advice?

<p>i'm coming to berkeley in the fall from the east coast, and i was wondering if you have to take some form of special transportation after you get off at the airport because of all the luggage you have...for example can you take all the luggage on the bus, and will someone help you with your luggage, or should you take something like a taxi?</p>

<p>take a taxi from oakland airport its usually $35....walking from the airport to the airbart, to the bart station, to your dorm with all that luggage will be the biggest pain in the ass you've ever had to go through</p>

<p>I think there's a shuttle bus that takes you right from where you get your luggage at the airport to your dorm. Not expensive, but I'd bet it'll cost extra for a load of luggage.</p>

<p>yeah the shuttles are always waiting at the airport and they're usually vans so dont worry about not being able to fit your luggage....theyve never charged me for extra luggage....and they charge about $35</p>

<p>what part of the east coast? I'm from NJ</p>

<p>are you flying to SFO? If so, you can take all your luggage onto bart, which is right in the airport. once you get to Berkeley, you can take a taxi to the units. the taxis are all waiting next to the bart station. don't worry I went through the whole process last year so if you have any questions, feel free to ask.</p>

<p>wow, thanks for being so helpful guys!
btw phroz3n im from ny
i think im coming to the oakland airport
it seems like taxi and shuttle are the best options and both cost $35, so which one is better?</p>

<p>Bayporter Express (an airport shuttle) is $23 for Berkeley-Oakland and vice-versa. Yeah I'm not sure what their policy is on having extra luggage.</p>

<p>But yeah if you have a lot of, or just a heavy amount of luggage, I would always advise against taking the bus/BART to/from the airport. I brought a heavy bag once: I felt awkward on the bus, and my back was killing me for a week afterward.</p>

<p>does the bayporter express take you right to your dorm building?
also, do you have to make reservations with them beforehand, and is it better to have them come an hour or two after your predicted flight arrival time, just in case there are any delays and such on your plane?</p>

<p>You should definitely make reservations for Bayporter ahead of time either online or by phone (maybe best so you can warn them about the number of bags you have). They require 48 hours notice for online reservations. They will take you directly to your dorm. Hire a porter at the airport and he will help load your bags into the shuttle. The Bayporter driver will help you unload. Tip everyone who touches your bag. Good Luck.</p>

<p>what's a normal tip...$5? $20?</p>