As of January 12, 2009, all nationals and citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries (e.g., Italy) are required by law to obtain a travel authorization prior to initiating travel to the United States! This authorization may be obtained online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a free website administered by the U.S. government’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS): https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov

If you need an invitation letter for visa application purpose, please let us know as soon as possible.

From the airport to Berkeley:

Whether you are arriving at San Francisco or Oakland airport, we recommend taking BART, the Bay Area’s metro rail service, because it is much easier than traveling by car and far less expensive than taxi cabs or commercial shuttles. The official BART webpage is located at www.bart.gov and can be used to lookup fare prices as well as plan trips. Please be aware BART does not run 24-hour service.

From San Francisco International Airport (SFO):

There is a BART station inside SFO. Follow signs to the AirTrain and BART. Detailed instructions for SFO to BART are located here. Allow approximately 60 minutes for the trip from SFO to Berkeley. The cost of a one-way ticket is $9.55; a round-trip ticket is $19.10. Tickets may be purchased at the SFO BART station upon arrival. 

The last train departing SFO leaves at 11:54 PM, and the earliest train to travel from Downtown Berkeley to SFO is at 4:25AM on weekdays, 6:08AM on Saturdays, and 8:08AM on Sundays. As always consult www.bart.gov for schedules and delays.

1. Purchase a BART ticket of value ≥ $9.10.
2. At the SFO BART station, board the Pittsburg/Bay Point train. (map)
3. Exit the Pittsburg/Bay Point train at the 19th St. Oakland stop.
4. Cross the platform to board the Richmond train.
5. Exit the Richmond train at the Downtown Berkeley stop, and exit the station.

Here is an example Google route map from San Francisco International Airport to Downtown Berkeley Station

From Oakland International Airport (OAK):

At the Oakland airport there is a free rail shuttle that transfers you from the airport to the Coliseum/Oakland Airport BART station. The ride lasts approximately 5-8 minutes and pauses in the middle. A single ride from Coliseum/Oakland Airport BART to Downtown Berkeley station is $$8.60; a round-trip is $17.20. Detailed instructions can be found here.

The last train departing OAK leaves at 12:03AM, and the earliest train to travel from Downtown Berkeley to OAK is at 4:33AM on weekdays, 6:08AM on Saturdays, and 8:08AM on Sundays. As always consult www.bart.gov for schedules and delays.

1. At the Oakland airport, board the free rail shuttle located outside.
2. Upon exiting at the Coliseum/Oakland Airport BART station, purchase a BART ticket of value ≥ $8.60
4. Board the Richmond train.
5. Exit the Richmond train at the Downtown Berkeley stop, and exit the station.

Here is an example Google route map from Oakland International Airport: