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United States of America
- The Basics
- Currency
- Travel Health
- Public Holidays
- Useful Contacts
- Airports
- Visa & Passport
Ports of Call
- Catalina Island
- San Diego
- San Francisco
Airports in California
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Overview
One of the busiest airports in the US and the world, Los Angeles International Airport (locally referred to by its call letters, LAX) is a mammoth facility that processes 60 million passengers each year on 600,000 flights.
Located 16 miles (26km) southwest of downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport has nine terminal buildings. The sheer size and capacity of the facility makes it a bit confusing, and long queues are a common occurrence in peak times. Passengers should allow plenty of time when making connections or clearing customs, and extra time can easily be whiled away with a meal at California Pizza Kitchen, or browsing the dozens of shops selling Hollywood souvenirs and other products.
Flights to Los Angeles International Airport come from all over the world, including major destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America.
Location
The airport is situated 15 miles (24km) southwest of Los Angeles.
Getting to the city
A free shuttle bus service runs to the Metro Rail Green Line Aviation Station from the lower level of each terminal. Another shuttle connects to the Bus Center, from where city buses serve the Los Angeles area. Prime Time Shuttle and Super Shuttle are both shared-ride van services; reservations are recommended. Some hotels also offer transport. There are taxis available outside the lower level of the airport and it costs about US$30 to the city centre, about 15miles (24km) away. Car rental is available and there is a free shuttle pick-up to reach the rental car sites.
Time
GMT -6 (GMT -5 from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November).
Contacts
Tel: +1 310 646 5252.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Overview
Just a short drive from San Francisco's downtown area, San Francisco International Airport is the California's second busiest airport and the largest airport in the Bay Area.
With four terminals, friendly staff, a museum, library and wide
selection of dining and shopping facilities, San Francisco
International Airport is the perfect gateway to the Bay
Area.
Location
The airport is situated 14 miles (23km) south of San Francisco.
Getting to the city
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Rapid Rail service connects the airport to the city centre, and provides a connection to the Caltrain commuter rail service at Milbrae Station, from where trains leave regularly to San Francisco downtown, costing about $2 and to San Jose. SamTrans Service, bus 292, leaves every 30 minutes for the city centre and suburbs costing US$1.75. There are also shared vans, which provide a door-to-door service and are cheaper than taxis. Reservations are sometimes needed for service after 11pm. Taxis cost about US$35 for an hour's ride to the city centre, very dependant on traffic. Airport employs are available at the taxi pick up area, outside all terminals, to help passengers.
Time
GMT –8 (GMT –7 from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November).
Contacts
Tel: +1 800 435 9736.
San Diego Lindbergh Field Airport (SAN)
Overview
San Diego International Airport is often referred to as Lindbergh Field. It is situated a quick drive from downtown. As it is located in a suburban area, departures are only allowed between 6.30am and 11.30pm.
The three terminals at San Diego International are well-equipped with a range of amenities. They are also easy to navigate and despite having only one runway, the airport is quite capable of handling its 18 million passengers each year.
Location
The airport is situated two miles (3km) northwest of San Diego.
Getting to the city
A train service connects to the city centre as well as other parts of San Diego and neighbouring cities. (Tel: 800.262.7837). Flyer Service No. 992 leaves every 10 minutes for the city centre between 5:00 a.m. and 12:50 a.m. and costs about $2.50. Public buses connect to downtown as well as commuter trains and depart every ten minutes. A host of shuttle companies are available to share rides into downtown and are available from arrivals. Taxis take about 10 minutes to downtown San Diego and cost around $10 (Tel: 619-234-6161). Shared shuttle vans offer door-to-door services and are a cheaper alternative to taxis.
Time
GMT -6 (GMT -5 from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November).
Contacts
Tel: +1 619 400 2404.
