Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge: No Pennies Needed — Here's How Tolls Work

You need exactly zero pennies to cross the Golden Gate Bridge. Not because it's free, but because **cash is no longer accepted**.

Current Toll System (Southbound Only — Into SF)

• All-Electronic Tolling (AET) since **March 2020** (accelerated by COVID).
• No toll booths. No cash. No coin baskets.

How to Pay

1. FasTrak® (Best): **Transponder** on windshield. **$8.75** (2-axle) — **discounted**. Auto-replenish. Works all CA toll bridges/express lanes.
2. License Plate Account: Register plate + credit card. **$9.25**. Billed per crossing.
3. One-Time Payment: **Online (bayareafastrak.org), phone, or app** within **48 hours** after crossing. **$9.25**.
4. Invoice (Violation): If unpaid after 48 hrs → **$9.25 toll + $25 penalty + $70 delinquent fee** (if unpaid 60 days). **Avoid this.**

Northbound (Leaving SF)?

FREE. Tolls collected **only southbound** (entering San Francisco).

Pedestrians & Cyclists

• FREE. **East sidewalk** (bay side): Pedestrians + bikes (5am-6:30pm / 9pm DST). **West sidewalk** (ocean side): Bikes only (when east closed to bikes). **No toll ever.**

Carpool / Clean Air Vehicles

• Carpool (3+ persons): **$6.75** with FasTrak **FLEX** tag (switch to "3+"). Must use designated carpool lane.
• Clean Air Vehicles (CAV): **$6.75** with FasTrak CAV tag. Valid CA DMV decal required.

Motorcycles

$8.75 (FasTrak) / **$9.25** (Plate/One-Time).

Key Takeaway

**No coins. No bills. No attendants.** Get a **FasTrak** (free tag, $25 deposit refundable) or **pay online within 48 hours**. The "pennies" question is a charming anachronism — the bridge entered the 21st century.