San Francisco:
Getting There
Air
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) +1 650 821 8211 http://www.flysfo.com/
SFO is located 13 miles from San Francisco and provides service to the following airlines:
Air Canada ( +1 800 776 3000 / http://www.aircanada.ca/) Air China (+1 800 986 1985 / http://www.airchina.com.cn/en/index.jsp ) Air France ( +1 800 871 1366 / http://www.airfrance.com/ ) American Airline ( +1 800 433 7300 / http://www.aa.com/ ) British Airways ( +1 800 247 9297 / http://www.british-airways.com/ ) Continental ( +1 800 525 0280 / http://www.continental.com/ ) Delta ( +1 800 221 1212 / http://www.delta.com/ ) Southwest (+1 800 435 9792 / http://www.southwest.com/) Northwest ( +1 800 225 2525 / http://www.nwa.com/ ) United ( +1 800 241 6522 / http://www.ual.com/ ) US Airways (+1 800 428 4322 / http://www.usairways.com/ ) Virgin America (+1 877 359 8474 / http://www.virginamerica.com/ ) Virgin Atlantic (+1 800 862 8621 / http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/ ) JetBlue (+1 800 538 2583 / http://www.jetblue.com)
Airport Parking: PCA (Park 'N Fly) (+1 800 763 6895 / http://www.pnfnetwork.com/)
From the Airport
Nile Expert Note: Renting a car isn't necessary to navigate San Francisco proper. The city's neighborhoods and points of interest are accessible by public transportation, and with the exception of some areas with seriously steep hills, the city is fairly walkable. Furthermore, parking is tough in most neighborhoods with ample dining and nightlife. However, if you do want to explore beyond the city--namely, Marin County, Berkeley and Oakland in the East Bay, or the Wine Country--then we recommend renting a car. Many hotels offer parking (for a price).
If you opt to not rent a car, the cab ride from SFO to San Francisco will cost $40-$50, depending on where you're going. Taking an airport shuttle is a more affordable option (and may even be free if your hotel offers complementary shuttle service), and taking BART into the city is not only cheap ($8.50 one way) but also super easy. Take the AirTrain in the airport terminal to the BART stop, exit the train, buy your BART ticket, and descend to the BART platform. BART trains depart for the city about every 10-15 minutes, and the ride takes about 25 minutes. Once in San Francisco, BART makes several stops along Market Street, within easy walking distance from Downtown, SoMa, and Union Square hotels. The reverse trip from the city to the airport on BART is just as simple. © NileGuide
Shuttle: AirTrain shuttle will take you from your terminal to the rental car center 24 hours a day. It also services the parking garages and the BART station connection at the airport.
Car Rental: Alamo ( +1 800 327 9633 / http://www.alamo.com/ ) Avis ( +1 800 831 2847 / http://www.avis.com/ ) Budget ( +1 800 527 0700 / http://www.budget.com/ ) Dollar ( +1 800 4000 / http://www.dollar.com/ ) Enterprise ( +1 800 325 8007 / http://www.enterprise.com/) Hertz ( +1 800 654 3131 / http://www.hertz.com/) National ( +1 800227 7368 / http://www.nationalcar.com/ ) Payless (+1 800 729 5377 / http://www.paylesscarrental.com/) Thrifty ( +1 800 367 2277 / http://www.thrifty.com/ ) BLS Limousine Service (+1 800 843 5752 / http://www.blslimo.com/)
Shuttle: Airport Express (+1 415 775 5121 / http://www.airportexpresssf.com/) USD 14-USD 17. Bay Shuttle (+1 415 564 3400 / http://www.bayshuttle.com/) USD14 adult, USD8 child, and USD65 per van.
