How to Use the Clipper Card in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco is one of the most walkable cities in the United States, with its efficient transit systems. This, along with the world-class culture and otherworldly beauty, also makes it one of the most visited American cities by tourists abroad.
Using the Clipper Card makes it super easy to get around San Francisco and the surrounding cities, and save money on transportation fares (you get discounts using it, more on that later). Whether you’re looking to go old-school with a physical card or tap it digitally through your phone, using the Clipper Card makes exploring the Bay Area seamless.
In this guide, I will show you the 2 main ways to use the Clipper Card when visiting San Francisco, where you can use it, and practical tips on how to maximize using it during your stay!
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How to Use the Clipper Card
What is the Clipper Card?
The Clipper Card is your one-stop shop for almost all public transportation modes in the Bay Area. This includes:
- Buses
- Trains
- Ferries
- Cable cars
It is similar to the Oyster Card in London and the Suica Card in Japan, where you can load as much money as you need onto the card, and reload once the money starts running out as you keep using it.
2 Ways to Use the Clipper Card
Get the physical card (either mailed to you or at a kiosk) and load money as you go in any kiosk
You have the option to order a physical card and have it mailed to your address or purchase it in person. You can purchase the card at any kiosk, Walgreens, Whole Foods, local hardware stores, etc. Click here for a full list of the locations where you can get the physical Clipper Card.
Download the Clipper App and load money digitally.
If you like doing everything on your phone, consider downloading the Clipper App and connecting it to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, depending on what kind of phone you have. From there, as long as you have your credit or checking cards connected in your digital wallet, you can load as much money as you want or need.
Where to use the Clipper Card
You can use the Clipper Card on any Bay Area transit. Keep in mind that while most transit modes will offer discounts for using the Clipper Cards, not all of them do. And the ones who DO offer discounts will not offer them during special events, like a sports game.
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area, BART has 50 stations and over 130 miles of track. BART also connects to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland International Airport (OAK).
Because of how far BART stretches out, they operate on a distanced-based fare system (instead of a flat fare like the Muni). BART has a fare calculator where you can find out the cost of your trip, whether you’re riding round-trip or one-way.
When you ride with BART and tap out to your destination, your fare automatically calculates and gets deducted the correct fare.
Riding the BART is perfect for visitors flying from SFO and OAK and/or venturing to cities beyond San Francisco, like Oakland and Berkley.
Muni (San Francisco Municipal Railway)
The Muni is San Francisco’s primary public transportation system, owned and operated by SFMTA (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency).
They operate a variety of transportation modes, including their Metro (light rail), buses, historic street cars, and the iconic cable cars that climb up the steep hills.
When taking the Muni (except the cable cars), the Muni charges a flat rate of $2.85 for a single ride and valid for 2 hours.
Those iconic cable cars every tourist wants to ride on and experience? Those cost $8 for a single ride, and there’s no transfer discount. It is worth seeing the sweeping views of the city and the Bay (especially for a romantic date), and takes you to some of the top attractions like Ghirardelli Square and Pier 39.
Use the Muni Metro and bus for easy hops across San Francisco, and to ride the cable car.
CalTrain
The Caltrain stretches from San Francisco to Gilroy, which is about 32 miles south of San Jose. It is mostly used as a commuter train, since most residents living in the suburbs commute to San Francisco or San Jose for work.
CalTrain has 6 zones, and the fares will depend on which zone you are in.
Riders must tap on and off when boarding the CalTrain to avoid paying the maximum charge. You really don’t want to do that, especially because CalTrain has a strict fare evasion policy.
CalTrain also has connections to SFO and San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC).
Golden Gate Transit and Ferry
The Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District operates the bus and ferry that connects riders from San Francisco to North Bay. You can use the Clipper Card for both by tapping before you board.
I recommend taking the ferry for gorgeous views of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge, and for day trips to Angel Island, Sausalito, Larkspur, and Tiburon (I highly recommend these towns in Marin County; they have great food, nature, and luxury hotels).
If you’re staying in Larkspur during the summer, you can take the ferry to Oracle Park to catch the Giants game.
