If we don't want to rent a car while in SF, what's the best way to get there from the Oakland airport. And the most affordable? If it's BART, can someone explain how it works to me? Do we need to catch a shuttle to the BART station? And then is it a bus? Is it a pain in the neck with luggage and how long does it typically take? Sorry for so many questions. I'm trying to convince my husband that we don't want to rent a car and pay for parking all week. And pay for a car all week, for that matter.

PS - I checked the web site, but it would still be great to get some real-life info/tips on it. Thanks again!

A shuttle bus runs every 15' minutes, and it's a special bus with seats for people and a shelf rack for luggage. Price: $2 one way - buy a ticket from a vending machine outside the airport or inside of the Coluseum BART station on the way home. Or if you're over 65 then pay 50 cents to the driver (drop coins in the slot). The ride between BART and the airport about 20 minutes long. Exact change required, so make sure to have enough $1 bills (if 2 people over 65, if I remember correctly, yes, you may put in a $1 paper bill).

BART: you buy a ticket from a vending machine, no exact change required, but you don't get change either. You can add money to that ticket on your way back. Don't remember how much... it's a smooth ride, and you keep your luggage by your seat, no designated luggage space. Not a problem, unless you hit the peak times. In this case, go to the very first or very last car in the train, usually less crowded.

There are several lines, and not all of them go to San Francisco. The destination (SF/Millbrae/SFO) will be displayed. The platform has 2 sides, go to the SF side.

Make sure you get off at the right station. They are announced on the loud speaker and clearly marked.

There is no pain in getting to/from OAK.

Well, if you decide on shuttle, it's about $35 per person. There may be tourist booklets in the airport with some discount coupons for OAK shuttles, or you can search the internet. Never used shuttles to OAK, can't tell.

Bart is easy, and probably faster than the shuttle to boot. It used to be the Main reason to come/go into Oakland. Haven't tried the SFO bart extension, but was always happy with Bart from Oakland Airport.

BART is definitely the most affordable way to go. It will also most likely be the quickest as you don't have to deal with traffic as you would in a shuttle or car. I would highly recommend getting a taxi once you have gotten off BART instead of trying to catch a bus or street car. It can be difficult to negotiate the SF MUNI system with luggage, particularly when it's crowded.

That doesn't sound too bad. We took a series of modes of public transportation from Jersey City or Hoboken (I forget) to LaGuardia airport once, and it took something like 2 hours and was sort of a pain.

So this is a train then (once you get there on the shuttle)? Forgive my ignorance... I feel like such a tourist!

BART is a train. It will take you under the SF Bay and into San Francisco. (Some trains don't go into SF, so make sure you have the correct one). If you go to www.bart.gov and click on maps & directions you will get a map of the various BART stations so you can get an idea of which one is closest to your final destination. (If you don't know which one is best post the cross streets here). Under Stations & Schedules - quickplanner select Coliseum/Oakland Airport in the From pulldown menu, the station you want to go, date and time. This will tell you which train to board, when it departs and arrives and the cost of the trip.

Don't worry, FL, we'll make you a traveler BART is a light rail surface and underground train.

Do you know your hotel's address: street and the cross street? We can help you with the destination station.

Thanks all! Hopefully our skills from working in and living near NYC will help us over there. ;-) We are between a couple of the Kimpton hotels, so I don't have an exact address yet. We're considering the Argonaut and Villa Florence (?). I'm thinking I'd enjoy a bay view at the Argonaut.

Hi fllady, if I were staying at the Argonaut I would take a taxi from BART. If you to decide to stay at the Villa Florence just get off at the Powell St.Station. After getting off of BART walk to the front of the train, go upstairs and turn left on Powell St. The Villa Florence is just up Powell on your left, about a couple of blocks. Have fun in SF!!

Just did it, the reason you need a bus first is because they haven't extended train tracks down to the airport (yet).

So you take the bus as described earlier, it goes to Coliseum station which is the nearest to OAK, then go up to the train. Make sure you take a look at the website map at www.bart.gov/ ahead of time so you'll be familiar with the couple of names that denote end-of-line stations, so you take the right one for you.

It's easy, trains are neat - the only shock you'll have is if you come up on Market Street if it's in the stretch where the human flotsam and jetsam is, well, shall we say different?

WK