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§ Convention 2026 · Getting to the Bay Area

Nonstop from the
diaspora.

Every major US diaspora hub has a nonstop flight to the Bay Area. Fly into SFO — the hotel’s free shuttle runs 24/7 from every terminal. Traveling with elders? Volunteers in gold ribbons are at the Registration Desk from 2 PM Friday.

Host airportSFO · 2 mi
Alt airportOAK · 21 mi
Delegate parking$18 / day
Hotel shuttleFree · 24/7
§ 01 · Fly in

Three airports. One preferred, two alternates.

SFO is our recommendation for 94% of attendees.
Skip to ground transport →
SFO

San Francisco International

2 miles · 5 min · free 24/7 hotel shuttle
RecommendedClosest · most nonstops · easiest transfer
OriginAirportsAirlinesFrequencyTypical duration
New York / NewarkEWR · JFKUnited · JetBlue · Delta · Alaska22 nonstops/day6h 20m
HoustonIAH · HOUUnited · Southwest · Alaska14 nonstops/day4h 10m
AtlantaATLDelta · Alaska · Southwest16 nonstops/day5h 00m
DallasDFW · DALAmerican · United · Southwest18 nonstops/day4h 00m
ChicagoORD · MDWUnited · American · Southwest20 nonstops/day4h 30m
Shuttle tip

The free Marriott Waterfront shuttle runs every 30 minutes, 24/7. Pick it up at the upper-level shuttle stand of any terminal — follow signs for “Hotel Shuttles.” No reservation needed. Tell the driver you are with INC-USA.

OAK

Oakland International

21 miles · 45–60 min · Bay Bridge traffic
AlternativeSouthwest & Alaska hub · budget-friendly
OriginAirportsAirlinesFrequencyTypical duration
Los AngelesLAX · BURSouthwest · Alaska · Spirit26 nonstops/day1h 15m
DenverDENSouthwest · United · Frontier9 nonstops/day2h 30m
PhoenixPHXSouthwest · American10 nonstops/day2h 00m
OAK tip

Uber / Lyft direct to the hotel is ~$55 and 40–50 minutes (Bay Bridge dependent). BART is the cheaper route: Coliseum AirTrain → BART to Millbrae → 10-minute taxi or SamTrans 292 to the hotel. Total about $14 and 75 minutes.

SJC

Mineta San Jose International

30 miles · 45 min · US-101 North
South Bay optionOnly if much cheaper fare · no shuttle
OriginAirportsAirlinesFrequencyTypical duration
SeattleSEAAlaska · Southwest11 nonstops/day2h 20m
PortlandPDXAlaska · Southwest7 nonstops/day1h 45m
SJC tip

Only pick SJC if the fare is significantly lower. Uber is ~$65; Caltrain via VTA + Millbrae takes 90 minutes total. If you are visiting South Bay family before or after Convention, SJC becomes a great choice.

§ 02 · Ground transport

From the terminal to our front door.

Six options. We recommend the free shuttle.
§ 01SFO only · 24/7 · every 30 min

Free hotel shuttle

The Marriott Waterfront's own branded shuttle runs around the clock. Pick-up at the Hotel Courtesy Shuttle zone on the center island of the Departures (upper) level at every SFO terminal — courtesy phones in the shelters. Zero cost, no reservation. Tell the driver you are with INC-USA — they will remember.
Recommended for almost everyone.
§ 02Bay-wide · $11–14 · 1–2 transfers

BART

From SFO: International terminal → Yellow line to Millbrae → 10-min taxi or SamTrans 292 to hotel ($3.25). From OAK: Coliseum AirTrain → BART → Millbrae. From East Bay / SF: direct to Millbrae, then taxi/shuttle.
Best for budget-conscious or solo travelers.
§ 03SJC region · $5 · 1 transfer

Caltrain

If you fly into SJC, take VTA light rail to Diridon station, board Caltrain northbound to Millbrae station. From there, 10-min taxi or SamTrans 292 to the hotel. Full trip about 90 minutes.
Best for South Bay arrivals.
§ 04Any airport · 24/7 · $15–75

