How to Buy a Cable Car Ticket in San Francisco

A trip to San Francisco isn't complete without a ride on one of SF's iconic cable cars. Cable cars have been ferrying people across San Francisco's steep hills since 1873, and are a National Historic Landmark. If you just want to ride a...

Method 1 of 2:

Buying a One-Way Cable-Car Ticket

  1. Picture 1 of How to Buy a Cable Car Ticket in San Francisco
    Determine if you need to get a ticket in advance. If you're boarding the cable car at terminals at Powell & Market, Bay & Taylor, and Hyde & Beach Streets from 8 am to 5 pm, you'll have to buy a ticket in advance. Otherwise, you can either buy a ticket in advance or buy onboard.[1]
    1. To avoid long ticket-booth lines at the terminal, catch the cable car a few stops down, where you can buy a ticket onboard.
  2. Picture 2 of How to Buy a Cable Car Ticket in San Francisco
    Buy a one-way ticket in advance from MuniMobile or a ticket booth. MuniMobile is the official ticketing app for Muni buses, trains, cable cars, and paratransit. You can also purchase tickets from a booth at Powell-Market and Hyde-Beach cable car terminals.[2]
    1. Tickets cost $7, regardless of whether you pay on MuniMobile or with cash.
    2. For seniors (over 65) from 9pm-7am, there's a discounted price of $3.
  3. Picture 3 of How to Buy a Cable Car Ticket in San Francisco
    Buy a single ticket from the conductor if you're boarding in the middle of the line. You don't have to buy a ticket in advance if you are getting on at a stop that's not the terminal. During the cable car ride, a conductor will go through the car to check and sell $7 tickets. Those who do not show an already purchased ticket or pass will pay the conductor the fare.[3]
    1. You have to pay with bills $20 or smaller.
  4. Picture 4 of How to Buy a Cable Car Ticket in San Francisco
    Buy a new one-way ticket for each ride. One-way tickets don't transfer between rides, even if it's the same day. If you get off a cable car and then want to get on again, you'll have to purchase a new ticket for full fare.[4]
    1. If you plan to ride many times, buy a Visitor Passport or CityPASS to save money.
Method 2 of 2:

Buying a Pass for Multiple Rides

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    Buy a Visitor Passport for a 1, 3, or 7 consecutive days. The visitor passport not only covers cable-cars, but also Muni and Muni Metro. You can buy this pass on the MuniMobile app, by using a Clipper card, or at ticket kiosks. A Clipper card is an all-in-one transit card for the Bay Area that can hold transit passes and cash value. A new adult Clipper card costs $3. To encourage people to buy on MuniMobile or Clipper, prices are cheaper for tickets on MuniMobile and clipper. Online tickets cost: $12 (1 day), $29 (3-days), $39 (7 days). In paper, they cost, $23 (1 day), $34 (3 days), $39 (7 days).[5]
    1. Muni Passports won't be valid on BART or other transit systems.
  2. Picture 6 of How to Buy a Cable Car Ticket in San Francisco
    Buy a CityPASS if you also plan to visit San Francisco's museums. You can buy CityPASS online, at CityPASS attractions, at a visitor center, or at some Muni kiosks. The CityPASS includes 3 days of cable car and Muni bus transit, as well as admission to the California Academy of Sciences, the Aquarium of the Bay, a bay cruise, and admission to either the Exploratorium or the SFMOMA.[6]
    1. Adult passes cost $94, and child passes cost $74.[7]
  3. Picture 7 of How to Buy a Cable Car Ticket in San Francisco
    Buy a 1-month pass for SF transit on a Clipper card. A Clipper card allows you to pay for many different types of Bay Area transit using one card. Your month pass will include cable-car along with other transportation. You can order a new Clipper card online to be mailed to you if you can wait 10 days for delivery. Or, buy an adult Clipper card in person at many Walgreens and Whole Foods stores, at transit ticket offices, Muni Metro ticket machines, or Clipper Customer Service centers. Once you have a clipper card, purchase your month passes online and load them to the card. There are different month passes:[8]
    1. Clipper Card "M" Pass: includes Muni and cable cars for $81.
    2. Clipper Card "A" Pass: includes Muni, cable car, and Bay Area Rapid Transit within SF for $98.[9]
    3. You can also buy discounted Senior and Youth passes.
Update 24 March 2020
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