California Travel Guide

California, United States — Airports

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Los Angeles International

Airport Code: LAX
Full Airport Name: Los Angeles International Airport
Location: The airport is situated 15 miles (24km) southwest of Los Angeles.
Time Zone: GMT -6 (GMT -5 from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November).
Phone Number: Tel: +1 310 646 5252.
Terminal Transfer: A free shuttle bus takes passengers between the International and seven other terminals.
Ground Transport: A free shuttle bus service runs to the Metro Rail Green Line Aviation Station from the lower level of each terminal. Another shuttle connects to the Bus Center, from where city buses serve the Los Angeles area. Prime Time Shuttle and Super Shuttle are both shared-ride van services; reservations are recommended. Some hotels also offer transport. There are taxis available outside the lower level of the airport and it costs about US$30 to the city center, about 15miles (24km) away. Car rental is available and there is a free shuttle pick-up to reach the rental car sites.
Car Rental: Car rental companies include Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz and Thrifty. Vehicle rental sites are located off the airport property, therefore many of these rental car companies provide phone links inside or near the baggage claim areas on the Lower/Arrival Level of the terminals; travelers can request a free shuttle pick-up to reach the rental car sites.
Airport Taxis: There are taxis available outside the lower level of the airport. Passengers receive a ticket stating the typical fare to major destinations, it costs about US$30 to the city center which is about 15miles (24km) away. Airport authorized taxis display an official seal and passengers who use an unauthorized taxi service do so at their own risk.
Airport Facilities: Passenger services at the airport include ATMs and currency exchange, a business center, baggage storage, shops, restaurants and bars. Internet kiosks are located throughout the airport as well as wireless Internet and the Travel Right Cafe in Terminal 4 has laptop connections. Cell phones can be rented in Arrivals. Facilities for the disabled are excellent.
Car Parking: There are eight central car parks offering long and short-term parking that are connected to the terminals by the LAX shuttle bus. There is also a Cell Phone Waiting Lot.
Departure Tax: There is a passenger facility charge of $4.50.
Website: www.lawa.org

San Francisco International

Airport Code: SFO
Full Airport Name: San Francisco International Airport
Location: The airport is situated 14 miles (23km) south of San Francisco.
Time Zone: GMT 8 (GMT 7 from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November).
Phone Number: Tel: +1 800 435 9736.
Terminal Transfer: AirTrain light rail service operates on two lines. The Red Line connects all terminals, garages and the BART Station; and the Blue Line, which also connects to the Rental Car Center. AirTrain does not provide service to SFO's Long Term Parking Lot.
Ground Transport: The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Rapid Rail service connects the airport to the city center, and provides a connection to the Caltrain commuter rail service at Milbrae Station, from where trains leave regularly to San Francisco downtown, costing about $2 and to San Jose. SamTrans Service, bus 292, leaves every 30 minutes for the city center and suburbs costing US$1.75. There are also shared vans, which provide a door-to-door service and are cheaper than taxis. Reservations are sometimes needed for service after 11pm. Taxis cost about US$35 for an hour's ride to the city center, very dependant on traffic. Airport employs are available at the taxi pick up area, outside all terminals, to help passengers.
Car Rental: The AirTrain links the terminals to the rental car center. Car rental companies include Alamo, Avis, Budget, National, Thrifty and Hertz.
Airport Taxis: Taxis depart from the designated taxi zones outside the arrivals and baggage claim level of each terminal, and uniformed taxi coordinators are stationed there from 7am to 1am to assist passengers. A taxi to the city center takes about an hour and generally costs around US$35.
Airport Facilities: There are banks, bureau de change and ATMs available. Facilities for the disabled are very good. Other facilities include baggage storage, medical clinic, bars and restaurants, duty-free, shops, childcare and baby changing facilities, post office, wireless Internet, tourist information and hotel reservations. There is also a museum, library, art gallery and an aviation history museum within the terminal.
Car Parking: A long-term car park is situated two miles (3km) north of the airport and is linked by a free shuttle bus service. Short-term parking is available at the airport.
Website: www.flysfo.com

San Diego International Airport

Airport Code: SAN
Full Airport Name: San Diego Lindbergh Field Airport
Location: The airport is situated two miles (3km) northwest of San Diego.
Time Zone: GMT -6 (GMT -5 from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November).
Phone Number: Tel: +1 619 400 2400.
Terminal Transfer: A free Inter-Airport Red Bus operates between the three terminals.
Ground Transport: A train service connects to the city center as well as other parts of San Diego and neighboring cities. (Tel: 800.262.7837). Flyer Service No. 992 leaves every 10 minutes for the city center between 5:00 a.m. and 12:50 a.m. and costs about $2.50. Public buses connect to downtown as well as commuter trains and depart every ten minutes. A host of shuttle companies are available to share rides into downtown and are available from arrivals. Taxis take about 10 minutes to downtown San Diego and cost around $10 (Tel: 619-234-6161). Shared shuttle vans offer door-to-door services and are a cheaper alternative to taxis.
Car Rental: Car rental companies include Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Hertz.
Airport Facilities: Lifts, bathrooms and telephones cater for the disabled. Currency exchange and ATMs are available. Other facilities include bars and restaurants, postal services, shops, several airport club rooms, tourist information and hotel reservations.
Car Parking: Short and long-term parking is available outside terminals.
Departure Tax: None.
Website: www.san.org

