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Oakland International Airport [OAK] — Ultimate Terminal Guide

BY 

Amar Hussain

- UPDATED: April 26, 2021

1. Travel  / 
2. Airports

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Oakland International Airport (OAK) served 13.3 million passengers in 2019 and is the third-largest international airport in the Bay Area behind San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC).

Unfortunately, the airport has lost quite a few large airlines to SFO in recent years; however, it maintains an extensive domestic route network.

Southwest Airlines accounts for around 75% of passenger traffic, with OAK being the airline’s largest operation in California.

Quick Info

Airport: Oakland International Airport (OAK)
Terminals: 2 terminals — 1 and 2
Airport Address: 1 Airport Dr., Oakland, CA 94621
Distance From Downtown Oakland: 10 miles (16 km)
Website: oaklandairport.com
Phone Number: 510-563-3300
Annual Passengers: 13 million
Destinations: 48 domestic and 5 international
Flight Information: Departures and arrivals info can be found here

Airlines Operating From OAK

Terminal A

• Alaska Airlines
• Allegiant Air
• Azores Airlines
• Contour
• Delta Air Lines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• Volaris

Terminal 2

• Southwest Airlines

Oakland International Airport Terminals

Oakland International Airport consists of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 that are connected inside the secure area. Both terminals have curbside access from Airport Drive — the road that loops around the parking garage in front of the terminals.

A parking garage is located across from the terminals, connected by pedestrian bridges. The BART Oakland International Airport Station is located above the parking garage with access to downtown Oakland and San Francisco.

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 is on the western side of the airport and is home to the majority of airlines operating domestic and international flights.

The terminal is split across 2 levels, with baggage claim on the lower level and some ticketing counters and the security checkpoint on the upper level.

The departure concourse has 17 gates numbered 1, 3 to 8, 8A, 9, 9A, 10 to 12, 14, 14A, 15, and 17. There’s a good selection of shops and restaurants once you’re inside the secure area, and 1 option pre-security. An Escape Lounge is located between gates 8 and 8A.

Terminal 1 is connected to Terminal 2 via a walkway near gate 4.

Terminal 2

Terminal 2 is used by Southwest Airlines for domestic flights only. The terminal is split across 2 levels with baggage claim, the check-in counters, and a security checkpoint on the lower level, and the departure gates on the upper level.

The departure concourse has 13 gates numbered 20 to 32 and there’s a good selection of shops and restaurants inside the secure area.

Passengers can connect to Terminal 1 inside the secure area by walking through the connector located near gate 20.

Inter-Terminal Transport

Walking

As the terminals are located right next to each other, passengers may walk between the terminals inside and outside of the secure area. Outside the secure area, the walkway is located just outside the terminal buildings, and inside the secure area, the connector is located between gate 4 and gate 20.

Security and Customs at OAK

OAK has 2 security checkpoints with 1 located in Terminal 1 and the other in Terminal 2. There are no standard opening hours for the security checkpoints, but typically they open 90 minutes before the first departure at the terminal.

TSA PreCheck

There are dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes at both security checkpoints. Opening hours vary, so it’s advisable to check the TSA website.

OAK does not have a TSA Enrollment Center, with the nearest located at 1409 Webster St., Oakland, CA 94612-3205.

Global Entry

OAK has Global Entry kiosks for eligible passengers that have been approved in the program.

There’s no Global Entry Enrollment Center at OAK, but the airport does participate in Enrollment on Arrival available daily between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m.

OAK Airport Lounges

The Escape Lounge is the only lounge at OAK, and it’s located in Terminal 1 between gates 8 and 8A.

Passengers may purchase entry to the lounge for $45 on the door or $40 when booked online at least 24 hours in advance. Cardholders of The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, or Centurion® Card from American Express receive complimentary access to the lounge.

Hot Tip: Avoid paying the day pass fees with these personal and business credit cards that include complimentary airport lounge access.

Dining and Drinks at OAK

Currently, there are 17 restaurants, cafes, and fast-food counters available throughout the airport, with more due to open in 2020.

OAK Wi-Fi and Charging Points

OAK provides free Wi-Fi throughout the terminals in 45-minute sessions. Passengers can choose to upgrade to faster Wi-Fi with Boingo for a fee.

