Can I go on BART without a Clipper card?

Soon, people using transit in the Bay Area will be able to pay using a credit card. Starting next year, Bay Area transit riders won't need a Clipper card to ride a train or ferry, and instead will be able to pass BART turnstiles or board Muni buses with the simple tap of a credit card.



Yes, as of late 2025 and throughout 2026, you can ride BART without a Clipper card by using the "Tap and Ride" system. This allows riders to pay adult fares by tapping any contactless-enabled credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or Discover) or a mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay) directly at the fare gates. This is a significant convenience for tourists or occasional riders who want to skip the registration and "loading funds" process required for a Clipper card. However, there is a catch: discounted fares (for seniors, youth, or low-income programs) are not yet supported via bank cards. If you qualify for a discount, you must still use a physical or digital Clipper card to receive the lower rate. For most daily commuters, Tap and Ride has become the standard for its speed and lack of administrative friction across Bay Area transit.

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Using Clipper® on your mobile device is fast and easy – and you avoid the $3 fee for new plastic Clipper cards.

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The Clipper card is a smart, contactless travel card that can be used all over the Sasn Francisco Bay Area. Travelers, both residents and tourists, can add value to their card either as they go or automatically, depending on what works best for them.

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Registered cardholders can complete and sign a form authorizing another individual to act on behalf of the cardholder. To request a form and find out more information about the authorization requirements, please contact Clipper Customer Service at 877.878. 8883 (TDD/TTY 711 or 800.735. 2929).

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You'll need to purchase a ticket at the station before riding BART. Your ticket can cover a single ride or multiple rides. Each person must have his or her own ticket, except children age 4 and under, who ride free and do not need a ticket. Be sure to keep your ticket.

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Can two people use the same card at the same time? No, every rider needs their own card or device (phone or watch) to pay for fares.

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No, Clipper never expires.

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BART makes it extremely easy to get a ticket from the San Francisco airport to downtown San Francisco. All you need to do is use one of the ticket vending machines to buy a one-way ticket for each passenger, which costs about $10.15 per person for a one-way ticket and $20.30 for a round trip.

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Taking the train has long been less expensive than driving when considering bridge tolls and parking — and now it's an even more affordable option when you consider most Bay Area gas stations are charging more than $6 a gallon.

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