Only loading and unloading is permitted at the San Antonio International Airport's terminal curb areas. If you need additional time to check-in or pick up a passenger, especially during the airport's peak periods of Spring Break, mid-July to early August, Thanksgiving and Christmas to New Years, parking options are available within and outside of the airport. Not only does the airport have different parking areas, but different payment options as well.
Hourly Parking
- If you don't plan on staying in the airport for very long, you can pay for hourly parking. As of 2011, the first 15 minutes are free; parking for 16 to 30 minutes costs $1.00; and parking for 31 to 60 minutes costs $2.00. Additionally, parking for one to 1.5 hours costs $3.00; parking for 1.5 to two hours is $4.00; parking two to four hours costs $7.00 and parking four to six hours costs $11.00. The cost of parking your car all day, or for a total of 24 hours is $24.00. The distance from the hourly parking lot to the terminal is a two- to four-minute walk.
Long-Term Parking
- If you plan on being in the airport for a longer amount of time --- for example, you were not aware that someone's flight was delayed --- you can park in the long-term parking area. In 2011, parking for the first 15 minutes is free; parking for 16 to 60 minutes costs $2.00; parking for one to two hours costs $4.00; parking for two to three hours costs $6.00; and parking for three to four hours costs $8. The cost of parking your car all day, or for a total of 24 hours is $10.00. The distance from the hourly parking lot to the terminal is a three- to six-minute walk. Call the Parking Division to make arrangements if you plan to keep your car in the Airport parking area for more than 30 days.
Cell Phone Waiting Lot
- The "Cell Phone Waiting Lot" is a free parking lot located at the corner of Airport Boulevard and Northern Boulevard. Instead of circling around the airport waiting for passengers to arrive, you can park and wait in the "Cell Phone Waiting Lot." Once they arrive, make one loop to the terminal to pick them up. The lot is open 24 hours a day and has 79 parking spaces, flight information boards and free Wi-Fi connection. However, in this parking area, you must attend your vehicle at all times.
Exit Express
- Instead of waiting in line when you're exiting the parking lot, use the airport's "Exit Express" system. Avoid the exit toll booths by paying for your parking at the garage and using an automated lane for a faster exit. As you enter the garage, you take a ticket from the machine. Before returning to your car, you can pay for your parking in one of the parking pay stations. The paid ticket is returned to you and you use it to access the exit express lane. Two pay stations are located in Terminal One and one in Terminal Two; they accept major credit or debit cards.
State-Issued Plates
- Those who have a state-issued disabled placard or a disabled plate can receive up to 24 hours of free parking. Disabled veteran, Purple Heart, former Prisoner of War, Pearl Harbor survivor, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and Legion of Valor recipient state-issued license plates can receive a validation for free parking. Complete a disabled parking validation form and present your placard, driver's license or state-issued ID card and vehicle insurance card or vehicle registration to park for free. The validation form is available at the exit booth.
