Is Clipper accepted on the ferry?

Clipper Cards can currently be used on the Alameda/Oakland, Harbor Bay and South San Francisco services. Clipper is an easy-to-use fare payment card which can be used on many Bay Area transit systems. Learn how to use Clipper on San Francisco Bay Ferry.

Where can I catch the ferry?  When does it go?

San Francisco Bay Ferry serves communities throughout the bay area with ferry terminals in the cities of San Francisco, Alameda, Oakland, South San Francisco and Vallejo.  Our vessel network provides a unique transit option to destinations such as San Francisco's AT&T Park, Angel Island State Park, the San Francisco Ferry Building, San Francisco's Pier 39/Fisherman's Wharf area, Alameda Harbor Bay, Alameda Main Street, Oakland's Jack London Square, South San Francisco/Oyster Point, and the City of Vallejo (with connecting bus service to the Napa Valley Wine Train).

How long is the trip?

Transit times vary from route to route. The shortest  trips are the "shorthop" between Alameda and Oakalnd (10 minutes) and the commute service between Alameda Main Street and the San Francisoc Ferry Building (19 minutes). The longest trip is between the Ferry Building and the City of Vallejo (60 minutes).  Please check schedules for transit times for your trip.

What boats do you use?

The San Francisco Bay Ferry fleet consists of 11 boats all of which are catamarns (i.e., have two hulls).  Vessel speed varies but ranges from 25 knots (28.7 miles per hour) to 35 knots (40 miles per hour).  All boats are owned and maintained by the ferry service onbehalf of the public.

Do I need reservations?

Reservations are only available for the special AT&T Park Service operating between Alameda Main Street, Oakland, and AT&T Park.

What if I have an emergency and need to get home from work?

Ferry riders who experience a workday illness, family crisis or other unscheduled emergency may be eligible for a free ride home from work via taxi, rental car or other transit options provided by Guaranteed Ride Home programs offered by San Mateo and Alameda Counties to employees working in those counties. Learn when you can use it, how it works and how to enroll at these web sites:

County of San Mateo Guaranteed Ride Home Program
Alameda County Guaranteed Ride Home Program

Are commuter checks accepted?

Yes. CommuterChecks are welcome.

Are the ferries accessible to person with disabilities?

Disabled individuals are welcome on the SF Bay Ferry.  All vessels offer a wheelchair accessible restroom and our friendly deck hands are happy to provide infiormation and provide boarding assistance.

Is there overnight parking available?

No overnight parking is permitted at the Harbor Bay, South San Francisco, Alameda Main Street, or Oakland terminals. Overnight parking is available at the Vallejo Ferry Terminal.  Parking in public parking lots is at your own risk.

Can I bring a gasoline powered bike on the Ferry?/Are bicycles allowed on board?

Bikes are allowed and welcome but U.S. Coast Guard regulations prohibit gasoline powered vehicles onboard the boat.

Do the ferries operate on holidays?

The San Francisco Bay Ferry does not operate on  New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.  View the complete holiday schedule information on this website.

What transit systems connect with the ferry?

Connecting public transit service varies from ferry terminal to ferry terminal. Please consult the specific ferry terminal map (provided on this website) you are interested in for connecting transit information.

Are pets or service animals allowed?

Customers may transport small pets on San Francisco Bay Ferry boats in a completely enclosed cage or carrying case that is small enough to fit on the customer’s lap. The animal must not endanger or annoy other customers. Pets are allowed on boats with the following conditions:

• The pet must be in a carrier or portable kennel – Not on a leash or in a lap.
• The pet is non-disruptive (no barking, growling, constant whimpering, etc.) Should the pet become disruptive during the voyage the crew shall direct the pet owner to move the pet to the utility room for the remainder of the voyage.

SERVICE ANIMALS:  Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), businesses and organizations that serve the public must allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals into all areas of the facility where customers are normally allowed to go. Service animals and service animals in training are also permitted to ride on board San Francisco Bay Ferry boats.

Service animals are animals that are individually trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities – such as guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling wheelchairs, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or performing other special tasks. Service animals are working animals, not pets.

Employees may ask if an animal is a service animal, but cannot require special ID cards for the animal or ask about the person’s disability.

People with disabilities who use service animals cannot be charged extra fees, isolated from other patrons, or treated less favorably than other patrons. A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove his service animal from the premises unless: (a) The animal is out of control and the animal’s owner does not take effective action to control it. (b) The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.

How far is Pier 41 from Pier 39? From Fisherman's Wharf?

Pier 41 is approximately 1 city block from the Pier 39 Entertainment complex. Pier 41 is three blocks from Fisherman's Wharf.

How do Alameda County's Measure B funds support the Ferry Service?

On November 7, 2001, Alameda County voters approved the reauthorization of the continuation of Measure B. Measure B provides for a one-half cent transaction and use tax to be used to fund public transportation. Measure B earmarked 0.78% of net revenues for the Alameda ferries. Alameda ferries consist of the Alameda/Oakland and Alameda Harbor Bay services. Over Measure B's 20-year life span, total Alameda ferries Measure B revenues are projected to be $11,146,405. Collection of reauthorized Measure B revenue began in April 2002.   Measure B funds are used to off set both operating and capital expenses of the two ferry services.  Read more about Measure B.