Oakland California Airport: Everything You Need to Know About Flying into OAK

The Oakland, California airport is officially known as the San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport.

It is located right across the bay (less than 20 miles) from San Francisco. It is another great option for those traveling to the SF Bay Area.

Should You Fly into the Oakland Airport Instead of SFO?

This is the Northern California airport for you if you are staying in an East Bay city like Oakland, Berkeley, or Walnut Creek. It’s also a great option if you are heading straight up north to visit the wineries in Napa Valley.

If you are staying in San Francisco, you can also fly into OAK. Keep in mind you have to cross the bay (either over the Bay Bridge by car, or under the bay on the BART subway system). 

For San Francisco visitors, I usually recommend flying into the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), as it is faster and cheaper to get to the city from there.

Factors to Consider when Flying into Oakland to get to SF

Cost: Transportation to and from San Francisco is more expensive from Oakland than from SFO in South San Francisco.

However, if you find a killer flight deal into OAK, then paying a little extra for ground transportation might not be as big of a deal.

Accessibility: The great thing about Oakland is that it's a smaller place, so it's easy to get around and not terribly busy. You can quickly make your way to your airport transportation transfer once you arrive.

Time: You will want to leave at least an hour for transfer time between the Oakland, California airport and San Francisco. While it's only a few miles, traffic is usually heavy between these two cities.

When traffic is light, it will only take about 30 minutes. During the busy rush hour, it could take you even more than an hour.

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Oakland Airport Airlines

Is the Oakland International Airport a hub for any airline? OAK is one of Southwest Airlines’ main operating bases, and Terminal 2 is the designated Southwest Terminal.

In addition to Southwest, you'll find about a dozen airlines at the Oakland, CA airport:

• Advanced Air
• Alaska Airlines
• Allegiant Air
• Delta Air Lines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• JXS Air
• KaiserAir
• Southwest Airlines
  
• Spirit Airlines
• Sun Country
• VivaAerobus
• Volaris

There are around a hundred flights per day that come in and out of the OAK airport. The majority are domestic flights to and from other cities within the US.

There are also a handful of international airlines that fly out of Oakland each day, mostly to destinations in Mexico and Central America.

Getting Around from the Oakland Airport

Below, I describe several Oakland airport transportation options in depth, so you can plan your trip accordingly. You could also skip ahead if you know you'll be transferring directly from OAK to San Francisco, or from OAK to other Bay Area locations. 

1. Door-to-Door Airport Shuttle

The Oakland airport is serviced by several shuttle companies, but unfortunately they no longer offer shared-ride airport shuttles, which used to be a cost-saver. If you do opt for a private shuttle service, you will need to book in advance.

All door-to-door shuttle options from the Oakland, California airport are private and pricey. It's a good option if you are traveling with a larger group of people, but not one I would recommend if you are traveling on your own.

2. Shared Bus or Van

Right now, Groome Transportation is the only shared van option from Oakland. This might change in the future, but it's the only one on their approved list at the moment.

Groome Transportation offers service to Marin and Sonoma, two counties just north of San Francisco. They offer stops in San Rafael, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, and the Sonoma County Airport.

The shuttle runs every two hours, starting at 5:30 am with the last shuttle departing OAK at 9:30 pm. It takes one to two hours or more to reach the destinations on its route.

The cost is $40 per adult to the stops in Marin and $51 to the stops in Sonoma. Children 12 and under can ride free (limit one free child per adult).

>> Visit their site to reserve your spot

3. Oakland Airport Car Rental

The rental car center at the Oakland, California airport is open 24 hours a day. You will find the standard rental car companies here, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National and Thrifty.

This is a great option if you are staying outside of San Francisco. On the other hand, if you are spending your entire vacation at a hotel in San Francisco, then I'd recommend looking at the other Oakland airport transportation options, as parking in the city is limited and quite expensive.

The rental car center is about 2.5 miles from the airport, and the shuttle bus service runs 24/7. At peak travel hours, the shuttle departs every 7 to 10 minutes. After airline operation hours, you may call 510.453.1522 for service.

4. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART Trains)

BART is a great way to get to downtown Oakland, Berkeley, Walnut Creek, and other places throughout the East Bay. It's also the cheapest and best option to get over to San Francisco from the Oakland airport.

In 8 minutes, the BART connector train takes you directly from OAK to the Oakland Coliseum station, where you can hop on the main BART lines to destinations all around the SF Bay Area, including San Francisco and San Jose.

There is a cost for the connector line as well as for your BART ride on the main lines. You can purchase your tickets at the station before you board.

