Bay Area Airport Shuttle

Bay Area airport shuttle services offer a cheap and convenient way to travel between your home, office, hotel or terminal and the airports around San Francisco.

Get the facts on airport shuttle service in San Francisco

Airport shuttles in San Francisco are basically share-ride van companies serving the Bay Area’s three largest airports:

• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
• Oakland International Airport (OAK)
• San Jose International Airport (SJC)

Most shuttle companies use passenger vans, though in the last decade some have added SUVs to their fleets. The premise behind the shuttle is to fill a vehicle with as many people as possible who are traveling in the same direction. By sharing the ride with other passengers and making stops along the way, you will be able to save a lot of money.

Most shuttle services in the Bay Area charge roughly 15 to 20 dollars per passenger. Considering how much taxis and limo services charge, the flat fee is a steal. What’s more, taking a shuttle service beats dragging your luggage onto mass transit options, such as the bus, cable cars, or BART.

In addition to being cost effective, airport shuttle services in the Bay Area yield a host of other benefits. However, they also feature a few downsides as well.

• Great for large families or groups: Most airport shuttle service vans can comfortably fit up to seven passengers with luggage. The shuttle allows your group to travel together for a reasonable rate and offers door-to-door service.

• Better for the environment: Airport shuttles in the Bay Area are extremely cognizant of the environment and help to preserve it in a variety of ways. The basic premise of carpooling helps aid the environment. For example, if you have six passengers in a single van all traveling in the same direction, it is much less damaging to the environment than having six cabs or limos carrying one passenger each to the same destination.

• Discounts and coupons: If you are a student, teacher, senior citizen, military personnel or non-profit organization representative, you might be eligible for a discount. In addition, many airport shuttle services in the Bay Area offer coupons. Dispatchers can tell you where to obtain a coupon. Most are published in local Yellow Pages, magazines, and newspapers. Several airport shuttles serving the Bay Area also give discounts on round trip and online reservations.

• Time: While airport shuttles in the San Francisco Bay area are cheaper than taxi services, it does take longer to get to your final destination because other passengers are involved.

• Hours of operation: Airport shuttle operating hours and availability vary depending on share-ride demand. It’s a good idea to call airport shuttle services in advance of your trip to find out what their hours are. Also, ask if you can make a reservation ahead of time, so you aren't left scrambling to get to the airport on time on the day of your flight.

• Luggage: Airport shuttle drivers keep all luggage in the back of the van – meaning your bags will be sharing space with other passengers’ luggage. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your luggage at all times. Make sure that the driver puts it in the van and no one takes your bag by mistake. Also, look around your seat before exiting the van, so you don’t leave behind any personal items.

Airport shuttle companies congregate in a group on the second level at the San Francisco International Airport. The shuttle service area is located one floor above baggage claim.

The following airport shuttle services are among the most popular in the Bay Area:

• BayAreaShuttles.net
• OneStopShuttle.com
• SFTravel.com
• FlySFO.com
• BayPorter.com
• QuakeCityShuttle.com

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