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San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (OAK)
International Airport
Central East Oakland, Oakland
"Be cool to the flight crew on Southwest - they're awesome!! :-)"(49 Tips)
"easy access by BART- airBart"(14 Tips)
"OAK: it's not FREE wifi if you have to download an app to use."(18 Tips)
"Some nice upgrades at OAK, much more comfortable."(7 Tips)
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D JohnsonDecember 23, 2016If the planes are departing to the north have your camera ready. The first minute of the flight you will have an excellent snapshot of San Francisco & even the Goldengate bridge weather permitting.Upvoted 3 days ago
Tom LoweMarch 28, 2015If your gonna stay overnight at the airport, better make sure you grab a bench seat before 10pm. There is only a few and they fill up fast. Sleeping there is fine. Sandwich $8 water bottle $3Upvoted 4 weeks ago
Leah BecerraDecember 13, 2014Grab some Peet's coffee in terminal 2 (so much better than Starbucks). Security was also very quick. Power stations all over the place. Love it.
Taneshia BlackwellSeptember 5, 2013I love this place. So much more convenient than going to the crowded SFO.
Matt WOctober 24, 2011Beautiful views of the bay (Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, SF, etc.) while flying in and out of this airport.Upvoted 2 weeks ago
Some of the nicest, friendliest, most competent and speedy TSA folks anywhere. They are great. So different than SJC or SFO.
Jennifer HalliganMarch 4, 2017Love this airport ... good size and I like the Pyramid Brewing place to stop for a quick drink!
Very easy to get in and out of. Baggage retrieval is generally swift. Great weather prevents delays. Huge Southwest hub. Wish it was better served by more airlines
Best airport to fly in and out of the Bay Area. TSA lines are pretty quick and it's accessible by Bart. Flights are more affordable than San Jose and San Francisco.
If the security line in the Terminal 2 (Southwest Airlines) building is too long, it may be worth it to walk to Terminal 1 and do security there since the airport connects all gates in the back.
Eddie ReyApril 7, 2014Check out the Oakland Museum of Art's new exhibit-- "Bees". Left me so inspired I've decided to re-enroll in my beekeeping class when I return to San Diego! Pictured here: "Bee Hotel" for urban areas!
Alex DobyanDecember 17, 2017Definitely convenient for East Bay folks, but the usual gain you get in breeziness that you get at smaller airports is not quite in effect here - can be longish security lines.
BART is a good option. It leaves you right at the airport. No need to worry about parking.
Paul MartinMay 12, 2021easy to negotiate this passenger friendly airport and plenty of options preflight
Katie HoganJune 7, 2012Andalé has great guac - all fresh and creamy. If you ask nicely they'll give you a little taste before you order!
Tripti BurmanAugust 26, 2014Lots of private parking lots where you can get parking for as low as 5$ a day with prior online booking. Have tried 'park n travel' and was very pleased. Perfect for a weekend trip.
If you're using public transit, this is a great alternative to SFO. The BART/shuttle transfer to OAK is a little annoying, but totally worth it if you want to breeze through check-in and security.
Small airport with easy day, weekly parking. Don’t skip the first Starbucks in Terminal 1 thinking the second will be less busy. Everyone else had the same thought. 😂
Daniel ZMay 3, 2019Bring empty water bottle through security. Refill right after security on your left hand side between Peet's and Gate 4. Hidden free fountain made to refill bottles. Don't pay 5 bucks for water.
Morning flight out of the Southwest Terminal? The Starbucks after the moving walkway is always has a super long line. Skip it, walk down a little further to Peets, which usually has no line.
Solid alternative to SFO, less delays, less crowds, easier parking, close to downtown SF.
Southwest terminal is smooth sailing in the morning, whereas you'll want to allow some time for any other airline.
@Essie nail polish vending machine in Terminal 2 (By @SouthwestAir) is very cool. Same price as stores; great color selection. Perfect for flight delays!
