$2.50 gets you from OAK to Coliseum Station on AC Transit 73
AC Transit Line 73 is the rock-bottom cost way out of Oakland International Airport, running between Terminals 1/2 and the Coliseum BART area along Hegenberger Road for a standard $2.50 adult fare. Figure roughly 15–25 minutes of in-vehicle time between OAK and Coliseum when traffic on Hegenberger behaves.
The 73 stops at the airport directly outside Terminals 1 and 2, in the same ground transportation zone as other public buses, and runs most of the day at about 15–20 minute intervals. After leaving OAK, it heads up Hegenberger past several local stops in East Oakland, then continues toward the Coliseum BART area and onward toward downtown Oakland.
Daytime runs are the sweet spot: headways sit around 15–20 minutes, while late evening schedules stretch out and can easily double your total door-to-door time if you just miss a bus. Riders calling it “slow but super cheap compared to BART” are reacting to the many local stops and frequent traffic lights between the terminal curb and Coliseum.
Local transit regulars on r/oakland describe Line 73 as “the workhorse OAK bus” that airport workers rely on for shift changes, which means some trips get crowded at specific times. That crowding, combined with the lack of dedicated luggage racks, makes large checked bags awkward; aim for a small roller or backpack if you’re using this route from Terminals 1 or 2.
Safety complaints in reviews focus on late-night trips, especially after 10 p.m. along Hegenberger, where riders mention disruptive behavior on board and at a few stops. Many locals specifically say they use the 73 in daylight hours only, then switch to BART at Coliseum for longer rides to downtown Oakland, San Francisco, or the inner East Bay.
How to ride AC Transit Line 73 from OAK
- 1. Walk to the curbside bus stop at your terminal. Follow “Public Transit/AC Transit” signs from baggage claim in Terminal 1 or Terminal 2; the signed 73 stop sits in the main ground transportation area.
- 2. Check the next departure in real time. Use the AC Transit website or a transit app to see the next 73; in daytime you’re usually looking at a 15–20 minute wait, but late evenings can stretch much longer.
- 3. Board through the front door and pay $2.50. Have $2.50 cash (exact change) ready or tag a Clipper card at the farebox; drivers do not give change on AC Transit buses.
- 4. Ride 15–25 minutes to Coliseum Station. Stay on past the Hegenberger local stops until you reach the Coliseum BART area, announced on board and shown on the bus display.
- 5. Transfer or continue into Oakland. At Coliseum, follow signs up to BART for downtown Oakland or San Francisco, or stay on the 73 if you are headed farther along its route into East Oakland.
One tip: if you’re catching an evening flight and planning to use the 73 back to OAK, build at least one extra bus headway into your schedule—plan to arrive at Coliseum 30–40 minutes earlier than strictly needed in case you hit traffic or a missed bus.