Cable Cars

Riding the SF cable cars for the first time (or the first time in a while) can be exciting! It’s pretty simple and really fun. All you need to do is:

1. Pick a Route: Choose one of the three lines — 1. The Powell-Hyde Line; 2. The Powell-Mason Line; or 3. The California Street Line. Each route offers unique views and stops, so select the line based on where you want to go.
    
2. Buy Your Ticket: Purchase a ticket through the MuniMobile app or at a kiosk near major stops. If you have cash in the exact amount required, you can also buy your cable car ticket directly onboard. A single-ride adult ticket is $8.
    
3. Board at a Turnaround or Cable Car Stop: Major turnarounds (like Powell and Market or Fisherman’s Wharf) are great starting points. Of course, you can hop on at any designated stop nearby if that’s more convenient.
    
4. Find a Spot After Boarding: You can stand on the running boards for an open-air thrill or sit inside for a cozier ride. Hold on tight if you’re standing!
    
5. Show Your Ticket or Card: Once you’re onboard, the conductor will come around to collect tickets (or fares). Be ready to show your ticket or pay the fare. Again, this happens after you board, not before or as you’re boarding. 
    
6. Enjoy the Ride: Take in the stunning scenery, listen to the bell ringing, and snap photos of the City’s iconic sights as you enjoy the ride! Cable cars move relatively slowly, when compared to motor vehicles, making them a perfect way to sightsee, get to know the City, and get to where you want to go.
    
7. Watch for Your Exit: Keep an eye out for your stop. Let the conductor know you’re getting off. Be mindful of traffic and wait until the car stops completely before exiting.

Typically, cable car rides last between 10 and 25 minutes, depending on the route and traffic. So, plan accordingly.

You can buy cable car tickets in several ways, including:

• Online: Use the MuniMobile app for easy, contactless ticketing.
   
• At Kiosks: These ticketing stations are near cable car turnarounds.
   
• Onboard: If you have cash in the exact amount of the fare, you can buy your ticket onboard. You cannot pay with a credit card onboard. It’s cash only (no change available).

With so many ways to buy cable car tickets, it’s easy to catch a ride on the fly, and you don’t need to worry about “reserving” a spot ahead of time. 

The Powell-Hyde cable car will take you directly to Fisherman’s Wharf.

With this classic San Francisco experience, you can:

• Hop on at the Powell Street turntable (or turnaround) near Union Square.
• Ride the cable cars all the way to the Wharf.
• Take in breathtaking City views along the way, including Lombard Street and the Bay.
• Get an unmatched taste of the City’s charming, historic neighborhoods. 

Pro Tip: Try to ride early in the day or late afternoon to avoid the longest lines. Once you arrive, Fisherman’s Wharf is packed with fun things to do, from delicious dining and seafood to City tours, unique museums, delightful shopping, and so much more. It’s an adventure you won’t want to miss!

Head to the Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason turnarounds:

• The Powell-Hyde line turnaround is on Hyde and Beach Streets, at Aquatic Park near Ghirardelli Square.
• The Powell-Mason line turnaround is on Taylor and Bay Streets, in the middle of Fisherman's Wharf and just a few blocks from Pier 45. 

San Francisco’s cable cars run late enough for most adventures, with service typically ending around midnight. Please be aware that:

• The exact schedule can vary a bit, depending on the line.
   
• Generally, the last runs are between 11:00 p.m. and midnight.
   
• You should check the current schedule if you’re planning a late-night cable car ride, so you know the last time your line will run.
   
• If your plans don’t align with cable car running times, there are plenty of other transportation options in the City.
   
• Riding the cable cars at night, with the twinkling City lights, is a delightful experience you won’t forget!

Whether you're dining at Fisherman’s Wharf, exploring Union Square, or catching the sunset over the Bay, planning a nighttime cable car ride can be a wonderful, magical way to end your adventure!

A single-ride adult ticket for the San Francisco cable cars is $8, with a $4 discounted fare for seniors while children under 4 ride free. Along with single-ride tickets, you can also buy a “pass” that grants you unlimited rides on the cable cars — and other modes of public transportation in the City. 

Here are some other options for cable car tickets if:

• You’d like to ride more than once.
• You’ll be in the City for more than a day.
• You’d like to be able to ride other modes of transportation as you get around San Francisco. 

All rates below reflect pricing as of Jan. 1, 2025.

To see more options for cable car tickets and fares, click here.

Yes. Clipper cards containing Muni monthly passes or cash value are accepted. Simply show your card to the Cable Car conductor when you board.

You can board cable cars at:

• Turnarounds: These are at the beginning and end of each route.
• Cable car stops: Look for the brown-and-white cable car signposts that mark these spots.

There are three cable car turnarounds:

1. The Powell-Hyde Turnaround, near Fisherman’s Wharf
2. The Powell-Mason Turnaround, near Union Square
3. The California Street Turnaround, at the intersection of California and Market Streets

When it comes to boarding and riding the San Francisco cable cars, please be aware that:

Peak hours tend to be mid-day. So, if you plan to ride during these busier times, try to arrive early and plan more time for your overall trip.
You cannot board the cable cars with a full-size bike or a folding bicycle. However, Muni does usually allow bicycles.

Children under 4 can ride the cable cars for free. 

All other riders will need a ticket, with discounts available for seniors and several options for passes that allow for multiple rides.

Although cable cars are not free for anyone over the age of 5, this option is an extremely affordable way to get around the City.

San Francisco’s cable cars are the world’s last manually operated cable car system, as well as a National Historic Landmark and an essential part of the City’s identity. 