Rideshare

Uber / Lyft pickup at Marriott main porte-cochère. From SFO: $15–25. From OAK: $55 (Bay Bridge). From SJC: $65 (US-101 N). Set destination to '1800 Old Bayshore Hwy'. Avoid the side service drive — drivers miss it.
Best for late-night arrivals.
§ 06All major agencies at SFO

Rental car

Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, Budget, National, Alamo, Sixt — all one AirTrain stop from SFO terminals. Self-parking at the Marriott is discounted to $18/night for INC-USA delegates (down from $48), valet $34/night. Only rent if you plan independent sightseeing — otherwise rideshare is cheaper.
Best if you are extending your trip.
§ 03 · Traveling with elders

Respect the journey. Plan for the person.

Six hard-learned tips from past conventions.

For mama, daddy, grandma, grandpa.

Most Itsekiri elders in the diaspora have not flown domestically in years. Airports are stressful. Shuttle stops are confusing. The window between flight and Friday reception is tight. Here is how we keep everyone whole.

  1. Book nonstops only — connections exhaust. If you must connect, give yourself 2+ hours.
  2. Request wheelchair assistance at booking, not on the day — call the airline directly.
  3. Pack meds in carry-on, not checked. Bring a 48-hour buffer in case of delay.
  4. Arrive a full day early if flying from Nigeria or Europe — do not attempt the Friday opening reception on an overnight flight.
  5. Text the Transport team at +1 (779) 771-6151 when you land — we will come meet you.
  6. Bring a warm layer. Bay Area evenings are 55°F even in September.
Road closure · Sept 4–7

Northbound US-101 in San Francisco (Cesar Chavez to 10th St) is closed from 11 PM Friday, Sept 4 to 6 AM Monday, Sept 7. Getting from SFO to the hotel is unaffected. Driving into the city Saturday or Sunday: take I-380 west to I-280 north (Caltrans detour). Southbound 101 stays open. Our Sunday excursion buses are routed around the closure. Expect heavy Labor Day traffic at the Golden Gate.

§ 04 · International attendees

Visa, invitation, and the long journey.

For Nigeria, UK, Europe, and Canada.

B-1/B-2 visitor visa

For attendees arriving from Nigeria. Apply at the US Embassy in Abuja or consulate in Lagos. Mention INC-USA Convention in the DS-160 form under purpose of visit. We provide a signed invitation letter — email info@itsekirinationalcongress.org with your passport details at least 120 days before travel.

ESTA (Visa Waiver)

For attendees from UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Netherlands, or other VWP countries. Apply online at esta.cbp.dhs.gov at least 72 hours before departure. $21 fee, valid 2 years. No invitation letter needed, but keep one on hand at customs.

Canadian attendees

Passport only; no visa required. Carry an invitation letter for the land or air border officer. If driving from Vancouver, allow 17 hours via I-5. Flying is faster and cheaper for most.

Invitation letters

Every registered attendee can download a signed PDF invitation letter from their dashboard after registration is confirmed. It is bilingual (English + notarized Itsekiri translation available on request). Addresses embassies, hotel confirmation, and return ticket expectation.

Letter request

Email info@itsekirinationalcongress.org with your full name as on passport, date of birth, passport number, expected travel dates, and country of application. Allow 5 business days for your signed invitation letter — we batch-process them weekly.

§ 05 · Know the neighborhood

Explore Burlingame.

Downtown charm, bayside views, minutes from the hotel.

The San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront sits right on the Burlingame bayfront at 1800 Old Bayshore Highway — a bayside trail out the front door, downtown Burlingame Avenue’s restaurants and cafés ten minutes away, Topgolf next door, and San Francisco itself 20 minutes up US-101. Come a day early or stay a day after — the neighborhood is worth it.

Need a ride? Our Transport team has you.

Free SFO shuttle info, BART tips, and live help from Friday 12 PM on +1 (779) 771-6151.

Book the hotel →Volunteer for Transport