Sandrene MathewsApril 3, 2019The food options are much better near terminals 20-32, especially if you’re vegetarian. Some places will serve breakfast past 10:30. And all the coffee is Peet’s but the prices vary at each location.
OAK looking better except for the high concession prices. Still the best airport in Bay Area!
Kimberly WongJanuary 23, 2013This airport always has a breezy security line if you know what you're doing. :) Remember in winter to take off that hat, scarf, jacket, and bulky sweater!
there is no more air bart shuttles going to the train station. now for a few years there's a light rail at the airport that goes directly to the bart station
When you exit Southwest Airlines and need to get to the BART station, head back towards Alaska airlines. That is where the walkway to the BART train is at
park'n'fly is only $10 a day! they shuttle you into the airport for free.
Nick CampbellMarch 3, 2014Terminal 2 definitely seems like the more happening spot. More diverse food options, a wine bar, and a pub. Terminal 1 has lots of plug-in spots but only offers a Chilli's and mall-familiar pan-Asian.
The Ride share area is not working well. Airport staff regularly yell at cars and riders to pull up and not Double park but the app assigns you a section for pick up.OAK work with the app developers!
Holy cow, all the Starbucks are closed and so all the coffee is now Peets, which is fine but they do t have the same breakfast options (where is my oatmeal?). I
They must have seen my previous tip, because they have new Rental Car Shuttle buses that are clean and pleasant, and helpful well-dressed drivers! Nice work OAK!- Spare the Air at www.sparetheair.orgApril 17, 2014At Ron Cowan Pkwy & John Glenn Dr on 4/26, trade in your working, old gas powered lawnmower & save up to 60% on the purchase of a new one. Pre-register at
Great option for domestic flights though calling OAK an intl airport is a stretch. Avoid incoming intl flights if you can, very limited capacity to handle plane loads of incoming passengers 🙅🏻♂️
Arrive early, be prepared and dress comfy. Small but busy. Get your energy up.
Invest in TSA Pre ✅ for $85. You will speed through the security line in five minutes, get to leave your shoes on and your laptop in your bag.
Patricia WJanuary 14, 2013At security checkpoint, please move all your bins forwards as you stuff them so we dont have to wait in a line behind you. don't take it personally if I leapfrog you with all that space ahead of you.
Pick up a magazine at HMS and ask for their Magazine card. Buy 6 magazines and get the next one free. If you're a frequent flyer, this is an awesome deal!
Get here at least 1.5 hour early or sign up for clear to beat the security line especially during thanksgiving weekend.
Over in T1 by Gate 8 is an escape lounge for Amex Platinum card holders - nice!
New Escape Lounge in Terminal One free with Amex Platinum cards has WiFi, food & drinks makes T1 almost worth it.
Park at Espresso Parking - best in town, and pickup a chicken BBQ salad from CPK to eat ON the plane (to pass the time) - but be sure to get extra dressing or you'll be disappointed at 35k feet....
Brad FriedmanOctober 10, 2016Small airport. Great for flying in and out of without a lot of hassle. Would be awesome if Rhett was a decent restaurant in the terminal before going through security.
DoubleTree by Hilton ManagerSeptember 22, 2011If you have time between checking-in, people watching and waiting in the Starbucks line, bring a good book to keep you busy during layovers. For more travel tips, follow @DoubleTree on Twitter!
Walt OSeptember 14, 2013Wifi tried to work, but failed. After jumping through some hoops of watching an advert and a one question survey, too. Oh well. I can look out a window and be entertained 😛- If the security line a Terminal 1 (Southwest) is super long, just take the short walk to Terminal 1 where there's usually no or little line. Best way to navigate OAK. Especially during the holidays.
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San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (OAK)
1 Airport Dr
Oakland, CA 94621
United States
Oakland, CA 94621
United States
Owned and operated by the Port of Oakland, OAK is California’s fourth largest airport, with more than 13 million passengers passing through our gates every year.
Open (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 24 Hours
(510) 563-3300
Features
Wi-Fi
Free
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