Public Transit: BART Rapid Rail to northern San Mateo County, San Francisco and the East Bay from the airport. The SFO BART station is located on the Departures/Ticketing Level (Level 3) of the International Terminal, on the Boarding Area G side of the terminal near the Berman Reflection Room. (http://www.bart.gov/)
Caltrain rail service between San Francisco and San Jose, with weekday commute-hour service to Gilroy. BART connects SFO to the Caltrain rail system at the Millbrae Station. (http://www.caltrain.com/)
Samtrans 24-hour service connecting SFO to San Mateo County and parts of San Francisco and Palo Alto. SamsTrans buses stop at Terminal 1, 2, and International. (http://www.samtrans.org/)
Useful Products: PocketBay - A convenient and useful credit-card sized map of San Francisco and its public transportation that fits in a wallet so that users can access the essential information on the city at all times. (http://www.pocketbaymaps.com/)
If you're internet savvy, check out http://www.hopstop.com/ for the quick and easy route, via public transportation, to get you where you want to go.
Train
Amtrak services two San Francisco stops daily from nationwide locations ( +1 800 872 7245 / http://www.amtrak.com/).
Bus
Greyhound ( +1 800 231 2222; +1 512 458 4463 / http://www.greyhound.com/) accesses San Francisco daily.
Car
San Francisco can be reached via I-80, I-280, and I-101.
Getting Around
When you have a transportation query, you can pick up a phone and dial 511, or visit 511.org. Whether you're driving, taking public transportation, or looking into carpool options, 511 has all the information you need. It's available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Bus
The Muni Buses service the entire city (http://www.sfmuni.com/) and is San Francisco's main transportation system.
Bart rapid transit services downtown San Francisco as well as Oakland, Pittsburg, Fremont, and other Bay areas. (http://www.bart.gov/)
Ferry
For ferries to Alcatraz Island, use Alcatraz Cruises, departing from Pier 33. ( +1 415 981 7625 / http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/)
Taxi
Bayshore Cab ( +1 415 648 4444 ) Luxor Cab ( +1 415 282 4141 ) Yellow Cab Cooperative ( +1 415 282 3737 ) Green Cab ( +1 415 626 4733 )
Traffic Information
To find out city traffic information go to http://www.traffic.com/
If traveling overseas, take the safety precaution of registering your trip at https://travelregistration.state.gov and for helpful, practical advice about traveling technicalities and safety standards check out http://travel.state.gov/.
San Jose: Getting There
Air
Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) ( +1 408 501 7600/ http://www.sjc.org ) is located only three miles north of downtown San Jose. Its two terminals accommodate over 11 million passengers a year.
The following major airlines touchdown and take-off from its runways:
Alaskan Airlines (+1 800 252 7522/ http://www.alaskaair.com) American Airline (+1 800 433 7300/ http://www.aa.com) Continental (+1 800 525 0280/ http://www.continental.com) Delta (+1 800 221 1212/ http://www.delta.com) Frontier Airlines (+1 800 432 1359/ http://www.frontierairlines.com) Horizon Air (+1 800 547 9308/ http://www.horizonair.com) Mexicana (+1 800 531 7921/ http://www.mexicana.com) Northwest (+1 800 225 2525/ http://www.nwa.com) Southwest (+1 800 435 9792/ http://www.iflyswa.com) United (+1 800 241 6522/ http://www.ual.com) US Airways ( +1 800 428 4322/ http://www.usairways.com )
From the Airport
Car Rental: Alamo (+1 800 327 9633/ http://www.alamo.com) Avis (+1 800 831 2847/ http://www.avis.com) Budget (+1 800 527 0700/ http://www.budget.com) Dollar (+1 800 4000/ http://www.dollar.com ) Enterprise (+1 800 325 8007/ http://www.enterprise.com) Hertz (+1 800 654 3131/ http://www.hertz.com) National (+1 800 227 7368/ http://www.nationalcar.com) Payless (+1 800 729 5377/ http://www.paylesscarrental.com) Thrifty (+1 800 367 2277/ http://www.thrifty.com)
Taxi: Yellow Cab (+1 408 293 1234) operates out of Terminal A United Cab (+1 408 971 1111) operates out of Terminal C. Yellowcab (+1 408-245-5222/ http://yellowcabca.tripod.com/index.html) Rides to downtown average USD13, while rides to San Francisco approximately cost USD100.
