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Bakersfield Airport & Transportation: Meadows Field, Amtrak Guide
Complete guide to Bakersfield's transportation hub: Meadows Field Airport flights, Amtrak rail connections, and how to reach major transit options from downtown.
How we reported this
Bakersfield sits at the population centerpoint of California and remains only four hours from 90 percent of the state's residents. The city lies 15 minutes east of Interstate 5 at the crossroads of State Highways 99 and 58, giving travelers multiple routes into the area.
These connections support daily arrivals through Meadows Field Airport and the Amtrak station. Meadows Field, located eight miles north of downtown and next to Highway 99, operates direct flights on American Airlines and United that reach hundreds of domestic and international destinations each day.
Airport and rail services
The airport terminal displays the only full-scale replica of Space Ship One on permanent exhibit in the United States. The original vehicle hangs in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. American Airlines can be reached at (800) 433-7300 and United at (800) 864-8331.
Amtrak serves the city on the San Joaquin Route. The current station opened 20 years ago. Passengers using rideshare services now have a free, dedicated drop-off zone at the station. Golden Empire Transit supplies citywide bus service from its office at 1830 Golden State Avenue, reachable at (661) 869-2438. Greyhound operates from 601 Truxtun Avenue with the toll-free number 1-800-231-2222.
Access details
Visitbakersfield.com lists these routes and contact points for visitors planning arrivals. The combination of highway proximity, daily flights and rail service keeps Bakersfield reachable without reliance on a single mode.
Travelers can book flights or train tickets and then connect to local buses or rideshares at the designated stops. The airport and station locations remain within short drives of downtown, supporting quick transfers for those continuing onward.