San Bernardino Transport Hub

San Bernardino Transport Hub

San Bernardino is a serious Inland Empire transport hub, but it is easy to plan badly if you choose the wrong airport or the wrong rail stop. The city has San Bernardino International Airport (SBD) on the east side, but SBD is a small passenger airport served by Breeze Airways rather than the full regional flight gateway. Ontario International Airport (ONT) is often the practical airport for most travelers because it has more airline choice and a stronger rail-and-bus connection pattern through Omnitrans and Metrolink. Downtown San Bernardino then functions as the ground hub: Omnitrans, Metrolink, Arrow, Greyhound, FlixBus and Amtrak connections cluster around the Transit Center and Depot corridor.

This San Bernardino Transport Hub guide is written for real arrival planning. It separates SBD from ONT, explains how to use Omnitrans and Metrolink, names the key rail and road stops, gives current local fare benchmarks, shows where Lyft, Uber and taxis fit, and explains when a rental car is worth it. San Bernardino is not a one-terminal city. It is a freeway-and-rail city, with downtown connections, airport choices, mountain routes, college trips, event traffic and long Southern California travel times all overlapping.

Contents

Fast Facts

Item Practical detail Why it matters
Local airport San Bernardino International Airport (SBD), passenger terminal at 105 N Leland Norton Way Closest airport, but limited commercial service.
SBD authority address 1601 E. Third Street, Suite 100, San Bernardino, CA 92408 Official airport contact and administrative address.
SBD airline Breeze Airways serves SBD, with listed service to San Francisco and Provo Check actual route before assuming SBD works for your trip.
SBD curb access Lyft is available; SBD says no taxi companies are stationed at the airport Pre-arrange taxi if not using Lyft or rental car.
SBD local transit Omnitrans stops nearest to SBD are at Del Rosa Avenue and Third Street Useful only if the walk/connection works for your luggage.
SBD parking Airport parking is listed at 5 dollars per day Good for local travelers driving to the airport.
SBD rental car Hertz is the rental-car provider at SBD, daily 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM Useful, but hours are limited and should be confirmed.
Main alternate airport Ontario International Airport (ONT) Usually the stronger air gateway for San Bernardino.
ONT rail-air link ONT Connect route 380 links Ontario Airport with Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink Best transit chain from Metrolink to ONT.
Main local transit hub San Bernardino Transit Center, 599 W. Rialto Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92401 Omnitrans, Metrolink, Arrow and regional systems connect here.
Omnitrans fare Full fare is 2 dollars single ride, 6 dollars 1-day, 20 dollars 7-day, 60 dollars 31-day Core local fare benchmark for city movement.
Metrolink downtown stop San Bernardino – Downtown, 174 South E Street, San Bernardino CA 92401 Main commuter rail / Arrow-adjacent downtown rail hub.
Depot / Amtrak San Bernardino Depot / Amtrak at 1170 W. 3rd Street Southwest Chief, Metrolink depot service and some intercity road departures.
Greyhound / FlixBus downtown stop 559 W Rialto Ave, north side of the Downtown Transit Center Follow ticket stop; San Bernardino has more than one listed stop.

How San Bernardino Works as a Hub

San Bernardino has two different airport stories. SBD is closest to the city and has a simple terminal, low-cost parking and Breeze service, but it does not replace ONT for most air itineraries. ONT, about a broader Inland Empire drive west of San Bernardino, has more scheduled airline service and better ground-transport integration through ONT Connect, Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink, Route 61 and rideshare/taxi channels. If your flight options are flexible, compare SBD and ONT before checking LAX, SNA or BUR.

Downtown San Bernardino is the ground anchor. The San Bernardino Transit Center is where Omnitrans, Metrolink, Arrow and multiple regional systems come together. SBCTA says Metrolink, Arrow, Omnitrans, VVTA, Mountain Transit and three regional bus systems all connect at the Transit Center. That makes downtown stronger than it looks on a map. It is not just a local stop; it is the exchange point between valley buses, commuter rail, Redlands rail, mountain buses and intercity road services.

There are also two rail addresses to understand. San Bernardino – Downtown at 174 South E Street is the Metrolink downtown stop, connected with the Transit Center area. San Bernardino Depot at 1170 W. 3rd Street is the historic depot, used by Amtrak and also listed by Metrolink. Some Greyhound/FlixBus services use the Downtown Transit Center curb, while others list the Depot. That means the exact address on the ticket matters.

