Find the Closest Airport to Napa Valley Wineries (7 Options)

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Find out the closest airport to Napa Valley wineries! Napa Valley is packed with rolling hills covered in lush vineyards, charming wineries brimming with delicious wines, and a relaxed, luxurious atmosphere. It’s no wonder that Napa Valley is a top travel destination for wine lovers.

Before you can clink glasses of world-class Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, you need to figure out how to get there. This blog post will explore the closest airport to Napa Valley wineries, giving you all the information you need to make an informed decision about which airport best suits your travel plans. I’ve included 7 options depending on where you are arriving from and your budget.

Planning a trip to Napa Valley? This guide reveals the closest airports to Napa Valley wineries and gives you lots of options depending on your origin.

Discover the closest airport to Napa Valley wineries and start planning your wine country adventure! There is so much to see and do in Napa Valley.

1. Sonoma County Airport (STS) – Santa Rosa, California

Distance to Downtown Napa: 45 miles and approximately 1 hour without traffic.

STS is the closest airport to Napa Valley wineries with daily major commercial airline services from various destinations throughout the United States. It’s relatively small and easy to navigate which makes it a very popular choice for visitors flying into the Napa Valley region.

There are several car rental agencies located on-site, making it easy to pick up a car and head straight to wine country. There are also ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft readily available.

Sonoma is also a great place for visiting wonderful wineries and staying at luxury hotels. You could spend a night or two in Sonoma and then move to Napa County so you get to see both wine regions.

Insider Tip: If you are flying into STS and staying in Napa Valley, be sure to factor in travel time when making your winery reservations. While it’s a relatively quick drive from the airport to Napa Valley without traffic, traffic congestion can be an issue, especially during peak season.

Some of my Favorite Napa Valley Wineries and Inns:

2. Oakland International Airport (OAK) – Oakland, California

Distance to Downtown Napa: 60 miles and approximately 1 hour drive without traffic.

OAK is a larger, busier major airport with a wide variety of domestic and international flights. This makes it a great option for travelers who can’t find a direct flight into STS, or who are looking for a wider selection of airlines and flight options.

OAK is a much closer airport to Napa than SFO. SFO is a much larger international airport with a larger range of destinations. It is further away as you’ll read below.

There are several rental car agencies located on-site at OAK and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available. The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system also connects OAK to downtown San Francisco, where you can catch a connecting bus or wine tour to Napa Valley.

Insider Tip: If you want to avoid traffic congestion, consider taking the Napa Valley Wine Train from downtown Napa. A luxurious train ride that takes you through the heart of Napa Valley wine country, with stops at several wineries. You need to get from Oakland to downtown Napa to jump on the wine train. Although it is called a wine train, it is a wine experience rather than a means of transportation from the airport.

3. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – San Francisco, California

Distance to Downtown Napa: 61 miles approximately 1 hour 15 minute drive without traffic.

SFO is the largest airport in the San Francisco Bay Area. While it is not the closest airport to Napa Valley wineries, it can be a good option for travelers who can’t find a good flight into any of the closer airports, or for those who want to combine their trip to Napa Valley with a visit to San Francisco.

Insider Tip: The drive from San Francisco to Napa Valley can be quite long, especially during peak travel times. Weekday mornings and evenings are always very busy so be sure to add extra time for this. Consider taking the Napa Valley Wine Train from downtown Napa, which is a more relaxing and scenic way to travel to wine country once you get there. Uber & Lyft are great options to get from winery to winery.

4. Sacramento International Airport (SMF) – Sacramento, California

Distance to Downtown Napa: 65 miles and approximately 1 hour drive without traffic.

SMF, is a large and busy airport and can be a good option for travelers to find good deals on major airline flights. It also avoids bad traffic instead of flying into SFO.

Insider Tip: If you are flying into SMF and want to explore more than just Napa Valley, consider renting a car and spending a few days exploring the surrounding area.

5. Napa County Airport (APC) – Napa, California

Distance to Downtown Napa: 9 miles and approximately 15 minutes.

APC, also known as the Napa Valley Airport, is a small public airport located just south of downtown Napa. Unlike the other airports on this list, APC does not offer scheduled commercial airline service. However, it is a popular option for private flyers and charter flights.

Insider Tip: Be sure to book your flight and airport reservations well in advance, especially during peak travel times.

6. Buchanan Field Airport (CCR) – Concord, California

Distance to Downtown Napa: 35 miles and approximately 40 minute drive without traffic.

CCR is a general aviation airport located in Contra Costa County, California. It is not a major airport and does not offer scheduled commercial airline service. However, it can be a good option for private flyers or those chartering a small plane to Napa Valley, especially if you can find a good deal on a flight. Book in advance if possible to get the best rates.

7. San Jose International Airport (SJC) – San Jose, California

Distance to Downtown Napa: 84 miles and approximately 1.5 hours drive without traffic

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, SJC is another major airport with a wide variety of domestic and international flights. This makes it a great option for travelers who have trouble finding a good flight into the other nearby airports.

There are plenty of transportation options available to get you to Napa Valley, including rental cars and shuttle services. Flying into San Jose Airport would be the furthest airport from Napa Valley and I would only choose it if you cannot fly into one of the other ones.

Insider Tip: Consider combining your Napa Valley winery trip with a visit to San Francisco. San Francisco is a world-class city with a lot to offer visitors, and it’s only about an hour drive from San Jose (in off peak times).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the closest airport to Napa Valley wineries?

The closest airport to Napa Valley wineries with commercial airline service is STS. However, several other airports that can serve as gateways to Napa Valley, depending on your travel plans and preferences. SFO would be the largest, nearest airport to Napa Valley. The next large and closest airport to Napa Valley would be OAK.

What is the best airport to fly into for Napa Valley?

The best airport to fly into for Napa Valley depends on a number of factors, such as your budget, travel time constraints, and whether you are looking for a direct flight or the widest selection of airlines. STS is the most convenient option for many travelers, but if you can’t find a good flight into STS or are looking for a wider selection of airlines and potentially cheaper fares, then OAK or SFO would be good options. I recommend squeezing in a trip to San Francisco if you fly in/out of SFO or OAK as you are so close!

Can I fly directly into Napa Valley?

Yes, you can fly directly into Napa Valley on a private jet or charter flight into Napa County Airport (APC). However, they do not offer scheduled commercial airline service. This is usually much more expensive than regular commercial flights.

What is the best way to get from the airport to Napa Valley wineries?

The best way to get from the airport to Napa Valley wineries depends on your budget and preferences. If you are flying into STS, OAK, SMF, or SJC, then renting a car is the most popular option. There are also ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft readily available at these airports. In peak times, Uber and Lyft from these airports will be expensive so a rental car or pre booked transfer is best.

Some airports, such as OAK, also offer public transportation options, such as the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system, which can connect you to downtown San Francisco where you can then catch a connecting bus or wine tour to Napa Valley. If you are flying into APC, you will likely need to arrange a car service or limousine to get to your winery destination.

What is the best time of year to visit Napa Valley?

The best time to visit Napa Valley depends on your preferences. The spring and fall seasons (March-May and September-November) are generally considered the best times to visit, with warm days, cool nights, and beautiful scenery. The summer months (June-August) can be hot and crowded, but this is also the peak harvest season for grapes. Winter (December-February) is the quietest and least expensive time to visit Napa Valley, but some wineries may have limited hours or be closed altogether.

I hope this blog post has helped you learn more about the closest airport to Napa Valley wineries. With so many great options to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect airport to suit your travel needs and get you on your way to enjoying all that Napa Valley has to offer!