Bay Area ferry riders are paying new one-way prices after San Francisco Bay Ferry fare changes took effect July 1, 2026. The route-specific update affects regular service across Oakland, Alameda, Richmond, South San Francisco and Vallejo, while reduced fares remain available for eligible riders and children under 5 continue to ride free.
Key Takeaways
- Regular adult fares now range from $2.85 on the Alameda Short Hop to $10 on Vallejo service.
- The Alameda Short Hop had the largest listed increase among regular routes.
- Discount fares remain available for eligible youth, seniors, disabled riders and Clipper START passengers.
- The fare change comes after San Francisco Bay Ferry reported 3.2 million annual boardings.
San Francisco Bay Ferry moved to new fares across regular routes on July 1, 2026, replacing the prior uniform annual increase approach with route-specific adjustments. The update affects riders traveling between San Francisco and terminals including Oakland, Alameda, Richmond, South San Francisco and Vallejo.
The agency said the July 1 update applies to all regular San Francisco Bay Ferry routes. Current fares remained in effect through June 30, 2026, before the new price table took effect.
For occasional passengers, the increase may appear small on a single trip. For commuters who ride several times a week, the change may be more visible across weekly and monthly travel. The agency’s fare table now lists different regular adult and discount fares by route, making route selection more important for riders checking costs before boarding.
San Francisco Bay Ferry continues to offer 50% discounts for eligible youth, senior, disabled and Clipper START passengers on regular service. Children under 5 remain eligible to ride free.
The update also comes as ferry travel remains part of broader Bay Area mobility. Programs such as Friday ferry music cruises have shown how some ferry routes serve both commuters and passengers using waterfront service outside traditional work hours.
Which Bay Area Ferry Routes Have New Fares?
San Francisco Bay Ferry now lists a regular adult fare of $5.10 for Oakland and Alameda service. The same $5.10 regular adult fare applies to Alameda Seaplane and Harbor Bay.
Richmond service now has a regular adult fare of $5.20. South San Francisco service is listed at $7.60 for regular adult riders. Vallejo, one of the longer regular routes in the system, now has a regular adult fare of $10.
The Alameda Short Hop, which connects Main Street Alameda and Oakland’s Jack London Square, is listed at $2.85 for a regular adult fare.
Route-Specific Fare Changes
Discount fares also vary by route. Alameda Seaplane, Harbor Bay and Oakland and Alameda are listed at $2.50 for eligible discount riders. Richmond is listed at $2.60. South San Francisco is listed at $3.80. Vallejo is listed at $5. The Alameda Short Hop is listed at $1.40.
Before the July 1 change, public fare reporting identified the Alameda Short Hop as the route with the largest increase, rising by $1.75. Other regular routes were expected to increase by smaller amounts, including changes of about 20 to 30 cents on several commuter routes.
How Much More Could Regular Riders Pay?
San Francisco Bay Ferry riders who use the service occasionally may notice the change mainly at checkout. Regular commuters may see the increase more clearly over time.
A Richmond rider paying the regular adult fare now pays $5.20 for a one-way trip, up from $4.90. That is a 30-cent increase each way. A rider taking five round trips in one week would pay about $3 more than before.
Oakland and Alameda riders now pay $5.10 for a regular adult one-way fare, up from $4.90. For a passenger taking five round trips in one week, that increase adds about $2 per week.
South San Francisco service now lists a $7.60 regular adult fare, up from $7.40. Vallejo service now lists a $10 regular adult fare, up from $9.90.
The Alameda Short Hop remains the lowest listed paid adult fare among regular routes, but it had the most significant increase by dollar amount based on public fare reporting before the change.
For eligible discount riders, the fare difference remains smaller in absolute dollars. The Richmond discount fare moved from $2.40 to $2.60. Oakland and Alameda discount fares are listed at $2.50. Vallejo discount fare is listed at $5.
Why Did San Francisco Bay Ferry Change Its Fare Structure?
San Francisco Bay Ferry said the July 1 changes are part of continued fare planning tied to its fiscal year 2024 to 2028 fare program. The agency said the new approach uses route-specific fare adjustments in fiscal years 2027 and 2028, replacing the prior uniform systemwide increase of 3% per year.
The agency also connected the fare update to operating costs, inflation, regional fare policy and fare moves by other transit providers. The change does not remove reduced fares for eligible passengers on regular service.
San Francisco Bay Ferry also announced a public hearing on proposed fare changes for April 9, 2026, at the Bay Area Metro Center at 375 Beale Street in San Francisco, with a Zoom option available.
The update lands as several Bay Area transportation providers continue coordinating around commuter demand, visitor movement and major events. A separate Bay Area transit plan outlined regional coordination among agencies including BART, Muni, Caltrain and VTA.
Why Does The Bay Area Ferry Fare Change Matter Now?
San Francisco Bay Ferry reported 3.2 million annual boardings, equal to about 97% of pre-pandemic ridership, according to public materials released before the fare change.
The agency also reported 301,270 passengers in May 2026, up 8% from 2025. San Francisco Bay Ferry described that month as another May record and said it marked the third straight month of record-setting ridership.
The agency also said passenger counts had exceeded pre-pandemic levels for six consecutive months. Weekend ridership has been a major part of that increase. San Francisco Bay Ferry reported an average of 15,004 riders over a two-day weekend in May, up 56% from the same month before the pandemic.
The Vallejo route had the highest passenger count systemwide for the 22nd consecutive month, according to the agency’s public materials. Oakland ranked second.
Those figures give the fare change a wider audience. The new prices affect commuters, weekend riders, event passengers and visitors using the ferry to move between waterfront terminals across the bay.
Riders should check the current fare for their route before boarding, especially if they use more than one terminal. The most direct change is simple: regular San Francisco Bay Ferry fares increased July 1, 2026, the price depends on the route, and reduced fares remain available for eligible passengers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which San Francisco Bay Ferry route has the highest regular adult fare?
Vallejo service has the highest listed regular adult fare at $10 for a one-way trip. South San Francisco is listed at $7.60, Richmond at $5.20, and Oakland and Alameda routes at $5.10.
Are discount fares still available on San Francisco Bay Ferry?
Yes. San Francisco Bay Ferry continues to offer reduced fares for eligible youth, seniors, disabled riders and Clipper START passengers. Children under 5 continue to ride free on regular service.
Why did San Francisco Bay Ferry change its fares?
San Francisco Bay Ferry said the fare update is tied to its fiscal year 2024 to 2028 fare program. The agency connected the change to route-specific fare planning, operating costs, inflation, regional fare policy and fare moves by other transit providers.
