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How to Pay Golden Gate Bridge Toll Charges
Insiders Tip: FasTrak is always the least expensive way to cross the Golden Gate Bridge.
We no longer have human toll takers on the Golden Gate Bridge — the process is fully automated. If you have FasTrak you save a dollar on your toll. If not, they automatically take a photo of your license plate and send you a bill for the toll.
No matter how you pay, just drive through the Toll Plaza at a safe speed without stopping when you get to the Golden Gate Bridge. The FasTrak reading equipment and license plate cameras are all automated and will record your passage automatically.
As of July 1, 2024, Golden Gate Bridge Toll Charges will increase on the usual annual date:
Cars and 2-axle vehicles with no existing license plate account or FasTrak: $10.25
Cars with pre-established license plate accounts: $9.50
Cars with FasTrak: $9.25 <– Least expensive for driver-only trips!
Carpools: $7.25 (See below for details and requirements)
Only motorized vehicles pay tolls on the Golden Gate Bridge. Pedestrians and bikes cross for free, but (logically) must use the sidewalks.
Bridge Toll for Qualified Persons with Disability: Contact the Bridge District at 415-455-2000 for information on procedures and getting the necessary I.D. Card that you’ll show in the carpool lane.
For information on larger vehicles, click here for the Bridge District site.
Rental Cars and Tolls
This all depends on how your rental car company handles the Golden Gate Bridge Bridge tolls. Choosing neither option below will produce an expensive service charge on top of the toll, so be sure th research the issue with your car rental company. Your choices:
1. They may offer you a program to pay the tolls through the rental company for a service fee. Compare the convenience of the service fee to the cost of setting up a license plate account (see below). You may have to opt-in or opt-out of the toll plan to get the choice you want, so always ask the rental car company about it.
2. If you opt out or the option is not offered you can open a License Plate Account as described below.
The Bridge District page with detailed information for car renters is located here.
Golden Gate Bridge License Plate Accounts
FasTrak saves you a dollar every time you cross the Bridge, so if you live in the Bay Area it’s definitely the way to go.
If you’re going to be here for a week and using the Bridge regularly you can set up a license plate account and pre-pay Golden Gate Bridge tolls for your trips. There are lots of ways to pay for this, and the information is covered in detail on this Bridge District page.
Golden Gate Bridge Carpools: How to Pay
Which Lanes: You must go through Golden Gate Bridge tolls lane #2 at the right side of the toll plaza as you approach. You cannot use the usual FasTrak lanes and get the discounted fare.
Who is eligible: Vehicles with three or more persons, and Motorcycles. Buses also qualify.
What you have to have: You must have a FasTrak transponder. Having them bill you from your license plate will cost you the usual toll.
When it’s discounted: 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM weekdays, except on New Year’s Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
What if I drive a two-seater? You have to pay the usual toll.
What if I’m driving a truck? If it has two axles and four tires, you qualify. If it has more than two axles or if you have rear axle dual tires you can’t qualify as a carpool.
Click here for the Golden Gate Bridge carpool information page.