Ride Shares: Atlas Express (+1 888 467 0000) Bay Express Shuttle (+1 408 243 8205) San Jose Express (+1 800 773 0039) Silicon Valley Airporter (+1 800 400 2365) South and East Bay Airport Shuttle (+1 408 559 9477) Most fares average USD15.
Rail: The VTA Airport Flyer (+1 800 894 9908/ http://www.vta.org) ushers passengers to the Santa Clara CalTrain Station (+1 800 660 4287/ http://www.caltrain.com), which provides access to the Metro Light Rail Station, which services San Jose, as well as train service to San Francisco. The Flyer exits the airport every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes on weekends. It operates 5:30AM-midnight daily. Rides are free.
Train
Amtrak (+1 800 872 7245/ http://www.amtrak.com) chugs into San Jose's train station at 65 Cahill Street on a daily basis. The Capitol Corridor Line makes 22 daily runs between San Jose and Sacramento, California's state capital. And the impossibly scenic Coast Starlight Line hums into San Jose daily while making runs between Seattle and Los Angeles. CalTrain (+1 800 660 4287/ http://www.caltrain.com) is a local train line that connects San Jose with San Francisco. Rides last 90 minutes and cost USD5.25.
Bus
Greyhound (+1 800 231 2222/ http://www.greyhound.com) operates out of San Jose's bus station at 70 South Almaden Avenue. Buses continually arrive from all points of the compass.
Highway
San Jose's crisscrossing network of Interstate highways makes it extremely car accessible. Interstate 880 (Nimitz Freeway) streams into San Jose from Oakland to the north and turns into Route 17 as it continues south into Santa Cruz along the coast. Highway 101 (Bayshore Freeway) enters from San Francisco in a southeast direction before persisting south to Los Angeles. And Interstate 280 (Junipero Serra Freeway) also wanders down from San Francisco, bending along San Jose's southern edge before connecting with Interstate 680 (Sinclair Freeway) which drifts in from Concord and Walnut Creek from the northeast.
Getting Around
Car
Driving in San Jose can be a tedious process if unfamiliar with its mesh of one-way streets. Parking and then using the Downtown Area Shuttle to maneuver through San Jose is strongly recommended. The Interstates, especially the Bayshore Freeway, would frighten most NASCAR drivers during morning and afternoon rush hours. When not gummed with traffic most cars zoom along at terrific speeds and harbor no patience for out-of-town drivers cautiously seeking their mapped out exit.
Taxi
Taxi's are readily available and can be easily found at most major hotels. A small list of cab companies include: Checker Cab (+1 408 293 1199) Yellowcab (+1 408-245-5222/ http://yellowcabca.tripod.com/index.html) Deluxe Cab (+1 408 441 9600) Golden Star Cab (+1 408 573 7777) Rainbow Cab (+1 408 271 9900) Veterans Cab (+1 408 946 2227) Airport Car Service (+1 650 254 1230)
Train
The Metro Light Rail System (+1 408 321 2300) features almost 29 miles of track with 33 stops. Trains attend each station every 10 minutes on weekdays, every 15 minutes on weekends, and every 30 minutes during evenings. Tickets cost USD1.25 and are good for two hours.
San Jose's historic trolley car service operates from early April through early October. It features nine popular downtown stops such as the Civic Center, the San Jose Convention Center, and Japantown.
Bus
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, or locally known as VTA (+1 800 894 9908/ http://www.vta.org), stands as San Jose's main source for public transit. Its fleet of 520 buses services all of downtown and the surrounding area with connections to other bus lines that link with Santa Cruz and San Francisco. One-way fares start at USD1.50.
DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle) is a free service that wanders through downtown M-F 6:15a-7p. Stops include the San Jose Convention Center, San Jose State University, and the Children's Discovery Museum.
Foot
San Jose's downtown is refreshingly compact making it extremely conducive for walking. San Pedro Square, the Center for Performing Arts, the San Jose Museum of Art, the convention center and many other prime attractions are all within several blocks of each other.
Plenty of bike routes and bike trails make San Jose extremely bike happy.