Bob Hope Airport

Airport Code: BUR
Full Airport Name: Bob Hope Airport
Location: The airport is situated three miles (5km) from Burbank and 12 miles (20km) north of Los Angeles.
Time Zone: GMT 8 (GMT 7 from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November).
Phone Number: Tel: +1 818 840 8840.
Ground Transport: The Metrolink and Amtrak train station is linked to the main terminal by a free shuttle service, but is only a short walk away, and serves downtown Los Angeles as well as other destinations. The airport is also on the MTA and Burbank Bus routes, which go to Burbank as well as downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood. Taxis are available in front of the airport and car hire counters are located in Terminal B. The LA city center is about 12 miles (20km) from the airport.
Car Rental: Car hire counters are available in Terminal B and include Alamo, Avis, Hertz and National.
Airport Taxis: Taxis available on the islands in front of the airport terminal include City Cab (818 848 1000), United Taxi (800 892 8294) and Yellow or Checker cabs (800 750 4400). It costs about US$70 for the 12-mile (20km) trip to the LA city center.
Airport Facilities: Facilities include a bank, ATMs, restaurants, wireless Internet access, shops and an information desk in Terminal A.
Car Parking: Short and long-term parking lots are available.
Departure Tax: None.
Website: www.burbankairport.com

Oakland International Airport

Airport Code: OAK
Full Airport Name: Oakland International Airport
Location: The airport is situated 12 miles (19km) from Oakland.
Time Zone: GMT 8 (GMT 7 from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November).
Phone Number: Tel: +1 510 563 3300.
Ground Transport: The BART subway network links the airport to Oakland and San Francisco from the Coliseum/Oakland International Airport Station. The AirBART shuttle links the station to the airport every 10 minutes. AC Transit bus line 50 connects the airport with BART, line N connects to downtown Oakland and downtown San Francisco as well as to east Oakland, and bus line 58 connects to the Amtrak railway station at Jack London Square. From Jack London Square it is possible to link to the Alameda/Oakland ferry, which provides services to San Francisco's ferry terminal and Pier 39.
Car Rental: The Rental Car Center is open 24 hours and has all rental companies in one location, including Avis, Budget, Hertz and National. A Rental Car Shuttle bus ferries passengers between the terminals and Rental Car Center every 10 minutes.
Airport Taxis: Taxis and a shuttle service are available from outside the airport. Taxi services are provided by Friendly Cab (phone: +1 510 536 3000) and Veteran's Cab (phone: +1 510 533 1900). The taxi fare to the city center is about US$50.
Airport Facilities: ATMs, restaurants and bars are available in both terminals. Duty-free shopping, a business center and left luggage services can be found in Terminal 1. Passengers with disabilities are well catered for, but those requiring wheelchairs should contact their airline in advance.
Car Parking: Hourly, daily and economy parking lots are open 24 hours and are linked to the two terminals by a free shuttle bus service every 10 minutes.
Website: www.oaklandairport.com

San José International Airport

Airport Code: SJC
Full Airport Name: Mineta San José International Airport
Location: The airport is located two miles (3km) north of central San José.
Time Zone: GMT 8 (GMT 7 from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November).
Phone Number: Tel: +1 (408) 501 0979.
Terminal Transfer: A free shuttle connects the three terminals, running roughly every five minutes.
Ground Transport: The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) operates a special Airport Flyer service that links the airport to the Metro Light Rail Station and the Santa Clara Caltrain Station. The Amtrak is three miles (5km) away from the airport, but there is no direct shuttle or bus service to and from the airport. Other transport options include a reliable and efficient bus service, or taxis. There are several taxi operators available at the airport at all terminals, which can cost anywhere from $20 to downtown San Jose or $90 to downtown San Francisco. There are also limousines available, and several hotels offer door-to-door shuttles for their guests.
Car Rental: Car rental companies can be found at the Rental Car Center, which is serviced by a shuttle bus that stops outside terminals. Companies represented at the airport include Alamo, Thrifty, Avis, National and Enterprise, among others.
Airport Facilities: Facilities at the airport include several restaurants and cafés, WiFi Internet access, a gift shop, ATMs, bureau de change, a shoeshine stand, fax and telephone facilities. Facilities for the disabled are good.
Car Parking: Long and short-term parking is available.
Departure Tax: None.
Website: www.sjc.org

Sacramento Airport

Airport Code: SMF
Full Airport Name: Sacramento International Airport
Location: Sacramento International Airport is located 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Sacramento
Time Zone: GMT-8 (GMT-7 from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November)
Phone Number: Tel: (916) 929 5411 Email: air-market@saccounty.net
Ground Transport: Taxis can be located outside the baggage claim area at Terminal A and across from the airport hotel at Terminal B. Supershuttle.com is the official provider of on-call van and sedan service at the airport, while Suttlefare.com also provides a service here. Yolobus offers daily public bus service to the airport and connection to Regional Transit (Tel: (530) 666 2877 for schedules) while Limos.com provides limousine service to the airport.
Car Rental: Car rental agencies include: Alamo, National, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Dollar and Hertz.
Airport Facilities: Facilities include restaurants, bars, shops and free wi-fi access in all public places. Disabled facilities are also available. Travelers requiring assistance should contact their airline prior to departure.
Car Parking: There is short- and long-term parking available.
Departure Tax: None
Website: www.sacairports.org/int