For local movement, Omnitrans is the default. Full fare is cheap by Southern California standards, the Transit app is the official mobile channel, and fare capping helps riders avoid overpaying when taking multiple rides. For door-to-door trips at night, to SBD, to mountain trailheads, to hotels away from main corridors or to Ontario Airport with bags, Lyft, Uber, taxi or rental car may be more practical.

SBD Airport Strategy

San Bernardino International Airport is the closest airport to the city. Breeze Airways lists the passenger address as 105 N Leland Norton Way, San Bernardino, CA 92408, and says there is one terminal with the check-in counter in the main building. SBD’s own airline page says the airport is currently served by Breeze Airways with service to San Francisco and Provo, and gives Breeze support contacts for airline-specific issues.

SBD is therefore excellent when your route matches Breeze’s schedule. It is close, small and simple. Parking is one of its strongest traveler advantages: SBD lists hundreds of up-close spaces and a daily parking rate of 5 dollars. For a local traveler starting from San Bernardino, Highland, Redlands, Loma Linda or Rialto, SBD can be easier than ONT if the flight schedule works.

Ground access at SBD needs care. SBD’s transit access page says Omnitrans can access the airport area, with the nearest bus stops at Del Rosa Avenue and Third Street. That is useful for light travelers, but not every passenger will want to walk or wait there with bags. SBD’s rideshare/taxi page says Lyft is available to pick up and drop off passengers at the airport, while no taxi companies are currently stationed at SBD. If you want a taxi, call your preferred company in advance.

Rental cars are present but limited. SBD says Hertz is the rental-car provider, with listed daily hours from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM and reservation phone information. Those hours matter: a late-night arrival or early-morning departure should not assume a staffed counter.

SBD Transfer Choices

Need Best first option Notes
Local San Bernardino hotel Lyft, pre-arranged taxi, or hotel pickup SBD says Lyft is available and taxis are not stationed there.
Downtown Transit Center Lyft/taxi if carrying bags; Omnitrans if the Del Rosa / Third stop works Local transit requires walking to nearby stops.
Redlands / Loma Linda / Highland Lyft, taxi or rental car Often easier than making local transfers.
Own car to airport SBD parking Daily parking is listed at 5 dollars.
Rental car trip Hertz at SBD Confirm hours and reservation before relying on the counter.
More airline choice Compare ONT ONT is usually the broader Inland Empire gateway.

ONT Airport Strategy

Ontario International Airport is often the better airport for San Bernardino despite being farther away. It has more airline choice, more ground-transport vendors and stronger transit integration. ONT’s own public-transport page explains the train-to-plane connection: buy a Metrolink ticket with ONT Connect as origin or destination, travel to Rancho Cucamonga, then use ONT Connect shuttle service to the airport. Metrolink says a valid Metrolink ticket or pass gives one free transfer to ONT Connect or connecting airport bus service.

Omnitrans route 380, branded ONT Connect, is the key link. Omnitrans says ONT Connect provides non-stop service between Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink and Ontario International Airport, with buses every 35-60 minutes Monday through Sunday. The route PDF says ONT Connect fares are the same as fixed-route service and include one free transfer from Metrolink/Arrow. The vehicle is sized for airport use, with luggage space, mobility devices and bicycle capacity.

Route 61 is the broader bus corridor. Omnitrans says Route 61 serves Fontana and Pomona via Ontario, with weekday service every 15 minutes and weekend service every 30 minutes. For some San Bernardino-area travelers, the chain may be Omnitrans to Fontana or Rancho Cucamonga, then ONT Connect or Route 61. With bags, late arrivals or a group, ride-hail or private car may still be simpler.

For direct ride-hail, ONT has clearly marked pickup logic. Uber’s ONT page says pickups happen on the inner curb at Terminals 2 and 4 and the international terminal. ONT’s own commercial vehicle page says travelers should use official rideshare apps and confirm vehicle details before boarding. For San Bernardino, Uber’s route page gives an Ontario-to-San Bernardino estimate around 24 miles, about 40 minutes and about 53 dollars. Treat that as a live-app benchmark, not a guaranteed fare, because traffic, surge and exact destination can change it.

