By Bus and Train in San Francisco

The San Francisco Municipal Transit and Street Map ($2.50) is a useful guide to the extensive transportation system. You can buy the map at most bookstores and at the San Francisco Visitor Information Center, on the lower level of Hallidie Plaza at Powell and Market streets. Smoking is prohibited on all public transportation in California.

BART

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains, which run until midnight, travel under the bay via tunnel to connect San Francisco with Oakland, Berkeley, Pittsburgh/Bay Point, Richmond, Fremont, Dublin/Pleasanton, and other small cities and towns in between. Within San Francisco, stations are limited to downtown, the Mission, and a couple of outlying neighborhoods. Trains travel frequently from early morning until evening on weekdays; after 8 PM weekdays and on weekends there is often a 20-minute wait between trains on the same line. Trains also travel south from San Francisco as far as Millbrae. BART trains connect downtown San Francisco to San Francisco International Airport; a ride is $4.95. Intracity San Francisco fares are $1.25; intercity fares are $2.15-$7.45. During morning and evening rush hour, trains within the city are crowded—even standing room can be hard to come by. Cars at the far front and back of the train are less likely to be filled to capacity. Smoking, eating, and drinking are prohibited on trains and in stations.

Contacts

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART. 415/989-2278 or 650/992-2278. www.bart.gov).

Caltrain

Caltrain connects San Francisco to Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, and many smaller cities en route. In San Francisco, trains leave from the main depot, at 4th and King streets, and a rail-side stop at 22nd and Pennsylvania streets. One-way fares are $2-$9, depending on the number of zones through which you travel tickets are valid for four hours after purchase time. A ticket is $5 from San Francisco to Palo Alto, $6.50 to San Jose. You can also buy a day pass ($4-$19) for unlimited travel in a 24-hour period. Trips last 1 to 1¾ hours; it's worth waiting for an express train. On weekdays, trains depart three or four times per hour during the morning and evening, twice per hour during daytime noncommute hours, and as little as once per hour in the evening. Weekend trains run once per hour. The system shuts down at midnight. There are no onboard ticket sales. You must buy tickets before boarding the train or potentially pay a $250 fine for fare evasion.

Contacts

Caltrain (800/660-4287. www.caltrain.com). San Francisco Caltrain Station (700 4th St., at King St. 800/660-4287).

Muni

The San Francisco Municipal Railway, or Muni, operates light-rail vehicles, the historic F-line streetcars along Fisherman's Wharf and Market Street, trolley buses, and the world-famous cable cars. Light rail travels along Market Street to the Mission District and Noe Valley (J line), the Ingleside District (K line), and the Sunset District (L, M, and N lines). Muni provides 24-hour service on select lines to all areas of the city.

On buses and streetcars, the fare is $1.50. Exact change is required, and dollar bills are accepted in the fare boxes. For all Muni vehicles other than cable cars, 90-minute transfers are issued free upon request at the time the fare is paid. Transfers are valid for two additional transfers in any direction. Cable cars cost $5 and include no transfers.

One-day ($11), three-day ($18), and seven-day ($24) Passports valid on the entire Muni system can be purchased at several outlets, including the cable-car ticket booth at Powell and Market streets and the visitor information center downstairs in Hallidie Plaza. A monthly ticket, called a Fast Pass, is available for $45 and can be used on all Muni lines (including cable cars) and on BART within city limits.

Outside the city, AC Transit serves the East Bay, and Golden Gate Transit serves Marin County.

Bus & Train Information

AC Transit (510/839-2882. www.actransit.org). Golden Gate Transit (415/923-2000. www.goldengate.org). San Francisco Muni (415/673-6864. www.sfmuni.com).