Charging Points: Charging kiosks are available throughout Terminals 1 and 2.

Hot Tip: Avoid having to rely on finding a charging point by checking out the best portable power bank chargers for travel. 

OAK Airport Lost and Found

Items lost within the terminal, curbside, or in the parking lots are sent to the Lost and Found office. Passengers may visit the office in Terminal 1 on the second floor in the Badges and Permit office. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and passengers may contact the office at 510-563-3982.

For any items lost at a security checkpoint, visit the TSA Lost and Found office in Terminal 1 near baggage carousel 3. Alternatively, contact the office at 510-563-3629. The office is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

If you lose an item onboard an aircraft, you need to contact the relevant airline.

Additional Airport Information

Baby Facilities

OAK has 2 nursing rooms, with 1 located in Terminal 1 between gates 1 and 3 and the other in Terminal 2 between gates 25 and 26.

Traveling With a Pet

OAK has 4 pet relief areas with 1 located at the far ends of both terminals (curbside), 1 in front of the parking garage, and 1 inside the secure area near gate 25.

Smoking Areas

Smoking is only permitted in designated areas outside of the terminals.

Money

ATMs can be found throughout the 2 terminals.

Duty Free

OAK has a duty free store located near gate 1.

Luggage Storage

There are no luggage storage facilities at OAK.

Important OAK Phone Numbers

Customer Service: 510-563-3300

Parking Services: 510-563-3200

Lost and Found: 510-563-3982

Travel to and From OAK

Transport Options

Train

• BART: The BART station connects to services for downtown San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, and other destinations within the Bay Area. The BART station is located across from Terminals 1 and 2 above the parking garage and services operate every 6 minutes, excluding 11 p.m. to midnight where trains are every 20 minutes.
  • Trains between the Oakland International Airport BART station and Coliseum BART station are free, with onward journeys incurring a fee
• AMTRAK: Services depart from Jack London Square Station and Coliseum/Oakland Airport Station

Bus

AC Transit public buses operate from OAK:

• Route 73 connects the airport to the Coliseum/Oakland Airport Station every 15 minutes
• Route 21 operates between OAK and Oakland Fruitvale and Alameda
• Route 805 is a late-night service that operates every hour between OAK, the Coliseum/Oakland Airport Station, and downtown Oakland

Shuttles

Shared and private-ride shuttles are available to book through Airport Express serving Marin County and Sonoma County.

Taxi

On-demand taxis are available outside both terminals or can be pre-booked through Friendly Cab (510-536-3000) or Veteran’s Cab (510-533-1900). Fares from OAK to downtown Oakland are around $40, excluding tip and around $65 to downtown San Francisco.

Rideshare

Rideshare operators Uber, Lyft, and Wingz are authorized to operate from OAK. Vehicles may drop off curbside and pick up from the third curb of both terminals between stops 3C1 and 3C10.

Directions by Car to OAK

Arriving From Downtown Oakland

Take I-880 S and take exit 35 for 98th Avenue towards the airport. Turn right onto 98th Avenue and continue onto Bessie Coleman Drive for access to the terminals.

Arriving From Downtown San Francisco

Take I-80 E over the Oakland Bay Bridge and use the right 2 lanes to take exit 8A towards I-880. Continue onto I-880 S and take exit 35 for 98th Avenue towards the airport. Turn right onto 98th Avenue and continue onto Bessie Coleman Drive for access to the terminals.

OAK Airport Parking Information

The majority of parking is located in the same area in front of the terminals. Different categories of parking are offered depending on the convenience of how close the parking area is to the terminals.

Premier Parking

Premier parking is the most convenient area to park, located directly across from the terminals. There are 2 pedestrian bridges across to Terminal 1 and another 2 across to Terminal 2 on the upper level, or passengers can walk across the lower level ground transportation area to baggage claim.

• Hourly rate: $4 per 30 minutes
• Day rate: $38

Hourly Parking

The hourly parking area is the next most convenient area to park, suitable for short-term stays. The hourly parking area is located behind premier parking, and passengers access the terminals via the same pedestrian bridges as the premier parking area.

