Which airport ( SFO or San Jose ) is most convenient to then go to Palo Alto? (San Francisco: vs., buildings)

[bloom]

Which airport ( SFO or San Jose ) is most convenient to then go to Palo Alto?
My origin city has ~same number of direct nonstop flights to both airports.

[tstieber]

Originally Posted by bloom

Which airport ( SFO or San Jose ) is most convenient to then go to Palo Alto?
My origin city has ~same number of direct nonstop flights to both airports.

SFO is probably a little closer, but it's also subject to constant delays. So SJO is way more reliable. You'll probably still save time using SJO in my opinion.

[silverkris]

Originally Posted by tstieber

SFO is probably a little closer, but it's also subject to constant delays. So SJO is way more reliable. You'll probably still save time using SJO in my opinion.

Actually, SJC (that's the IATA code) is both closer in distance AND time on the road from Palo Alto.

Coupled with weather related delays SFO is chronically plagued with, if you don't have to connect to another flight (say to Asia), it would be better to use SJC if you can. Plus it's a lot easier to navigate within the terminal buildings as well.

[bloom]

Originally Posted by tstieber

SFO is probably a little closer, but it's also subject to constant delays. So SJO is way more reliable. You'll probably still save time using SJO in my opinion.

This is confusing as SFO seems via googlemaps to be further in distance and time (nonrushhour).
SJO seems a typo as is in Costa Rica, so far away.
According to above logic, San Jose (SJC) is further distance (it is not) but more convenient because of so-called delays at south san francisco (SFO).
Could you clarify?

[silverkris]

Originally Posted by bloom

This is confusing as SFO seems via googlemaps to be further in distance and time (nonrushhour).
SJO seems a typo as is in Costa Rica, so far away.
According to above logic, San Jose (SJC) is further distance (it is not) but more convenient because of so-called delays at south san francisco (SFO).
Could you clarify?

As mentioned in my earlier post, SJC (approximately 15 miles) is not further away from Palo Alto than SFO (around 21-22 miles). Non-rush hour, from my home, it's about 20 minutes to SJC, and about 30 minutes to SFO, provided you don't run into problems on 101.

SFO generally has more weather related flight delays than SJC, or even OAK - because of its parallel runways being too close together to be used simultaneously in low visibility weather.

[bloom]

thanks for the clear responses, silverkris

[HockeyMac18]

I think the main arguments against SJC tend to be less flight options and (sometimes) more expensive flight options (YMMV).

But if you find a similar flight at SJC vs. SFO and you're in PA, go with SJC.

I actually think both airports are pretty easy to use and get to. We actually have pretty good airports in the Bay Area. Spreading the load amongst three airports really helps dramatically.

[bmw335xi]

Whichever is cheaper... the difference isn’t that much in terms of traveling time

[tstieber]

Originally Posted by silverkris

As mentioned in my earlier post, SJC (approximately 15 miles) is not further away from Palo Alto than SFO (around 21-22 miles). Non-rush hour, from my home, it's about 20 minutes to SJC, and about 30 minutes to SFO, provided you don't run into problems on 101.

SFO generally has more weather related flight delays than SJC, or even OAK - because of its parallel runways being too close together to be used simultaneously in low visibility weather.

Thanks for checking the distance. Had no idea! No brainer then. SFO is constantly delayed, SJC almost never.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by bloom

thanks for the clear responses, silverkris

San Jose also has more clear days and fewer foggy days than San Francisco. Hence, fewer weather related delays.