One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
MRY8.5+0.1
SJC8.4
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
MRY7.6+0.3
SJC7.3
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
MRY7.6+0.7
SJC6.9
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
MRY7.2
SJC8.2+1.0
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
MRY6.8
SJC7.8+1.0
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
MRY2.0
SJC7.1+5.1
Best for
MRY
Monterey / Carmel / Pebble Beach trips that would otherwise drive from SJC or SFOLandside Woody's sit-down before TSA (USA TODAY 10Best airport restaurant 2023 and 2024)Overnight parking at leftover $20/day Long-Term (first 10 minutes free)
SJC
Quick domestic hops and Silicon Valley business tripsTravelers who value free transit connections and fast Wi-FiPriority Pass holders seeking a quiet loungeFamilies and light-luggage passengers who hate mega-hub chaos
Watch out for
MRY
Live Priority Pass leftover /en/airport/monterey-mry is 404 — empty loungesOfficial leftover parking lots nearing capacity; Long-Term entrance moved 15 Jun 2026Official Airlines leftover still lists United Chicago seasonal vs ORD Saturdays ended 15 Aug 2026JSX leftover is Monterey Jet Center, 200 Sky Park Drive — not this TSA
SJC
Only two Priority Pass lounges, both in A and one closes middayLong walk to high-numbered B gates with no moving walkwaysFood options solid but not destination-level; peaks can thin choicesNo direct rail into terminals—requires free bus transfer for BART/Caltrain
Amenities and tips
MRY
Woody's at the AirportLong-Term parking $20/dayNo ticketed passenger loungeWoody's Cockpit after TSAMRY Guest Wi-FiGate 1 courtyard + observation deck
Official Airlines leftover arrive at least 90 minutes before departure for ticketing and TSA. Official Accessibility leftover 2 hours if you need a wheelchair.
One hall now; replacement leftover summer 2027
One scheduled-pax hall after a single TSA. Official leftover outdoor courtyard at Gate 1 after screening. Official leftover observation deck landside.
Woody's landside; Cockpit after TSA
Woody's at the Airport is the landside sit-down on the second floor. Woody's Cockpit leftover airside sandwiches, snacks, and a full bar, open at least an hour before each flight.
MRY · A one-hall Central Coast leftover with a real sit-down restaurant, a named PreCheck lane, $20 Long-Term parking, and no lounge pin — while a replacement terminal is already framed for summer 2027.
SJC · SJC delivers an easy, reliable, compact experience with excellent free transit and Wi-Fi but limited lounge depth and mid-tier food variety compared with larger hubs.
