The honest answer: it depends on what you're optimizing for. If you want maximum flexibility and the widest choice of vehicles, book early. If you just need a reliable ride and don't want to think about it, our 24/7 dispatch team can often accommodate same-day requests. Here's how to decide.
For Standard Solo Or Small-Group Transfers
A single sedan or SUV pickup at SFO, SJC or OAK can usually be booked with as little as a few hours' notice, especially outside of peak travel windows. That said, booking 24–48 hours ahead gives you first pick of vehicle class and guarantees your preferred pickup time isn't affected by same-day demand spikes.
For Peak Travel Periods
Holidays, major conferences (Dreamforce, Game Developers Conference, and similar Bay Area events) and graduation weekends put real pressure on availability. If your travel dates overlap with one of these, we recommend booking at least a week in advance — two weeks if you need a specific vehicle class like an SUV or a premium sedan.
Flight-tracked pickups mean your booking time doesn't need to match your actual arrival time down to the minute — we adjust automatically.
For Group Or Multi-Vehicle Transfers
Moving a delegation, wedding party, or conference group off a flight requires coordination — matching arrival times, luggage volume and vehicle count. These bookings benefit from at least 5–7 days' notice so we can plan routing and confirm the right mix of vehicles.
What Happens If Your Flight Changes?
- We track your flight number in real time from the moment it's booked.
- Early or delayed arrivals are handled automatically — no need to call and rebook.
- Every airport booking includes complimentary wait time so you're never rushed off the curb.
The Bottom Line
When in doubt, book as soon as you know your travel dates — it costs nothing to reserve early, and you can always adjust details later. But if a trip comes up unexpectedly, don't assume it's too late to call. Our dispatch line is staffed around the clock specifically for situations like that.