Can I ride BART with cash?

All BART Stations have Clipper vending machines which accept cash, credit cards and debit cards as payment.



As of 2026, you cannot pay your BART fare directly with cash at the fare gates; the system is "Clipper-only." However, you can still use cash to buy or reload a Clipper card at any BART station. All stations are equipped with Clipper vending machines that accept U.S. coins and dollar bills (though typically not $50 or $100 bills). There is a one-time $3 fee to purchase a physical plastic Clipper card from these machines. For a more modern experience, most riders in 2026 use mobile Clipper via Apple Pay or Google Pay, which allows you to "tap" your phone at the gate. You can load funds onto your digital card instantly using a credit card on your phone, but if you only have cash, you must still visit a station vending machine to add that value to your physical or digital account. Note that BART fares increased by 6.2% on January 1, 2026, with the average fare now roughly $5.18. You must have a minimum balance of $2.40 on a regular card just to enter a station, so ensure your card is loaded before you reach the gates to avoid being blocked.

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Children 4 and under ride free but everyone else must have a Clipper card (a plastic card or in your digital wallet) or a BART paper ticket (no longer sold at stations except SFO) with funds loaded.

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There is a non-refundable $3 fee for the purchase of a Clipper® Card through this Application.

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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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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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Unlike a credit or debit card, the Clipper card does not expire; however, you will need to renew your eligibility for Clipper START once every two years to continue receiving the discount.

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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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In celebration of BART's upcoming 50th anniversary on September 11, BART is offering a 50% discount for the entire month of September 2022. The reduced fare will be automatically deducted when using Clipper at the fare gates.

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But BART Police Officers will ticket riders who eat or drink in the 'Paid Area,' which we define as the places where you need a ticket such as inside the fare gates of a station, on platforms or on any train. State law sets the fine as high as $250 and up to 48 hours of community service for this infraction.

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It's totally safe. If you want to minimize time spent outside the turnstyles (where problems are more likely to lurk), purchase a BART ticket with sufficient funds to travel to the airport earlier in the day.

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Pros of taking BART or public transportation when visiting San Francisco: Cost-effective: Using public transportation is generally cheaper than driving and paying for parking in the city.

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6.1 Clipper® Card Registration: 2 All Youth and Senior Clipper® cards, as well as RTC Discount Cards and cards loaded with the Clipper® START(SM) discount, are automatically registered, not transferable, and can be used only by the person identified in the Clipper® customer database.

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Can I use my Clipper card to pay the fare of a person traveling with me? Clipper cards are for individual use. Each rider 5 years of age or older must have his/her own card.

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