If you’re arriving by air, you won’t have to ponder too long which airport to fly into. San Pablo has just one – San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO).

The trip from SFO to downtown San Pablo is reasonably long. You’ll have to travel 40 kilometres before you can check in to your hotel in the city.

A flight to San Pablo means jumping off the plane at San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) or Oakland Intl. Airport (OAK). The first is 40 kilometres away from the center of the city. The second one is 32 kilometres away.

There are a total of 46 air carriers connecting San Pablo to 122 airports across the world.

In general, travelers choose to fly with Alaska Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines when heading off to San Pablo. The biggest proportion of these flights come from Los Angeles, with Alaska Airlines flying this route the most frequently.

Planning an exciting San Pablo escape is simple when there are 4,034 nonstop flights each week to pick from.

Flights to San Pablo departing from Los Angeles, Seattle and New York airports are the most popular.

If it’s Los Angeles you’re departing, you’ll be in the sky for around 1 hour and 22 minutes before you arrive in San Pablo. Airport to airport from Seattle takes about 2 hours and 6 minutes and from Las Vegas, the flight time is 1 hour and 35 minutes.

Don’t leave locking in your flight to San Pablo until the last moment. That’s one move savvy jet-setters use to get the best prices. Booking well in advance means more choices and more affordable flights. Don’t stop there, however. Do some research and find out if there are a couple of airports at your destination. Ticket prices often differ depending on the airport you pick. Don’t forget to compare fares across air carriers as well. Finally, another simple way to save some cash is be ready to book fast. If you spot an irresistible deal, don’t hesitate — grab it while you can.

If you’re poorly prepared, air travel can be tough. But don’t hit the panic button just yet. Follow these tips and tricks for a comfortable start to your getaway in San Pablo.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Air travel can be a great experience if you bring the right stuff. First of all you’ll need basic toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and lip balm, a clean pair of socks and a good book. Next, find a spot in your hand luggage for your electronic gadgets, chargers, your medications and perhaps a cozy neck pillow as well. Lastly, remember to take your passport, travel papers and your bank cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Put all your full-sized bottles of hair gel and hairspray in your checked baggage. Any gels or liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) won’t be allowed on. Sharp objects, like your trusty Swiss Army knife, and products which are explosive or flammable, such as aerosols and fireworks, are also not allowed.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should always be your highest priority when choosing what to wear on your flight. Consider your choice of footwear with care too, as swollen feet and ankles are a common side effect of flying. Slightly roomy, flat shoes work well.
• The result of sustained periods of immobility, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect some passengers during long-haul flights. But the good news is there are proven ways to reduce the risk of developing it. Stay hydrated, get up and walk around the cabin as often as you can and wear compression tights or socks.

Being prepared before you get to the airport will make your trip to San Pablo a pleasure. Read through our useful tips and tricks for a stress-free journey past security:

• Security personnel first need to know that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before anything else. Have them ready to show.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Personal belongings like your coat, belt and earphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronic devices, including your tablet and phone, must also be separately scanned.
• Don’t forget to remove liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a clever footwear choice as you’re less likely to have to remove them when going through security. Safety boots and other heavy-style shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Take all prohibited items out of your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp objects like a pocket knife or tools, pack them safely away in your checked suitcase. They won’t be allowed on board.