San Francisco Transport Tickets & Passes: Clipper, Muni & BART [2026]
San Francisco Transport Tickets: Quick Comparison
| Ticket / payment | 2026 price | Includes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muni single ride | $2.85 Clipper / $3 cash | Muni bus, Metro & streetcar; 120 min | Occasional journeys |
| Muni Day Pass | $5.70 | Unlimited Muni buses, Metro & historic streetcars | Several Muni rides in one day |
| Cable car single ride | $9 | One cable car ride | One sightseeing ride |
| 1-Day Visitor Passport | $15 | Muni + cable cars | Tourists using cable cars |
| 3-Day Visitor Passport | $35 | Muni + cable cars | Short sightseeing stay |
| 7-Day Visitor Passport | $47 | Muni + cable cars | Longer visitor stay |
| BART | Distance-based | BART network | Airport and regional journeys |
San Francisco’s public transport ticketing can initially look complicated because Muni and BART use different fare systems.
The easiest solution for many visitors is Clipper, which works across Bay Area transit systems including Muni, BART, Caltrain, SamTrans and ferries.
Who This Guide Is For
- First-time visitors unsure how to pay for public transport
- Travelers deciding between Clipper and contactless payment
- Visitors planning to ride San Francisco’s cable cars
- Tourists comparing day passes and Visitor Passports
- Travelers using both Muni and BART
How We Evaluated San Francisco Tickets & Passes
Ticket options are compared using official fare information, ease of purchase, transport coverage, flexibility and value for typical visitor itineraries.
Prices and ticketing rules can change. The fares below were reviewed for August 2026.
Quick answer:
- Simplest all-round payment: Clipper
- Only making one or two Muni trips: pay per ride
- Making 3+ Muni rides in a day: consider the $5.70 Day Pass
- Want unlimited cable cars: Visitor Passport
- Using BART: Clipper or contactless payment
- Important: regular Muni passes do not automatically include BART
Clipper Card — Best All-Round Option
Clipper is the Bay Area’s regional transit payment system.
It can be used on Muni, BART, Caltrain, SamTrans, Golden Gate Transit, San Francisco Bay Ferry and many other Bay Area services.
Why Use Clipper?
- One payment system for multiple Bay Area operators
- Works on both Muni and BART
- Available as a physical card or digital card
- Useful if you plan to travel beyond central San Francisco
- Avoids buying separate tickets for many journeys
Physical or Digital Clipper?
Visitors can use a physical Clipper card or add Clipper to a compatible smartphone or smartwatch.
For most travelers with a compatible phone, digital Clipper is particularly convenient because there is no need to carry another physical card.
How to Use Clipper
Tap your Clipper card or device on the reader when required.
On BART, you must tap when entering and exiting because the fare depends on the distance traveled.
Our recommendation:
If you expect to use both Muni and BART during your stay, Clipper is usually the simplest payment method.
Muni Tickets & Fares
Muni operates San Francisco’s buses, Muni Metro light rail, historic streetcars and cable cars.
Muni Single Ride
The standard adult Muni single fare is currently:
- $2.85 with Clipper
- $3.00 when paying cash / ticket machine
A standard Muni fare provides 120 minutes of travel, allowing transfers between eligible Muni services during that period.
Contactless Bank Card
Visitors can also tap an eligible contactless debit or credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay directly on Muni readers for adult fares.
This can be particularly convenient if you only expect to make occasional journeys and do not need a pass.
What About MuniMobile?
As of August 1, 2026, Muni single rides and Muni-only Day Passes are no longer sold through MuniMobile.
For these fares, use Clipper or an eligible contactless payment method instead.
Visitor Passports and cable car products continue to be available through MuniMobile.
First time using the network?
👉 Read our complete guide to using public transport in San Francisco.
San Francisco Day Passes & Visitor Passports
Visitors making several journeys in one day should compare pay-as-you-go fares with Muni’s Day Pass and Visitor Passports.