For the bus, you can take day trips to Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Mill Valley (which borders Sausalito), Novato, and San Rafael. Like CalTrain, the Golden Gate Transit bus has 6 zones, and fares vary depending on the distance you travel and how many zones you cross.
With the Clipper Card, you can get a significant discount on your fares compared to purchasing directly.
Here is a chart comparing ferry fares when purchasing directly vs. using the Clipper Card:
| Larkspur | Sausalito | Tiburon | Angel Island | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Single Ride (ages 19–64) | $14 | $14 | $14 | $15.50 |
| Clipper Card Adult Ride | $9 | $8 | $8 | $9.50 |
San Francisco Bay Ferry
My favorite way to go to San Francisco from Sacramento is to take the San Francisco Bay Ferry from Vallejo. After an hour of sailing, you dock at the Ferry Building. It’s relaxing and a great way to avoid the annoying traffic going down I-80 and the Bay Bridge.
In addition to Vallejo, there are routes to San Francisco from Richmond, Oakland, and Alameda.
During baseball and basketball seasons, the ferry also has routes to Oracle Park and Chase Center for the San Francisco Giants and the Golden State Warriors. While you can use the Clipper Card to take the ferry and watch the game, the discounts do not apply.
Below are the Clipper Card prices from each terminal to San Francisco, effective July 1, 2025:
| Route | Clipper Card Price | Discount Clipper Card Price |
|---|---|---|
| Oakland & Alameda Alameda Seaplane Harbor Bay Richmond | $4.90 | $2.40 |
| South San Francisco | $7.40 | $3.70 |
| Vallejo | $9.90 | $4.90 |
| Alameda Short Hop | $1.10 | .50 |
| Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle | Free | Free |
Discount Clipper Cards are given to youth, and seniors, riders with disabilities, or on a lower income (more on that below). Children under the age of 5 ride for free.
I recommend riding the San Francisco Bay Ferry for those staying in Oakland or further out east of I-80 (which is me, I live in Sacramento) and want to avoid the traffic.
AC Transit
The AC Transit is a bus system that serves all of the East Bay, including Oakland and Berkley. They also have buses that take you to San Francisco, crossing the Bay Bridge, called the Transbay.
A single ride with the AC Transit costs $2.50 using the Clipper Card, while a single ride with the Transbay costs $6.50. Transferring from AC Transit to Transbay costs $4, which is just the difference between the two bus fares.
If you are staying in East Bay while traveling around San Francisco, the AC Transit is the perfect way to get around and maximize your use of the Clipper Card. You can even purchase a day pass capped at $5.50 (with cash, it’s capped at $6). That way, you don’t have to keep purchasing tickets individually, which costs more in the long run.
SMART Train (Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit)
For those staying north of the Golden Gate Bridge, like in Marin and Sonoma Counties, consider riding the SMART trains and using the Clipper Card.
There are 14 SMART train stations serving North Bay (excluding two stations opening in the future). The stations are sectioned into 5 different zones; you pay $1.50 (for adults ages 19–64) for riding within one zone, no matter how many stations you stop at. Now, if you’re crossing zones, the fare increases.
The San Rafael and Larkspur Stations have connections to the Larkspur Ferry Terminal, where you can sail on the Golden Gate Ferry to San Francisco. SMART offers a “Rail and Sail” combo ticket where you can ride a SMART train and Golden Gate Ferry one-way for $10, but it is not included in the Clipper Card.
Taking the SMART Train is perfect for those staying up north. There is so much to do in Marin and Sonoma Counties, whether you’re an outdoorsy junkie or a wine aficionado. Sonoma is Wine Country, after all!
Here are some fantastic tours you can take if you plan to stay up north:
- Redwoods of Marin and Mt. Tamalpais Walking Tour with Local Guide
- Sonoma or Napa 8 hour Private Wine Tour with Concierge Service
- Sonoma Valley Open Air Wine Trolley Tour
Practical tips for Using the Clipper Card
Add $20–$30 to your card (and top up as needed)
If you can see yourself taking public transportation pretty often in San Francisco, I highly suggest putting in at least $20 in your Clipper Card. While using it is pretty affordable, those fares add up, so you always want to make sure you have enough in your account so you can tap in and out easily.
