(no subject) [Matthew's Journal]

I'm going to a conference in San Jose next month. I'm flying to and from SFO, which leaves me two options for getting to the conference hotel. I could get a shared shuttle service e.g. Super Shuttle for around $39 each way; I've used similar services before, and they were pretty reasonable. It's 37 miles, so I'd expect a journey time of around an hour.

Alternatively, I could use public transport. This is slightly complicated - I need to get the BART to Millbrae, thence the Caltrain to either Mountain View (say the conference organisers) or Tamien (says the journey planner software), and thence the VTA light rail to San Jose Convention Center (and a short walk). The cost will be around $9, and take a bit over 2 hours.

I'm unsure which way to go. At least one colleague is planning on doing the public transport thing (but arrives at a different time), and opines that it'll be easy. Others have suggested that it's obviously easier to get a shuttle, and pretty cheap too. I have a feeling the public transport route will either be Just Fine or Utter Doom. Any informed commentary would be good, but there's also a poll under the cut ;)

[Poll #1010992]

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5	6	7	8	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25 1
26	27	28	29	30	31

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Sat

I've done the first bit of this on public transport (as far as Mountain View), and it was reasonably easy and pleasant. The VTA light rail is also pretty ok, but I've never gone all the way to San Jose on it.

The only caveat I'd add is that the Caltrain is not the most frequent service in the world, and you may end up sitting in Millbrae for a while. It's quite a dull station, even by American standards, so bring a book.

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If you're doing it for the second time then I'd probably take Public Transport, but the first time, stick with something more predictable.

Funny, I was thinking that the first time, when he just has to eventually get to the hotel would be a better time for public transport, but on the way back when he has to Not Miss The Plane would be a better time for the taxi!

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I'm considering trying public transport to the hotel, and if it's pain booking a shuttle thing to get me to the plane on time.

I think that's the Right Answer, I just have a feeling that when you get off your trans-atlantic flight and are grumpy that you've not slept for a day you'll forget it's the Right Answer

The logic that I was applying was that public transport is easier when one knows the lie of the land. The "second time" I was thinking of was more a second trip out there than the return journey from the hotel to the airport.

Anyway, isn't a shuttle bus a form or Public Transport?

I took the public transport to Sunnyvale (one stop before Mountain View), and it was a bit infrequent, what with me arriving quite late at SFO due to the trrrrrist scare, but otherwise it was just fine, no problems, no confusion, no unpleasantness.

In what sense are taxis not public transport?! (Especially shared taxis.)

Cages are evil, Mmmmkay? Do keep up at the back :-)

They go where you tell them (rather than on a fixed route), they are expensive (relatively), and at least some Universities are reluctant to pay for them where other options exist.

My experience of shuttle buses from SFO is that they're a lot less pleasant than the BART/Caltrain. Especially as most flights from the UK arrive in the heat of mid-afternoon.

That said, if it was me I'd take it just because it'll be quicker. After that much long-haul flight, I'm just desperate for a wash and a lie down. But you're young perhaps I'm just too soft in my old age.

Is this any time between 18 and 30 July? I should be around there with

compilerbitch, and she may be able to give you a lift if it is not during office hours. BART/Caltrain/VTA work perfectly well in my experience except the annoying ticket system; you would have to buy 3 different tickets.

Yes indeed, I can probably pick you up, let me know. I work flextime so I can probably do it during work hours too unless it clashes with a Meeting of Doom.

As for BART/Caltrain/VTA, yes, it's doable, but they are less frequent (and often more confusing) than you're used to in the UK. Speaking for myself (I've done it both ways a few times each), if I had plenty of time and a good book, I'd take public transport, if I was in more of a hurry (or too exhausted from the trip) I'd take the supershuttle. Taxis are mindbogglingly expensive -- it would be about $150 to San Jose.

And we should meet up!

PS: Changing from Caltrain to VTA light rail at Mountain View should be fine. The platforms are right next to each other -- it's just a small station.

You are kind; I arrive on the 30th, which may be inconvenient (at about 2pm, but heck knows how long getting into the country will take), and leave the following Saturday. If it's too much hassle, my grant really can stretch to the shuttle, so don't stress it. Would be cool to manage a coffee or somesuch, though.

I've never used Caltrain, but BART is indeed quick and easy.

My logic is that you will just have spent way too many hours in planes and airports, and if the shuttle saves time and hassle and waiting around stations to change trains twice, it's worth it, especially with the pound being strong and the dollar weak. The shuttle is probably going to be travelling anyway, so the environmental argument may prove a red herring. You could always take the public transport option on your way back to the airport for variety.

Sorry, when I went to San Jose I flew to San Jose airport (via Phoenix). The tram from near the airport is very reliable and convenient, and there was absolutely no reason for me to try out anything else apart from walking.

San Jose's sidewalks are not made for walking on :-)

That last bit of data is useful to have!

It's a bit of an exaggeration, but not nearly as much as I'd wish. I walked out to the Rose Gardens one day, which was fine from where I was staying. Walking back, via the city centre... wasn't. Also the local attitude is that people don't walk. The first day I was there, I walked the route of the tram line into the city centre. It was only two miles, but no one would believe I'd done it.