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United States

San Francisco

A city of fog and hills. The cable cars are still working public transit, while BART and Muni do the daily grind.

Golden Gate Ferry / San Francisco Bay Ferry

The same boat, two prices: a paper ticket to Sausalito is $14.00, a tap of your own card $8.50. Contactless is charged the adult Clipper fare automatically - no Clipper card needed, but one card pays for one rider only.

Updated on August 2, 2026

How to ride

  1. 1
    Pick the operator by destination
    The operator changes with your destination - Golden Gate Ferry for Marin, San Francisco Bay Ferry for the East Bay.
  2. 2
    Check the timetable first
    Many routes run only a handful of times a day, with gaps of an hour or two - check the last boat back before you go.
  3. 3
    Ride with the card you already have
    Skip the paper ticket and tap the contactless card you already carry on the reader - one card per passenger.
  4. 4
    Where you tap depends on the route
    On SF Bay Ferry you tap both boarding and leaving; on Golden Gate Ferry the point of payment changes by route.
  5. 5
    One card cannot cover your group
    Travelling as a family or group, buy app tickets or paper tickets for everyone - one card pays for one rider only.
  6. 6
    Get to the dock early
    SF Bay Ferry asks you to be at the terminal at least five minutes before departure. Bikes are allowed, rack space first come.

Fares

Single fares7

Golden Gate Ferry to Sausalito or Tiburon (Clipper or contactless)
One way; youth 5-18, seniors 65+ and disabled riders with approved ID pay $7.00.
8.5 USD ≈ $9
Golden Gate Ferry to Larkspur (Clipper or contactless)
One way; connects with the SMART train at Larkspur. Youth 5-18 and seniors 65+ pay $7.00.
9.5 USD ≈ $10
Golden Gate Ferry to Angel Island (Clipper or contactless)
One way; only three or four sailings a day, so check the timetable before you set out.
10 USD ≈ $10
Golden Gate Ferry paper ticket (all routes, adult)
The same boat costs $4.50-$5.50 more than paying by card; tickets stay valid for 90 days.
14〜15.5 USD ≈ $14–16
San Francisco Bay Ferry to Oakland/Alameda or Richmond
Revised July 1, 2026; the same price whether you pay by Clipper, contactless card, paper ticket or app.
5.1〜5.2 USD ≈ $5
San Francisco Bay Ferry to South San Francisco
Not from downtown San Francisco - it links the East Bay with Oyster Point, weekdays only.
7.6 USD ≈ $8
San Francisco Bay Ferry to Vallejo
Revised July 1, 2026; daily service from downtown San Francisco.
10 USD ≈ $10

Estimates use exchange rates as of September 5, 2026

Payment

Tap to ride
DiscoverVISAMastercardAmex
Adult fares only; discounted fares need a Clipper card or the operator's app.
IC card
Clipper, plastic or in a phone wallet, works on both ferry operators.
App tickets
Mobile tickets in the SF Bay Ferry app; activate each just before you board.
Paper tickets
Golden Gate: terminal machines. SF Bay: on board or at the Ferry Building.
Cash
On SF Bay Ferry you can buy a paper ticket on board with cash.

Tap for where to get the app

Quick facts

Hours
5:15-22:30 approx.
Frequency
Every 20 min to 4 hours
Fares from
8.5 USD+

Heads-up

  • Alcatraz boats leave from Pier 33, not the Ferry Building

    You cannot reach Alcatraz on the ferries from the Ferry Building. Alcatraz City Cruises, sailing from Pier 33, is the only concessioner allowed to land on the island.

Timetable

Operating hours 5:15-22:30 approx.
Typical duration About 30 minutes to Sausalito; 15-25 minutes to Oakland
Check the official site for the latest times and service status