Destination Guides > North America > USA > West Coast > California > San Francisco > Local Transport
San Francisco
Local Transport
The San Francisco Bay area has excellent public transport when compared with other American cities. The transport network is comprised of buses, cable cars, trams, suburban trains and two different metro systems.
BUS
MUNI (tel (415) 673 6864; website www.sfmuni.com) operates most local bus services. Fares cost $1.50 and you can use your ticket to transfer to up to two connecting services within a 90-minute period.
CABLE CAR
San Francisco is famous for its cable cars and a ride is a must for all visitors. There are several lines that include the California Street line running from the Financial District, through Chinatown and the post Nob Hill neighbourhood plus the popular Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason lines that leave from the Powell Street BART and MUNI station.
The historic cable cars tackle some of the city’s notoriously hilly streets and are packed with a mix of locals and tourists. A ride on the cable car costs $5, or $1 if you have a weekly travel pass.
BART
The modern BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit; tel (415) 989 2278; website www.bart.gov) metro system is the quickest way to get around the Bay Area.
Most city centre stations are location under Market Street but BART extends beyond the city to Berkley and San Francisco and Oakland International Airports.
MUNI TRAMS & SUBWAY
The longer established MUNI subway (tel (415) 673 6864; website www.sfmuni.com) has underground stations in the city centre plus several tram lines. Basic fares are $1.50.
SUBURBAN TRAIN
Caltrain (tel 800 660 4287; website www.caltrain.com) runs a suburban train service connecting suburbs between San Francisco and San Jose. This is the easiest way to visit Silicon Valley if you don’t have a car.
MUNI WEEKLY PASSES
A weekly travel pass is good for travel on MUNI buses, MUNI trams and subway lines. It also lets you ride the cable cars for just $1. The weekly pass is valid between Monday and Sunday and costs $15.
