Biking across the Golden Gate Bridge
Crossing by bike is free. Which sidewalk you use depends on the day, the time of day and whether daylight saving time is on. There is no bike rental at the bridge, so you rent in the city or book a tour. A common plan is to ride over, roll down into Sausalito and take the ferry back.
This is an independent guide, not the website of the bridge district or of a ferry operator. Fares and hours are those published in 2026, and they change.
Which sidewalk is open when
East is the bay side. West is the ocean side.
| Period | Weekdays, no holidays | Weekends and holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Standard time, daytime | East 5 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; west 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. | West 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. |
| Daylight saving time, daytime | East 5 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; west 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. | East and west 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| At night | East side; the gate is opened by buzzer or security staff | East side; the gate is opened by buzzer or security staff |
Construction can close a side earlier. The district warns that one side may close as early as 8 p.m. in summer, with at least one cycling side kept open. No schedule guarantees that a given side is open on your day. Check the current status before you set out.
Our picks: bike the bridge
Rent a bike for the day or ride with a guide to Sausalito.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Guided e-bike ride over the bridge to Sausalito
A local guide for about three hours, with helmet, lock and a short briefing. Keep the bike all day or drop it off free in Sausalito; the ferry ticket is extra.
Check availability →
All-day bike rental for the bridge
Bike, helmet, lock and map, with breakdown help on the road. There is no guide, and the ferry back from Sausalito costs extra.
Check availability →Bike tours and rentals around the Golden Gate Bridge
Guided rides, e-bike tours and rentals in San Francisco, with live prices and availability.
Rules for cyclists
Pedestrians come first.
Speed and priority
Give way to people on foot. The limit is 15 mph, and 5 mph at the towers.
E-bikes are allowed
All e-bike classes may use the sidewalk.
Not allowed
E-scooters, skateboards, roller skates, rollerblades, hand carts and pets (assistance animals excepted) are banned on the sidewalks. Drones are banned over and near the bridge.
No rental at the bridge
Rent a bike in the city before you ride out. Rental prices and one-way return fees vary by shop, so ask before you pay.
The ride to Sausalito and the ferry back
One published tour route, and how people get home.
One guided tour runs from Fisherman's Wharf along the waterfront, over the bridge and down to Sausalito, about 8 miles. That is the tour's route, not a distance for every starting point. The tour is listed at 2 to 3 hours and starts at 2661 Taylor Street, at 10 a.m. all year and at 2 p.m. from March to September. Its description includes a ferry ride back.
If you ride on your own, the Golden Gate Ferry sails from Sausalito to the Golden Gate Ferry Terminal behind the Ferry Building, at the foot of Market Street. The operator lists about 30 minutes for the trip. One early weekend sailing from San Francisco is listed at an hour, so check the timetable.
| Passenger | Sausalito to San Francisco, one way |
|---|---|
| Adult 19 to 64, paper ticket | $14 |
| Adult with Clipper or contactless bank card | $8.50 |
| Youth 5 to 18, seniors 65 and over | $7 |
| Clipper START, if eligible | $4.25 |
| Children up to age 4 | Free, up to 2 per paying adult |
Each person needs their own card, account or ticket. The last departure from Sausalito in the published timetable is 6:30 p.m. on weekdays and 6:55 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Gates close 1 minute before departure.
Bikes on the ferry
Space is limited.
First come, first served
The ferry takes bikes and e-bikes as capacity allows. A passenger ticket does not reserve a bike space.
Push, do not ride
Walk your bike through the terminal and while boarding and leaving.
E-bike batteries
Switch the e-bike off. You cannot charge it on board, and you may have to carry it up or down stairs.
Bikeshare bikes
Bay Wheels and other named bikeshare bikes are not accepted.
Backup plan
Route 120 of Golden Gate Transit runs via Sausalito and Marin City to San Francisco. Adult fares are $7.20 electronic or $9 cash.
Sausalito →
Biking the Golden Gate Bridge: frequently asked questions
Can I rent a bike at the bridge?
No. There is no bike rental right at the bridge. Rent in the city or join a guided tour.
Which side of the bridge do cyclists use?
It changes by day and time. On weekdays the east side is open from 5 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., then the west side takes over. The table above shows all periods.
Are e-bikes allowed?
Yes, all e-bike classes are allowed on the sidewalk. The 15 mph limit applies, and 5 mph at the towers.
Can I take my bike on the ferry back?
Yes, if there is room. Space is first come, first served, and a passenger ticket does not reserve it. Bikeshare bikes are not accepted.
How much is the ferry from Sausalito?
An adult pays $14 for a paper ticket or $8.50 with a Clipper or contactless bank card. Youth and seniors pay $7. Fares are those published for 2026.