PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

The Citywide public transportation agency is the San Francisco Municipal Railway, better known as Muni. It operates the world-famous cable cars, buses, trolley buses, a metro system, and historic streetcars (trams).

Types of Transportation:

Cable Cars:

There are three cable car routes in San Francisco. Two of these routes, the Powell-Hyde and the Powell-Mason, begin at the corner of Powell and Market Streets, and run north-south from Nob Hill to Fisherman's Wharf. At Fisherman's Wharf, you can board the Powell-Hyde line at Hyde and Beach Streets and the Powell-Mason line at Bay and Taylor Streets. 

The third line is the California line running east-west on California Street between Market Street and Van Ness Avenue, serving the Financial District, Chinatown and Nob Hill. This line tends to be the least crowded. 

The transfer point for all three lines is at Powell and California Streets. Cable cars can be boarded at any designated stop along the route. However, during the busy summer months, it is a good idea to join the queue at the terminus, as the cable cars usually fill up at the beginning of the line. Please be aware that you may experience a 45- to 60-minute wait during the summer.

Buses/Trolley Buses:

Muni's buses and trolley buses run all over The City in frequent intervals (usually every five to 20 minutes). Each route has a number and a name, i.e. 5-Fulton, 24-Divisadero, 42-Downtown Loop, which are prominently displayed on the front and side of the bus, along with the route's destination. Some routes, such as 38L-Geary Limited or 14L-Mission Limited, make only limited stops along their routes. 

Others, such as 9X-San Bruno Express or 31AX-Balboa "A" Express, operate nonstop from downtown to the outer regions of The City. For more clarity on Muni service, we recommend purchasing a Muni map for $2.17 (includes tax) at the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau's Visitor information Center or at various stores throughout The City.

Historic Streetcars (Trams):

You can travel back in time on our distinctive worldwide collection of historic streetcars which have been gracing The City with regular service since 1995. Each car is painted in its original livery, be it from Boston, Chicago or Milan. You can find these beautiful streetcars running along the center of Market Street from the Transbay Terminal in downtown to the Castro District. They are collectively known as line F-Market.

Metro:

Beginning downtown at Embarcadero Station, the Muni Metro's five underground streetcar lines (J-Church, K-Ingleside, L-Taraval, M-Ocean View and N-Judah) take you under Market Street to various points of interest in the western and southwestern regions of The City. The J and N lines branch off after Van Ness station and operate on the surface, and the K, L and M continue underground to West Portal Station before splitting into their own separate surface lines. In the subway section of the system, J and N cars are often coupled together, as are K, L and M cars.

NOTE:

Because of ongoing repairs, the Metro closes every evening at 10 pm. Shuttle bus service is available until 12:30 am on the K, L, M and N lines, and the F-Market historic streetcar service is extended during this time to cover the J line. Board F-Market streetcars and shuttle buses at the island stops on Market Street.

Single Adult Fares:

Cable Car$2
Bus, Streetcar, Metro$1

Adults: ages 18-64
Discount Fare: ages 5-17, 65+, and disabled riders

Please have the exact fare ready when you board; Metro faregates do not accept any dollar bills.