When should I buy a clipper card after flying to Oakland?
As far as I understand, there are no clipper card vending machines at Oakland International Airport (OAK). But there is one at Coliseum Station. If I plan to buy a clipper card anyway, should I do that at Coliseum Station? Or should I buy a regular ticket from OAK to my destination in downtown San Francisco and buy a clipper card afterwards?
Best Answer
https://www.bart.gov/guide/airport/oak
For travelers landing at OAK, there is no need to purchase a BART ticket or Clipper card until after you arrive at the Coliseum BART station Platform 3, where you can buy a BART ticket or regional Clipper card from vending machines.
The BART line between Oakland Airport and Coliseum Station is a people-mover "monorail" service (though it actually has two rails). To get anywhere from OAK, you have to transfer at Coliseum to the regular heavy-rail BART system, and you can buy your Clipper card there. It's not clear whether it would even be possible to buy tickets of any kind at OAK itself.
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Can you buy a Clipper card at the airport?
There is no charge to board AirTrain. Clipper Cards can be purchased at the SFO BART Station upon arrival.Where can I buy a Clipper card at Oakland Airport?
For travelers landing at OAK, there is no need to purchase a Clipper card until after you arrive at the Coliseum BART station Platform 3, where you can buy a regional Clipper card from vending machines. All BART stations have Clipper vending machines that accept cash or credit cards.Can I use my Clipper card in Oakland?
Free local ride or discounted transbay ride on Route M within 2 hours of boarding SamTrans when using a SamTrans monthly pass. Free local ride or discounted transbay ride within 90 minutes of tagging off at Oakland, Alameda-Main Street, Alameda-Harbor Bay or Richmond terminals.How long are Clipper cards good for?
Unlike a credit or debit card, the Clipper card does not expire; however, you will need to renew your eligibility for Clipper START once every two years to continue receiving the discount.How to Navigate Public Transportation in San Francisco Like a Pro!
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Answer 2
If your trip is at least 10 days away, then order a clipper card online (or by phone) and get it by postal mail (in the United States). It's also the cheapest way to get a card because it's free if you opt-in for autoloading money on it (you can always opt-out after you receive it). Otherwise, a card is $3.
https://www.clippercard.com/ClipperWeb/getTranslink.do
Note that the fare for the OAK to Coliseum BART extension is $6 just for that little spur line (prices checked April 2019). Depending on the number of people in your party, it may be cheaper to take the Uber. It’s definitely cheaper to take the 73 AC Transit bus from the airport to Coliseum as the bus is only $2.35.
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