Four hour layover at Oakland airport
 

Hi all,

Traveling Southwest from Phoenix to Oakland with a four-hour layover until we continue on to Maui at the end of this month. Thinking about leaving the airport for a couple hours to hit the zoo or Fairyland as we have a nearly-four year old daughter and this will be a long trip for her. (She's a seasoned traveler, but this is gonna be a challenge.) Is this wise/doable? Thoughts? Thanks!

Is it doable? I don't know.

Is it wise? No.

I agree -- not a good plan. Not enough time, too much traffic. What you could do would be to see if you can rent a hotel room at the Airport Hilton for reduced cost (some airport hotels have day fees). There would be TV, privacy, and possibly a pool.

>>Thinking about leaving the airport for a couple hours to hit the zoo or Fairyland as we have a nearly-four year old daughter and this will be a long trip for her.<<

Terrible idea - really. Fairyland will be anywhere from a 30 minute to one hour drive each way from the airport depending on traffic. Then you need to be at OAK about 2 hours prior to the flight -- there is no time. Plus you'd have to lug your carry-ons. Just a bad idea all around.

I have to agree with the others that trying to get to the zoo or fairyland and back to the airport could be very stressful. You could consider just catching a cab over to Alameda. It is right next door and is flat with a cute little downtown area or you could wander around by the water. But if you risk being in any of the commuter traffic then I would just stay put at the airport.

https://www.alamedaca.gov/RESIDENTS/...ons-in-Alameda

I hate the four, five hour layovers. They are a sucker play. It looks like you would have enough time to do something but actually you don't have that much time. It takes time to leave the airport, then re-entry can be a dice roll depending on local security lines, etc. And with SW you cannot just walk on at the last minute. You need another alternative.

Thanks, everyone! Really appreciate the responses. You confirmed what I initially thought. I'll share your opinions with the husband and plan on staying put and having a nice, long, relaxing lunch at the airport. Again, thank you!!!!