First introduced in 1873, cable cars in San Francisco have been transporting riders up and down the City’s famous hills ever since.

Today, three cable car lines are in operation, and they’re all considered a must-have experience for anyone who wants a true taste of San Francisco. 

Yes, the cable cars typically operate daily through most of the year. However, schedules may change due to maintenance or holidays. 

Please check the SFMTA schedules here for real-time updates, maintenance closures, and potential changes over the holidays.

The Powell-Hyde Line offers some of the best scenic views, including glimpses of the Golden Gate Bridge and Lombard Street. This line will also drop you off at Fisherman’s Wharf where you can spend the day sightseeing and taking in some of the most iconic experiences of any San Francisco trip. 

That said, there can be opportunities for sightseeing on all cable car lines, with the:

• Powell-Hyde Line providing stunning views of Alcatraz and the Bay
• Powell-Mason Line passing through the vibrant neighborhood of North Beach
• California Street Line showcasing beautiful architecture and sweeping City views.

Given how different areas of San Francisco have their own unique charm, riding the different lines can give you a wonderful look at the distinct personalities of each neighborhood and how they come together to create the City’s one-of-a-kind magic.

Yes, both Powell lines start at Powell and Market Streets, near Union Square.

San Francisco's cable cars rely on an ingenious system of underground cables that are activated by a central powerhouse. While the cables continuously move along a track beneath the street, a gripping mechanism inside the cable cars latches onto or releases from those cables as needed. 
Here’s how the main components of San Francisco cable cars work together:

• Underground Cables: A central powerhouse located at the Cable Car Museum powers the cables, so they run at a constant speed of about 9.5 miles per hour (mph).
   
• Grip Mechanism: A gripman or cable car operator controls a lever that grabs or releases the cable and, in turn, controls how the car moves and stops.
   
• Brakes: The gripman also operates wooden brake blocks and track brakes to safely stop cars.
   
• Turntables: Also referred to as turnarounds, turntables are at the end of each route, manually turning around cable cars on a rotating platform, so they can return to the opposite end of the route.
   
• Electric Powerhouse: The entire system is driven by electric motors and large wheels pulling the cables beneath the streets.

This unique design makes cable cars both a functional mode of transportation and a fascinating piece of San Francisco (and American) history.

No — unfortunately, the cable cars in San Francisco are not wheelchair accessible. 

Other public transportation options in the City, like Muni buses and trains, are typically equipped with accessible boarding, however. If you need special assistance, please contact the San Francisco Customer Service Center by calling:

• 311 if you’re in the City
• 415-701-2311 if you’re outside San Francisco City limits

A Visitor Passport is a convenient cable car pass that provides unlimited rides on the City's iconic cable cars, as well as other public transit options (like Muni buses), for a set period. These passes:

• Are available for 1 day, 3 days, or 7 days
• Are designed for tourists who want to explore the City without worrying about buying individual tickets for each ride
• Can be purchased online, at ticket kiosks, and via the MuniMobile app
• Offer significant savings for those planning to navigate the City using public transit.

With those benefits, Visitor Passports can be a highly cost-effective and extremely flexible option for getting around San Francisco.

The Cable Car Museum is located at:

1201 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

This hidden gem showcases the history and mechanics behind San Francisco’s cable cars, giving visitors the chance to see cable cars close up, along with old photos and the actual machinery that powers the system. 

The Cable Car Museum is: 

• Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
• Usually closed on major holidays
• FREE, with zero-cost admission, making it a must-see attraction for anyone exploring the City.

Riding cable cars can be a unique thrill, especially if you know how to ride like a pro. Here are some tips to help you make the most out of your first or next cable car ride:

1. Plan ahead: Lines can get long, especially in peak tourist season or during the mid-day rush. So, factor in more time and try to arrive early to minimize your wait time.
    
2. Hop on and off safely: Use the designated stops or turnarounds to board cable cars. Never try to hop on or off of them while they are in motion.
    
3. Hold on: Find an open spot on an available handrail or grab bar, keeping a tight grip as the cable car accelerates and comes to a stop. If you’re standing on the outer edge of a cable car, do not lean out or away from the car.
    
4. Keep your belongings close: Space is tight, and steep hills can cause personal items (like purses and shopping bags) to shift around. So, find a way to securely hold these items as the cable cars make their way to your stop.
    
5. Dress warmly: Open-air cars can get chilly, especially in the evening. So, be sure to put on a sweater or jacket before you board.
    
6. Be cautious at cable car intersections: Do not cross these intersections until you have stopped and checked the signals. Please be aware that the green "X" at these signals is for cable cars, not pedestrians. 
    
7. Know what you can bring: While full-size and folding bicycles are not permitted on cable cars, service animals are allowed to ride with their owners, as long as these animals are in an owner’s lap or in an area that does not block an aisle.
    
8. Have fun: Don’t stress about the crowds or waiting. Try to enjoy the journey, the fresh air, and the gorgeous views!
    

Taking a cable car ride in San Francisco is like stepping back in time while soaking in some of the City’s most breathtaking views. These historic cars are the last manually operated cable car system in the world, making every ride an experience of its own that perfectly blends nostalgia and adventure. 

As you climb the City’s steep hills, you’ll catch glimpses of world-renowned landmarks, like Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Lombard Street, all while enjoying the lively charm of various neighborhoods. 

Beyond serving transportation needs, the cable cars embody San Francisco’s rich history and cultural spirit, drawing millions of visitors each year. More than just a ride, the cable cars are a wonderful journey through the heart of the City, past and present.

So, whether you’re sightseeing or commuting, San Francisco’s cable cars can offer an unforgettable experience, exciting rides, and memories to last a lifetime!