Bart To Oakland Airport: A Step-By-Step Guide

The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system provides a convenient way to get to Oakland International Airport (OAK) from various destinations in the Bay Area, including downtown Oakland and San Francisco, as well as Berkeley. The Oakland Airport BART station is located just across from the Terminal 1 baggage claim area and is a short walk from Terminal 2. During most hours, trains depart from OAK every 6 minutes, making it a quick and accessible option for travellers.

Getting to the Oakland Airport BART station

The Oakland Airport BART station is located just across from the Terminal 1 baggage claim area and is a short walk from Terminal 2. The BART station is just a short walk to both airline terminals.

To get to the Oakland Airport BART station from downtown Oakland, take BART to Coliseum Station. From there, transfer to a Richmond-bound train. It takes about 12 minutes to get to the 12th Street/Oakland City Center station, which is just a few blocks from downtown Oakland, Oakland Chinatown, and Jack London Square.

To return to the Oakland Airport BART station from downtown Oakland, take a Warm Springs/South Fremont-bound train to the Coliseum station and go upstairs to transfer to an OAK train at Platform 3.

To get to the Oakland Airport BART station from downtown San Francisco, take BART to the Coliseum Station, then board a San Francisco/Daly City-bound train to one of the four downtown San Francisco BART stations. From there, it's a short walk or cab ride to most destinations in downtown San Francisco.

To return to the Oakland Airport BART station from downtown San Francisco, take a Warm Springs/South Fremont or Dublin/Pleasanton-bound train to the Coliseum station and go upstairs to transfer to an OAK train at Platform 3.

Buying tickets and fares

Riding BART to Oakland International Airport (OAK) is a great way to avoid sitting in Bay Area traffic. BART trains connect OAK with downtown San Francisco, downtown Oakland, and many other Bay Area destinations. The Oakland Airport BART station is located just across from the Terminal 1 baggage claim area and is a short walk from Terminal 2. It is also just a short walk to both airline terminals.

To ride BART, you need to purchase a ticket or a Clipper card. Clipper is a regional transit card that can be used on all transit in the Bay Area, including BART. You can buy a Clipper card in advance and add it to your mobile wallet through Apple Pay or Google Pay. Alternatively, you can purchase a Clipper card from a vending machine at the Coliseum BART station. BART no longer sells paper tickets, so if you don't have a Clipper card, you will need to purchase a BART ticket.

BART tickets are similar to debit cards with stored value. You can buy BART tickets from vending machines at the Coliseum BART station, which accepts cash, credit, or debit cards. The vending machines are located on Platform 3 of the Coliseum station.

BART's fares are based on travel distance. You can use the fare calculator on the BART website to determine the cost of your trip. To enter the BART system, insert your ticket into the fare gate, or tap your Clipper card on the top of the fare gate. The correct fare will be deducted automatically when you exit. If your ticket or card has insufficient value, a sign on the fare gate will direct you to a nearby Addfare vending machine to add more value.

Children aged 4 and under ride free on BART. Youth aged 5-18 years old are eligible for a 50% discount with a youth Clipper card. Seniors aged 65 and over receive a 62.5% discount with a Senior Clipper card. These discounted Clipper cards must be obtained in advance.

Luggage and accessibility

Luggage may be stowed under your seat, held in your lap, or placed on the floor next to you. Please keep the doorways clear. Some cars have space near the doors to accommodate wheelchairs, bikes, or strollers. If the space is not being used by a person with a disability, you may store your luggage there, but please keep it under your control at all times.

All BART stations have elevators and extra wide faregates for large luggage and for use by people with disabilities.

Oakland Airport to Downtown Oakland

The Oakland International Airport (OAK) is located 7 miles (11 km) south of Downtown Oakland. The Oakland Airport BART station is just across from the Terminal 1 baggage claim area and a short walk from Terminal 2.

To get from Oakland Airport to Downtown Oakland, take a BART train from OAK to Coliseum Station. From there, transfer to a Richmond-bound train. It takes about 12 minutes to get to the 12th Street/Oakland City Center station, which is right in the heart of downtown, just a few blocks from Oakland Chinatown and Jack London Square.

To return to Oakland Airport from Downtown Oakland, take a Berryessa-bound or Warm Springs/South Fremont-bound train to the Coliseum Station and go upstairs to transfer to an OAK train at Platform 3.

The BART trains are a great way to avoid the Bay Area traffic and easily get between Oakland Airport and Downtown Oakland. The Oakland Airport BART station is conveniently located within walking distance of both airport terminals.

All riders need a Clipper card to ride BART. Clipper is a regional transit card that can be used on all Bay Area transit systems. It is available on mobile phones through Apple Pay or Google Pay. Children aged 4 and under can ride for free, and there are also discounts for youth and seniors.

Oakland Airport to Downtown San Francisco

To get from Oakland Airport to downtown San Francisco, you can either take a taxi or the BART train. Taking a taxi is the fastest option, with a journey time of around 40 minutes and a cost of around $90 (€92). Taxi stands can be found outside of both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Oakland Airport.

If you would prefer a cheaper option, you can take the BART train from Oakland Airport to Coliseum Station, and then transfer to a San Francisco/Daly City-bound train to one of the four downtown San Francisco BART stations. The total journey time for this route is around 50 minutes, and the cost is $11.80 (€12) one way. The BART station is located between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, around a 3-5 minute walk from either terminal.

All riders need a Clipper card to take the BART. Clipper is a regional transit card that can be used on all transit in the Bay Area. You can either purchase a Clipper card or download the Clipper Card app to your phone. Children aged 4 and under can ride for free.

Frequently asked questions