Oakland International Airport (OAK) serves the East Bay area of the San Francisco Bay region, and is the third-busiest airport in the Bay Area after San Francisco International (SFO) and San Jose Airport (SJC).
The airport is located about 16 kilometers south of downtown Oakland and roughly 35-40 minutes from downtown San Francisco by car.
In 2024, OAK handled just under 11 million passengers, making it the seventh-busiest airport in the state of California. The airport is known as a low-cost alternative to San Francisco International Airport, with its straightforward layout and shorter security lines.
Major Airlines - Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines dominates operations at Oakland, using it as one of its key West Coast bases and providing an extensive domestic service with nearly 2000 monthly flights to over 25 destinations. Four out of every five passengers at OAK fly with Southwest Airlines.
The budget carrier Spirit Airlines serves around 8% of all passengers. Other low-cost carriers at OAK include Allegiant Air, Sun Country Alliance, and the Mexican LCCs Viva and Volaris.
Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines are the other American carriers with scheduled services connecting OAK to some of their bases across the USA.
You can see a list of all airlines at OAK along with their route maps here.
Terminal Layout and Gates
OAK has two terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Terminal 1 handles most domestic and all international flights, while Terminal 2 is used exclusively by Southwest Airlines.
The two terminals are connected airside, so you can transfer between gates without re-clearing Security. The airport has 29 gates in total: 16 in T1 and 13 in T2.
There are 2 security checkpoints, one for each terminal. They typically open 90 minutes before the first flight at their respective terminal.
Connecting Flights and Transit at OAK
Connections within Oakland are generally smooth due to the compact layout and single security zone linking both terminals.
However, as a primarily point-to-point airport, you’re much more likely to fly nonstop rather than have connecting flights. Thus, most transits at OAK are self-connections and will not be protected by the airline. You will also likely have to re-check your luggage yourself, if you have any.
All non-pre-cleared international arrivals are processed at Terminal 1. If you proceed on a domestic flight, you must re-check your luggage, even if your second flight is with the same airline.
Wi-Fi at Oakland Airport
Free high-speed WiFi is available throughout both terminals, with a time limit of 45 minutes per session.
To connect, select “Boingo” from the list of available networks and watch a 30-second ad. When the connection expires after 45 minutes, you can simply reconnect by watching another ad.
The connection is stable and generally fast enough for streaming and video calls, but you can also purchase access to the faster Boingo Wi-Fi for a fee.
Lounges at OAK
The airport features a single premium lounge: the Escape Lounge – The Centurion Studio Partner, located between Gates 8 and 8A in Terminal 1. It is open from 5 AM to 8 PM daily.
It offers complimentary food, beverages, Wi-Fi, and workspace seating.
Complimentary access is available for holders of certain premium American Express cards. Other travelers can purchase a day pass for $60 at the door or $45 online at least 24 hours in advance.
Dining Options
All options for dining at Oakland International are located airside, i.e., after the Security check.
Terminal 1 hosts:
A16 Pizzeria: Near Gate 8a.
Cancun Sabor Mexico: Near Gate 9. Along with Mexican food, this restaurant also offers a full breakfast menu.
OAK Clubhouse: Near Gate 6. A sit-down bar/restaurant with burgers, bar fare, and alcohol on the menu.
Oaklandish Coffee Collective: Just right of the connector corridor.
Vino Volo: Near Gate 14. A sit-down wine bar.
Terminal 2 features:
Calavera Mexican Kitchen: An acclaimed restaurant for cuisine from Oaxaca. Near Gate 29.
Farley’s Cafe: A cafe with both sit-down and takeaway options. Between gates 22 and 23.
Forge Pizza: Opposite Gate 26.
Oakland Drafthouse: A full-service restaurant with a full bar and a selection of beers on tap by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. Located opposite Gate 29.
Tay Ho: Has a diverse Vietnamese food offering opposite Gate 23.
Transportation to and from the airport
The airport is linked to the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system via the Oakland Airport Connector, offering direct access to downtown Oakland and connections to San Francisco. The Airport Connector Station is located across from Terminal 1.
The BART runs every 6-20 minutes, depending on the time of day, between 5 AM and midnight. Trains between the OAK and the Coliseum Station incur a $7.47 charge on top of the regular charge to reach Coliseum Station.
The other public transport option is the several bus lines that serve the airport:
Route 73 goes to Coliseum Station. It runs between 5 AM and midnight.
Route 21 goes to Oakland, Fruitvale, and Alameda.
Route 805 is an hourly all-night service serving the Coliseum/Oakland Airport Station and downtown Oakland.
Taxis and rideshare pickups are available curbside, and the average trip to downtown Oakland takes 15–20 minutes. The fare to downtown Oakland is approximately $35-55. Going to San Francisco by taxi will set you back around $70.
Private transfer is a smart option if you need more privacy and convenience or if going to specific destinations outside the central core. Check out private transfer deals from OAK.
Parking at OAK
OAK offers Premier, Daily, Economy, and Hourly parking options.
Premier Parking is closest to the terminals and connected via pedestrian walkways to each terminal. The parking fee is $5 per 30 minutes, capped at $40 per day.
The Hourly Parking Lot is located behind the premier parking, making it also a very suitable option for short stays. The hourly rate is $4 per 30 minutes, capped at $36 per day.
The Daily Parking Lot is behind the hourly parking area and within walking distance of the terminal. While the hourly rate is the same ($4 per 30 minutes), it is more economical for longer stays - $26 per day.
The Economy lot offers the best long-term value. It is located north of the terminals, off John Glenn Drive, connected by a free shuttle bus to the terminals. Rates are from around $3 per 30 minutes up to $18 per day.
Online reservations can secure discounted rates.
Free electric vehicle charging is available in the Premier, Daily, and Economy parking areas on a first-come-first-serve basis.
A cell phone waiting area is available near the main entrance. The maximum waiting time there is 30 minutes.
Hotels near Oakland Airport
There are no hotels directly connected to the terminals. Still, several are located within a 5-minute drive, including the Hilton Oakland Airport, Holiday Inn & Suites Oakland Airport, and Courtyard by Marriott Oakland Airport.
Most are 2 or 3 stars, have on-site dining, and provide complimentary 24-hour airport shuttles.
Downtown Oakland and Alameda also offer additional mid-range and boutique options within 15 minutes by car.
To see more hotels near OAK and details about their amenities, click here.
Oakland, CA, USA