The total cost from the Oakland airport to San Francisco on BART is about $12.

During most hours of the day, BART trains depart every 6 minutes from OAK. They depart every 20 minutes from 11 pm to midnight, at which point the trains stop running until the next morning.

BART service begins at 5 am on weekdays, 6 am on Saturdays, and 8 am on Sundays.

>> Find more details about how to use BART and public transit

5. Taxi

If you are staying in Oakland, then a good option for you is to take a taxi. This is not a great option for those staying in San Francisco, as many Oakland taxis are not allowed to drive across the Bay Bridge.

Since each city is in a different county, there are strict regulations for them, which discourages them from taking you all the way into San Francisco.

Note: These restrictions do not apply to rideshare services, such as Uber or Lyft.

6. Rideshare App

In recent years, rideshare apps have become a popular and convenient choice for tourists and locals alike to get to and from the airport.

It's not the most cost-effective option, especially if you are traveling alone. However, it's a good choice for families and groups, and it will take you from door to door. 

The three rideshare companies that currently operate at the OAK airport include Lyft, Uber, and Wingz.

These apps give you the option to pay more for an XL vehicle if you need more space for luggage or have a larger group (some of these vehicles can seat up to six passengers).

There are no fixed fares. Keep in mind that depending on your arrival time, and whether there are large events happening in town that day, fares may be much higher than average.

Curb 3C is the designated pickup area for rideshare passengers. Look for "Ride App Pickup" signs.

Getting to San Francisco from the Oakland Airport

What is the best way to get from Oakland Airport to San Francisco? The three best options are BART, a door-to-door shuttle (booked ahead of time), and Lyft or Uber.

BART Trains to SF

Once you get from OAK to the Oakland Coliseum station, the ride to SF takes about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how long you have to wait for the trains.

The BART stops in San Francisco will drop you near downtown, South of Market, the Financial District, Union Square, Civic Center, and the Mission District. From those San Francisco stations, you can easily find transit to other locations around SF, including Fisherman's Wharf.

Shuttles to SF

You will find several door-to-door shuttle companies that will take you directly to your hotel or personal accommodation when you arrive. You will need to book in advance for your party, and your private door-to-door shuttle will pick you up on arrival.

Rideshare App to SF

For flexibility, this is a better option than the private shuttle services that you need to arrange ahead of time, because you can compare prices and request your ride whenever you're ready to be picked up.

The cost to into San Francisco is usually around $45 to $65 (before tip) to get to Fisherman's Wharf or Union Square. The price will increase quite a bit during rush hour.

You can also save on your cost for Lyft by selecting Lyft Line. This is a ride sharing option where your driver can pick up an additional person or two as you head toward your destination. This will save you some money, but will take a little longer.

Getting to Locations Around the Bay and Beyond

Here are a few more ideas on how to get from the Oakland, California airport to other popular destinations around the SF Bay.

OAK to San Jose

The city of San Jose is about 35 miles south of the OAK airport, or about a 45-minute drive without traffic. If you're staying in the South Bay, you may want to rent a car to get around the region once you arrive.

The usual non-rush hour fare to San Jose using a rideshare app is upwards of $60, but keep in mind that traffic will not only slow your trip but also cost you more. Your best option is to take BART from the airport all the way to the Berryessa/North San Jose BART Station, which costs about $13 and takes about 1 hour.

OAK to Napa

The best way to get to Napa is by car. The drive to Napa from Oakland is about 1 to 1.5 hours (sometimes longer with traffic).

OAK to Sausalito

The best way to get to Sausalito from OAK is to drive. You can avoid hitting San Francisco traffic by crossing the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and approaching from the north. It will take about 1 hour to drive.

You can also take public transit to Sausalito. You will need to transfer twice, from BART to a Golden Gate Transit bus in downtown SF. This takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes, and costs about $20.

OAK to Santa Rosa

You can easily get to Santa Rosa by driving or taking the Groome Transportation shuttle. It's about 1 to 1.5 hours to drive. The shuttle takes about 2 hours to get to the Santa Rosa stop.

OAK to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

The best way to get from the Oakland International Airport to SFO is on BART. You will need to transfer twice from one train line to another, but it's the most direct and most cost-effective option. It's also the fastest option during rush hour traffic. The trip costs about $19 and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Oakland California Airport: FAQ 

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Oakland Airport.

How early should you arrive at the Oakland airport for your flight? OAK is relatively small with only around 100 flights a day. I recommend arriving at least 1.5 hours before domestic flights and about 2 hours prior to international flights if you are checking bags. Flying with only carry-ons will save you some time.

