Oak airport transportation into Oakland includes a BART connection via Coliseum and AC Transit buses serving the airport. For downtown Oakland, take the Connector to Coliseum, then transfer to BART; the airport is about 8.5 miles and a 20-minute drive from Bay Bridge Inn Oakland, a hotel in Oakland.
- BART: The Oakland Airport Connector links OAK with Coliseum BART Station.
- Downtown: Transfer at Coliseum to an Orange Line train toward Richmond for 12th St/Oakland City Center.
- Bus: AC Transit Line 73 connects the airport and Coliseum BART; Line 805 serves the airport overnight.
Where Oakland International Airport is
Oakland International Airport (OAK) is connected to Coliseum BART Station by the Oakland Airport Connector.
The OAK Airport Station is across from Terminal 1 baggage claim and a short walk from Terminal 2. To reach the station, follow the signs to BART across the street from the airport and take the elevator to the train concourse.
How do you get from OAK to downtown Oakland by transit?
The BART route from OAK to downtown Oakland uses the Connector to Coliseum, followed by a train transfer. BART gives the Connector trip as approximately 9 minutes, with an average wait of 4.5 minutes.
- At OAK, follow the BART signs to the Airport Station.
- Take the Oakland Airport Connector to Coliseum BART Station.
- At Coliseum, take the elevator from the BART train platform to the Connector platform. To continue downtown, transfer to an Orange Line train toward Richmond.
The ride from Coliseum to 12th St/Oakland City Center takes about 12 minutes. BART describes that station as downtown, a few blocks from Oakland Chinatown and Jack London Square.
Pay for the BART trip after arriving at Coliseum BART Station, on Platform 3. Fares depend on mileage; use BART’s fare calculator or Trip Planner to check the fare for your destination. Fare gates accept contactless bank cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay, and you should use the same payment method to enter and exit.
BART stations have elevators and extra-wide fare gates for large luggage and riders with disabilities. Keep luggage under control and doorways clear. OAK Airport Station has no restrooms; Coliseum Station does.
What bus connections serve OAK?
AC Transit connects OAK with Coliseum BART and also runs an overnight service between the airport and Uptown Oakland. Line 73 travels between the airport and Eastmont Transit Center via 73rd Avenue, Coliseum BART, and Hegenberger Road. Its airport stop is stop ID 50275. The MacArthur Station guide covers another Oakland BART stop.
Line 805 runs between Uptown Oakland and Oakland Airport via Grand Avenue, MacArthur Boulevard, and Coliseum BART. AC Transit’s All Nighter service operates from midnight to 7 a.m. Line 73 can also be used if the Oakland Airport Connector has a service disruption.
Driving, taxi and rideshare considerations
The airport and hotel are in Oakland, while the BART and bus connections offer alternatives for reaching central Oakland without driving the full trip.
The supplied transportation details do not give taxi or rideshare prices, pickup instructions, or journey times, so compare those options using current airport and provider information before choosing. For BART fares, use the fare calculator or Trip Planner rather than assuming a fixed amount.
Planning the onward trip to the hotel area
If you arrive by BART, continue from the airport to Coliseum and plan the onward leg from there; the airport connection itself is separate from travel to the hotel area.
For routes beyond the airport connection, how to get around Oakland by transit and on foot covers travel around the city.
For transit hours, fares, and service changes, check the official site before you go. BART lists the OAK connection as running on weekdays from 5 a.m. to midnight, Saturdays from 6 a.m. to midnight, and Sundays from 8 a.m. to midnight.
AC Transit’s Line 73 and Line 805 service details are also worth confirming when you plan around a particular departure.
FAQs
Does BART go directly from OAK to downtown Oakland?
No. Take the Oakland Airport Connector to Coliseum and transfer to an Orange Line train toward Richmond for 12th St/Oakland City Center.
Where do you board the airport Connector at OAK?
The OAK Airport Station is across from Terminal 1 baggage claim and a short walk from Terminal 2.
Can you take a bus between OAK and Coliseum BART?
Yes. AC Transit Line 73 serves both the airport and Coliseum BART, and can be used if the Oakland Airport Connector has a service disruption.
How do you pay for the BART trip from OAK?
Pay after arriving at Coliseum BART Station, on Platform 3. BART fares are mileage-based, so check the fare for your destination with its fare calculator or Trip Planner.