Fares & Tickets

San Francisco Bay Ferry operates on a first come, first served basis. Reservations are only available for special service to Oracle Park and Chase Center.

Our ferry routes fall into the following zones:

  • Zone 1: Alameda Seaplane, Harbor Bay, Oakland & Alameda, Richmond
  • Zone 2: South San Francisco
  • Zone 3: Vallejo
  • Short Hop Routes: Pier 41 Short Hop, Alameda Short Hop
  • Pilot Routes: Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle is FREE

These are the fares in effect from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.

  Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Short Hops
Clipper, Paper or Mobile Ticket $4.70 $7.20 $9.60 $1.00
Discount Clipper, Paper or Mobile Ticket* $2.30 $3.60 $4.70 $0.50
Children under 5 FREE FREE FREE FREE
* Discount Clipper includes Clipper START, RTC Clipper, Senior Clipper and Youth Clipper. For mobile tickets, use the discount paper ticket categories and verification methods listed below.
^ Discount paper and mobile tickets can be used by those 65 or older, 17 or younger or those with Medicare cards or DMV disabled parking placards.


Ticketing for our sports services are handled differently.

For all non-sports service, we have three ways to pay your fare.

How to Pay Fares

Clipper

Clipper is the Bay Area’s regional transit fare media. For San Francisco Bay Ferry, this is the easiest payment option that guarantees the cheapest fare. Get a card or download the app and add value at a self-service machine or retail location or order one online.

Clipper is the only way to get transfer discounts if you use multiple transit providers on your commute.

If you can, you should use Clipper. It will save you time and money.

San Francisco Bay Ferry is now officially a part of the regional Clipper START program offering discounted transit fares to eligible lower-income Bay Area residents. Learn more about Clipper START.

San Francisco Bay Ferry App

If you don’t have a Clipper Card, you can buy tickets on the San Francisco Bay Ferry mobile app. Prior to boarding the ferry, make sure your new tickets on the San Francisco Bay Ferry are activated and ready to be scanned by the crew. 

Paper Tickets

You can purchase paper tickets at our retail partner, Bay Crossings, in the San Francisco Ferry Building.

Bay Crossings in the Ferry Building (Shop 22), Downtown San Francisco

  • Mondays: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Tuesdays: Open 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Wednesdays: Open 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Thursdays: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Fridays: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Saturdays: Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sundays: Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hours are seasonal and subject to change.

If you arrive to a ferry terminal without Clipper or the means to purchase a mobile ticket via the San Francisco Bay Ferry app, you will be able to buy a paper ticket onboard. However, this will mean waiting in a second line. We strongly encourage you to use Clipper or the San Francisco Bay Ferry app.

School Groups

San Francisco Bay Ferry offers discounted fares for school groups. Reservations and prior approval are required. See more information and apply on our School Groups page.