Getting Around

Google Office

The event this month will take place at Google Moffett Place Building 3 (MP3). 

The address at Google is 1170 Bordeaux Dr Sunnyvale, CA 94089.

If you are driving to the event you can park by the front entrance in any spot not labeled specifically for electric vehicles, expecting mothers, etc. 

You will just walk in the front door of MP3 and the Information desk will be there in the lobby where we will give you a welcome letter and name badge.

Local Airports

There are three local international airports, Oakland International Airport (OAK), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and San Jose International Airport (SJC). Of the three, SJC is closest to the hotels and the Googleplex, however fewer flights (particularly international) go there.  Almost all international flights will arrive in SFO.

You can find an overview of how to get from the airport to the hotel on the Transport to Hotels page.

Taxi and Ride Share Services

Information is below for Yellow Taxi Cab, the vendor we’ve found to be most familiar with the Google campus and surrounding areas.

For pickups from:

In 2023, a cab ride from the airport to the hotels costs approximately (depending on traffic):

Cabs charge 1.5 times the fare from SFO to cities more than 15 miles from the airport (which includes Sunnyvale). This is why the fare is so high (this price is without traffic).

If the cab option is out of your price range, consider shared transport or public transport.

Fares

As of May 2023, SJC taxi services charge $3.50 when you get in the car and $3 for each additional mile plus a $1.50 airport tax.

Both the fares from SJC and SFO do not include a tip. About a 8-10% tip is customary. Fares are per cab, so multiple riders can share the cab at no additional charge.

Uber and Lyft

Both Uber and Lyft drivers are very popular and plentiful in the Bay Area and are typically far cheaper than a taxi. Both Uber and Lyft do not accept tips. Make sure to download the app on your phone prior to arriving in the Bay Area for the fastest service.

Car Rentals

You can search for car rentals through Kayak.com. Make sure to compare the rules of each car rental company, such as extra costs for insurance, restrictions on international driver's licenses, mileage, and pickup/return locations. You may wish to book your car about 2 months out and then check back every couple of weeks as the rates often get better depending on the demand.

Public Transit

You are welcome to use the local transit website, 511.org, or Google Transit. Public transit fares are inexpensive; about $2.50 each way in San Francisco, etc.

From SFO airport: If you are coming in on an international flight, you will probably end up at SFO. Google Maps does not provide the best route for mass transit, which uses Caltrain. You can get to the nearby Millbrae station from the airport with BART (transfer at San Bruno) or taxi (this is much easier and ~$12-$15). Then you can take Caltrain to Sunnyvale Caltrain. The Sunnyvale station is ~2.8 miles from the Tetra and AC Hotel by Marriott Sunnyvale Moffett Park. From there resume using Google maps to walk/bus/taxi to the hotel. It's not a great walk from the station so a cab/Uber is a better idea.

Shared Transport

If you would prefer to spend less than you would on taxi service but would prefer to be picked up at the airport, try Super Shuttle (1-800-258-3826, or "1-800-BLUE-VAN"). This service works by collecting a couple of people who want to travel into more or less the same direction and then drops them off one by one at their destination. The service is affordable but you need to be prepared as it is not the speediest option.

Bicycle

Bicycling is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint! It is about 2.8 miles from Sunnyvale Caltrain to the hotels on bicycle.  But it's not a great ride for the first couple of miles until the bike lane appears about .75 mile from the hotels.

Most airlines allow a bicycle to be brought as checked baggage. Southwest Airlines permits this provided the container is no greater than 62 linear inches (add H+W+D) and 50lbs in the place of one of the two free checked baggage ($50 fee for anything too big or too heavy). While hard shell bicycle luggage is available, soft sided (canvas) or a cardboard box can be used though on the condition that you waive their responsibility for any damage that occurs. Most airlines have similar conditions, but check their website to be certain.

Parking

There is parking available at both the Tetra and AC Hotel by Marriott Sunnyvale Moffett Park. Parking is $10 for our GSoC Mentor guests.