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Airports Near Palo Alto
Palo Alto has its own general-aviation airport (no scheduled airline passenger service). It’s used for private aircraft, flight training, rentals, maintenance, and business aviation—and it’s unusually close to town and the Baylands. It is known as PAO. Location: 1925 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a major public airport serving the San Francisco Bay Area. It is located in unincorporated San Mateo County, about 13 miles (21 km) south of downtown San Francisco, and is one of the busiest airports in the United States.
SFO functions as a primary international gateway on the U.S. West Coast, with nonstop flights to Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, as well as extensive domestic service.
Distance from Palo Alto: ~17 miles northwest
Typical drive time: 25–45 minutes (can exceed 60 minutes during peak commute hours)
Best for: International flights, long-haul travel, widest airline and route selection
Transit options: Caltrain + BART/SFO AirTrain, shared shuttles, rideshare, taxi
Local tip: SFO is often the best choice for international visitors to Palo Alto and Stanford, but traffic on US-101 can be heavy during weekday rush hours.
Official website:
https://www.flysfo.com
Arrivals & departures (live flight info):
https://www.flysfo.com/passengers/flight-info
Ground transportation & transit (BART, shuttles, rentals):
https://www.flysfo.com/passengers/ground-transportation
San Jose International Airport (SJC)
San Jose International Airport, officially Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC), is the primary commercial airport serving San Jose and Silicon Valley.
Located in Santa Clara County, it is especially popular with business travelers and tech workers due to its proximity to major corporate campuses and residential areas.
Distance from Palo Alto: ~14 miles east–southeast
Typical drive time: 20–35 minutes
Best for: Domestic flights, short trips, fast arrivals and departures
Airlines: Strong presence from Southwest, Alaska, Delta, American, United
Transit options: VTA light rail, Caltrain (via transfer), rideshare, taxi
Local tip: For Palo Alto visitors, SJC is often the fastest and least stressful airport, especially for early-morning or late-night flights.
Official website:
https://www.flysanjose.com
Airport overview & services:
https://www.flysanjose.com/about
Ground transportation & parking:
https://www.flysanjose.com/directions
Oakland International Airport (OAK)
Oakland International Airport (OAK) is located in Alameda County, about 10 miles south of downtown Oakland, and is operated by the Port of Oakland. It serves the East Bay and the broader Bay Area with domestic, transborder (Mexico/Canada), and limited international flights.
OAK is widely known for its efficiency, lower congestion, and competitive fares, particularly on low-cost carriers.
Distance from Palo Alto: ~20 miles north
Typical drive time: 35–60 minutes (bridge traffic can vary significantly)
Best for: Budget travelers, domestic flights, low-cost airlines
Transit options: BART (via Coliseum connector), Caltrain + BART transfers, shuttles
Local tip: OAK can be a good value option, but travel time is less predictable due to bridge traffic and cross-bay routes.
Official website:
https://www.iflyoak.comArrivals & departures (flight status):
https://www.iflyoak.com/fly/flight-status/Airlines & destinations (“Where We Fly”):
https://www.iflyoak.com/fly/where-we-fly/Ground transportation:
https://www.iflyoak.com/ground-transportation/
Quick Comparison for Palo Alto Visitors
Closest airport: San Jose (SJC)
Best international hub: San Francisco (SFO)
Best budget option: Oakland (OAK)
Least stressful overall: SJC
Most flight choices: SFO