🚘Tesla Robotaxi
Tesla's autonomous ride-hailing — now in SF
New in SFTesla's Robotaxi service is rolling out in SF. Hail a self-driving Tesla from the app. The future of ride-hailing from the company that's been building towards this for years.
Cost: Varies (check the app for pricing)Best for: Autonomous rides in a Tesla
Tips
- -Download the Tesla app to request rides
- -Availability is expanding — check for coverage in your area
- -No driver, no tipping, no awkward small talk
- -Compare pricing with Waymo — competition is good for your wallet
🤖Zoox Robotaxi
Amazon's purpose-built robotaxi — coming soon
Coming SoonZoox is Amazon's autonomous vehicle company with a purpose-built robotaxi (no steering wheel, no pedals). It's a completely different form factor — the vehicle is designed from scratch for passengers, not adapted from a regular car. Currently testing in SF with a public launch on the horizon.
Cost: TBDBest for: Another autonomous option hitting SF streets
Tips
- -Purpose-built vehicle — not a retrofitted car like Waymo or Tesla
- -Bi-directional design means it doesn't need to do U-turns
- -Keep an eye out for their cube-shaped vehicles around SoMa and downtown
- -Sign up for early access on their website
🤖Waymo Robotaxi
The OG robotaxi — reliable and no surge pricing
No Surge PricingWaymo operates autonomous robotaxis across SF. No driver, no awkward small talk, no surge pricing. Available 24/7 in most of SF. The rides are smooth, safe, and surprisingly affordable compared to Uber/Lyft during peak hours.
Cost: ~$4-15 per ride (comparable to Uber, often cheaper)Best for: Getting around SF without surge pricing
Tips
- -No surge pricing — great for late nights and events when Uber spikes 3x
- -Download the Waymo One app and join the waitlist if you haven't already
- -Rides are often cheaper than Uber for short-to-medium trips
- -Can't go to the airport yet — use BART for SFO instead
- -The car will pull up exactly where you pin it, so be precise with your pickup
🚗Lyft (Rides + Bay Wheels E-Bikes)
Rides, bikes, and scooters all in one app
50% Off First RideLyft does rides AND operates Bay Wheels, SF's e-bike share network. The $20/month bike membership gives you unlimited 30-min rides — honestly the best deal in SF transit. E-bikes make the hills totally manageable. For car rides, Lyft is often cheaper than Uber in SF.
Cost: Rides: $8-25+ | Bay Wheels: $3/ride or $20/mo unlimitedBest for: Rides when robotaxis aren't available + e-bikes for short trips
Tips
- -Bay Wheels e-bikes are game-changers for SF hills — $20/mo unlimited
- -BART + Bay Wheels combo gets you anywhere in SF for under $5
- -Check Lyft vs Uber pricing — one is often 30% cheaper
- -Lyft Shared can save 30-50% if you're not in a rush
- -Bay Wheels stations are on almost every corner — check availability in app
- -Sign up with this link and get 50% off your first ride
🚙Uber
The default — use strategically
$25 Off First 2 RidesThe default ride-hail but not always the cheapest. Surge pricing during events, rain, and Friday nights can make a $10 ride cost $35. Always check Waymo and Lyft first. Best for scheduled airport rides and splitting with friends.
Cost: $8-25+ per ride (varies wildly with surge)Best for: Late nights, groups splitting, airport trips
Tips
- -Always compare with Lyft and Waymo before booking
- -Check Waymo first for no-surge pricing
- -Split rides with friends — SF is small enough that most rides are short
- -Schedule rides in advance to lock in pricing for airport trips
- -UberX Share can save 30-50% if you're not in a rush
- -Sign up with this link and get $25 off your first 2 rides
🚌Muni (Bus & Metro)
SF's public transit backbone
$81/mo UnlimitedMuni runs buses, light rail (Metro), and historic streetcars across the city. The monthly pass is unbeatable if you ride daily. Reliable in most areas, especially downtown corridors. The N-Judah, L-Taraval, and 38-Geary are the lines you'll use most.
Cost: $2.50/ride or $81/month unlimited (Clipper card)Best for: Daily commuting around SF
Tips
- -Get a Clipper card immediately — works on Muni, BART, and Caltrain
- -$81/month Muni pass is a no-brainer if you commute
- -The N-Judah goes from Ocean Beach through downtown to AT&T Park
- -38-Geary is the most frequent bus in the city (Richmond to downtown)
- -Use the Muni app or Google Maps for real-time arrivals — don't just guess
- -Free transfers within 2 hours of your first tap
🚇BART
The heavy rail connecting SF to East Bay and SFO
SFO for ~$10BART is the regional rapid transit system. It connects SF to Oakland, Berkeley, and the East Bay, plus goes directly to SFO airport. Faster than driving during rush hour. Key SF stations: Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell, Civic Center, 16th St Mission, 24th St Mission.
Cost: $2-13 depending on distanceBest for: Getting to Oakland, Berkeley, SFO airport
Tips
- -BART to SFO costs ~$10 and takes 30 min from downtown — way cheaper than Uber
- -Embarcadero and Montgomery are the main downtown stations
- -Runs 5am-midnight weekdays, 6am-midnight weekends
- -Don't leave anything visible in your car at BART parking lots
- -The Oakland/Berkeley trip is 15-25 min — don't let people tell you it's far
🚆Caltrain
SF to Silicon Valley commuter rail
SF to Palo Alto 45minCaltrain runs from SF (4th & King station) down the Peninsula to San Jose. Essential if you're taking meetings in Palo Alto, Mountain View, or other South Bay tech hubs. Recently electrified — faster and more frequent now.
Cost: $3.75-15 depending on zonesBest for: Getting to South Bay (Palo Alto, Mountain View, San Jose)
Tips
- -The 4th & King station in SoMa is the SF terminus
- -Express trains skip stops and cut the Palo Alto trip to ~45 min
- -Bring your Visible hotspot — wifi on Caltrain is unreliable
- -Bike cars available if you're doing the Bay Wheels + Caltrain combo
- -South Bay is further than you think — allot 1.5-2 hours door-to-door
- -Monthly pass saves money if you go to South Bay more than 2x/week
🚶Walking
SF is more walkable than you think
Free & HealthySF is only 7x7 miles. Most of the key neighborhoods (Hayes Valley, Mission, SoMa, FiDi, Marina) are walkable between each other. Walking meetings are a founder staple — grab a coffee and walk the Embarcadero, Presidio, or Marina Green.
Cost: FreeBest for: Neighborhoods, meetings, exploring
Tips
- -Presidio Tunnel Tops has amazing GGB views — great for walking meetings
- -Embarcadero along the pier is flat and scenic — start at Philz Coffee
- -Hayes Valley to Mission is a 20-min walk through the heart of startup SF
- -Avoid Tenderloin for walking, especially at night
- -Wear layers — microclimates mean sunny FiDi can be foggy Sunset