How many terminals does the Oakland International Airport have? Two.

Which is the Southwest Terminal at the Oakland Airport? Terminal 2 is exclusively for Southwest arrivals and departures. Terminal 1 services some Southwest flights and all other Oakland Airport airlines.

Because Southwest is the only airline operating in Terminal 2, you can usually expect slightly shorter wait times to get through the TSA security check.

What time does the Oakland airport open? The Oakland International Airport is open 24 hours a day. They do close the areas behind security, so you can't hang out at the gates.

However, you are welcome to stay in their main lobby overnight. This is the best option if you have an overnight connection to an early morning flight. It isn't comfortable, but this way you don't have to pay for a hotel as you wait for your next flight.

Is the Oakland airport safe? Yes. While parts of the city Oakland historically had a reputations for crime, Oakland has gentrified in recent years. In addition, police officers are always on site. They ensure that the pre-security lobby is safe for overnight passengers and may ask you to show your identification and proof of travel.

What is the Oakland Airport address? 1 Airport Drive, Oakland, CA 94621

Navigating Oakland Airport Amenities

Does the Oakland, California airport offer luggage storage? Unfortunately, they do not offer luggage storage or lockers at OAK.

Does OAK offer free airport Wi-Fi? Yes. They have partnered with Boingo to offer complimentary 45-minute sessions of internet access after viewing a 30-second ad. Alternatively, you can access their premium-speed, commercial-free Wi-Fi for a nominal fee.

Does the Oakland airport have a smoking area? No. Smoking and vaping are not permitted indoors. By California law, you may only smoke at least 20 feet away from the entrances, exits, and windows of any public building.

Are there lactation stations for breastfeeding moms? Yes. Both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have Mamava lactation suites that provide a private and secure place for mothers to pump or nurse their babies.

What are the Oakland airport dining and retail options? In both terminals, you'll find most restaurants and cafes open from 4:30 am to 11 pm. They proudly feature local brands and food, including the Oaklandish Coffee Collective, Oakland Draft House, and more.

In both terminals, you'll always find one of our classic chocolate shops, See's Candies, to take California-made chocolates back home. Browse their selection on Amazon.

Oakland California Airport Hotels

If you have an early morning or late-night flight, you might want to consider staying near the Oakland, California Airport. Many offer free shuttles to and from the airport. Here are a few of my top picks.

1. Courtyard by Marriott Oakland Airport: 3-star hotel with free transit to OAK and family rooms. Restaurant on-site and free Wi-Fi. About 1 mile or a 5-minute drive away. Find recent guest reviews and book your room

2. Holiday Inn & Suites Oakland Airport: 3-star hotel less than 1 mile from OAK. Free transit to the airport, suites, and a pool. Read current reviews and find a room

3. Garden Inn & Suites Oakland Airport: 2-star hotel with free airport shuttle, parking, and Wi-Fi. Outdoor garden and pool. About 1.3 miles from OAK. Check out rooms and rates

Oakland Airport Parking

You can easily park at the Oakland, California airport. The four airport parking lots are priced based on how close they are to the main entrance. There are more than 7,000 spots in total.

Premier Parking is the closest to get you in an out of the terminals quickly. Parking spots here are $40 a day, or $4 per 30 minutes.

Hourly Parking is the second closest, at $36 per day, or $2.50 for every 30 minutes.

Right behind that is Daily Parking, good for overnight or short trips. It costs $26 per day, or $2.50 per 30 minutes. From here, it's about a 5 to 8-minute walk to either terminal.

The cheapest but farthest option is the Economy Parking lot. It's $18 a day, best for longer trips. You can either walk from this lot to the terminal or use their free parking shuttle service.

For family or friends going to pick up arriving passengers, there is a Park & Call airport parking lot, where they can wait for up to 30 minutes until the traveler is ready at the curb.

Things to Do in Oakland, CA

Interested in spending a little time in Oakland after you arrive? You'll find plenty of action in this lively East Bay city across the bridge from San Francisco.

Oakland is known for its diverse neighborhoods, its thriving arts scene, and its rising culinary appeal. You can shop and dine in Uptown, just 15 minutes from the Oakland airport.

You'll find concerts, theater events, and food and art festivals throughout the year. Families will enjoy the Chabot Space and Science Center, Children's Fairyland, the Oakland Zoo, among others.

Oakland is a fantastic place to spend time outside, hiking in the redwoods, jogging around Lake Merritt, or taking a ferry around the bay. 

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