Riding Muni and BART Like a Local

Muni and BART form San Francisco's backbone transit network. Muni covers every neighborhood with buses, light rail, streetcars, and cable cars; BART links SF to the broader Bay Area at higher speed. A Clipper card (or contactless bank card) works on both, making transfers seamless and affordable.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Is Muni free for kids?

Yes — youth aged 18 and under ride all regular Muni service (buses, light rail, streetcars) for free, with no Clipper card or proof of payment required. Cable cars are the one exception; youth need a Free Muni for Youth cable car pass to ride free. Children 4 and under always ride cable cars free.

How do I get from SFO airport to downtown San Francisco by transit?

Take the free SFO AirTrain from any terminal to the BART station in the International Terminal, then board a Yellow or Red Line train to downtown SF (Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell, or Civic Center stations). The ride takes about 30 minutes and costs approximately $11.15 one-way as of 2026. BART runs from 5 am to midnight on weekdays, 6 am–midnight Saturdays, and 8 am–midnight Sundays.

What are Muni's overnight 'Owl' service hours?

Muni runs Owl (overnight) bus routes from midnight through the early morning on select lines, filling the gap when most daytime routes stop around 1 am. The L Owl starts at 10 pm. BART does not run overnight; its last trains leave terminals around midnight. Check sfmta.com for the current Owl route map, as specific routes vary.

Do I need to tap out (tag off) on Muni and BART?

On BART, you must tap both when entering and exiting the fare gate, since fares are distance-based. On Muni buses and streetcars, you only tap on boarding. At shared BART/Muni underground stations (Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell, Civic Center), look for Clipper readers on poles near the elevator to tap for Muni Metro proof of payment.

Are there discounts for low-income riders on Muni and BART?

Yes. The Clipper START program offers 50% off single-ride fares on both Muni and BART for adults earning 200% or less of the federal poverty level (roughly $31,000/year for a single person in 2026). San Francisco seniors (65+) and people with disabilities at or below 100% of Bay Area Median Income may qualify for completely free Muni rides.

What is the Muni single-ride fare in 2026?

As of July 1, 2025, the adult single-ride Muni fare using Clipper or MuniMobile is $2.85. The adult day pass is $5.70, and a cable-car single ride is $9. Monthly unlimited Muni passes cost $86 for adults, or $104 for the combined Muni + BART-within-SF 'A' pass.

How much does BART cost in 2026?

BART fares are distance-based and rose 6.2% on January 1, 2026, lifting the average fare from $4.88 to $5.18. Short hops (e.g., Downtown Berkeley to 19th St/Oakland) start around $2.55; the SFO-to-downtown SF fare is approximately $11.15 one-way. Use the trip planner at bart.gov for exact fares.

What is the best way to pay for Muni and BART?

The Clipper card is the all-in-one transit card accepted on both Muni and BART, as well as Caltrain, ferries, and other Bay Area agencies. Since December 2025, riders can also tap a contactless credit/debit card or mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay) directly at Muni readers and BART fare gates — no Clipper card setup required for full adult fares.

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