The Bay Area is vast with sprawling cities and neighborhoods, but thankfully there are a variety of public transit options, allowing you to easily get from place to place.

For many daily commuters, a Clipper card will be your best bet. Clipper cards are a bit like a golden ticket for Bay Area public transit and having one will make getting around the city a bit easier. From getting to your airport terminal at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to around the city and the East Bay, this is one item you’ll want. Pick up a Clipper card at a transit terminal around the city or at a retail location in the Bay Area. You can use it on most forms of public transit with some exceptions. 

F Train, E Line, and Trolley

View of historic traditional Cable Cars photo by Shutterstock

San Francisco is one of the few places in the world where you can ride historic transit and even visit a museum. For those hoping to ride on historic lines, consider the F line, E line, or the trolley, which is the city’s vintage streetcar rail transit. The trains are stunning pieces of moving art, and they make sight-seeing in the city a whimsical experience. 

Take a trolley up the hill to walk down Lombard Street or explore a number of other local neighborhoods from Nob Hill to the Embarcadero or from Coit Tower to the Financial District.You can also connect to BART or Muni via these lines. 

These lines only run on the outer perimeter of the city at Embarcadero and Mission Bay, as well as in select areas through the core of the inner city limits. Consult a map to see more points of interest and routes. 

MUNI

MUNI bus photo by Shutterstock

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is called the Muni by locals. These buses go all over San Francisco, so if you’re traveling within the city limits, there’s a high probability you’ll be commuting via MUNI. The MUNI map coverage is extensive.

BART

BART station photo by Shutterstock

The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is the primary railway system in the Bay Area, joining the peninsula from its southernmost city of Millbrae to the East Bay. Station ends are located in Antioch, Richmond, South Fremont, and Dublin/Pleasanton. BART goes to both SFO as well as to Oakland International Airport and can make traveling to either airport a breeze. Consult a map to see which line works best for your commute. As a note, these lines do not run past midnight. 

Caltrain

Caltrain station photo by Shutterstock

Caltrain is the city’s commuter rail service that runs along the San Francisco Peninsula through the South Bay to Santa Clara, San Jose, Menlo Park, Mountain View, and Gilroy. If you’re looking to get to the Silicon Valley and you’re not on the Facebook or Google bus, chances are, you’ll be taking Caltrains. The Caltrain system map can give you a better idea of how far north and south the train runs along the peninsula. 

The Ferry

San Francisco Bay Ferry photo by Shutterstock

If you’re commuting from the East Bay to the city or vice versa, you can use the San Francisco Bay Ferry. The ferry has multiple stops in the city and the East Bay, including Vallejo, Oakland, Alameda, Harbor Bay, and Mare Island. Take note that it’ll save you money and time to purchase a Clipper card and ride the ferry rather than paying with cash for each ferry ride purchased.

If you’re commuting from the North Bay to the city or reverse, you’ll want the Golden Gate Ferry. In Sausalito or Tiburon, the Golden Gate Ferry will take you to and from ports of entry at the San Francisco Ferry Building. The Golden Gate Ferry system also has a terminal in Larkspur, which is connected by its own additional transit system. Clipper cards are also used as their currency, but cash payments are also available. The Golden Gate Ferry goes to less locations than the San Francisco Bay Ferry, but it’s popular for riders with bicycles, particularly in the summer. If you’re planning on traveling with your bike, you’ll want to budget for extra time. 

Baseball fans from both the East Bay and the North Bay will cheer a bit for the ferries. Both ferries will take you to the Giants games at AT&T Park during baseball season. 

Golden Gate Transit & Marin Transit

Golden Gate Transit bus service in traffic photo by Shutterstock

Golden Gate Transit is the regional bus service that operates within the city as well as in Marin and Sonoma County. Their routes are fixed with the exception of service within Marin County, which is handled by Marin Transit. The Golden Gate Bus map shows additional coverage areas.