Public Transportation from the San Francisco International Airport

From the San Francisco Airport take the Marin Airporter (phone: 415/461-4222; $29 one way) from any of the blue pillars downstairs at ground level for all domestic flights. This bus leaves hourly on the half hour as posted on the pillars. If you are staying at the Corte Madera Inn or in that vicinity, get off at the fourth stop (an hour drive) at Larkspur Landing, which is within a mile of our class location. From there take Uber, Lyft or a taxi to your accommodations.

For international flights, the new pick-up point for the Marin Airporter is on the arrivals (baggage claim) level. To find the bus, cross to the Center Island Transportation Zone, and wait at the green and white striped curb. Look for the sign saying "Airporter". Please note: This is a new pick-up location. They no longer pick up on the ground floor in Courtyard "A". 

You can also take the Marin Door to Door from the airport. This 24-hour service is $98 for 1 to 2 people from this airport. Call 415/457-2717 to make arrangements. If you call by noon the day before, they will meet you on time for your flight arrival.

Public Transportation from the Oakland International Airport

The Oakland Airport is a bit closer to our class location as the San Francisco Airport. Some airlines may charge less to fly into Oakland. 

From the Oakland Airport take the Sonoma County Airport Express (phone: 800-327-2024) leaves the Oakland airport every 2 hours from 7:30 am to 9:30 pm. The cost is $40 to San Rafael (or $38 for seniors and vets). Round trip tickets are available on their website at a discount. Buses pick up passengers directly outside baggage claim in the center island at the regional transportation stop. It is about a 50 minute ride to the San Rafael Transit Hub. From there you can take a taxi, Uber or Lyft south to Corte Madera, which is about 3 miles.

Marin Door to Door (see above) is also $108 for 1 to 2 people from this airport.

Reasonable Automobile Rentals at Both Airports

Here are the car rental agencies with offices near the San Francisco and Oakland Airports that are usually the most reasonable. Note: car rental rates via websites are sometimes higher than via phone calls. Also, rates often change. The best deals are often the ones done well in advance. 

Enterprise Rent-a-Car 
www.enterprise.com, 650/697-9200, extension 5. 
Compact car rates for HTI students at the San Francisco and Oakland airports were $173 per week, plus tax and airport fees but have been higher the past two years. Email or call us to get the HTI discount code.

Dollar Rent A Car
www.dollar.com, 800-800-4000.

Thrifty Rent a Car
www.thrifty.com, 800-THRIFTY

All of these typically offer rates that include generous free mileage, but not insurance, nor extra fees for persons under age 25. Be sure to confirm all costs when reserving your car. The added fees are usually lower at the Oakland Airport than the San Francisco Airport.

For all of the above agencies, if your arrival is at the San Francisco terminal, take the blue AirTrain via short term parking and ride to the rental car center for offices on the 4th floor. 

You can also check out the car sharing marketplace, Turo: turo.com