A First Timer's Guide to San Francisco's Public Transit

Whether you are a prospective traveler or have already booked your travel to the wonderful city of San Francisco, let me be the first one to welcome you! I, like so many before me have left my heart in San Francisco and the surrounding bay area. It would be my pleasure to give you an overview of the public transportation system in San Francisco and the spots you can easily get to using each mode of transportation.

BART

Bay Area Rapid Transit known locally as its acronym "BART" is a subway/commuter railroad which links San Francisco to the suburbs of the east bay and more. If you will be arriving by plane via San Francisco International Airport (SFO) or Oakland International (OAK) there are easy ways to hop on a BART train and be in the center of San Francisco within minutes. There is a BART station in the terminal at SFO and a quick bus ride from baggage claim will bring you to the Oakland/Coliseum Bart Station from the Oakland airport. BART is an easy solution for attending SF 49er, Oakland Athletics, Oakland Raiders, and SF Giants games. There are 8 stations in San Francisco, each one has an easy transfer option to the MUNI system, which will be described later. According to BART: "BART fares are set with a mileage-based formula, therefore time-based passes (e.g., weekly or monthly) are not available. You can't buy BART discount tickets from a vending machine at the station. BART discount tickets are only sold online, through the mail and at selected retail vendors throughout the Bay Area. You may find a fare guide and more information on BART here.

SFMTA

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is responsible for the rest of the public transportation inside San Francisco's city limits. They operate buses, light rail, and the famous cable cars. I will separate this section into 3 sections covering each of their modes of transportation. The best deal for tourists using public transport within the city is the passport program found here. The passports offer unlimited rides on the buses, trains and cable cars operated by SFMTA.

Buses

The bus system in San Francisco is comprehensive and has its quirks. Some of the buses are zero emission trolley buses which attach to wires which hang above the routes they serve. Others are diesel electric hybrids. Fares are set at $2 for adults and $0.75 for seniors and youth aged 5-17. After you pay your fare you are given a transfer ticket which can be used on any other bus or light rail within 2 hours of being torn. This ticket cannot be used on the cable car system. A route map can be found here.

Light Rail or Street Cars

Known locally as MUNI these trains operate both underground and on surface streets in San Francisco. They are all 100% electric trains powered by wires above all tracks. The F line which runs down market street and the Embarcadero is a must see for all first time visitors to San Francisco. Not only will it take you to most of the tourist destinations in the city(Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli Square), it is a glimpse into an era long past. All trains on the F line are vintage street cars representing different transportation authorities across the globe. Some notable streetcars hail from Milan, Italy and Melbourne, Australia. What better way to tour the city then from a seat on a historic streetcar. More information on the historic streetcar route and trains can be found here. The fare structure for both the light rail and street cars is the same as the buses. Normal Fares are set at $2 for adults and $0.75 for seniors and youth aged 5-17. After you pay your fare you are given a transfer ticket which can be used on any other bus, light rail, or street car within 2 hours of being torn. This ticket cannot be used on the cable car system. More information on the light rail system may be found here.

Cable Cars

One of San Francisco's greatest attractions are its cable cars. Currently there are three lines operating: Powell-Hyde, Powell-Mason, and the California Line. A cool animated map of the three lines can be found here. According to SFMTA: "The Powell-Mason cable car line, which opened in 1888, is the oldest transit line in America still operating on its original route with its original type of motive power and its original type of vehicles." My Favorite line would have to be Powell-Hyde line which is located a short walk west from the terminus of the historic streetcars mentioned earlier. The cable car station is located right next to Ghirardelli square(A popular tourist attraction in itself) in the fisherman's wharf section of San Francisco. You can ride this route back to market street and complete a grand circuit of the city this way. Fares are $5 dollars each way for most of the day with some exceptions for seniors found here. The passport mentioned earlier is also sold by the cable car conductors. Transfers from the streetcars or buses will not be accepted by the cable car operators.

I hope that the information provided in this short guide to the San Francisco Public transport system will help you on your first trip to wonderful San Francisco.