Overview

Berkeley is a walkable city, but with hills and distances, understanding your transportation options makes exploring easier. A combination of walking, public transit, and biking covers most trips efficiently.

Public Transit: AC Transit

AC Transit (Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District) operates most local buses in Berkeley. Routes connect downtown, neighborhoods, the waterfront, UC Berkeley campus, and nearby areas. Fares are reasonable, and buses run frequently during peak hours. Many routes operate from early morning until midnight, with a limited night service.

Visit actransit.org or call (510) 891-4777 for schedules, route maps, and real-time arrival information. The AC Transit Trip Planner helps you find the best bus route for your trip. Consider purchasing a day pass or multi-day pass if you plan to use buses frequently—these often save money compared to individual fares.

Key routes for visitors include lines connecting Downtown Berkeley, the UC Berkeley campus, the Berkeley Hills, and the waterfront area. Several transbay routes link Berkeley to San Francisco and other Bay Area cities.

BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)

BART connects Berkeley’s three stations—Downtown Berkeley, North Berkeley, and Ashby—to San Francisco, Oakland, the Peninsula, and beyond. BART is fast, reliable, and runs frequently throughout the day. Evening and night service continues until midnight, with limited service through 3 a.m. on most lines. Fares vary by distance. Clipper cards (the Bay Area’s transit card) work on BART and AC Transit, simplifying payment across systems.

Walking

Berkeley’s neighborhoods are pedestrian-friendly, especially Downtown Berkeley, the Elmwood area, and Solano Avenue. The UC Berkeley campus is highly walkable, with shaded pathways and tree-lined streets. Distances can be deceiving due to Berkeley’s famous hills—what looks close on a map may be a steep walk. Comfortable shoes and sun protection are recommended. Crossings are generally well-marked, and pedestrians have good protection at major intersections.

Bicycling and Bay Wheels

Biking is a popular way to get around, especially for shorter trips and among students. Berkeley has bike lanes on many streets and relatively flat areas near downtown and the waterfront, though hills are common elsewhere.

Bay Wheels (Lyft BikeShare) offers bike-sharing throughout Berkeley and the broader Bay Area. Members can pick up a bike from one docking station and drop it at another, paying by the ride or subscribing for unlimited short trips. Single-ride passes and day passes are available for visitors. Helmets, lights, and baskets come with each bike. Check the Bay Wheels app or visit baywheel.com for station locations and pricing.

Parking

There is no free parking in Berkeley. Downtown and neighborhood streets have metered parking, typically limited to two hours and costing $1-2 per hour (rates vary by location and time). Parking garages exist downtown and near major attractions. The UC Berkeley campus has paid visitor parking at two main garages: Stadium Parking Garage (2175 Piedmont Avenue) near the Visitor Center, and the Durant Avenue Garage (2450 Durant Avenue) with over 400 spaces.

Street parking in residential areas often requires a permit, enforced during specific hours. Always check signs before parking to avoid fines. If planning to explore neighborhoods, public transit or biking may be easier than driving.

Campus Shuttles

UC Berkeley’s Bear Transit operates several free shuttle lines for campus visitors and students, including daytime routes and evening door-to-door service. Routes connect different parts of campus, nearby neighborhoods, and transit hubs. Check pt.berkeley.edu for schedules and routes.

Ride-Sharing

Uber and Lyft operate throughout Berkeley and are convenient for single trips, though fares can add up for multiple journeys. These services are readily available through smartphone apps.

Getting Around Overview

For most visitors, a combination of BART for longer distances, AC Transit for local buses, and walking for neighborhood exploration works well. Biking offers a fun alternative on flat routes or shorter trips.