Muni Day Pass — $5.70
The standard Muni Day Pass provides unlimited rides for one day on:
- Muni buses
- Muni Metro
- Historic streetcars
Cable cars are not included.
At $5.70, the pass can become worthwhile very quickly if you plan several Muni journeys during the same day.
1-Day Visitor Passport — $15
The 1-Day Visitor Passport provides unlimited rides on:
- Muni buses
- Muni Metro
- Historic streetcars
- Cable cars
The inclusion of cable cars is the main reason tourists may choose the Visitor Passport instead of the cheaper Muni Day Pass.
3-Day Visitor Passport — $35
The 3-Day Visitor Passport provides unlimited Muni and cable car travel for three consecutive days.
It can be useful for visitors who expect to use cable cars repeatedly during a short sightseeing stay.
7-Day Visitor Passport — $47
The 7-Day Visitor Passport provides unlimited Muni and cable car travel for seven consecutive days.
It offers better daily value for visitors spending most of a week in San Francisco and using public transport frequently.
Important: Visitor Passports cover Muni services, including cable cars, but do not provide unlimited BART travel.
San Francisco Cable Car Tickets
Cable cars use a different fare structure from ordinary Muni buses and trains.
| Option | 2026 price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Single cable car ride | $9 | One ride |
| 1-Day Visitor Passport | $15 | Several cable car / Muni rides in one day |
| 3-Day Visitor Passport | $35 | Short sightseeing trip |
| 7-Day Visitor Passport | $47 | Longer stay |
Simple calculation:
One cable car ride costs $9, while the 1-Day Visitor Passport costs $15 and includes unlimited cable car and other Muni travel.
If you plan to ride cable cars more than once in a day, the Visitor Passport can therefore become much more attractive.
Which San Francisco Ticket Should You Buy?
| Your itinerary | Our choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 Muni rides | Pay as you go | No need for a pass |
| 3+ Muni rides in one day | Muni Day Pass | $5.70 for unlimited eligible Muni rides |
| Muni + BART | Clipper | One payment system across both networks |
| One cable car ride | Single cable car fare | No need for a visitor pass |
| Several cable car rides | Visitor Passport | Cable cars included |
| 3-day sightseeing trip | Compare 3-Day Passport vs pay-as-you-go | Depends heavily on cable car use |
| 7-day stay | 7-Day Passport or Clipper | Depends on travel frequency and BART use |
| Airport + city transport | Clipper | Useful for both BART from SFO and Muni |
Best Ticket by Traveler Type
| Traveler | Recommended option |
|---|---|
| First-time visitor | Clipper + pay as you go |
| Budget traveler | Clipper / Muni Day Pass when worthwhile |
| Cable car enthusiast | Visitor Passport |
| Airport traveler | Clipper or contactless for BART |
| Family | Compare individual fares with Visitor Passports |
| Regional traveler | Clipper |
Children & Youth Fares
One particularly useful rule for families is that young people aged 18 and under currently ride regular Muni services free.
Cable cars have separate rules, so families planning to use them should check the current fare conditions before traveling.
Family tip: do not automatically buy the same ticket for every member of the family. Youth fare rules can make the cheapest combination very different from the adult calculation.
Common San Francisco Ticket Mistakes
Assuming Muni and BART Are the Same System
They are separate networks with different fare structures, even though Clipper can be used on both.
Buying a Visitor Passport Without Using Cable Cars
If you only use ordinary Muni buses and trains, the much cheaper Muni Day Pass or pay-as-you-go fares may provide better value.
Expecting a Muni Pass to Cover BART
Standard Muni Day Passes and Visitor Passports do not include unlimited BART travel.
Buying Separate Tickets for Every Operator
If you use several Bay Area transport systems, Clipper can simplify payment considerably.
Relying on Old MuniMobile Advice
From August 1, 2026, Muni single rides and Muni-only Day Passes are no longer sold through MuniMobile.
Using Different Cards When Entering and Exiting BART
Always use the same card or device at both fare gates so BART can calculate the correct distance-based fare.
