No, riding SF Muni public transportation in San Francisco is not free. Muni operates bus, light rail, streetcar, and cable car routes across the city and requires riders to pay a fare to ride. There are some exceptions where Muni rides can be free under certain circumstances, but in general you need to pay to ride Muni.
Do you need a ticket to ride Muni?
Yes, you need a ticket or pass to ride Muni buses, light rail, streetcars, and cable cars. Muni employs proof-of-payment rules, which means you need to show proof of fare payment if requested when riding. Acceptable Muni fare media includes:
- Clipper Card – reloadable contactless fare card
- Muni Mobile Ticket – ticket purchased through Muni Mobile app
- Adult Single Ride Ticket
- 1-Day Passport
- 3-Day Passport
- 7-Day Passport
- Monthly Passport
Children ages 4 and under ride for free when accompanied by an adult. Children ages 5-17 need proof of fare payment or a Clipper Youth fare card.
How much does Muni cost?
Fares for Muni depend on the type of fare media used:
Fare Media | Fare |
---|---|
Clipper Card | $2.50 per ride (adults), $1.25 (ages 5-17) |
Muni Mobile Ticket | $2.50 per ride |
Adult Single Ride Ticket | $3.00 per ride |
1-Day Passport | $5.00 unlimited rides for 1 day |
3-Day Passport | $15.00 unlimited rides for 3 days |
7-Day Passport | $35.00 unlimited rides for 7 days |
Monthly Passport | $81.00 unlimited rides for a calendar month |
Clipper Card users get the lowest fares at $2.50 per ride. One-way tickets, 1-day, 3-day, and 7-day passports must be purchased at the ticket vending machines located at Muni stations. Monthly passports can be purchased at the SFMTA customer service center.
The Muni Mobile Ticket app provides digital tickets that can be purchased on a smartphone and activated right before boarding. Prices are the same as Clipper fares.
Is Muni free with a transfer?
Transfers between Muni bus and rail lines are free when using Clipper Card, Muni Mobile Ticket, or a Passport ticket. You must tag your Clipper Card or activate your Muni Mobile Ticket on each vehicle you board.
Transfers are valid for 90 minutes from first tag in/activation. After 90 minutes, you will need to pay a new fare. Transfers are not available on single ride tickets – each ride requires a new ticket.
When is Muni Free?
While Muni is not free for the general public, there are some exceptions where you can ride for free:
Kids under 5
Children under 5 years old ride for free on Muni when accompanied by an adult. No ticket or fare payment is required for children 4 and under.
SFUSD Students
K-12 students who attend San Francisco Unified School District schools ride Muni for free. Students use their school ID card as proof to ride.
Municipal Railway Free-fare Days
Occasionally SFMTA offers Municipal Railway (Muni) Free-fare Days where all rides on Muni are free. These are usually on major holidays or dates of significance in San Francisco:
- New Year’s Day (January 1st)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (3rd Monday in January)
- Earth Day (April 22nd)
- Levi’s Stadium events
Check http://www.sfmta.com for upcoming Free-fare Days.
Senior & Disabled Free-fare
Seniors 65+ and people with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements can ride Muni for free. They must have a Regional Transit Connection (RTC) Discount Card or Clipper Card with senior/disabled discount setup.
Paratransit
People who cannot independently use transit because of a disability are eligible for SF Paratransit door-to-door service. Paratransit rides are free with RTC Discount Card.
Ways to Save Money on Muni
While rides aren’t free, there are some ways you can pay less on Muni:
Get a Clipper Card
Getting a permanent plastic Clipper Card will save 25 cents per ride compared to paper single ride tickets. Load a pass onto your Clipper Card to save even more for frequent rides.
Purchase bulk tickets
If you don’t ride Muni frequently enough to justify a pass, you can save money by purchasing 1-Day, 3-Day or 7-Day Passport paper tickets. These offer discounted fares for unlimited rides over a set number of days.
Travel during off-peak hours
Fares are cheaper during off-peak hours on weekdays. On buses, light rail, and historic streetcars, the fare is $1.50 from 9am to 9pm on weekdays. Outside of those times (early morning, late evening, and all day weekends), fares are just $1.25 per ride.
Enroll in the Free Muni for Low Income Program
Low income adult SF residents who qualify can get a free Muni Passport on Clipper Card through the Free Muni for Low Income program. This provides free unlimited Muni rides.
Take advantage of fare discounts
Youth ages 5-17, seniors 65+, and people with disabilities are eligible for discounted fares when using Clipper Card.
Muni Fare Enforcement
Since Muni relies on a proof-of-payment system, you may encounter fare inspectors when riding. Fare inspectors may ask to see your proof of payment when boarding, while aboard vehicles, or when exiting.
What happens if you don’t have proof of payment?
If you do not show valid fare media when asked on Muni, you can be fined up to $125 per infraction under CA state law. Fines start at $71 for adults. You may also be asked to exit the bus or train immediately.
Avoid citations
To avoid getting a citation, always have valid fare ready before boarding Muni vehicles. Tap your Clipper Card or activate your Muni Mobile Ticket even if no one is watching.
Inspectors do conduct fare sweeps, and may wait until after vehicles depart stops to check all passengers for proof of payment. Don’t get stuck with a fine for failing to pay your fare.
Conclusion
While it may be tempting to try and get a free ride, Muni does require paying a fare to ride. The only guaranteed free rides are for children under 5, SFUSD students with ID, and eligible seniors/disabled during designated Free Fare Days. All other times, be sure to carry valid fare media in case an inspector asks to see proof of payment.
With fares starting at $1.25 per ride, public transit in San Francisco is very affordable compared to other major cities. Options like Clipper Cards and bulk Passports help keep costs low for frequent riders. Take advantage of discounted fares when possible, and plan trips during off-peak hours to save money. Avoid fines by always tagging your Clipper or showing proof of fare payment.