Travel Info

Getting there

San Francisco International Airport (IATA: SFO, ICAO: KSFO, FAA LID: SFO) is a major international airport located 13 miles (21 km) south of downtown San Francisco, California, United States, adjacent to the cities of Millbrae and San Bruno. SFO is serviced by over 40 major airlines, may with direct flights to all major European airports, the Pacific Rim, South America, and Australasia. For those coming from India and South Asia, Emirates Air flies non-stop from Dubai.

It is the largest airport in the San Francisco Bay Area, and is the second busiest airport in the state of California after Los Angeles International Airport. As of 2009, San Francisco International Airport is the tenth busiest in the United States and the twentieth largest airport in the world, in terms of passengers. It is a major hub of United Airlines and Virgin America's principal base of operations. SFO has numerous passenger amenities, including a wide range of food and drink establishments, shopping, baggage storage, public showers, a medical clinic, and assistance for lost or stranded travelers and military personnel. Free Wi-Fi is available to the public throughout most of the terminal area.

Most importantly, the airport is [finally!] serviced by the local transit system, BART, which can be taken directly to the conference facility for less than $9USD, one way.

Please visit the SFO Wikipedia page for information on major carriers serviced by SFO.

The US offers nationwide rail and bus service. While these are viable modes of transport, just get on a plane. There are no two ways about it, the Amtrak train and Greyhound bus services are simply miserable.

International Travel

Unfortunately, travel to the US has become more complicated in the years following 9/11. With the formation of the Department of Homeland Security, there has been an increase in paperwork, planning, and preparation for what was an otherwise simple trip for most foreigners. It is beyond the scope of this document to list all of the requirements for Visa-free travel to the United States, but the following 36 countries are members of the VWP (Visa Waiver Program):

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Regardless of country of origin, a valid passport will be required for entry into the United States. Please check available online resources if your home country does not appear in the list above about your individual travel requirements. All efforts will be made to assist those with special needs in validating their trip with the authorities.