San Francisco is a great destination to visit, especially when you do not want to deal with the hassle of renting a vehicle and parking. A host of public transport options give you a lot of choices when putting together your itinerary and deciding how best to explore this vibrant city. San Francisco is also an easy city to walk or cycle around because of its relatively compact size. However, it’s important to remember that San Fransisco is hilly (which in some areas is actually an understatement). Therefore if you have mobility issues – public transport is definitely the way to go. Keep reading for a complete guide to getting around San Francisco.
Train
Bay Area Rapid Transit, also known as BART, is a vast network of trains that have routes throughout San Francisco. Together with the surrounding areas of Oakland and beyond. Travellers can also utilise BART to get to and from San Francisco International Airport. This is an affordable way to traverse the city. The primary downside of BART is that it does not have any stops near the tourist area of Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf.
Cable Car
Taking a ride on one of the iconic cable cars in this historic city is a rite of passage for many visitors. San Francisco boasts the world’s largest manually operated cable car system. The system features two routes that travel between Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf. There is also a third route that travels along California Street. Due to their relative expense, most commuters do not use cable cars for their everyday travel. However, 7 million tourists ride cable cars each year, accounting for the long waits to get on board.
Bus
Referred to as MUNI, the city bus system provides a host of options to get around the city. Dialling 311 from any phone will put you in touch with an operator to help you find the right route for your needs. The routes are also accessible online. You can either buy a pass or use cash to pay for each individual ride. You could also consider the hop on hop off bus operated by Big Bus Tours. They allow you to jump on or off at any stop along the numerous routes. One of the routes also includes Sausalito a beautiful city located across the Golden Gate Bridge which is well worth a visit.
Rideshares and Taxis
For a quick and private transportation option, many travellers choose to call a taxi or book a trip with a rideshare provider. Unlike Uber and Lyft, traditional taxi companies require cab drivers to undergo a training program that includes defensive driving, safety issues, traffic laws, customer service, communication and geography followed by passing a licensing exam. Uber and Lyft drivers watch a training video but not much else, so use your own discretion when choosing taxis versus a rideshare service.
With so many transportation options, it is easy to get around San Francisco without a vehicle. A little research and planning will go a long way in helping to make this an enjoyable experience.
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