• Hourly rate: $1 per 12 minutes
• Day rate: $34

Daily Parking Lot

The daily lot is located behind the hourly parking area and is within walking distance of the terminal. The lot is suitable for an extended stay or overnight parking and is the most cost-effective option in front of the terminals.

• Hourly rate: $5 per 60 minutes (first 2 hours per 24 hours)
• Day rate: $24

Hot Tip: Electric vehicle charging points can be found in the premier and daily parking areas and are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. 

Economy Parking Lot

The economy parking lot is located north of the terminals, off of John Glenn Drive, and is the best option for long-term parking. Passengers may ride the frequent airport shuttle bus between the parking lot and the terminals.

• Day rate: $18

Pick-Up and Drop-Off Parking

OAK has a park and call lot located northeast of the terminals off of John Glenn Drive. Visitors may park for free for up to 30 minutes until passengers are ready to be picked up curbside.

Hotel and Off-Site Parking

Official airport parking is not always the cheapest option, and you can often save money by booking an off-airport parking lot.

Daily parking starts at $6.95 when booked with airportparkingreservations.com, and these lots offer courtesy shuttle services to and from the airport.

Parking for Passengers With Disabilities

Accessible parking spaces are located in all airport parking lots, and the economy lot airport shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible.

Parking Contact Number

General Inquiries: 510-563-3200

Car Rental at OAK Airport

The rental car center is located north of the terminals at 7600 Earhart Rd., Oakland, CA 94621. Passengers may ride the rental car center shuttle that operates every 10 minutes, excluding between 1:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. when the shuttle is on-demand.

The following rental companies are available on-airport property:

• Alamo: 800-331-1212
• Budget: 800-527-0700
• Dollar: 800-800-4000
• Enterprise: 800-261-7331
• Fox: 800-225-4369
• Hertz: 800-654-3131
• National: 847-227-7468
• Payless: 510-638-1000
• Thrifty: 800-847-4389

Hot Tip: Register for a credit card that includes rental insurance as a benefit and avoid paying expensive insurance fees directly with the rental company.

OAK Airport Hotels

There are no hotels located on-airport property, but the closest is only 0.7 miles away. Within a radius of a few miles of the airport, there’s a good selection of 2- and 3-star hotels, with many offering courtesy shuttles to and from the airport.

Top 3 Hotel Stays Using Points

Just a 5-minute drive from the OAK entrance, the Hampton Inn & Suites Oakland Airport-Alameda is convenient and offers views out over the San Francisco Bay. Guests will receive a complimentary breakfast each morning of their stay and can enjoy other amenities like an outdoor pool, fitness center, an on-site restaurant, free parking, and the free airport shuttle. Hilton no longer publishes an award chart, but you can expect a free night at the hotel to cost between 30,000 to 50,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

The Holiday Inn Oakland Airport is an excellent option for traveling families, as children under the age of 18 can stay free of charge, and children under the age of 11 can dine for free at the hotel restaurant. Amenities include a heated outdoor pool, a cocktail lounge, a fitness center, an on-site restaurant, and a complimentary shuttle service. Award nights at the hotel can vary in cost between 30,000 to 40,000 IHG Rewards points per night depending on the season and area demand.

The Courtyard Oakland Airport is well suited for business travelers due to its proximity to the airport and large on-site event space. Guests can work up a sweat at the fitness center, take a dip in the outdoor pool, and then grab a bite to eat at the on-site restaurant serving breakfast and dinner. The hotel is a Category 5 Marriott property, so award nights start at 30,000 points on off-peak nights, 35,000 points on standard nights, and 40,000 points on peak nights.

Hot Tip: If you’re looking to top off your points to stay at any of these options, see our guides on the best ways to earn more Hilton Honors points, IHG Rewards points, or Marriott Bonvoy points.

Final Thoughts

Terminal 1 underwent a $100 million renovation, completed in 2017, as a result of increasing international traffic. Unfortunately, restructuring of airlines and decreasing demand has stunted that growth.

In 2019 and 2020 the airport lost international routes from British Airways, LEVEL, and Norwegian Airlines, as well as domestic routes from JetBlue, to nearby San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC). With the decline in routes, it is unlikely that there will be any further expansion plans in the near future.