As of January 12, 2009, all nationals and citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries (e.g., Italy) are required by law to obtain a travel authorization prior to initiating travel to the United States! This authorization may be obtained online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a free website administered by the U.S. government’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS): https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov

If you need an invitation letter for visa application purpose, please let us know as soon as possible.

From the airport to Berkeley:

Whether you are arriving at San Francisco or Oakland airport, we recommend taking BART, the Bay Area’s metro rail service, because it is much easier than traveling by car and far less expensive than taxi cabs or commercial shuttles.

From San Francisco International Airport (SFO):

There is a BART station inside SFO. Allow 60 minutes for the trip from SFO to Berkeley. The cost of a one-way ticket is $8.65; a roundtrip ticket is $17.30. Tickets may be purchased at the SFO BART station upon arrival.

1. Purchase a BART ticket of value ≥ $8.65.
2. At the SFO BART station, board the Pittsburg/Bay Point train. (map)
3. Exit the Pittsburg/Bay Point train at the 19th St. Oakland stop.
4. Cross the platform to board the Richmond train.
5. Exit the Richmond train at the Downtown Berkeley stop, and exit the station.

From Oakland International Airport (OAK):

The procedure is a little more complicated when traveling from Oakland, because there is not a BART station inside the airport. You must first ride a shuttle bus to the closest BART station. The bus ride takes approximately 15 minutes, and the train ride takes 22 minutes.

1. At the Oakland airport, board the AirBART shuttle bus:
AirBARTMap.gif
The fare is $3.00, and you must pay with exact change! (Change machines are located inside the airport terminal, near the baggage claim.)
2. The AirBART bus will drop you off at the Coliseum/Oakland Airport BART station. (map)
3. Purchase a BART ticket of value ≥ $2.35
4. Board the Richmond train.
5. Exit the Richmond train at the Downtown Berkeley stop, and exit the station.

Here is an example Google route map from San Francisco International Airport: