Using TransLink on Golden Gate Transit and Ferry

Golden Gate Transit and Ferry accepts TransLink cards using e-cash. TransLink cards are available from Golden Gate Transit and Ferry for adults, seniors (65+), youth (age 6 to 18) and persons with disabilities.

Get discounts with TransLink!

Golden Gate Transit and Ferry riders always receive the Ride Value and Frequent Ferry Rider discounts when using TransLink rather than cash-a savings of 10-20 percent for bus riders and 37-46 percent for ferry riders!

Tips for Golden Gate Transit bus riders:

To ensure proper calculation of your fare on a Golden Gate Transit bus, you must "tag" your card by placing it flat against the TransLink logo on the card reader located near the front of the bus when you board and hold until you hear the beep. You MUST also "tag off" by tagging your card again when you exit. Always remember to "tag off" on Golden Gate Transit buses to ensure that you are charged the correct fare. If you do not "tag off", you may be assessed the highest discounted fare in the GGT bus system.

The card reader located at the rear door is for use by disabled passengers only.

You do not need a paper transfer to transfer between Golden Gate Transit buses when you use TransLink.

Tips for Golden Gate Transit ferry riders:

TransLink card readers are installed at the Larkspur and San Francisco Ferry Terminal fare gates.
Tag your card to the card reader and hold for the beep before entering the terminal at Larkspur and San Francisco. Each ferry route has its own card reader, so be sure to look for signs for your ferry route and tag your card to the correct card reader prior to entering the terminal. Passengers on the Sausalito Ferry to San Francisco tag the card reader as they leave the ferry terminal in San Francisco.

Your TransLink card offers paperless transfers between Golden Gate Transit and Golden Gate Ferry.

Tips for all Golden Gate Transit customers:

In addition to adding value online, by phone or at retail locations, you can add value by visiting the Larkspur and San Francisco Ferry Terminals ticket windows and the lobby window in the District Administrative Offices at 1011 Andersen Dr in San Rafael. You can add value 24 hours a day using an Add Value Machine (available 24 hours a day) at one of the following locations:

• Larkspur and San Francisco Ferry Terminals
• Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza bus shelters
• San Rafael Transit Center
• District Administrative Offices at 1011 Andersen Drive
• Terminal lobby at the Golden Gate Transit bus terminal in Santa Rosa at Piner & Industrial.

All Golden Gate Transit and Golden Gate Ferry fare structures are incorporated into the TransLink system:

The card has the appropriate discount encoded on it, so TransLink automatically calculates the appropriate discounted fare for Golden Gate Transit and Golden Gate Ferry users.

Adults receive the same discounts they receive now when using ticket books.

Seniors, youth, and persons with disabilities using TransLink continue to receive a 50% discount off the adult cash fare.

Transfers to and from Other Transit Services

Transfers between Golden Gate Transit and AC Transit:
If you are transferring between Golden Gate Transit routes 40 or 42 and AC Transit, the TransLink card automatically processes the transfer electronically and deducts the correct fare. The TransLink card keeps track of prior rides and automatically provides the correct transfer discount, where appropriate.

Transfers between Golden Gate Transit and Muni:
Until Muni begins accepting TransLink for fare payment throughout its bus, light-rail and cable car systems, Golden Gate Transit bus riders transferring to Muni must continue to obtain a Fast Pass sticker, and Golden Gate Ferry customers transferring to Muni must continue to obtain a transfer coupon as they currently do.