ONT to San Bernardino Options

Option Best for Fare/time logic
Metrolink plus ONT Connect Rail-oriented travelers, daytime arrivals, light bags Buy ONT Connect as part of the Metrolink trip when possible.
Route 61 plus Omnitrans links Budget trips west of San Bernardino Full Omnitrans fare applies, but transfers/time can be awkward.
Uber / Lyft Door-to-door hotel or late arrival Ontario-to-San Bernardino Uber benchmark is about 53 dollars.
Taxi / car service Scheduled pickup, business travel, family luggage Confirm quote and pickup zone before arrival.
Rental car Mountain trips, Route 66, desert, multiple suburbs Often useful outside downtown corridors.

Omnitrans, Transit Center and Local Fares

Omnitrans is the local transit backbone for San Bernardino Valley. The agency contact page lists headquarters at 1700 W. Fifth Street and the San Bernardino Transit Center at 599 W. Rialto Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92401. It lists the Transit Center hours as 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM weekdays and 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturdays, with bus information at 1 (800) 966-6428.

Fares are straightforward. Omnitrans lists full fare at 2 dollars for a single ride, 6 dollars for a 1-day pass, 20 dollars for a 7-day pass and 60 dollars for a 31-day pass. The agency also lists discounts for seniors, disability, veterans and youth, plus free school fare programs. For a visitor, the math is simple: if you will take three local rides in one day, the 1-day pass becomes attractive. For a week of transit use, the 7-day pass can be better than buying single rides.

The Transit app is the official mobile fare and trip tool. Omnitrans says riders can plan, track and pay through Transit, and that passes for fixed route, OmniRide, OmniAccess and OmniConnect are available in the app. Fare capping is useful: Omnitrans explains that if you pay 2 dollars per ride in Transit, spending 6 dollars in one day earns a Day Pass, and ride payments count toward 7-day and 31-day pass levels.

For SBD airport, local transit exists but is not terminal-door service. SBD says the nearest Omnitrans stops are at Del Rosa Avenue and Third Street. For ONT, Omnitrans is stronger because route 380 directly links Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink and ONT. For downtown San Bernardino, Omnitrans is central because the Transit Center is the region’s transfer point.

Metrolink, Arrow and Amtrak

Metrolink gives San Bernardino its strongest car-free regional access. Metrolink lists San Bernardino – Downtown at 174 South E Street, San Bernardino CA 92401, served by the Inland Empire-Orange County and San Bernardino lines. The downtown stop is the best rail anchor for LA Union Station, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Rialto, Redlands connections and the downtown Transit Center area.

Metrolink’s Arrow service connects San Bernardino and Redlands. The Arrow page explains that riders only need one ticket when traveling between a San Bernardino Line station and an Arrow station, and that tickets must be purchased before boarding from a machine or the Metrolink mobile app. It also confirms the SoCal Day Pass works on Arrow. Metrolink’s ticket pages list the SoCal Day Pass at 15 dollars on weekdays and 10 dollars on weekends/holidays.

San Bernardino Depot is the second rail anchor. Metrolink lists San Bernardino Depot at 1170 W. 3rd St., San Bernardino CA 92410, and Amtrak lists San Bernardino, California at 1170 West Third Street. Amtrak’s station page describes the historic depot and marks it as a station building with waiting room. Amtrak’s Southwest Chief page identifies the long-distance route between Chicago and Los Angeles, so San Bernardino Depot is the Amtrak stop for that national rail corridor.

Use Downtown for most Metrolink/Arrow urban movement. Use Depot when your ticket says San Bernardino Depot, Amtrak, Southwest Chief or a road operator using 1170 W. 3rd Street. The two are close enough by car or local transit, but not identical when you are carrying luggage or catching an early departure.

Rail Planning Table

Trip Best rail anchor Planning note
LA Union Station San Bernardino – Downtown or Depot depending schedule Metrolink San Bernardino Line is the normal choice.
Redlands San Bernardino – Downtown / Arrow One Metrolink ticket can cover Arrow connection.
Orange County San Bernardino – Downtown Inland Empire-Orange County Line serves this corridor.
Chicago / Albuquerque / Flagstaff / LA long distance San Bernardino Depot Amtrak Southwest Chief uses the Depot.
ONT airport by rail Rancho Cucamonga plus ONT Connect Buy ONT Connect logic with Metrolink when possible.

Greyhound, FlixBus and Road-Terminal Logic

Intercity road travel in San Bernardino uses more than one stop, so the ticket address matters. Greyhound and FlixBus list San Bernardino Downtown Transit Center at 559 W Rialto Ave, San Bernardino, CA 92410, with boarding on the eastbound loading zone on Rialto Avenue on the north side of the Downtown Transit Center. The boarding note says FlixBus uses the westernmost space in the pullout between F Street and E Street.

