Getting around · San Francisco · United States
Getting around San Francisco
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
San Francisco is compact but very hilly. Muni runs the buses, light-rail Metro lines, historic F-line streetcars and cable cars, while BART connects downtown with the Mission, the airport, Oakland and Berkeley. Walking is rewarding if you plan routes around the steepest hills. No: parking is expensive, car break-ins are common and transit covers the city.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Cable car
- Airports
- SFO, OAK, SJC
- Need a car?
- No
- Travel pass
- Clipper card
Ways to get around
Cable car
Three cable-car lines run from Powell and Market and from California and Market over Nob Hill and Russian Hill to Fisherman's Wharf and Van Ness Avenue.
Single fares add up quickly; a Muni Visitor Passport covers unlimited cable-car rides.
Metro
BART trains run under Market Street and through the Mission to SFO, Oakland and Berkeley, while Muni Metro light rail serves the Castro and the western neighbourhoods.
Tram
Restored vintage streetcars from cities around the world run on the F line along Market Street and the Embarcadero between the Castro and Fisherman's Wharf.
Bus
Muni buses cover the whole city, including Golden Gate Park, the Presidio and the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza.
Ferry
Ferries from the Ferry Building and Pier 41 cross the bay to Sausalito, Tiburon and Oakland, and Alcatraz boats leave from Pier 33.
Walking
Most central districts are walkable, but the hills are steep; downtown, the Embarcadero, North Beach and the Mission are the flattest.
Ride-hailing
Rideshare apps and driverless robotaxi services operate across the city, and taxis can be booked by app or found at hotel ranks.
Tickets and passes
Clipper card
The Bay Area's reloadable transit card for Muni, BART, ferries and other operators, available as a physical card or in Apple and Google wallets.
Muni Visitor Passport
Unlimited rides on Muni buses, streetcars and cable cars for one, three or seven days, sold through the MuniMobile app and on Clipper.
From the airport
San Francisco International (SFO) is about 21 km south of downtown. BART trains run from the international terminal to Powell Street and other downtown stations in about 30 minutes; taxis and rideshares take 25–45 minutes. Oakland airport is linked to BART by an automated shuttle train, and San José suits travellers heading to Silicon Valley.
Do you need a car?
No: parking is expensive, car break-ins are common and transit covers the city. Rent a car only for day trips to Napa, Monterey, Point Reyes or Yosemite.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Muir Woods | About 40 minutes by car | Car with a parking reservation, shuttle or tour |
| Sausalito | About 30 minutes by ferry | Ferry from the Ferry Building or Pier 41, or bike over the bridge |
| Napa Valley | About 1–1.5 hours by car | Car or organised wine tour |
| Berkeley | About 30 minutes by BART | BART to Downtown Berkeley |
| Monterey and Carmel | About 2.5 hours by car | Car |
| Point Reyes National Seashore | About 1.5 hours by car | Car |
| Yosemite National Park | About 4 hours by car | Car or organised tour |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in San Francisco?
No: parking is expensive, car break-ins are common and transit covers the city. Rent a car only for day trips to Napa, Monterey, Point Reyes or Yosemite.
+How do you get from the airport to San Francisco?
San Francisco International (SFO) is about 21 km south of downtown. BART trains run from the international terminal to Powell Street and other downtown stations in about 30 minutes; taxis and rideshares take 25–45 minutes. Oakland airport is linked to BART by an automated shuttle train, and San José suits travellers heading to Silicon Valley.
+What is the best way to get around San Francisco?
Cable car: Three cable-car lines run from Powell and Market and from California and Market over Nob Hill and Russian Hill to Fisherman's Wharf and Van Ness Avenue.