Stanford on the cheap

<p>Ds has been given the opportunity to attend a conference at Stanford on May 30 in conjunction with Questbridge. I've got reasonably cheap tickets into Oakland. What is the cheapest/easiest way to get to Stanford from there? I looked at BART, but that left me totally confused. If the hotel and transportation is too expensive, we can't go. :( Any hints for how to keep costs down on hotel/transit? TIA</p>

<p>I saw your post on the parents thread, and am copying my response to another question on a Stanford thread. As other parents had noted, SFO may be better than Oakland because there are more transportation options.</p>

<p>Note that the SAM bus is pretty much the least expensive option, and also the most direct (I don’t think you ever have to change buses). But, it takes a while, and I think there may be some luggage limitations. Also…check on the dates and times it runs to make sure you can catch it at times that match your airport arrival and departure.</p>

<p>Why is there a hotel expense? If it’s related to Questbridge, isn’t there any housing provided? If you’re stuck, you can look into lodging at the guest house at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory [Welcome</a> to the Stanford Guest House - Stanford University](<a href=“http://www.stanford.edu/dept/rde/guesthouse/]Welcome”>http://www.stanford.edu/dept/rde/guesthouse/)</p>

<p>Confirm prices below to make sure info. is accurate. Supershuttle, Sam Trans bus and Cal Train have all worked for people we know.</p>

<p>FROM SAN FRANCISCO AIRPORT</p>

<p>Van Services:</p>

<p>Bayporter Express $19.00 ($10.00/ea. add’l person) one-way, (415) 467-1800
Pick-up is upstairs on departure level at red sign.
Reservations recommended.</p>

<p>South Bay Airport Shuttle $18.00 ($8.00/ea. add’l person) one-way, (800) 548-4664
Pick-up is upstairs on departure level at blue/yellow sign. (408) 225-4444 (or just find a waiting van)
Reservations required. (408) 559-9477 (Additional service charge after 11:30pm.)</p>

<p>Super Shuttle $23.00 ($8.00/ea. add’l person) one-way. (415) 558-8500
Pick-up is on departure level at marked locations.
Runs 24-hours a day. Reservation required only on return trip to the airport. Three stop maximum per shuttle trip.</p>

<p>County Bus Service:
Sam Trans Bus $1.10 one-way. (800) 660-4287
From SFO only: (Bus #KX): $1.50 one-way. Pick-up locations on lower (arrival) level on center island at Terminal 2, curbside at Terminal 3, and the International Terminal. Take Bus #KX to the Stanford Shopping Center. Bus leaves airport every 30 minutes and takes approximately 55 min. to reach the Stanford Shopping Center .
For SamTrans fare and schedule updates, visit: [SamTrans.com</a> - home](<a href=“http://www.samtrans.org%5DSamTrans.com”>http://www.samtrans.org) </p>

<p>Taxi Service:
Yellow Cab $48.00 approximately. (650) 321-1234
Pick-up outside baggage claim area of airport.
From Stanford to SFO, you must call and give your name, the airline, flight # and departure time.</p>

<p>Train:
Cal Train $3.25 Millbrae Station to University Avenue in Palo Alto. (800) 660-4287
Take the SFO-Cal Train Shuttle from SFO to Millbrae Station.
Train hours: M-F 5:20am to 10:20pm, S-S 7:20am to 10:20pm.
Free Marguerite Shuttle from University Avenue depot to Stanford during commuter hours, Monday - Friday only.</p>

<p>Limousine: 24-hour advance reservation recommended
Expresso Limousine Sedan (1-3 passengers) $97.50 one-way. (800) 675-6654
Stretch Limousine (1-7 passengers) $122.00 one-way.</p>

<p>Barron Limousine Sedan (1-3 passengers) $58.00 one-way. (408) 257-7794
Stretch Limousine (1-8 passengers) $83.00 one-way.</p>