Bob Hope Airport (BUR)
Overview
Originally built as Angeles Mesa Drive Airport in 1928, Bob Hope Airport (BUR) had a dozen different names before 2003 (including Hollywood-Burbank Airport and Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport) - before, finally, it was named after the famous comedian. Serving the greater Los Angeles area, including Glendale and the San Fernando Valley, the airport is actually closer to famous attractions like Hollywood and Griffiths Park than Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is, and offers far shorter queues and generally less hassle than the gigantic Los Angeles International. As small and personal as the other is big and sprawling, Bob Hope Airport is a great alternative for avoiding the congestion at the giant LAX; and with direct rail connections to downtown Los Angeles, Anaheim and San Diego, nothing could be more convenient. The only catch is that flights to Bob Hope Airport are only available from western US states and New York, and sometimes can be a little pricier than flights into Los Angeles International. If you have some time to kill at the airport, check out the Lockheed Stealth Aircraft exhibition in the departures terminal.
Location
The airport is situated three miles (5km) from Burbank and 12 miles (20km) north of Los Angeles.
Getting to the city
The Metrolink and Amtrak train station is linked to the main terminal by a free shuttle service, but is only a short walk away, and serves downtown Los Angeles as well as other destinations. The airport is also on the MTA and Burbank Bus routes, which go to Burbank as well as downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood. Taxis are available in front of the airport and car hire counters are located in Terminal B. The LA city centre is about 12 miles (20km) from the airport.
Time
GMT –8 (GMT –7 from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November).
Contacts
Tel: +1 818 840 8840.
Oakland International Airport (OAK)
Overview
Oakland International Airport (OAK) is 4.6 miles (7.4km) from the city centre of Oakland, California, and one of three airports serving the San Francisco Bay area. Although not as popular with tourists as nearby San Francisco or San Juan, oak tree-lined Oakland has interesting, diverse mix of cultures, with over 100 languages spoken across its distinct suburbs.
Popular with low-cost carriers, the airport saw a boom at the end of the last decade and is currently undergoing a much needed multi-million dollar upgrade to its two terminals. There are flights to Oakland International Airport mainly from destinations across the US, with the busiest routes those to major Californian cities as well as Phoenix, San Diego, Las Vegas, Seattle, Salt Lake City and Portland. Terminal 2 is used exclusively by Southwest Airlines, with Terminal 1 used by all other airlines.
Location
The airport is situated 12 miles (19km) from Oakland.
Getting to the city
The BART subway network links the airport to Oakland and San Francisco from the Coliseum/Oakland International Airport Station. The AirBART shuttle links the station to the airport every 10 minutes. AC Transit bus line 50 connects the airport with BART, line N connects to downtown Oakland and downtown San Francisco as well as to east Oakland, and bus line 58 connects to the Amtrak railway station at Jack London Square. From Jack London Square it is possible to link to the Alameda/Oakland ferry, which provides services to San Francisco's ferry terminal and Pier 39.
Time
GMT –8 (GMT –7 from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November).
Contacts
Tel: +1 510 563 3300.
Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)
Overview
Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, known locally as simple San José International Airport, is a busy facility located 2.5 miles (4km) northwest of central San Jose. Home to Silicon Valley, San José is less a tourist destination and more of a business travel hub; the airport is also conveniently situated as an alternative to airports in Oakland and San Francisco, both 35 miles (56km) away.
Previously known for its poor facilities, San José International Airport opened a new terminal in 2010 that is earning rave reviews from passengers for its smooth processing and good facilities.
Flights to San José International Airport come in from destinations all over North America, including cities like Los Angeles, Boston, New York, Denver, Houston, Honolulu, Portland, San Jose de Cabo, Guadalajara, and Phoenix.
Location
The airport is located two miles (3km) north of central San Jos�.
Getting to the city
The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) operates a special Airport Flyer service that links the airport to the Metro Light Rail Station and the Santa Clara Caltrain Station. The Amtrak is three miles (5km) away from the airport, but there is no direct shuttle or bus service to and from the airport. Other transport options include a reliable and efficient bus service, or taxis. There are several taxi operators available at the airport at all terminals, which can cost anywhere from $20 to downtown San Jose or $90 to downtown San Francisco. There are also limousines available, and several hotels offer door-to-door shuttles for their guests.
