This Overlooked Airport In The San Francisco Bay Area Is A Convenient Option To Consider

More often than not, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the travel hub most people think of when they want to fly into the Bay Area. The reason is simple: It's a more popular airport. However, there lies another option many travelers often skip, and that is Oakland International Airport (OAK). The international airport is in Oakland, California, on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay — the city is just a stone's throw away from some of the country's best cities for wine tasting. Because the airport is located about 10 miles south of downtown Oakland, it's even more convenient for people traveling to the East Bay.

Oakland International Airport is smaller, calmer, and often cheaper. And for those reasons, it can be the more convenient choice for many travelers, especially if all they want is short lines, fewer delays, and an easier airport overall experience. So if you dislike crowds, long waits, or dragging your luggage through large terminals, then OAK might just be all you need to make your travel much less stressful, especially if your trips are short or connections are tight.

Oakland Airport might not be as large or well-known as San Francisco International Airport, but it offers several advantages that might make it a smart option for you. One of such advantages is that it is cost-efficient. Recent data has shown that OAK usually offers lower base airfares when compared to SFO and San Jose International Airport (SJC). For travelers who are more conscious about their pockets, traveling via Oakland Airport can save them a sensible amount of money. This is because airlines, such as Southwest, Alaska, Spirit, and Delta, that operate at OAK tend to offer more predictable pricing, even during busy seasons. For families buying multiple tickets, the difference could mean a whole lot.

Also, traveling through Oakland Airport will grant you easy and cheap transit into the city. If you're a traveler who enjoys public transit, you can take the quick AirBART shuttle from the airport to the BART train system. From there, you can easily get to places like Downtown San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, Walnut Creek, and many other Bay Area cities. The ride is clean, simple, and most importantly, avoids traffic entirely. For drivers, however, rental cars are available at the airport, and rideshare apps work smoothly there. You can ask for a guide if you're renting a car for the first time. Also at Oakland Airport, parking is usually cheaper and easier to find than at SFO.

Visiting Oakland Airport will give you an overall comfortable travel experience. Even though it is smaller than SFO, it's still an airport that has continued growing by updating its terminals, adding dining and shopping choices. At the airport, travelers will find clean, modern waiting areas with charging stations and local food options made available for travelers. There is also high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the terminals. A flyer wrote on Google Reviews: "Hands down my favorite airport in the U.S.! Small, easy to navigate! Family friendly! Security and staff are professional and consistent! You always know what to expect. Getting a rental vehicle is easy. Prime and safe location! Clean!"

Finally, when you visit Oakland Airport, expect to see a less congested travel hub. And what this means is that check-ins at the airport will be faster, and there'll be shorter security lines. You'll also be able to pick up your baggage very quickly. What's more, there'll be fewer or no terminal-to-door frustrations. So, when next you want to fly into the Bay Area, try ending or starting your journey in Oakland so that you can save money, avoid crowds, and get to your station with little or no stress.