Greyhound and FlixBus also list San Bernardino Depot at 1170 W 3rd St, San Bernardino, CA 92410. Greyhound’s Depot page shows ticketing hours and identifies it as a staffed intercity road location. SBCTA noted the Greyhound stop at Santa Fe Depot began service in February 2023 and provides connections with Amtrak, Metrolink and local bus systems.

This split is important. If your ticket says Downtown Transit Center / 559 W Rialto, go to the Rialto Avenue curb area by the Transit Center. If your ticket says Depot / 1170 W 3rd, go to the historic depot. Do not assume “San Bernardino” means one door. Late-night arrivals make this even more important because walking between addresses with luggage can be unpleasant.

Road services are useful for Las Vegas, Barstow, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Diego and longer intercity trips, depending on schedule and price. For Los Angeles, compare Metrolink and intercity road service. For Las Vegas or desert corridors, intercity road service or rental car may be more direct than rail.

Taxis, Lyft, Uber and Transfer Planning

SBD is unusual because it has rideshare access but no taxi companies stationed at the airport. The airport’s own page says Lyft is available for pickup and drop-off, and that passengers seeking taxi service should contact their preferred taxi company. Uber also publishes an SBD airport pickup page, telling riders to open the app, select a ride option and follow pickup directions in the app. In practice, check both Lyft and Uber, then use a taxi company only if pre-arranged or hotel-dispatched.

ONT has broader commercial ground transport. ONT’s commercial vehicle page lists rideshare, taxi and other options, and Uber’s ONT pickup page explains that pickups occur on the inner curb at Terminals 2 and 4 and the international terminal. For San Bernardino, Uber’s Ontario-to-San Bernardino route page gives an estimate around 53 dollars for roughly 24 miles and about 40 minutes. This is a useful planning number for ONT, but the live quote is the source of truth.

For local San Bernardino rides, Lyft/Uber are often better than a street taxi search, especially at night, from hotels outside downtown, or when moving between SBD, Depot, Transit Center, CSUSB, Loma Linda and Redlands. For airport departure at dawn, schedule or pre-arrange. For medical trips, university trips or mountain transfers, confirm vehicle size and return availability.

For a pure downtown trip, Omnitrans and Metrolink can be cheaper than ride-hail. For luggage, late arrivals, mobility constraints or heat, the ride-hail premium can be worth it. In Southern California, distance is deceptive: 15 miles can be easy or slow depending on freeway timing.

Car Rental and Regional Driving

Car rental is often useful in San Bernardino because the region’s best trips spread across freeways, foothills and mountains. SBD lists Hertz as its airport rental provider, with daily hours from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM and manager contact information. Those hours are not a normal all-day airport-rental schedule, so confirm before building a plan around SBD pickup. ONT has a broader rental-car ecosystem and may be a better airport for visitors who need a car immediately on landing.

Rent a car for Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, mountain trailheads, Route 66 stops, Joshua Tree side trips, multiple Inland Empire suburbs, late-night event returns or business parks. Do not rent just to move between the Transit Center, downtown hotels and Metrolink if you are comfortable with transit and rideshare.

Driving also changes hotel strategy. A car makes airport-area, Hospitality Lane, Loma Linda and freeway-side hotels practical. Without a car, stay closer to San Bernardino Transit Center, Downtown Metrolink, Depot, CSUSB transit corridors or the exact event venue. Parking is usually easier than in central Los Angeles, but traffic on I-10, I-215 and I-15 can still punish a tight itinerary.

Best Areas to Stay

Downtown / Transit Center area is best for travelers using Omnitrans, Metrolink, Arrow, FlixBus, Greyhound or events near downtown. It is the most practical car-free base, though hotel choice may be more limited than freeway corridors.

Depot / West 3rd Street works best when Amtrak, Southwest Chief, Metrolink Depot or Greyhound Depot is the key departure. Confirm whether your road ticket uses Depot or the Transit Center curb.

Hospitality Lane / Waterman Avenue is a common hotel corridor for drivers, business travelers and freeway access. It is less ideal for car-free transit, but ride-hail and rental car access are straightforward.

Loma Linda / Redlands is best for medical, university or Arrow-oriented trips. It is not downtown San Bernardino, but Arrow and local road connections make it practical.

SBD airport area works only if you are flying Breeze, parking at SBD, using Hertz at SBD or need an east-side industrial/business location. It is not the default for LA, ONT or broad sightseeing.