Time
GMT �8 (GMT �7 from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November).
Contacts
Tel: +1 (408) 392 3600.
Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
Overview
Sacramento International Airport serves 4.6 million passengers each year. It is an easy-to-navigate airport but can seem overcrowded during peak periods.
Most shops and other passenger facilities are only available
after security. The massage stands are a welcome sight to many
weary air-travellers. While the Gordon Biersch Brewery in Terminal
B has a range of cold beers on tap.
Location
Sacramento International Airport is located 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Sacramento
Getting to the city
Taxis can be located outside the baggage claim area at Terminal A and across from the airport hotel at Terminal B. Supershuttle.com is the official provider of on-call van and sedan service at the airport, while Suttlefare.com also provides a service here. Yolobus offers daily public bus service to the airport and connection to Regional Transit (Tel: (530) 666 2877 for schedules) while Limos.com provides limousine service to the airport.
Time
GMT-8 (GMT-7 from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November)
Contacts
Tel: (916) 929 5411
Email: air-market@saccounty.net
Ontario International Airport (ONT)
Overview
Ontario International Airport is a relatively small airport. It
handles just 4.8 million passengers each year, but it is equipped
to handle twice that amount.
The airport consists of a number of terminals, which are all
equipped with great basic facilities. Staff are friendly and
helpful and the airport is a convenient alternative to some of the
larger airports in the region.
Location
The airport is 2.3 miles (3.7km) from downtown Ontario in California.
Getting to the city
The best way to get into town from Ontario Airport is to take Omnitrans bus No. 61. It runs at 15-minute intervals and costs just $1.50.
Time
GMT - 8
Contacts
Tel: +1 (909) 937 2700.
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)
Overview
Palm Springs International Airport is an airy open-plan airport with great gardens for passengers to relax in before boarding their flights. It serves 1.5 million passengers each year and is well connected to destinations around the world.
The airport has a modest selection of shopping and dining options. The hot and dry climate means that there are slightly fewer flights available during the summer months, but in general booking a flight to Palm Springs should be relatively easy and onward travel is mostly hassle-free.
Location
The airport is two miles (3km) from downtown Palm Springs.
Getting to the city
A shuttle bus transports passengers between the airport and the Amtrak station in town. The Morongo Basin Transit Authority (MBTA) provides a bus service to Palm Springs. Bus 12 runs during the week and bus 15 runs on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets start at just $5, but on weekends all tickets are $10 more than the weekday prices. Buses run from 7.50am until 4.50pm from Monday to Friday, 11.45am to 6pm on Saturdays, and there is only one bus on a Sunday at 5.45pm. Another option is the Coachella Valley SunBus, which costs $1 and operates between 5.15am and 10.40pm during the week. SunBus routes include Bus No's. 14, 24 and 31.
Time
GMT - 8 (GMT - 7 from March to November)
Contacts
Tel: +1 (760) 318 3800.
John Wayne Orange County Airport (SNA)
Overview
Situated in Orange County, John Wayne Airport is conveniently located only 14 miles (23km) from Disneyland and easy distance from other popular Southern California attractions like Hollywood and Universal Studios. Previously called Orange Country Airport, the facility was renamed in 1979 for the famous Hollywood actor.
A small facility with one main building housing two terminals, John Wayne Airport has a modest variety of shops and restaurants that fail to thrill, but handily provide basic necessities.
John Wayne Airport is a pleasant alternative to the mammoth facility and congestion of Los Angeles International Airport, and offers flights to a number of cities across North America, including Chicago, Houston, Denver, San Francisco, Mexico City, Minneapolis, Newark, Mexico City, Vancouver and Calgary.
Location
The airport is located in Orange County.
Los Angeles International Taxis: the taxi fares above are intended as a guideline only.
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