Getting There
Air
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) +1 650 821 8211 http://www.flysfo.com/
SFO is located 13 miles from San Francisco and provides service to the following airlines:
Air Canada ( +1 800 776 3000 / http://www.aircanada.ca/) Air China (+1 800 986 1985 / http://www.airchina.com.cn/en/index.jsp ) Air France ( +1 800 871 1366 / http://www.airfrance.com/ ) American Airline ( +1 800 433 7300 / http://www.aa.com/ ) British Airways ( +1 800 247 9297 / http://www.british-airways.com/ ) Continental ( +1 800 525 0280 / http://www.continental.com/ ) Delta ( +1 800 221 1212 / http://www.delta.com/ ) Southwest (+1 800 435 9792 / http://www.southwest.com/) Northwest ( +1 800 225 2525 / http://www.nwa.com/ ) United ( +1 800 241 6522 / http://www.ual.com/ ) US Airways (+1 800 428 4322 / http://www.usairways.com/ ) Virgin America (+1 877 359 8474 / http://www.virginamerica.com/ ) Virgin Atlantic (+1 800 862 8621 / http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/ ) JetBlue (+1 800 538 2583 / http://www.jetblue.com)
Airport Parking: PCA (Park 'N Fly) (+1 800 763 6895 / http://www.pnfnetwork.com/)
From the Airport
Nile Expert Note: Renting a car isn't necessary to navigate San Francisco proper. The city's neighborhoods and points of interest are accessible by public transportation, and with the exception of some areas with seriously steep hills, the city is fairly walkable. Furthermore, parking is tough in most neighborhoods with ample dining and nightlife. However, if you do want to explore beyond the city--namely, Marin County, Berkeley and Oakland in the East Bay, or the Wine Country--then we recommend renting a car. Many hotels offer parking (for a price).
If you opt to not rent a car, the cab ride from SFO to San Francisco will cost $40-$50, depending on where you're going. Taking an airport shuttle is a more affordable option (and may even be free if your hotel offers complementary shuttle service), and taking BART into the city is not only cheap ($8.50 one way) but also super easy. Take the AirTrain in the airport terminal to the BART stop, exit the train, buy your BART ticket, and descend to the BART platform. BART trains depart for the city about every 10-15 minutes, and the ride takes about 25 minutes. Once in San Francisco, BART makes several stops along Market Street, within easy walking distance from Downtown, SoMa, and Union Square hotels. The reverse trip from the city to the airport on BART is just as simple. © NileGuide
Shuttle: AirTrain shuttle will take you from your terminal to the rental car center 24 hours a day. It also services the parking garages and the BART station connection at the airport.
Car Rental: Alamo ( +1 800 327 9633 / http://www.alamo.com/ ) Avis ( +1 800 831 2847 / http://www.avis.com/ ) Budget ( +1 800 527 0700 / http://www.budget.com/ ) Dollar ( +1 800 4000 / http://www.dollar.com/ ) Enterprise ( +1 800 325 8007 / http://www.enterprise.com/) Hertz ( +1 800 654 3131 / http://www.hertz.com/) National ( +1 800227 7368 / http://www.nationalcar.com/ ) Payless (+1 800 729 5377 / http://www.paylesscarrental.com/) Thrifty ( +1 800 367 2277 / http://www.thrifty.com/ ) BLS Limousine Service (+1 800 843 5752 / http://www.blslimo.com/)
Shuttle: Airport Express (+1 415 775 5121 / http://www.airportexpresssf.com/) USD 14-USD 17. Bay Shuttle (+1 415 564 3400 / http://www.bayshuttle.com/) USD14 adult, USD8 child, and USD65 per van.
