Golden Gate Bridge tolls are collected electronically or at toll booths, depending on which direction you're traveling and what payment method you choose

The Golden Gate Bridge charges a one-way toll to cross from San Francisco into Marin County. If you're driving south into San Francisco, there is no toll. Tolls are collected only northbound, at the bridge's toll plaza on the Marin side. You can pay with a FasTrak account, a license plate account, or cash at the toll booth — though cash payment is becoming less common and may not be available at all lanes.

The toll amount changes based on your vehicle type and the time of day. Passenger cars pay one rate; motorcycles, trucks, and recreational vehicles pay different amounts. During peak commute hours (weekday mornings and afternoons), tolls are higher than during off-peak times. The bridge authority adjusts these rates annually, usually in January.

Key Takeaways

  • Tolls are collected only when driving northbound into Marin County; southbound traffic into San Francisco is toll-free.
  • FasTrak is the fastest payment method and offers a small discount compared to other payment options.
  • If you don't have FasTrak, you can set up a license plate account online and receive an invoice by mail, or pay cash at a toll booth if available.
  • Toll rates vary by vehicle type and time of day, with higher rates during peak commute hours on weekdays.
  • The Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza is located on the Marin side of the bridge, just after you cross.

Setting up a FasTrak account

FasTrak is an electronic toll payment system that lets you drive through the toll plaza without stopping. When you have an active FasTrak account, a small transponder mounted on your windshield communicates with readers at the toll plaza, and the toll is deducted from your account balance automatically. FasTrak accounts receive a discount of about 25 percent compared to paying cash or using a license plate account.

To open a FasTrak account, visit the Golden Gate Bridge website or call their customer service line. You'll need to provide a valid payment method — a credit card, debit card, or bank account — and set up automatic replenishment so your account stays funded. The transponder itself is free, and you can have it mailed to you or pick one up at certain locations. Once your account is active and the transponder is mounted, you can use it when ready on the bridge and at other toll facilities in California.

If you already have a FasTrak account from another Bay Area toll agency, you may be able to use the same transponder on the Golden Gate Bridge. Check with the Golden Gate Bridge toll authority to confirm your existing account is compatible.

Paying with a license plate account

If you don't want to install a transponder, you can set up a license plate account. The bridge's cameras photograph your license plate as you cross, and you receive an invoice by mail. You then pay the toll online, by phone, or by mail. This method costs more than FasTrak but less than paying cash at a toll booth.

To set up a license plate account, visit the Golden Gate Bridge website and register your vehicle's license plate number. You'll need to provide a valid payment method so invoices can be charged automatically if you choose that option. If you don't set up automatic payment, you'll receive a bill in the mail and can pay it within a set timeframe. Late payments may result in additional fees.

License plate accounts work for any vehicle using that plate, so if you drive different cars across the bridge, you only need one account. However, if your license plate changes, you'll need to update your account information to avoid missed invoices.

Paying cash at the toll booth

Some toll lanes still accept cash, though the Golden Gate Bridge has been reducing the number of cash lanes over time. If you choose to pay cash, drive into a designated cash lane and hand your payment to the toll collector. You'll receive a receipt. Cash payment costs more than both FasTrak and license plate accounts.

Because cash lanes are becoming less available, calling ahead or checking the bridge's website before your trip is wise. If you arrive and no cash lanes are open, you may be directed to pay using a license plate account instead, which means you'll receive an invoice later.

What happens if you don't pay

If you cross the bridge without paying — whether because you missed a toll booth, your FasTrak account was empty, or you ignored an invoice — the bridge authority will send you a notice. Unpaid tolls accumulate penalties and interest. If you don't respond, the debt can be referred to a collection agency, and the bridge authority may place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal.

If you receive a notice for an unpaid toll, contact the Golden Gate Bridge toll authority as soon as possible. They can explain what you owe and discuss payment options. If you believe the charge was made in error — for example, if your FasTrak account malfunctioned — you can dispute it by providing documentation.

Toll rates and time-of-day pricing

The Golden Gate Bridge uses variable pricing, meaning tolls are higher during peak commute times and lower during off-peak hours. Peak hours are typically weekday mornings from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and weekday afternoons from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Rates are lower during nights, early mornings, weekends, and holidays.

Passenger cars make up the majority of traffic, but the bridge also charges different rates for motorcycles, which pay less, and for larger vehicles like trucks and recreational vehicles, which pay more. The exact toll amount for each category and time period is posted on the Golden Gate Bridge website and is updated annually. If you cross regularly, checking the current rates before your trip ensures you know what to expect.

Crossing the bridge from different directions

Remember that tolls are collected only when you drive northbound from San Francisco into Marin County. If you're traveling southbound from Marin into San Francisco, you will not encounter a toll plaza or be charged. This one-way toll system means commuters who live in Marin and work in San Francisco pay a toll each morning but not each evening on the return trip.

If you're unfamiliar with the bridge, note that the toll plaza is located on the Marin side, just after you cross. You won't see it until you're already on the bridge, so plan your payment method before you drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my FasTrak transponder from another toll agency on the Golden Gate Bridge?

It depends on which toll agency issued your transponder. Some Bay Area toll agencies use compatible systems, but not all do. Contact the Golden Gate Bridge toll authority with your transponder information, and they can tell you whether it will work on the bridge.

What if my FasTrak account runs out of money while I'm crossing?

If your account balance is too low, your transponder won't register at the toll plaza. You'll be photographed, and a license plate invoice will be sent to you later. To avoid this, set up automatic replenishment so your account is always funded before you drive.

Do I have to pay the toll if I'm just walking or biking across the bridge?

No. Pedestrians and bicyclists cross the Golden Gate Bridge toll-free. Tolls explore only to motor vehicles traveling northbound.

How long does it take to get a FasTrak transponder in the mail?

Delivery times vary, but most transponders arrive within one to two weeks. You can request expedited shipping for an additional fee, or pick up a transponder at certain locations if you need it sooner. Check the Golden Gate Bridge website for pickup locations and hours.

What if I get a toll notice but I don't think I crossed the bridge?

Contact the Golden Gate Bridge toll authority with your notice number and the date listed. Provide any evidence that you weren't driving that day or that your vehicle was elsewhere. They can investigate and correct errors if your license plate was misread or if there was a system mistake.