Ride to the bridge
The best San Francisco bike rentals
Bike and e-bike rentals, guided rides over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and the ferry back: here is how to pick, with honest advice on hidden extras, what to check at the rental desk and the steep hills.
See our 8 picks
The best San Francisco bike rental for most people is a self-guided day rental from €17. Ride it over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and take the ferry back. The ferry ticket usually costs extra, so check before you pay.
Our 8 picks for bikes in San Francisco
Five rentals, then three guided rides. All eight have free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
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from €17 per person Our top pick 1 day 4.7 (291) reviews on GetYourGuide
Self-guided bike rental for a day
A bike all day, with a fitting, a helmet, a lock, a bag and route tips. Ferry tickets and damage cover are sold in the shop.
Best for Budget riders who want a full day
Check availability: Self-guided bike rental for a day on GetYourGuide -
from €19 per person 2–8 hours 4.4 (584) reviews on GetYourGuide
Bike or e‑bike rental with a ferry upgrade
A bike or e-bike for 2 to 8 hours, with a helmet, a lock and a map. The ferry options include a one-way ticket from Sausalito to Fisherman's Wharf.
Best for Riders who want the ferry in the price
Check availability: Bike or e-bike rental with a ferry upgrade on GetYourGuide -
from €17 per person 1 day 4.7 (391) reviews on GetYourGuide
Golden Gate Bridge bike rental
A regular or electric bike for 2 hours, 4 hours or the day, with roadside help on the way. Ferry tickets are not included.
Best for Riders who want a short rental
Check availability: Golden Gate Bridge bike rental on GetYourGuide -
from €34 per person 4 hours 4.9 (242) reviews on GetYourGuide
Self-guided e‑bike rental
An electric bike with a helmet, a lock, a bag and route tips. Free late drop-off is open 24 hours.
Best for Riders who want help on the hills
Check availability: Self-guided e-bike rental on GetYourGuide -
from €34 per person Valid 1 day 4.6 (208) reviews on GetYourGuide
Golden Gate Bridge e‑bike rental
An e-bike with pedal help for 2 hours, 4 hours or the day, with roadside help. Not for children under 12.
Best for Couples who want to go further
Check availability: Golden Gate Bridge e-bike rental on GetYourGuide -
from €64 per person 3 hours 4.7 (567) reviews on GetYourGuide
Guided ride over the bridge to Sausalito
A 3-hour ride with a local guide, then a regular or electric bike for the rest of the day. The ferry back and tips are extra.
Best for First-timers who want a guide
Check availability: Guided ride over the bridge to Sausalito on GetYourGuide -
from €66 per person 3 hours 4.7 (92) reviews on GetYourGuide
Guided bike or e‑bike tour of the bridge
A 3-hour group ride past Fort Mason and Crissy Field, over the bridge to Sausalito. Not suitable during pregnancy.
Best for Groups who want photo stops
Check availability: Guided bike or e-bike tour of the bridge on GetYourGuide -
from €87 per person 3 hours 4.8 (131) reviews on GetYourGuide
Guided e‑bike tour to Sausalito
A 2.5- to 3-hour e-bike ride with a guide. Keep the bike all day or leave it in Sausalito for free. The ferry ticket is extra.
Best for Riders who want it easy on the hills
Check availability: Guided e-bike tour to Sausalito on GetYourGuide
San Francisco bike rentals and tours compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-guided bike rental for a day | €17 per person | 1 day | Budget riders who want a full day | The cheapest day bike, from €17, with 4.7 from 291 reviews. |
| Bike or e-bike rental with a ferry upgrade | €19 per person | 2–8 hours | Riders who want the ferry in the price | The only rental with a ferry option built in, from €19. |
| Golden Gate Bridge bike rental | €17 per person | 1 day | Riders who want a short rental | Same low price as the day rental, from €17, with 4.7 from 391 reviews. |
| Self-guided e-bike rental | €34 per person | 4 hours | Riders who want help on the hills | The best-rated rental: 4.9 from 242 reviews. |
| Golden Gate Bridge e-bike rental | €34 per person | Valid 1 day | Couples who want to go further | An e-bike from €34, with 4.6 from 208 reviews. |
| Guided ride over the bridge to Sausalito | €64 per person | 3 hours | First-timers who want a guide | The most-reviewed bike tour: 4.7 from 567 reviews. |
| Guided bike or e-bike tour of the bridge | €66 per person | 3 hours | Groups who want photo stops | A guided ride from €66, with 4.7 from 92 reviews. |
| Guided e-bike tour to Sausalito | €87 per person | 3 hours | Riders who want it easy on the hills | The best-rated guided ride: 4.8 from 131 reviews. |
Self-guided bike rental for a day
€17 per person1 day 4.7 (291)
More details
- Who it suits
- Budget riders who want a full day
- Why we picked it
- The cheapest day bike, from €17, with 4.7 from 291 reviews.
Bike or e-bike rental with a ferry upgrade
€19 per person2–8 hours 4.4 (584)
More details
- Who it suits
- Riders who want the ferry in the price
- Why we picked it
- The only rental with a ferry option built in, from €19.
Golden Gate Bridge bike rental
€17 per person1 day 4.7 (391)
More details
- Who it suits
- Riders who want a short rental
- Why we picked it
- