Sleeping in Airports

Oakland Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Oakland Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

there is a couch that is so comfortable that I almost missed my flight home… – a traveller

OAK Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Oakland International Airport.

What to Expect

oakland airport guideOakland Airport (Code: OAK) consists of two terminals (1 and 2) that are connected by airside walkway. The terminals have a combined 30 gates, plenty of airside eateries and some shopping options, though few of either landside. WiFi is available and there are outlets throughout the terminal for charging mobile devices. Additional comfort can be found through fee-based access to the airport’s first class lounge. See Airport Lounges below for locations and rates.

Sleeping in Oakland Airport

If you are planning to spend the night, have your boarding pass or onward flight information available, otherwise you might be escorted out of the terminal. On the landside/public area, overnight sleepers are directed to a waiting area with couches, padded armrest-free seating and other seating options. To ensure your comfort, consider bringing a travel mat and/or sleeping bag if you are thinking about spending a night at this airport. Food options are limited on the landside, so plan accordingly. One reviewer reports that seating without armrests airside is very limited. For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels within a quick shuttle ride of the airport.  See Airport Hotels in the guide below or read some traveller reviews for more tips.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information.  For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Oakland Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

airport loungeAirport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by paying at the door or purchasing a lounge pass. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!

Escape Lounge– Location: Terminal 1, Airside, between Gates 8 and 8A. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door.

Related Pages: Oakland Airport Lounges

airport hotelsAirport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Oakland Airport that provide free airport shuttles:

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Oakland Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

wifiAirport WiFi / Internet

Free WiFi is available at Oakland Airport for 45 minutes. Connect to the “Boingo” network. You will be required to watch a 30-second commercial in order to connect, and when your session is over, you can reconnect by watching another 30-second commercial. Commercial-free high-speed internet is also available, for a small fee.

airport infoMore Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport

Airport Public Art – Location: Terminal 2, Airside.

Baby Care Facilities – Need a comfortable and private place to nurse and care for your baby? Look for free-standing Mamava Suites. Each suite has a fold-down table, two benches, a collapsible table, power outlet with USB and is lockable for privacy. There’s enough room in the suite for mama, baby, and their luggage or stroller, or even for a small family! Locations: Unknown.

Duty Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available airside in Terminal 1. In addition, a variety of retail stores are available throughout both terminals.

Food & Drinks – Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules, although most have opening hours of 4:30AM – 11PM. At the time of this update, there are no 24 hour dining options. Terminal 2 has more food options than Terminal 1.

Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.

Golf – The Metropolitan Golf Links is located beside the airport. Free club rentals are available.

Mobile Charging – Fuel Rod charging kiosks are available in both terminals. The kiosks allow you to charge up your device with a “rod” and swap the empty for a fully charged unit so you always have a means to charge your devices. A reader tells us “Rod portable battery phone chargers are a one time $20 fee to get your first “Rod”. You can recharge the rod at home, anywhere or the next time you’re at an airport that has “Rod” service. Drop off your used charger in exchange for a new, fully charged “Rod” free. Vending machines are located in various areas in the Secure Zone of the airport.” (December 2020)

Oakland Aviation Museum – Location: North Field

Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Showers – Not available.

SIM Cards – It is possible to purchase a SIM card at InMotion Entertainment. Location: Terminal 2, Airside. Hours: 4:30AM – 7:00PM.

airport hoursAirport Hours

Oakland airport is open 24 hours. The airport website states that “connecting passengers with an overnight layover may remain overnight in the terminals pre-security only … you may be asked to show your identification and proof of travel”.

airlinesAirlines

Oakland airport is served by the following airlines: Alaska Airlines • Allegiant Airlines • Avianca • Contour Airlines • Delta Air Lines • Hawaiian Airlines • JSX • SATA Azores Airlines • Southwest Airlines • Spirit Airlines • Volaris.

transportationAirport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Car Rentals

Car rental services are handled in the Rental Car Center, a separate facility that is connected to the airport terminal via free shuttle service. Onsite car rental agencies include Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Fox • Hertz • National • Payless •Thrifty.

Hotel Shuttles

Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Econo Lodge Inn & Suites   •   Executive Inn & Suites   •  Hampton Inn & Suites Oakland Airport – Alameda   •   Hilton Oakland Airport   •   Holiday Inn Express & Suites   •   La Quinta Inn Oakland Airport Coliseum   •  Oakland Airport Executive Hotel  •   Red Lion Hotel  •   Springhill Suites By Marriott  •   The Marina Inn on San Francisco Bay.

See also Airport Hotels above.

Ride Apps

Lyft, Uber and Wingz are approved ride apps at Oakland Airport. Journeys can be booked directly through their websites or mobile applications. Ride app pickups are located at the third curb at Sections 3C2 – 3C9.

Shuttles

OAK airport is well served by shuttle companies. The Sonoma County Airport Express provides service from 5:00AM – 9:00PM. To plan your route, visit the Sonoma County Airport Express website.

Taxis

Taxis are available 24-hours a day in the ground transportation area. All taxis are metered, and reservations are not required.

Train

The BART to OAK train service provides an easy connection between the airport and Coliseum Station. Journey Time: 8 minutes. Hours of Operation: 5:00AM – 12:00AM. Frequency: trains depart every 6 minutes in the hours 8:00AM – 11:00PM. Service is reduced to every 20 minutes at other times. Fare: Check out the Fare Calculator. If you are boarding at the airport, you do not have to buy your ticket until you disembark at Coliseum Station. The fare machines are located at Platform 3.

Last updated: 2024-01-31

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.