San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) is the one and only airport serving Alameda.

San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) is 21 kilometres from downtown Alameda, so be prepared for a bit of a commute into the heart of the city.

With plenty of airports to choose from, Alameda is the sort of place that’s easy to book a flight to at the last moment. The terminals that see most of the city’s air travel are SFO (21 kilometres from downtown), SJC (48 kilometres from downtown) and Oakland Intl. Airport (OAK) (6 kilometres from downtown).

There are 46 air carriers that service Alameda from 124 airports around the world.

Alameda receives the highest number of flights from Alaska Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines with Alaska Airlines being the favorite choice of airline. Los Angeles is the most popular city for passengers to depart from.

Organizing an exciting Alameda getaway is a piece of cake when there are 5,180 nonstop flights every week to get you there.

A large number of flights to Alameda leave from Seattle, Los Angeles and Portland airports.

If it’s Los Angeles you’re departing, you’ll be in the sky for around 1 hour and 19 minutes before you arrive in Alameda. Terminal to terminal from San Diego takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes and from Seattle, the flight time is 2 hours and 7 minutes.

Don’t leave locking in your flight to Alameda until the last possible moment. That’s one move seasoned travelers use to get the best deals. Booking well in advance means more options and more affordable flights. Also, look around online and compare your options. If your destination has several airports, you may be able to nab a fantastic price by flying into one a little farther out. Finally, another simple way to save some money is be ready to book fast. If you come across a fantastic bargain, don’t hesitate — snap it up while you’ve got the chance.

Depending on where you’re coming from, your trip to Alameda could be as easy as pie or it could drag on forever. Here are some useful travel tips that will help you start your next big adventure on the right foot.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Traveling on a plane can be a cruisy experience if you’ve got all the right gear. Firstly, you’ll need basic toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and lip balm, a spare set of clothes and something to read. Next, leave space in your hand luggage for your laptop, a charger, any daily medications and maybe a comfy neck pillow too. Last, but definitely not least, remember to take your passport, travel documents and some money.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Squeeze all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hair gel in your checked baggage. Any liquids or gels in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by security. Sharp or pointed objects, like your precious Swiss Army knife, and dangerous products which are explosive or flammable, such as aerosol cans, flares and matches, are also restricted.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your aim here is to feel as comfortable as you can. Dress in loose, natural-fiber clothing and bring a jacket in case you get cold. Pick a pair of well-fitting, flat shoes as it’s possible that your feet and ankles will swell during the flight. Leave the stilettos and heavy hiking boots in your checked baggage.
• Unfortunately, a risk of long flights is developing DVT (deep vein thrombosis), a blood clot condition caused by lengthy periods of inactivity. To prevent this, take every opportunity to wander around the cabin. Compression socks and tights are another great idea to help reduce this risk.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be well organized before you get to airport security. That way, you’ll be boarding that plane to Alameda in next to no time. Follow these helpful tips and get your vacation off to a fantastic start:

• Have your passport and boarding pass handy. They’re the first items you’ll be asked to present to airport security.
• The X-ray machine is up next. Empty your pockets and remove anything that is likely to set off the alarm. This includes items like headphones or earphones, as well as bulky coats or jackets. They’ll need to be placed on the conveyor belt for screening.
• Your electronic gadgets like laptops and phones will also need to go on a tray to be scanned. Don’t worry, you’ll be back online soon enough.
• Any liquids or gels, such as hair oil or hand cream, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a good footwear choice as you’re less likely to be required to remove them when going through security. Safety boots and other heavy shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Sharp or pointed objects (like knives and scissors) can’t be taken on board. They’ll be seized at security, so pack them safely away in your checked suitcase.