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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.

Caltrain

No ticket gates: tap the platform validator before boarding and again after you get off. Fares go by zones crossed; bank cards and paper cost the same. Miss the tap-off and you pay the top fare for the whole line.

Updated on August 2, 2026

  • Until Sep 20, 2026

    Weekend closure - Tamien to San Jose Diridon

    Guadalupe River bridge work suspends weekend service between Tamien and San Jose Diridon on Aug 8-9, Aug 22-23 and Sept 19-20. There are no replacement buses, so switch to VTA or another mode for weekend trips to Tamien. Weekdays run normally.

How to ride

  1. 1
    Count the zones your trip crosses
    Fares go by how many zones you cross, not by stations. San Francisco is Zone 1, Palo Alto 3, San Jose Diridon 4.
  2. 2
    Tap at the platform validator before boarding
    Tap the Clipper validator on the platform before you board - at San Francisco station they sit on the concourse instead.
  3. 3
    Paying cash? Buy paper at the machine
    Paying cash means a paper ticket from the station machine - they only sell for the day of travel, no advance purchase.
  4. 4
    Keep your ticket ready for the inspector
    With no gates anyone can walk onto the platform. Inspectors check on board, and having nothing to show means a citation.
  5. 5
    Always tap off when you get off
    Tap again on the platform once you're off. Changing trains in the same direction? Don't tap off until your final stop.
  6. 6
    Use one card for every tap
    Use the same card or phone for every tap, and take it out of your wallet so only one card meets the reader.

Fares

Single fares1

One-way ticket (1-6 zones)
Since Jan 1, 2026 every payment method costs the same. Valid 4 hours, one direction only.
4〜15.25 USD ≈ $4–15

Passes & multi-ride1

Day Pass (1-6 zones)
Paper only, from ticket machines - not sold on Clipper or bank cards. Valid to the last train that day.
8〜30.5 USD ≈ $8–31

Card itself1

Clipper card (plastic)
The app's virtual card is free for now. Caltrain needs $1.25 cash value on the card at all times.
3 USD ≈ $3

Add-ons & fees1

Zone Upgrade ticket
An add-on for riding beyond your ticket's zones; not valid alone, ticket machines only, good for 4 hours.
2.25〜11.25 USD ≈ $2–11

Estimates use exchange rates as of September 5, 2026

Payment

Tap to ride
DiscoverVISAMastercardAmex
Tap straight on the platform validator; adult fares only.
IC card
Clipper card; needs at least $1.25 cash value at all times.
App tickets
The virtual Clipper card in your wallet; the ticket app is gone.
Paper tickets
Ticket machines, day of travel only - no advance sales.
Cash
Station ticket machines only - not on board, not at validators.

Tap for where to get the app

Quick facts

Hours
SF dep. 4:55am-12:05am
Frequency
Every 15 min peak, 30 min otherwise
Fares from
4 USD+

Heads-up

  • Each traveller taps with their own card

    You cannot pay for a companion with one card - everyone taps with their own card or phone. Holding several cards near the validator at once also causes failed taps and wrong charges.

Timetable

Operating hours SF dep. 4:55am-12:05am
Typical duration Express trains link San Francisco and San Jose in about an hour
Check the official site for the latest times and service status