline’s hours and phone numbers.