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While the Muni system provides the primary way for visitors relying on public transportation to get around the city, the BART rapid transit trains are your ticket into the city from both the San Francisco and Oakland International Airports, as well as an efficient way to get to some of the suburban areas south of San Francisco and the East Bay communities.
BART operates in downtown San Francisco street, in the lower level of the Market Street Subway, below the Muni Metro trains. The system runs as far south of San Francisco as Milbrae, and, on the east side of the bay, serves Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Dublin, Pleasanton, and Fremont. BART fares are priced by the distance you ride, and the system is more expensive than riding Muni. Therefore, it is not really designed for travel within downtown San Francisco. However, for reaching the city from the airports, or for travel to other locations in the Bay Area, it is a fast, cheap way to get to your destination.
prices are: example ar trip from balboa park to embarcadero is $ 1:45; Daly City to Oakland airport is $ 3.85
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first of all review the route map and find the stations nearest where you wish to go. There are five lines, referred to by their end points (not by their colors).
Richmond Daly City - Millbrae
Fremont Richmond
Fremont Daly City
Pittsburg / Bay Point SFO
Dublin / Pleasanton Daly City - Millbrae
then buy a ticket. Ticket machines at each station take cash and change as well as credit and debit cards. Tickets are sold according to how much money you put on them. You can add fare to a ticket while you are inside the BART system. You can put enough money on one ticket for multiple rides and use it several times. Place your ticket into the turnstile in the direction shown. Walk through and collect it. Keep your ticket with you, since you will need it to exit BART on the other end.
Signs indicate which trains are on which tracks. Board the correct train and ride BART to your destination. Exit the train and insert the ticket into the turnstile on your way out. If any fare is left on the ticket, it will be returned to you for further use.
more tips: BART charges your ticket based only on where you enter the system and where you exit the system, so there is no charge for changing trains
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In a series of BART station reviews, I provide examples of destinations and activites that can be take from those stations, as well as the connecting MUNI transport services. For those with limited time in the city, Glen Park could be a good stop. Glen Park is one of the first stops off BART on the south side of the city, with only Balboa Park being closer to the SFO city limits. The station interior is mostly unfinished concrete but the skylight roof creates a pleasant urban ambiance. Leaving Glen Park Station itself on foot is no great shakes because the neighborhood is quite near the 280 freeway, but just outside one can quickly find the #23 Monterey MUNI Bus which will wind it's way over the residential ridges south of Mt. Davidson to 19th and West Portal where there's a relatively quiet little business district with a row of great restaurants, good bookstores, and pleasant coffeeshops. Here, the average tourist visiting the city is rarely found (see my tip on West Portal). The upscale St. Francis Wood neighborhood is also here (see my tip on St. Francis Wood). The single family homes hugging the hillsides in this part of town are mostly early 20th century Mission Revival type homes with tile trim and rounded doorway lintels. Continuing from West Portal District, take Sloat Avenue west to Stern Grove (see Stern Grove tip), San Francisco State University, the San Francisco Zoo, and eventually Ocean Beach. This western side is the foggiest corner of the city. While these aren't considered "must see" places in SF, for those who have been to the city exploring this corner of the city will still rival the interest value of most American cities. Incidentally, at 19th and West Portal, one will find a line of the MUNI Rail system, which can be taken through the Twin Peaks Tunnel to the Castro District, creating a reasonable loop of sorts for those without a rental car. Leave a Comment Theme: Subway/Metro
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The BART is one of those many world wide subway systems that does not run all night. This is always the one thing that upsets me most when I travel. But it is a decent system that they do try to expand. I don't know the latest but I can tell you that there were/are plans to complete the loop. You can travel all the way out to Danville or down to the Milpitas area. Both airports are now connected. And most lines will get you into and out of the city. Leave a Comment
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 End of the line Pleasanton
BART Station by atufftLeave a Comment
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 by Karnubawax
The only way to get to the Golden Gate Bridge is by bus. Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach are accessable by Cable Car, but the bus is faster, cheaper and less confusing. Chinatown and Union Square can be reached with a short walk from a BART station.
As as alternative (or, more likely, supplement) to BART, check out MUNI's metro system, which is a much better way to get around the city. You can reach the Haight/Ashbury, Golden Gate Park, the Castro, and the beach using the metro. Unfortunately, the Mission Street area is not directly served by MUNI light rail, but it is by BART. Leave a Comment
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 by Gypsystravels
The BART system runs on a mileage based forumla. Your starting and ending points will determine your fair. There are vending machines throughout the stations that take cash, coins and some machines take credit and debit cards.
The fare tickets are cards with stored values in them and at the end of your trip, will be deducted upon your exit.
Usually I am picked up at the airport by my friends, but if I am traveling with a companion on a short mileage run, the B.A.R.T. was always our form on getting into downtown San Francisco fast, easy and very cheaply.
For more information, schedules, times and prices, visit their website. Leave a Comment
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 One of the BART Trains by pigletsmomLeave a Comment Theme: Train
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 Passenger waiting for BART at
the Millbrae station by karenincalifornia
BART has seen better days and is in need of an upgrade. The interior is getting a bit shabby, the trains don't always run on time, and the rails screech a lot. However, it generally works (when workers are not on strike), and it is much cheaper than taking a cab or parking.
Build in some extra time for waiting for Bart, waiting for it to leave the station, and the time it takes to get from point A to point B. Overall, well worth it. Combined with other mass transit systems, like Caltrain, Muni and Golden Gate Transit, you can pretty much get around to a lot of places in the Bay Area without a car. Leave a Comment
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 Inside the 16th Street BART
Station by SteveOSF
If you plan to head into the City from the East Bay during commute hours, BART is a good choice if your destination is near a station or served my a MUNI line. The alternative drive over the Bay Bridge is a snarl!
Discounted or free transfers to local bus systems are available inside the stations. In San Francisco, a voucher for $0.25 off a MUNI fare is available at dispensing machines. The BART website offers schedules plus a trip planner.
One word of caution, try to be extra aware of your surroundings outside the 16th and 24th Street Stations as these locations have higher amounts of street crimes than most parts of the City. This is especially true in the late evenings or into the night.
Be aware that BART stops running around Midnight. So if you have taken a train into the City and closed down the bars, you might find yourself stranded after last call. Theme: Subway/MetroPhone: (510) 464-6000Website: www.bart.gov
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