Put an end to all your doubts about how to use public transportation in San Francisco. With this guide, you’ll get around with confidence.
About transportation in San Francisco
San Francisco has a very efficient public transportation system, just like the other cities in California that are geared towards tourists.
There are four main ways of getting around: streetcars, cable cars, metro and bus lines. With them, you can access any part of the city, while exploring and getting to know San Francisco’s culture in depth.
And our top tip is to buy the City Pass or Muni Passport, cards used to pay for tickets, but with great discounts. It’s one of the best things about San Francisco, as there are no ticket collectors on the buses, which means that many tourists have to deal with unforeseen problems if they don’t receive change.
Another highlight of San Francisco’s transportation is the frequent presence of bicycles in the city. Certainly, pedaling along the sidewalks while enjoying the view will be a unique ride in the city.
- Important tip: San Francisco is a city with many tourist attractions, such as museums and tours. That’s why our tip is to always buy your tickets in advance. We buy everything on this website that has the best price.
Cable cars in San Francisco
Riding the cable cars in San Francisco is a must for all visitors to the city. The streetcars run through all areas of the city, earning them the position of residents’ favorite form of transport.
It’s worth mentioning that they are true cultural heritage of the city, as well as tourist attractions. There is even an entire museum dedicated to them, the Cable Car Museum San Francisco, which tells the story of the beloved cable cars. The cost of a cable car ticket is 7 dollars.
BART, the San Francisco subway
BART is what the locals call the San Francisco subway. With it, you can travel from the city center to much more remote areas, on some of the 6 lines on offer.
The cool thing is that all public transportation in the city is run by the San Francisco Municipal Railway, known as Muni. So, within 90 minutes, you can transfer to other city transportation for even lower prices.
Buses in San Francisco
Another very efficient form of transportation is the San Francisco bus. At the bus stops, there are lists of the lines that pass through and their timetables, making life much easier for tourists. In addition, the bus stops have a well-designed structure, with glass cabins.
Each bus has a specific number, identified on the sign, on the sides and on the back of the bus. Remember that the best way to pay for them is with the Muni system, where you use the card even for other transport in the city. But if you prefer to pay in cash, don’t forget to carry the exact amount (US$ 2), as there is no change.
- Important tip: to make the most of your trip to San Francisco, staying in the best areas is essential. So, if you want, check out our article explaining the main areas, the hotels and how you can save a lot on accommodation.
Extra tip for those who don’t want to take public transport
How to rent a car at an unbeatable price in San Francisco?
We’re going to give you some important tips to save a lot on renting a car in San Francisco, even if you get a full-size car from the biggest car rental companies in California and the United States.
The first is to rent the car as far in advance as possible. The earlier you book your car, the cheaper you’ll pay. If you leave it too late, there will be few cars available, prices will be higher and you run the risk of not getting the model you want.
Another tip is to search on the Internet, as this will make it much easier to find good prices and analyze the car models available. If you want to do the search, click here on Car Rental Comparator. In just a few seconds, you’ll have all the options for renting a car in San Francisco from the best companies on your screen, and you can choose the cheapest one. You really will save a lot.
Save money on your trip to San Francisco:
Tickets: find out where to buy your San Francisco tickets in the cheapest and safest way. You can save up to 40%!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in San Francisco. You will find out the best areas and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Transfer: do you need one from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
