Moving to a new country, even just for a short while, can be daunting. This page covers some of the basic information you will need for getting to Berkeley campus. We strongly recommend that you download and read the Arrival Guide for International Students and Scholars, published by the Berkeley International Office.
Tours of campus are available on weekdays at 10AM, and you should sign up in advance if you are interested. Information can be found here: http://visitors.berkeley.edu/tour/general.shtml
Transportation from Bay Area Airports
Both the Oakland International Airport (OAK) and the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) have information desks and extensive websites: Oakland International: http://www.flyoakland.com/ San Francisco International: http://www.flysfo.com/
Oakland Airport to Berkeley
A simple, but expensive, way to travel from the Oakland Airport to Berkeley is by taxi, which will cost approximately $40.00-$50.00. Mass transit via the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system is less expensive. For under $6 you can take the AirBART shuttle from the Oakland Airport to the Coliseum BART station, then board a Richmond-bound train to the Downtown Berkeley station.
San Francisco Airport to Berkeley
If you arrive at the San Francisco International Airport, the least expensive means of transportation to Berkeley is via BART. For domestic flights, take the Red AirTrain line to the SFO BART station. From the station, you can board a Richmond-bound train to the Downtown Berkeley station. If you arrive in the evening or on a Sunday, you must take a Pittsburg/Bay Point train instead, then transfer at the MacArthur BART station to a Richmond-bound train and exit at the Berkeley station. For detailed information about public transportation, visit the Bay Area Transit Information website.
Airport Shuttles
If you have a lot of luggage, you may prefer to take a door-to-door shuttle van, which will pick you up at the airport and drop you off wherever you want in Berkeley. There are several shuttle companies (i.e., BayPorter Express) available.
Public Transportation
Take BART to the Berkeley station and/or take the bus: AC Transit, lines 7, 8, 40, 51 and 65. For more information, visit the BART website. Transit.511.org, provides comprehensive information about mass transit in the Bay Area, including a public transit trip planning, routes, schedules, fare information for all transit services including train, bus and ferry.
Driving to Boalt
Directions
From I-80, take the University Avenue exit, travel east on University to Oxford Street. Turn right on Oxford, left on Durant Avenue, left on Piedmont Avenue, then left on Bancroft Way. Boalt Hall entrances are on Bancroft Avenue
From Hwy 24, take the 51st Street exit to Telegraph Avenue, turn left on Telegraph, right on Durant Avenue, left on Piedmont Avenue and left on Bancroft Way. Or, using the Claremont Avenue exit, turn left on Claremont, left on College Avenue, right on Durant Avenue, left on Piedmont Avenue, then left on Bancroft Way. Boalt Hall entrances are on Bancroft Avenue
Parking
Public lots are located on Bowditch Street between Bancroft Way and Durant Avenue; on Channing Way/Durant Avenue between Ellsworth Street and Dana Street; on Channing Way below Telegraph Avenue; and on Bancroft Way above Telegraph Avenue.
Accommodations
There are a number of hotels and motels in Berkeley with reasonable rates, within walking distance or a short drive away. The Bancroft Hotel, Women’s Faculty Club, and The Faculty Club are located a short distance from Berkeley Law (if asked by the Women’s Faculty Club, contact the Admissions Office for membership information).