ONT / Rancho Cucamonga area can be better if the flight is at ONT and you will use Metrolink or ONT Connect. For a San Bernardino-only trip, staying too far west can add unnecessary commute time.

First-Day Checklist

  1. Confirm whether your flight is SBD or ONT; they are different airport strategies.
  2. If flying SBD, save the terminal address: 105 N Leland Norton Way.
  3. If flying SBD, remember Lyft is available and no taxi companies are stationed there.
  4. If flying ONT, compare Uber/Lyft with Metrolink plus ONT Connect through Rancho Cucamonga.
  5. Save San Bernardino Transit Center: 599 W. Rialto Avenue.
  6. Check whether your rail ticket says Downtown, Depot, Arrow or Amtrak.
  7. Check whether your Greyhound/FlixBus ticket says 559 W Rialto or 1170 W 3rd.
  8. Use Omnitrans fare benchmarks: 2 dollars single ride, 6 dollars day pass, 20 dollars 7-day, 60 dollars 31-day.
  9. Use the Transit app for Omnitrans planning and fare capping.
  10. Rent a car only if the trip leaves the easy downtown / rail / local-transit corridor.

Sources

  • SBD airport traveler home page: https://flysbd.com/
  • SBD airline information page: https://flysbd.com/travelers/airline-information/
  • Breeze San Bernardino airport page: https://www.flybreeze.com/shopping/en-us/flights-from-san-bernardino-ca
  • SBD transit access page: https://flysbd.com/travelers/public-transportation/
  • SBD ride pickup page: https://flysbd.com/travelers/ride-shares-taxis-and-shuttles/
  • SBD rental cars page: https://flysbd.com/travelers/rental-cars/
  • SBD parking page: https://flysbd.com/travelers/parking/
  • Ontario airport transit page: https://www.flyontario.com/to-from-airport/parking-transport/public-transport
  • Omnitrans ONT Connect page: https://omnitrans.org/routes/ontconnect/
  • Omnitrans fares page: https://omnitrans.org/buy-a-pass/fares/
  • Omnitrans Transit app page: https://omnitrans.org/promotions/transit-app/
  • Omnitrans fare capping page: https://omnitrans.org/promotions/fare-capping-pay-as-you-ride/
  • Omnitrans contact page: https://omnitrans.org/about/contact-us/
  • SBCTA transit and rail page: https://www.gosbcta.com/commuter-services/public-transit-rail/
  • Metrolink San Bernardino Downtown page: https://metrolinktrains.com/rider-info/general-info/stations/san-bernardino-downtown/
  • Metrolink Arrow page: https://metrolinktrains.com/rider-info/arrow/
  • Metrolink ticket types page: https://metrolinktrains.com/ticketsOverview/ticket-info/ticket-types/
  • Amtrak San Bernardino page: https://www.amtrak.com/stations/snb
  • Greyhound San Bernardino Downtown page: https://www.greyhound.com/bus/san-bernardino-ca/san-bernardino-downtown-transit-center
  • Greyhound San Bernardino Depot page: https://www.greyhound.com/bus/san-bernardino-ca/san-bernardino-depot

FAQ

Which airport is best for San Bernardino?

Use SBD when Breeze Airways serves your exact route and timing. Use ONT for broader airline choice, stronger rental-car options and the Metrolink / ONT Connect transit chain.

How do I get from SBD airport to downtown San Bernardino?

Lyft is the simplest airport-listed option. SBD says Omnitrans stops nearest to the airport are at Del Rosa Avenue and Third Street, but that may require walking with luggage. Taxis should be pre-arranged because no taxi companies are stationed at SBD.

How do I get from ONT airport to San Bernardino without a car?

Use ONT Connect route 380 between Ontario Airport and Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink, then Metrolink toward San Bernardino. Omnitrans and Metrolink say the airport shuttle is integrated with Metrolink transfer logic.

Where do Greyhound and FlixBus stop in San Bernardino?

Some trips use the Downtown Transit Center curb at 559 W Rialto Ave, while others use San Bernardino Depot at 1170 W 3rd St. Always follow the exact address on your ticket.

How much is Omnitrans in San Bernardino?

Full fare is 2 dollars for a single ride, 6 dollars for a 1-day pass, 20 dollars for a 7-day pass and 60 dollars for a 31-day pass. The Transit app supports mobile fares and fare capping.