 |
 |
The Oakland International Airport in Oakland, California has the following airlines regularly operating from its main passenger terminal:
- Alaska Airlines
- Horizon Air
- Allegiant
- Delta
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Jet Blue Airlines
- Sata
- Southwest
- Spirit
- United Airlines
- US Airways
- Volaris
There are numerous parking solutions on-site, as well as an abundance of parking and shuttle services in the immediate area of the airport. On airport parking consists of 7,000 spaces spread between a new Premier Lot and an Economy Lot, which includes the hourly lot. All of the on airport lots are within walking distance to the terminals. One notable feature of the premier parking lot is the is availability of charging for electric vehicles.
Several car rental companies offer services at the Oakland Airport. A few of these include Alamo, Fox Rent-A-Car, Hertz, Dollar and National Car Rental. Each of these agencies houses their vehicles on a facility that sits just a few miles from the airport terminals.
Oakland International Airport's Rental Car Center houses all on-airport rental car agencies in one location. This facility is at the airport's North Field less than 10 minutes from the terminals. A common airport shuttle service runs pretty much non-stop to this car rental center. Waiting times usually run less than minutes between trips. If for some reason, you choose not to use the shuttle service out of the airport, here are the directions:
Taking Hegenberger Rd. take a right turn on Doolittle, then a left on Langley. The Rental Car center will be on the right hand side. You can't miss it.
To get to Oakland from the rental car area, get back on Langley and turn right on Doolittle. Travel South on Doolitte right next to the San Leandro Bay waters for about a mile. Exit right towards the 880 Freeway. You will now be on 98th Avenue traveling Northeast. Travel about another mile and exit onto 880. Travel via 880 for about 6 miles all the way to Oakland.
When re-fueling before returning your rental car back to the Oakland Airport Car rental facility off Doolittle, there is a Chevron station on 98th Avenue, on the right hand side. The service station sits about half-way between 880 and Doolittle Drive.
The Oakland International Airport has two main passenger terminals that are connected. Terminal One is the older terminal and has all of the airlines operating out of the airport except for Southwest Airlines. All of Terminal Two is the territory of Southwest Airlines. Extensive roadwork on the access roads leading to the airport makes getting in and out of this airport was a breeze. Of course, coming early always helps.
There is a great food selection in the airport, but most of the best eateries are beyond the security checkpoints. Restroom are plentiful and accessible and are very clean for public restrooms. Another nice feature of the Oakland International airport are the convenient outlets in the waiting and gate areas which makes charging your electronics fairly easy.
The bottom line:
- Recently Renovated, if you came here 5-10 years ago the airport has come a long way. (check out the photo from 1996 below.)
- Convenient ride from the Coliseum BART station on AIRBART buses.
- Curbside check in at Terminal Two.
- Kiosks to print boarding passes speeds things up considerably.
- If you do need to check in the lines are relatively short and move quickly depending on the airline you are flying.
- Hassle Free Security line is easy to navigate, generally short, and the TSA screeners are friendly and helpful.
- Nice selection of different food establishments including (Vino Wine Bar, Gordon Beirsch, Fenton's Creamery, Starbuck's, Columbo Bread, Max's Deli, and Starbucks.
- Much easier to get around than the San Francisco International Airport.
- Definitely worth a try, especially if you are heading into the East Bay or towards Sonoma or Marin County.
Below are some attractions that you might want to visit in your rented vehicle while visiting the Oakland Area. We have included car rental driving distances for your review. Remember that distance estimates are just that. If you are looking for exact distances, you might want to reserve a GPS to find exact mileage calculations.
Airport to Oakland Zoo, 5 Miles
Airport to Oakland Museum of California, 9 Miles
Airport to Lake Merritt, 11 Miles
Airport to Cathedral of Christ the Light, 12 Miles
Airport to Richmond, 22 Miles
Airport to Hayward, 13 Miles
Airport to Downtown Oakland, 10 Miles
Airport to Downtown San Francisco, 22 Miles
Airport to Berkeley, 15 Miles
Airport to Golden Gate Bridge, 26 Miles
Airport to San Jose, 35 Miles
You should have access to the usual choices. SUV's, minivans, compacts, and luxury cars will generally be available to you when booking your vehicle. They key is to book with Eurocar Rental early. The earlier you book, the better chance of securing that perfect vehicle, at the perfect price.