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.
Muni Metro, F-line streetcar and cable cars
Light rail and the F-line share one fare with 120 minutes of transfers - tap a bank card and there is no tap-out. The cable cars are the exception: a separate $9 ride, no transfers, paid to the conductor on board.
Updated on August 2, 2026
How to ride
- 1Have your card or Clipper readyHave a contactless credit card or Clipper ready. The MuniMobile app can reject foreign-issued cards.
- 2In the subway, tap in at the gateTap your card once on the gate reader to enter. On the way out there is nothing to tap - the gate opens by itself.
- 3On the street, board at any doorAt street stops use any door and tap the reader inside. Only cash payers must use the front door.
- 4Transfer on the same fare for 120 minutesOne fare lets you keep transferring between light rail, the F line and buses for 120 minutes - cable cars excluded.
- 5On cable cars you pay the conductorThe conductor comes to you once aboard. Cash must be exact. At the three main terminals, buy before boarding in the daytime.
- 6Keep your proof of payment to the endInspectors check on board and inside subway stations. If you paid cash, keep the transfer you were handed until you get off.
Fares
Single fares2
Single ride, adult (valid 120 minutes)
$2.85 with Clipper, a contactless card or MuniMobile; $3.00 in cash or from a Metro ticket machine.
2.85〜3 USD ≈ $3
Cable car single ride
One one-way trip only - no transfer to another cable car line or to any other Muni service.
9 USD ≈ $9
Passes & multi-ride4
Day Pass (one day, unlimited)
A day of unlimited buses, light rail and historic streetcars. Not valid on cable cars.
5.7 USD ≈ $6
1-Day Visitor Passport
All Muni service including cable cars. Not valid on BART or for airport trips.
15 USD ≈ $15
3-Day Visitor Passport
Three consecutive days, expiring at 11:59 p.m. on the third day of use.
35 USD ≈ $35
7-Day Visitor Passport
Seven consecutive days; the same price for all ages and discount categories.
47 USD ≈ $47
Estimates use exchange rates as of September 5, 2026
Payment
Tap to ride DiscoverVISAMastercardAmex
Tap at gates and on-board readers; unconfirmed on cable cars
IC card Clipper card or Clipper on your phone; also works on cable cars
App tickets MuniMobile; it may reject foreign-issued credit cards
Paper tickets From subway ticket machines, plus the paper Visitor Passport
Cash No change given on board; ticket machines issue a voucher instead of change
Tap for where to get the app
Quick facts
Hours
5:00-24:00 approx.
Frequency
Every 8-20 min
Fares from
2.85 USD+
Heads-up
-
One card cannot cover two riders - each must tap their own
One contactless card cannot pay for two people - every rider must tap their own card, and lending yours also kills the transfer discount. If you do not have a card each, get a Clipper card or Visitor Passport per person.