Related San Francisco Transport Guides
Continue Planning Your San Francisco Trip
Frequently Asked Questions About San Francisco Transport Tickets
What is the easiest way to pay for public transport in San Francisco?
Clipper is one of the easiest options because it works across Muni, BART and many other Bay Area transport systems.
How much is a Muni ride in San Francisco?
As of August 2026, the standard adult fare is $2.85 with Clipper and $3 when paying cash.
How long is a Muni single fare valid?
A standard adult Muni fare is valid for 120 minutes of eligible travel and transfers.
How much is the San Francisco Muni Day Pass?
The Muni Day Pass currently costs $5.70 and provides unlimited rides on eligible Muni buses, trains and historic streetcars for the day.
Does the Muni Day Pass include cable cars?
No. Cable cars are not included in the standard Muni Day Pass.
How much is a cable car ride?
A single cable car ride currently costs $9.
What is the San Francisco Visitor Passport?
It provides unlimited travel on Muni buses, Metro, historic streetcars and cable cars for the selected validity period.
How much is the 1-Day Visitor Passport?
The current price is $15.
How much is the 3-Day Visitor Passport?
The current price is $35.
How much is the 7-Day Visitor Passport?
The current price is $47.
Does the Visitor Passport include BART?
No. Visitor Passports are primarily Muni products and do not provide unlimited BART travel.
Can I use Clipper on both Muni and BART?
Yes. Clipper is accepted on both systems.
Can I pay for Muni with a contactless bank card?
Yes. Adult passengers can use eligible contactless debit or credit cards and supported mobile wallets.
Can I pay for BART with a contactless bank card?
Yes. BART accepts eligible contactless bank cards and digital wallets at its fare gates.
Do I need to tap out on BART?
Yes. BART fares depend on distance, so use the same payment method when entering and exiting.
Do I need to tap out on Muni?
No. Muni generally requires validation when boarding or entering the system rather than tapping out at the end of the journey.
Can tourists use Clipper?
Yes. Clipper is suitable for visitors as well as local residents.
Is digital Clipper better than a physical card?
For visitors with a compatible smartphone, digital Clipper can be particularly convenient because there is no need to obtain a separate physical card.
Is the Visitor Passport worth it?
It is most attractive when you plan to ride cable cars several times. Without cable car use, cheaper Muni options may offer better value.
What ticket should I buy for three days in San Francisco?
Compare pay-as-you-go Clipper fares with the 3-Day Visitor Passport. The Passport becomes more attractive if your itinerary includes frequent cable car rides.
What ticket should I use from SFO Airport?
BART connects SFO with Downtown San Francisco. You can pay using Clipper or an accepted contactless payment method.
Do children travel free in San Francisco?
Youth aged 18 and under currently travel free on regular Muni services, although cable car rules differ.
Can I still buy Muni single tickets in MuniMobile?
No. As of August 1, 2026, Muni single rides and Muni-only Day Passes are no longer available through MuniMobile.
Which ticket do you recommend for most tourists?
For visitors using both Muni and BART, Clipper is generally the most flexible starting point. Add a Visitor Passport only if your sightseeing plans make frequent cable car travel worthwhile.
Editorial transparency
This guide is independently written and regularly reviewed.
Public transport fares, ticket products and payment rules can change.
Travelers should verify current prices and conditions with the relevant transport operator before travel.
Conclusion
For most visitors, Clipper is the simplest way to handle San Francisco public transport, particularly if your trip includes both Muni and BART.
For intensive Muni sightseeing without cable cars, the $5.70 Muni Day Pass offers excellent value. If cable cars are an important part of your itinerary, compare the 1-Day, 3-Day and 7-Day Visitor Passports.
The key distinction is simple: Muni passes generally cover Muni, while BART is charged separately.
Before arriving, read our San Francisco Airport to Downtown guide. Once in the city, our How to Use Public Transport in San Francisco guide explains how the entire network works.
Final recommendation: start with Clipper or contactless payment, use the Muni Day Pass when making several Muni journeys, and choose a Visitor Passport when repeated cable car rides make the higher price worthwhile.