SFO after a BVE

[TucsonRick]

We will be sailing out of San Francisco on the Star Princess in August. A friend will be accompanying us aboard for the Bon Voyage Experience and flying out of SFO after the BEV. We would like him to spend as much time on the ship with us as possible. His flight is at 3:50.

 

What is the best and shortest (time-wise) way for him to get to SFO with all of the chaos and congestion at the pier? Walk down to the Embarcadero BART station and Bart to the airport? Grab an arriving Supershuttle? Schedule a Supershuttle pick-up at the pier ahead of time? Schedule a pick-up a few blocks away from the pier to avoid the congestion? He does not want to spend money on a cab.

 

Rick

[CruiserBruce]

The fastest would be a cab or towncar/limo. The other choices are slower, perhaps much slower.

Edited July 6, 2014 by CruiserBruce

[Nancyquilts]

It doesn't sound like he'll be able to be with you very long.:(

[Keith1010]

I would go with a taxi.

 

Keith

[KirkNC]

It doesn't sound like he'll be able to be with you very long.:(

 

I think he needs a later flight.

[kenish]

Your friend wants to spend a maximum amount of time, catch a convenient flight, and not spend on airport transportation. As others said, the friend needs to compromise in one or more of these areas.

 

Your friend needs to be on the road in a Super Shuttle by 1:30pm at the absolute latest. 1pm will be less stressful. A taxi will buy your friend 30 more minutes with you....or they can change to a later flight as suggested.

[TucsonRick]

Your friend wants to spend a maximum amount of time, catch a convenient flight, and not spend on airport transportation. As others said, the friend needs to compromise in one or more of these areas.

 

Your friend needs to be on the road in a Super Shuttle by 1:30pm at the absolute latest. 1pm will be less stressful. A taxi will buy your friend 30 more minutes with you....or they can change to a later flight as suggested.

 

The flight was scheduled for 5:00. With the merger of AA and US Airways, the flight was pushed up by an hour and 10 minutes. They do not have a later flight and will not give a refund. A cab would cost $60. It is not fair that the airlines impose the added cost.

 

What you say about Supershuttle is correct. My question is how to best accomplish this given the chaos at the pier.

[scottbee]

We will be sailing out of San Francisco on the Star Princess in August. A friend will be accompanying us aboard for the Bon Voyage Experience and flying out of SFO after the BEV. We would like him to spend as much time on the ship with us as possible. His flight is at 3:50.

 

What is the best and shortest (time-wise) way for him to get to SFO with all of the chaos and congestion at the pier? Walk down to the Embarcadero BART station and Bart to the airport? Grab an arriving Supershuttle? Schedule a Supershuttle pick-up at the pier ahead of time? Schedule a pick-up a few blocks away from the pier to avoid the congestion? He does not want to spend money on a cab.

 

Rick

 

Can your friend change his flight (given the airline changed the time this is generally allowed), and as SFO and OAK are co-terminals (airlines consider the pricing/destination the same) -- perhaps a flight out of OAK works better.

[Hoyas96]

If your friend uses Uber, I'd recommend getting a ride through UberX. I live in downtown San Francisco and they are cheaper than a taxi to get to the airport.

 

Although... Traffic can be unpredictable so BART may be the most reliable option. From Embarcadero station. It's a bit of a walk, or you can take the F line street car to get to the station.

[Sailor1959]

I second Hoyas96's:

"Although... Traffic can be unpredictable so BART may be the most reliable option. From Embarcadero station. It's a bit of a walk, or you can take the F line street car to get to the station."

 

Hop on the "F" streetcar directly across the entrance/exit of the cruise terminal.

Exit at the municipal station (also houses BART platforms).

Hop on BART directly to SFO. Very convenient.

 

As an aside:

We had a port call in San Francisco in May of this year.

Took the "F" streetcar and asked for a "transfer".

Transferred on the "L" (Taraval) streetcar (using the transfer) to visit my MIL in the Sunset District. Used the same "transfer" reversing the route ("L" to "F") and back on the ship for lunch before visiting Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf before set sailing out the Golden Gate.