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As most of you might know by now, I have been trying to get ma famille to go to San Fran. Well I think it is going to happen. I have one question though for anyone that has taken the Zephyr to San Francisco or knows the answer. Would it be better to take a cab to the Sheraton at the Fishermans Wharf or take the Shuttle? Seeing how the shuttle takes 40 minutes to get to Fishermans Wharf I was thinking that it might be best if we took a cab. Does anyone know if there are cabs waiting for the train at the EMY station, or is there only a shuttle. The last time we were in SF(1997) we took the plane both ways. The airport was 18 miles away from the same Sheraton( so the web page for the hotel said) and we took a cab to there. So since the station is only 11 miles away I was thinking it might be best if we took a cab there.
Just a thought, now your thoughts.
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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A taxi would be much more expensive.
The bus ride would allow you to get a little overview tour of the city as you arrive, so the time may not be wasted. I'm not familiar with that particular shuttle, but it may not have passengers for all of its stops, so it may not need to stop at all of them. Thus the ride may be shorter than the scheduled 40 minutes. I think the schedule also allows for traffic congestion, which may or may not materialize.
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
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Take the shuttle, it will be there whenever the train arrives and your luggage will be transferred also.
Reggie
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tubaallen Member # 2057
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Yes, and then the fare is included in the Amtrak fare....and only ends up costing a couple bucks more...DEFINITELY cheaper than the cab. I did it once in '95, and it worked out very well.
dilly Member # 1427
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The bus is fine, as long as the driver has his/her act together. When I took the Coast Starlight from L.A. to Oakland a few months ago, the train arrived only fifteen minutes late.
But the bus driver spent a good 15 minutes fussing with tickets. Then she spent another 15 having detailed discussions with the surprising number of passengers who had no idea where they wanted to be dropped off. Finally, she disappeared into the train station, saying "I'll be back in a minute."
She was a pleasant woman. But we sat there for nearly an hour before the bus actually pulled out. We could have walked into San Francisco faster.
I'm sure the bus isn't always so slow. But don't rule out a taxi -- especially if you have lots of luggage and you're headed for a hotel. A helpful bus driver might drop you off at the nearest corner (if not right outside the front door). But an unhelpful one might simply drop you off at the "official" Amtrak stop, which could be several blocks from your destination.
The Chief Member # 2172
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Hi Uncle Buck. Last March I took the bus from Emeryville to Downtown San Fran and it was fine.
Just ride the Amtrak bus on up to Pier 39. Don't worry about 40 minutes after going across the country. Look out the window for the colorful F-Line Streetcars en route up to Pier 39/Fisherman's Wharf. It's a neat Streetcar you may want to take on a later ride.
Save that taxi money so you and the fam can eat those fresh boiled-to-death-while-you-watch crabs up at the Wharf! Hope this helps.
-- -- The Chief
p.s. When you book your CZ bedrooms, if you pay for them, you can get all the $$ spent for your own Gue$t Reward$ account.
[This message has been edited by The Chief (edited 01-13-2003).]
rmiller Member # 341
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Yes, there are cabs at the emeryville station as well as buses. I'd make sure I was ticketed to Fisherman's Wharf but upon arrival ask a cabbie what you should expect to pay, then make the decision. The bus stop is at Pier 39 so I'd also find out how close the hotel is to that location and consider how I'm going to get from one to the other with luggage. The hotel may be able to help with advice and a map of the area from mapquest.com may add additional information for you.
CK Member # 589
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UncleBuck, as someone who has commuted over the Bay Bridge to SF for nearly 20 years, (that's 5,000 times!), take the bus, otherwise you may spend your time & money watching the taxi meter reach limits that tear a hole in your wallet if you happen to be stuck in traffic on the bridge. BTW, don't call SF, "Frisco", the locals will know your from out of town, instead refer to it as "the City" & you will fit right in! Have a Great trip!
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