Downloading the app and connecting the digital card to Apple Wallet (or Google Wallet) makes it easy to add money.
If you prefer a physical copy, you can look for a Clipper kiosk at your nearest station and deposit money there.
Use the Clipper Card when taking trains to and from the airport to save money
While taking Uber or a taxi from the airport is convenient, that ease comes at a cost (also, you’ll be stuck in horrific Bay Area traffic, which will add to the costs). If you’re flying from San Francisco, Oakland, or San Jose International Airports, you can ride any connecting train station to your final destination.
Take advantage of youth, senior, disability, and qualifying income discounts
While the Clipper Card already offers discounts for the general public (adults ages 19–64), some transits offer even deeper discounts for youth, seniors, and adults with qualifying income.
Youth and Senior Cards
Clipper Card considers riders ages 5–18 youth, and riders ages 65+ seniors. If you fall under either category, you will need to apply for a card by mail, email, or fax, and show proof of identification. This could be your passport, driver’s license, state ID card, birth certificate, or any card with your date of birth (military card or medical benefit card).
RTC Cards
Riders under 65 with a disability can apply for the RTC (Regional Transportation Connect) card by visiting any of these transit agency locations (which include BART, CalTrain SFMTA, Golden Gate Transit, and AC Transit). You have to see if you are eligible first beforehand though.
Clipper START
Adults ages 19–64 with qualifying income are eligible to get the Clipper START card, granting them 50% off fares on ALL Bay Area transits. But the keyword is qualifying income, so you need to apply to see if you’re qualified, and show proof of identity and income.
Another tip on horizon: Ditch the car (or the idea of renting one) during your stay in San Francisco and consider staying at these hotels that are close to the top attractions and make it easier to explore without driving!
Checking your balance
If you download the Clipper app and connect the digital card to your Apple (or Google) wallet, it’s easy to check your balance. Your balance will appear as your cash value, and it’ll give you the option to add more money.
The digital card also shows your previous transactions on different fares. This saves time from having to look for a kiosk.
Now, if you don’t have a smartphone, you can check your balance and reload your physical card in the same places you purchased them. This includes kiosks, the nearest Walgreens, Whole Foods, and CVS. You can add more money with cash, card, or mobile tap like Apple Pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use the Clipper card?
You can use your Clipper Card for tagging/tapping it against the machine when you’re boarding any Bay Area transit modes. If you have the digital card, this means tagging your phone. You can also reload money to your card; if you have the app, just tap the Add Money button in your Apple Wallet. If you have a physical card, look for the closest Clipper kiosk or Walgreens, Whole Foods, and CVS stores.
What happens if you forget to tag off a Clipper card?
Depending on which transit you’re taking, you’re initially charged a maximum fare once you tag before boarding. After you tag off as you are about to leave, you will be reimbursed for the difference between the maximum fare and the Clipper Card fare. If you don’t tag off, that maximum charge fare will stay there and reflect in your bank account and previous transactions.
Is Using the Clipper Card Worth It?
No matter how long you are staying in San Francisco, the Clipper Card is a hassle-free way to navigate the Bay Area’s complex transit systems. It saves you time and helps you avoid fumbling around your wallet for cash or your credit card (especially if you get the digital card). It’s flexible in that you can use it across multiple transit agencies and modes in the Bay Area; no need to keep purchasing separate tickets from separate agencies!
You also save money because the Clipper Card offers discounts for its users, and even deeper discounts if you are under 18 or over 65, have a disability or qualifying income. And we all know San Francisco is an expensive place to visit, so any way to save money is a bonus in my book (plus, you can allocate the money to a nice seafood restaurant instead!).
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Hannah is a travel writer, graphic designer, and the founder/editor of Hannah on Horizon. She is based in Sacramento, California, living with her husband and two adorable dogs. She shares tips on how to experience luxury travel on any budget, and how to maximize time at each trip or destination, no matter what your budget or amount of vacation time at work. She enjoys making you feel like you have visited each destination with her through her storytelling and informative writing style.