Airport Shuttle Bay Area

Have you ever considered using airport shuttle Bay Area services? They are touted as one of the cheapest ways to get to and from Bay Area airports and your hotel, office or home. However, there are some factors you should consider before signing up for an airport shuttle service.

Shuttle service is located near baggage claim.

Most door-to-door airport shuttles service the Bay Area’s three main airports: San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland International Airport (OAK) and San Jose International Airport (SJC). While dozens of shuttle companies offer their services to airline passengers, before selecting one, you should consider certain factors first:

• Cost: The main advantage of using airport shuttles is cost. Typically, airport shuttles that operate in the San Francisco Bay Area charge less than half the amount that a traditional taxi would. In addition, the rate is fixed, so if the shuttle van gets stuck in traffic during rush hour, you still pay the same flat fee.

• Space: Generally, airport shuttle services in the Bay Area use large passenger vans, which provide pickup service from your home, hotel, or office to (or from) local airports. These large vehicles offer ample room for you and your luggage. However, you share the ride with other travelers (hence, the reduced cost of the ride), so there will be times when you won’t have the entire back seat to yourself. You can expect the most room during the very early morning hours or mid-afternoon, and the least amount of space during the mid-morning and evening hours.

• Advance reservations: It is possible to make an advanced reservation for airport shuttle service in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is not always the case with taxi services. The benefit of making reservations in advance is that you are able to inquire about service options, including a driver’s knowledge of your pick-up/drop-off area. You can also find out if the shuttle driver will wait for you if your flight is delayed and how many stops the shuttle van will make. Most companies will limit it to three stops; however, this varies from company to company.

The disadvantages of using airport shuttle services in San Francisco include:

• Stops: Since you are sharing a ride with other passengers, there will be multiple stops involved. If you are going to the San Francisco International Airport, you might be the first pickup, and therefore have to make several stops until your shuttle van is full.

• Time: Since the average shuttle vans hold up to 11 passengers, the driver will often circle the airport a few times to load up the van before departure. Most San Francisco area airports have strict regulations about how many times a shuttle van may circle--usually three.

• Restrictions: Most airport shuttle services in the Bay Area have restrictions on large luggage items, such as golf clubs and surfboards. It’s a good idea to inquire in advance if you plan to transport oversized items on your shuttle ride.

• Tip: Airport shuttle passengers are expected to leave a one to three dollar tip for the driver, in addition to the regular fare.

If you are planning to take an airport shuttle during your next trip to/from a Bay Area airport, consider the following helpful tips:

• A full van will depart soon while an empty van will likely sit for a while until it fills up.

• Check the fare first. It is possible to get to the south suburbs and East Bay (including Oakland) inexpensively using an airport shuttle service.

• Always ask a shuttle driver for a departure time and inquire as to how many stops you will have to make before arriving at your final destination. Depending on the driver’s route you could be in downtown San Francisco in 20 minutes, but have to drive around for another hour dropping off people before you arrive at your stop.

• Do the math. If you have a family of four, the fare for a taxi is almost exactly the same as an airport shuttle, but has no wait or stops.

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