Travel high season 2023 has started, and the San Francisco street congestion is the first indication of summer holiday travel. In summer, the travel entertainment form becomes a regular activity, and with how road trip friendly the USA is, we can often fall into the thinking that driving is the only way to get around. That's not the case.
In the last nine years of living in San Francisco, I have experienced the public transport evolution first hand, and I would like to offer my own guide on how to navigate this city without the use of a private vehicle.
Muni Buses
Cost: $2.75
Transfer window: Unlimited rides within 2 hours
When it comes to American cities, San Francisco is one of the better metropolitan areas with an extensive bus system. For the majority of public transport trips and connections you want to make in the city, Muni will cover you.
This means that for other American cities where the buses are called “buses,” San Francisco distinguishes itself with its own transport brand and identity and calls it “Muni.”
The buses look like the ones you would see in any other city. They might move slower than other vehicles on the road, but they do have so called express routes, which are signaled with extensions like X or R. For example, there is an 8X route that is supposed to be express.
Express routes make fewer stops and cover greater distances between those stops, making them advantageous if you need to get somewhere quickly.
Trackless vehicles that may appear to be regular buses also operate on tracks. The K and L lines are examples of these. Instead of standard buses, these vehicles can do both street and underground operations, thereby providing subway-like service. These vehicles extend Muni service to the outer parts of the city, including the Sunset District.
Muni Tickets
1. Single-Ride Tickets
Below is an example of a Muni ticket. The ticket has a time printed on it. If you happen to board the bus to buy a ticket, the driver will give you a paper ticket with a time that has been crossed out. The ticket is valid until the stated time and you can use it to board regular Muni services as often as needed. Once the time has passed, you must buy another ticket. If you're lucky enough, a driver might hand you a ticket valid for the whole day. 😂
2. Muni Monthly Passes
There are also monthly passes available for purchase and they will look different than single ride tickets, as shown below. The design and color of the monthly pass changes by month and year. The monthly pass becomes cost-effective for individuals who use Muni 2 times a day, every day. If you are an occasional user of Muni services, it is advisable not to purchase it as you will end up wasting your money.
3. Clipper
When paying on board, Muni does not provide change, so exact cash fare is required. What if you don’t have coins or small bills? Regular riders use a Clipper card, like the one shown below. Over the years, it has not changed very much. You can buy Clipper cards at various major retailers like Walgreens, and you can put whatever balance you want on the card. You tap the card on the way in and on the way out like other transit cards. BART Subway Fare: Based on distance Validity: One fare per trip; it cannot be used again for another trip. BART is often the more convenient option for commuters. A lot of people who work in downtown San Francisco live quite a distance away. Although buses can go to their destination, they can be quite slow. Therefore, people tend to prefer BART. It’s also a great option for trips to the airport, and for traveling to Berkeley or Oakland across the bay. In some aspects, American transit systems lag behind more modern systems found in countries like China. While many people feel that BART is getting old, particularly under the ground sections where the trains are quite loud and the decor is quite worn, the systems are not dated compared to modern systems. BART ticket prices are determined based on the distance traveled. Each ticket machine shows the price for each section of the journey. The first price is for a one-way trip and the second price is for a round trip. If you purchase a round-trip ticket, be sure to take it when you go through the gate so you can use it again. A round-trip ticket will have no time limit. \n### Tips:
The only restriction on BART tickets is the balance that is left on the ticket.
Let's say you buy a fare to Point A for $7.50, but you have to get off at Point B, which is $8.75. You will have to use a machine before leaving the station to pay the difference.
2. The Clipper card mentioned before also works at BART. Just tap at the fare gates.
As for Taxis
Fare: Starts at $3.50
How it works: You can get picked up and dropped off anywhere.
With Uber and Lyft now in the market, San Francisco has less and less taxis. The taxi industry has become even less visible. Of course, they still exist. If you don’t trust ride apps, but you can’t find a taxi cab on the road, you can call the taxi company at 333-3333.
When I came to the US Uber and Lyft didn’t exist. I used to book a taxi to the airport in advance. I would set a pickup time and location with the taxi. It was more expensive, but also convenient.
At the airport, San Francisco taxis come in all shapes and sizes. One time at the airport, my family and I had 4 large suitcases, 2 carry-ons, and a bunch of backpacks and hand luggage. The airport staff gave us a big car based on our needs. We got a big SUV taxi. It was really useful and big enough for a move. 😂
Don’t forget that you can pay with cash or card in taxis. In San Francisco, tipping is expected.
When using a card to pay, you usually get asked to choose a suggested tip amount, such as 15% or 20%. Tip: If you do not want to leave a 15% tip, paying in cash is more convenient. Uber & Lyft Price: Depends on the route Time: Easy & quick, Fast pre-booking option Uber and Lyft are the two giants of rideshare apps and are an essential services for a large number of residents in San Francisco. Users who frequent these services often are targeted for discounts, which helps reduce the cost of rdeing. For the most part, taxi services are more expensive than using Uber or Lyft, especially with the high availability of drivers in San Francisco. There isn't a clear winner between Uber and Lyft. It's good practice to check the prices on both before requesting. Additionally, it is common to see drivers who work for both Uber and Lyft. Both platforms allow you to book a ride via an app by entering your pick-up and drop-off locations. It works similarly to Didi in China. Uber and Lyft services strat-a-ride, and depending on the package you choose, allow you to make multiple stops. You can also set a time for the driver to come and car availability may be limited.
