If possible, drive to the show. Parking is free and you will have your car for sightseeing while here. One exhibitor from the Chicago area has already said he is planning to drive! The main highway from the East is Interstate 80 and it is very unlikely that it will have snow problems in November, especially if you cross the mountain passes during daylight hours. Bring chains and blankets just in case if coming from the East. Those coming from the Northwest and the Southwest should definately try to drive if they are bringing birds.
If shipping show cages, do so as early as you can. This may require buying extra cages just for the NCBS so you can still exhibit at your local shows before leaving. Use your best and newest cages for the NCBS!
Your first choice airport should be San Jose, California (SJC). Be careful not to book to San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO), it has happened!
Our official hotel, the Westin Santa Clara, does not have its own courtesy shuttle. It shares a private shuttle bus with other nearby hotels, but that costs more than taking a taxi from the airport. The taxi will cost about $15. You do not need a reservation for a taxi from the airport and taxi vans are available if you have lots of large luggage or a large party.
Another option is to rent a car while here. Although a car is not needed, it will be more convenient if you or someone in your party wishes to get away during the show and see the sights. An electric trolley train is also available within walking distance of the Convention Center. The trolley goes to downtown San Jose, or to the town of Mtn. View, where you can connect to a train to San Francisco.
If you fly, avoid changing planes if at all possible. There were several stories from the 2001 NCBS of missed connections due to delays of the first flight, resulting in late baggage containing show cages and needed clothes. There was a rumor of someone who had no problem bringing their birds onboard the first flight, but was denied entry on the connecting flight! With many airlines enforcing a 2 pet carrier limit in the cabin, getting switched to another flight may leave your birds stranded if the substituted flight already has its pet limit, even if you had reservations for the original connection! So what to do if you live in a small town without direct connections to San Jose? Well, talk to your travel agent and be creative. The show is only 45 miles from San Francisco airport (SFO), which will have more choices of direct flights to smaller cities. Also try flights to Oakland airport (OAK), also only about 45 miles away, you might get lucky and find something that works! Be willing to drive to a larger city near your home to get a direct flight, even if it is a day or more drive. If you spend the night at a motel near a major airport, they may allow you to leave your car there and shuttle you to the airport as part of a "sleep and fly" package deal. If you are willing to drive a distance at one or both ends, then it should be possible to get to the 2002 NCBS with just one air flight from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada!
Most airlines require a pet pass for bringing birds in the cabin with you, check for the rules before booking your flight. Many claim to have a 2 pet limit. Don't volunteer to the checkin agent how many birds you have. If they find out you have more than one, tell them that the pass is intended for the pet carrier, usually one cat or small dog, but that many small birds in the same carrier count as one "pet". Insist that is how the other airlines interpret the rule. In reality, the individual checkin agents for each airline vary on this, and most don't really care if you don't tell them what type of "pet" you have.
If carrying small birds in the cabin, put them in a wire cage that fits inside an airline-approved plastic pet carrier. Ask for a hand check when going through security. The wire cage can then be pulled out so the carrier can be inspected without risk of the birds getting loose. The security people work for the airport, not the individual airlines. They are checking for weapons, not enforcing airline rules about pets. However, to minimize hassles, make sure you understand your airline's rules and follow them. It may be less expensive to check the birds into cargo, although they won't be under your constant control then. If you take a direct flight you are less likely to have problems.
Another possible option is Amtrak. The Santa Clara Amtrak Station is just a few blocks from the show location! However, it does not appear that they allow animals onboard, see the Amtrak Animal Policy. For those who are coming to the show but not bringing birds with them, consider taking the train.
The local bus and trolley routes and schedules are on the VTA Website. Trolley route 902: Mountain View - Milpitas/I880, stops right in front of the Convention Center (Great America station). See the Route 902 Schedule.
Transportation Information from the Convention Center website