California - BART to/from SFO and UA Terminals

Just got back from LAX last night and took BART again (it's been a while...)

I'm surprised that UA (and BART for that matter) do not capitalize more on the fact how EASY it is to take BART to and from SFO when flying UA. You can reach any UA Terminal conveniently on foot from the BART station w/o having to take the Airtrain. It must be at least have the distance of walking compared to the "L" stop at ORD.

I could see UA and BART having a joined ad campaign promoting this convenience. After all, UA is SFO's biggest airline and BART could certainly improve their ridership numbers.

I see this more as a BART and SFO Airport management issue than a UA and BART situation. It is unfortunate that ridership in the new section in San Mateo County is so low.

This thread should probably move to TravelBuzz! or San Francisco, etc.

SFO is actually currently advertising with BART. Just look at the ads on the trains. United in particular isn't, but the airport authority is.

Unfortunately, service to the airport will be cut starting on Sept 12.

:td: to reduced BART service.
IMO, this is the ONLY way to go between SFO and downtown. OAK is pretty easy too for that matter, although you do have the extra leg on the AirBART, it is still better than fighting traffic and MUCH cheaper.

I have used BART to/from SFO or OAK 6 times this year, and have never had any problems at all. Why is there such a stigma about using public transportation in this country?

I see this more as a BART and SFO Airport management issue than a UA and BART situation. It is unfortunate that ridership in the new section in San Mateo County is so low.

This thread should probably move to TravelBuzz! or San Francisco, etc.


I do see this as an UA issue, because UA has by far the closest location to BART.

I do see this as an UA issue, because UA has by far the closest location to BART.
Personally, I don't really see your logic. BTW, there are international terminal carriers that are closer than UA's domestic ops are.

Unfortunately, service to the airport will be cut starting on Sept 12.

Do you have a link for this? I have not heard anything about BART cutting service to SFO.

SF Chronicle
BART's directors approve plan to trim service to S.F. airport
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/08/12/BAGV9E6VFG1.DTL&hw=BART&sn=009&sc=100

I agree. BART to SFO is by far one of the most convenient Public Transportation <-> Airport links in the country. I took it countless times before moving away in June.

I do differ in opinion regarding OAK/AirBart. It sucks. Hardcore. Hegenberger can take an HOUR to get through, and the AirBart has to sit in that traffic just as much as anyone else. Whatever happened to the plans to build a monorail? I thought that's what the third dollar on the bay bridge was paying for.

Now I live in the NYC area (Hoboken) ... it's just not the same. LGA is inaccessible, JFK requires a looong subway ride, then airtrain (better than the old Howard Beach shuttle though), and EWR is convenient if you happen to catch and NJ transit train ride when you get off the monorail. Otherwise you could wait for another looong time.

Granted, DCA wins when it comes to ease of transition, but it's a small-ish airport and doesn't have the same challenges.

Edited to add: This page hasn't been updated in a while. http://www.bart.gov/about/projects/airport.asp

Whatever happened to the plans to build a monorail?
The connection to OAK (monorail or otherwise) is still on the short list, as the link you provided shows.

I live in the East Bay. Before they opened BART to SFO, I always flew out of OAK. Now I always fly out of SFO. It's really nice to be able to park free for weekend trips.

SF Chronicle
BART's directors approve plan to trim service to S.F. airport
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/08/12/BAGV9E6VFG1.DTL&hw=BART&sn=009&sc=100
Having to change trains is going to suck, but it's still the best option.

Fortunately , the cuts wont affect me much, considering that I don't take BART to the airport during rush hour, and that I live in San Francisco, so I wont have to transfer. :cool:

Given the the way the discussion has developed, this is more apt now for the SFO forum, where there are current threads about the BART cut, etc. It will also make it easier for future searches as few would likely look in UA for information about BART.

cblaisd
Moderator, United

Now I live in the NYC area (Hoboken) ... it's just not the same. LGA is inaccessible, JFK requires a looong subway ride, then airtrain (better than the old Howard Beach shuttle though), and EWR is convenient if you happen to catch and NJ transit train ride when you get off the monorail. Otherwise you could wait for another looong time.

Granted, DCA wins when it comes to ease of transition, but it's a small-ish airport and doesn't have the same challenges.


Actually LGA is pretty accessable via the M60 Bus (not as nice as SFO, but not inaccessable either).

Also ATL is a pretty strong contender for easiest subway transfer. especially since the airport layout makes car traffic a nightmare (no split level for departure arrival *and* all airlines drop off/pick up is at a single building - what were they thinking?)