11 Local Transportation Guides for New Travelers

2. San Francisco (BART + Muni)

San Francisco’s regional BART network links downtown with the airport and neighboring cities. Muni runs local buses, historic streetcars, and the iconic cable cars. The Clipper card covers most regional transit and makes transfers smoother, and many systems accept contactless payments now. The BART app and Google Maps show train times and platform info. If your itinerary includes the waterfront or Fisherman’s Wharf, expect some routes to use Muni’s surface lines rather than BART. Watch for steep hills and bring comfortable shoes for short walks between stops. After dark, prefer well-lit stations and main thoroughfares; late-night service can be less frequent. For tourists, a mix of day passes and single-ride options often makes sense—buy a Clipper for quick tap-and-go rides if you’ll use multiple systems. Elevators can be limited at older stops, so check Muni accessibility details if you need step-free access. Carry a small, secure bag when the streetcar gets crowded and learn a couple of local route numbers to speed your morning commutes.