Using TransLink on Golden Gate Transit and Ferry

TransLink is available for all Golden Gate bus and ferry routes. You may add value to your TransLink card at either the Larkspur or San Francisco Ferry Terminal ticket windows or the lobby window in the District Administrative Offices at 1011 Andersen Drive in San Rafael. You can also use one of the self serve TransLink Add Value Machines located at the following locations:

  • Larkspur and San Francisco Ferry Terminals
  • Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza bus shelters
  • San Rafael Transit Center, 4th & Hetherton streets
  • District Administrative Offices at 1011 Andersen Drive, San Rafael
  • Terminal lobby at the Golden Gate Transit bus terminal in Santa Rosa at Piner & Industrial
  • Click here for a map of all add value locations.

Using TransLink on Golden Gate Transit ferries:

TransLink card readers are installed at the Larkspur and San Francisco Ferry Terminal fare gates. Before entering the Ferry Terminal, look for the gate for your ferry route and tag your card to the correct card reader by placing it flat against the TransLink logo on the card reader and hold until you hear the beep.

Please note: Passengers on the Sausalito Ferry to San Francisco will tag the card reader as they leave the ferry terminal in San Francisco.

Using TransLink on Golden Gate Transit buses:

When riding the bus, you must also tag off when exiting the bus. This ensures that you are charged the correct amount. Otherwise, you may be assessed the highest discounted fare in the Golden Gate Transit system.

Transfers to and from Golden Gate Transit and other transit services:

If you are transferring between Golden Gate Transit routes or Golden Gate Transit and AC Transit, the TransLink card automatically processes the transfer electronically and deducts the correct fare. When transferring between Golden Gate Transit buses, TransLink applies the highest discounted fare when tagging on the second bus but credits the full amount back when you tag off at the end of your ride.

For transfers between Golden Gate Transit buses and ferries and Muni, riders can now use their TransLink card. TransLink is currently in trial use on Muni* and you can help Muni identify any technical issues with TransLink before it's made available to the general public. Just register your card's serial number and you'll never need a paper transfer again. Learn more here.

*During Muni's trial phase, all customers riding Muni should have an alternate form of payment available in case the TransLink card does not tag successfully.