Public Transit: BART Rapid Rail to northern San Mateo County, San Francisco and the East Bay from the airport. The SFO BART station is located on the Departures/Ticketing Level (Level 3) of the International Terminal, on the Boarding Area G side of the terminal near the Berman Reflection Room. (http://www.bart.gov/)
Caltrain rail service between San Francisco and San Jose, with weekday commute-hour service to Gilroy. BART connects SFO to the Caltrain rail system at the Millbrae Station. (http://www.caltrain.com/)
Samtrans 24-hour service connecting SFO to San Mateo County and parts of San Francisco and Palo Alto. SamsTrans buses stop at Terminal 1, 2, and International. (http://www.samtrans.org/)
Useful Products: PocketBay - A convenient and useful credit-card sized map of San Francisco and its public transportation that fits in a wallet so that users can access the essential information on the city at all times. (http://www.pocketbaymaps.com/)
If you're internet savvy, check out http://www.hopstop.com/ for the quick and easy route, via public transportation, to get you where you want to go.
Train
Amtrak services two San Francisco stops daily from nationwide locations ( +1 800 872 7245 / http://www.amtrak.com/).
Bus
Greyhound ( +1 800 231 2222; +1 512 458 4463 / http://www.greyhound.com/) accesses San Francisco daily.
Car
San Francisco can be reached via I-80, I-280, and I-101.
Getting Around
When you have a transportation query, you can pick up a phone and dial 511, or visit 511.org. Whether you're driving, taking public transportation, or looking into carpool options, 511 has all the information you need. It's available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Bus
The Muni Buses service the entire city (http://www.sfmuni.com/) and is San Francisco's main transportation system.
Bart rapid transit services downtown San Francisco as well as Oakland, Pittsburg, Fremont, and other Bay areas. (http://www.bart.gov/)
Ferry
For ferries to Alcatraz Island, use Alcatraz Cruises, departing from Pier 33. ( +1 415 981 7625 / http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/)
Taxi
Bayshore Cab ( +1 415 648 4444 ) Luxor Cab ( +1 415 282 4141 ) Yellow Cab Cooperative ( +1 415 282 3737 ) Green Cab ( +1 415 626 4733 )
Traffic Information
To find out city traffic information go to http://www.traffic.com/
If traveling overseas, take the safety precaution of registering your trip at https://travelregistration.state.gov and for helpful, practical advice about traveling technicalities and safety standards check out http://travel.state.gov/.
San Jose: Getting There
Air
Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) ( +1 408 501 7600/ http://www.sjc.org ) is located only three miles north of downtown San Jose. Its two terminals accommodate over 11 million passengers a year.
The following major airlines touchdown and take-off from its runways:
Alaskan Airlines (+1 800 252 7522/ http://www.alaskaair.com) American Airline (+1 800 433 7300/ http://www.aa.com) Continental (+1 800 525 0280/ http://www.continental.com) Delta (+1 800 221 1212/ http://www.delta.com) Frontier Airlines (+1 800 432 1359/ http://www.frontierairlines.com) Horizon Air (+1 800 547 9308/ http://www.horizonair.com) Mexicana (+1 800 531 7921/ http://www.mexicana.com) Northwest (+1 800 225 2525/ http://www.nwa.com) Southwest (+1 800 435 9792/ http://www.iflyswa.com) United (+1 800 241 6522/ http://www.ual.com) US Airways ( +1 800 428 4322/ http://www.usairways.com )
From the Airport
Car Rental: Alamo (+1 800 327 9633/ http://www.alamo.com) Avis (+1 800 831 2847/ http://www.avis.com) Budget (+1 800 527 0700/ http://www.budget.com) Dollar (+1 800 4000/ http://www.dollar.com ) Enterprise (+1 800 325 8007/ http://www.enterprise.com) Hertz (+1 800 654 3131/ http://www.hertz.com) National (+1 800 227 7368/ http://www.nationalcar.com) Payless (+1 800 729 5377/ http://www.paylesscarrental.com) Thrifty (+1 800 367 2277/ http://www.thrifty.com)
Taxi: Yellow Cab (+1 408 293 1234) operates out of Terminal A United Cab (+1 408 971 1111) operates out of Terminal C. Yellowcab (+1 408-245-5222/ http://yellowcabca.tripod.com/index.html) Rides to downtown average USD13, while rides to San Francisco approximately cost USD100.
