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Tourist Navigation Guide for San Francisco

The City by the Bay · San Francisco's BART and Muni transit systems connect the city from the airport to Fisherman's Wharf.

Navigate San Francisco with CityNav →
11Transit Lines
23Key Stations
21Accessible Stops
0Metro/Subway Lines

About Getting Around San Francisco

San Francisco's BART and Muni transit systems connect the city from the airport to Fisherman's Wharf. The historic cable cars are both a practical transport option and a major tourist attraction.

Top tourist tip: A Clipper card works across BART, Muni Metro, bus, ferry and the iconic cable cars.

Best pass for tourists: Clipper card or Muni 1-day/3-day passport

Transit Lines in San Francisco

San Francisco has 11 public transit lines. CityNav supports all of them for offline and real-time navigation.

Red (Richmond-Millbrae)Yellow (Pittsburg-SFO)Green (Berryessa-Daly City)Blue (Dublin-Daly City)Orange (Richmond-Berryessa)Beige (OAK Airport)N JudahT ThirdJ ChurchK InglesideM Ocean View

Key Stations in San Francisco

Powell St
9 lines · Accessible ♿
Montgomery St
4 lines · Accessible ♿
Embarcadero
9 lines · Accessible ♿
Civic Center/UN Plaza
8 lines · Accessible ♿
16th St Mission
4 lines · Accessible ♿
24th St Mission
4 lines · Accessible ♿
Glen Park
4 lines · Accessible ♿
Balboa Park
7 lines · Accessible ♿

+ 15 more stations supported in CityNav

Top Tourist Landmarks in San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge
Alcatraz Island
Fisherman's Wharf
Chinatown
Use CityNav's AR walking navigation to get step-by-step directions to any of these landmarks from your current location.

Transit Authorities in San Francisco

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Official site →
San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni) Official site →

Train, Bus & Metro Times in San Francisco

San Francisco has 11 transit lines covering trains, buses and metro routes across the city. CityNav shows real-time departure times at every station — and when you're underground or off the grid, offline timetables keep you moving without any internet connection.

🚆
Trains & Trams

11 lines — offline timetables included, no signal needed

🚌
Buses

Bus routes across San Francisco — plan your journey before you board

Check live times in San Francisco →

Where to Visit in San Francisco

From iconic landmarks to hidden local gems, San Francisco has something for every type of traveller. CityNav gives you AR walking directions and step-by-step transit routes to any attraction — no map-reading required.

Golden Gate Bridge

AR walking directions via CityNav

Alcatraz Island

AR walking directions via CityNav

Fisherman's Wharf

AR walking directions via CityNav

Chinatown

AR walking directions via CityNav

💡 Open CityNav's AR camera mode to see walking arrows to any landmark from your exact position — works even without a data signal.

Navigate San Francisco with CityNav

Get real-time turn-by-turn directions, AR walking navigation, offline transit maps and SOS emergency alerts — all designed for tourists exploring San Francisco.

Open CityNav — Free →

🛟 San Francisco Safety Centre

Emergency numbers, hospital info, common tourist scams and key local phrases for San Francisco — all on one page that works offline in the CityNav app.

Open San Francisco Safety Centre →

✈️ Download before you fly

San Francisco's transit maps, timetables and Safety Centre work fully offline in CityNav. Download the app before you board and you can navigate from the moment you land — no roaming data, no airport Wi-Fi needed.

Download on the App Store → Get a 7-day Trip Pass — £3.99

Frequently Asked Questions — Getting Around San Francisco

What is the difference between BART and Muni in San Francisco?

BART is a regional heavy rail system connecting San Francisco to Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, and both airports. Muni is the city's own network including Metro light rail, buses, cable cars, and historic streetcars within San Francisco. A Clipper card works on both, but fares are charged separately.

Is the San Francisco cable car a practical way to sightsee?

Yes, for specific routes — the three cable car lines connect downtown to Fisherman's Wharf, Nob Hill, and Chinatown. They are slow, iconic, and a must-experience attraction. A single fare is US$8, or included in a Muni Passport day pass.

How do I get from SFO Airport to San Francisco city centre by transit?

BART runs directly from SFO's international terminal to downtown San Francisco (Embarcadero, Powell, Civic Center) in about 30 minutes. Trains run every 15–20 minutes. A Clipper card or standard BART ticket covers the journey.

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