San Francisco’s main public transportation system is called Muni and is considered the most developed on the entire west coast of the United States. Buses, subways, trolleybuses, streetcars, trains, and cabs serve passengers, providing a comfortable and fast way to get around the city every day. All vehicles are adapted for people with disabilities.
Metro
The San Francisco subway is largely laid out on the surface. There is a tunnel in the center of the city, the only underground section where all the subway lines converge.
It is a very convenient and inexpensive form of public transport, which is used every day by about two hundred thousand people. Subway lines connect downtown San Francisco and its main neighborhoods.
The length of the subway is 166.9 km and the number of stations is 43. Among them are 14 surface, 16 underground and 13 elevated stations. At the core are 6 main lines:
orange (J Church);
blue (K Ingleside);
purple (L Taraval);
green (M Ocean View);
blue (N Judah);
red (T Third Street).
The ground line is called F Market.
The price of a single subway ticket is $2.75. It is valid for 90 minutes on all public transportation.
You can buy travel cards from the vending machines at the entrance. During transfers, the ticket must be scanned each time throughout the trip.
Buses and trolleybuses
Muni buses and trolleybuses take you anywhere in the city. At all stops you will find detailed timetables and a route plan for the desired travel mode. The SFMTA website and app can also help you plan your trip.
The length of the trip may vary depending on the day of the week, line, street and time. Some of the routes are available 24 hours a day. The overnight transit service is called the Owl and runs every half hour from 01:00 to 05:00. Muni Owl is also part of a regional night transportation network called All Nighter, which includes more than 20 routes.
Almost all stops are equipped with special identification signs. You must enter buses and trolleybuses through the front doors and exit through the back doors.
A single ticket costs $3. If you plan to pay the fare from the driver, be sure to have the exact amount ready, because there is no change.
Muni buses are not suitable for trips outside San Francisco. The city has a Transbay Terminal transportation complex that serves several intercity bus systems. These include Amtrak and Greyhound buses.
Also available to tourists are Skyline Sightseeing’s sightseeing double-decker buses, which travel around San Francisco, making about 23 stops at major city attractions.
Ropeway Trams
San Francisco’s famous aerial streetcars are not only a means of transportation, but also a trademark of the city. This mode of transport is also part of the Muni municipal system and is used mainly by tourists. Streetcar stops are marked with white and brown signs. Cable car streetcars have three lines of travel.
The ropeway streetcars are equipped with wide side steps and handrails, thanks to which passengers can ride outside the cars. By the way, it is not forbidden. Streetcar fare is $ 8. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office or from the driver.
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit).
BART is a regional rapid transit system that has eight stops in the city and runs longer distances. It connects the agglomerations of San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Fremont, Walnut Creek, Dublin, Pleasanton, and San Francisco and Oakland International Airports. The BART system has 75 lines, 211 km long, with 50 stations.
Fares vary by destination, but the minimum fare is $2.10. Passengers with bicycles are also eligible to use BART transportation.
Another commuter train system that is more popular with locals than tourists. The railroad connects San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood with the city of Gilroy. The line includes 29 main stations (Stanford Stadium only operates during soccer games, and Broadway and Atherton only on weekends).
Major interchange hubs:
San Francisco Caltrain (interchange to Muni Metro system transit);
Millbrae (transfer to BART trains to San Francisco International Airport);
Santa Clara (buses to San Jose International Airport);
San Jose.
Caltrain fares are based on the number of zones that are partially or fully crossed by the passenger. One-way tickets and day passes can be purchased on the Caltrain Mobile app or from special vending machines. The Clipper card can also be used to pay for your ride.