Ride Shares: Atlas Express (+1 888 467 0000) Bay Express Shuttle (+1 408 243 8205) San Jose Express (+1 800 773 0039) Silicon Valley Airporter (+1 800 400 2365) South and East Bay Airport Shuttle (+1 408 559 9477) Most fares average USD15.
Rail: The VTA Airport Flyer (+1 800 894 9908/ http://www.vta.org) ushers passengers to the Santa Clara CalTrain Station (+1 800 660 4287/ http://www.caltrain.com), which provides access to the Metro Light Rail Station, which services San Jose, as well as train service to San Francisco. The Flyer exits the airport every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes on weekends. It operates 5:30AM-midnight daily. Rides are free.
Train
Amtrak (+1 800 872 7245/ http://www.amtrak.com) chugs into San Jose's train station at 65 Cahill Street on a daily basis. The Capitol Corridor Line makes 22 daily runs between San Jose and Sacramento, California's state capital. And the impossibly scenic Coast Starlight Line hums into San Jose daily while making runs between Seattle and Los Angeles. CalTrain (+1 800 660 4287/ http://www.caltrain.com) is a local train line that connects San Jose with San Francisco. Rides last 90 minutes and cost USD5.25.
Bus
Greyhound (+1 800 231 2222/ http://www.greyhound.com) operates out of San Jose's bus station at 70 South Almaden Avenue. Buses continually arrive from all points of the compass.
Highway
San Jose's crisscrossing network of Interstate highways makes it extremely car accessible. Interstate 880 (Nimitz Freeway) streams into San Jose from Oakland to the north and turns into Route 17 as it continues south into Santa Cruz along the coast. Highway 101 (Bayshore Freeway) enters from San Francisco in a southeast direction before persisting south to Los Angeles. And Interstate 280 (Junipero Serra Freeway) also wanders down from San Francisco, bending along San Jose's southern edge before connecting with Interstate 680 (Sinclair Freeway) which drifts in from Concord and Walnut Creek from the northeast.
Getting Around
Car
Driving in San Jose can be a tedious process if unfamiliar with its mesh of one-way streets. Parking and then using the Downtown Area Shuttle to maneuver through San Jose is strongly recommended. The Interstates, especially the Bayshore Freeway, would frighten most NASCAR drivers during morning and afternoon rush hours. When not gummed with traffic most cars zoom along at terrific speeds and harbor no patience for out-of-town drivers cautiously seeking their mapped out exit.
Taxi
Taxi's are readily available and can be easily found at most major hotels. A small list of cab companies include: Checker Cab (+1 408 293 1199) Yellowcab (+1 408-245-5222/ http://yellowcabca.tripod.com/index.html) Deluxe Cab (+1 408 441 9600) Golden Star Cab (+1 408 573 7777) Rainbow Cab (+1 408 271 9900) Veterans Cab (+1 408 946 2227) Airport Car Service (+1 650 254 1230)
Train
The Metro Light Rail System (+1 408 321 2300) features almost 29 miles of track with 33 stops. Trains attend each station every 10 minutes on weekdays, every 15 minutes on weekends, and every 30 minutes during evenings. Tickets cost USD1.25 and are good for two hours.
San Jose's historic trolley car service operates from early April through early October. It features nine popular downtown stops such as the Civic Center, the San Jose Convention Center, and Japantown.
Bus
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, or locally known as VTA (+1 800 894 9908/ http://www.vta.org), stands as San Jose's main source for public transit. Its fleet of 520 buses services all of downtown and the surrounding area with connections to other bus lines that link with Santa Cruz and San Francisco. One-way fares start at USD1.50.
DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle) is a free service that wanders through downtown M-F 6:15a-7p. Stops include the San Jose Convention Center, San Jose State University, and the Children's Discovery Museum.
Foot
San Jose's downtown is refreshingly compact making it extremely conducive for walking. San Pedro Square, the Center for Performing Arts, the San Jose Museum of Art, the convention center and many other prime attractions are all within several blocks of each other.
Plenty of bike routes and bike trails make San Jose extremely bike happy.
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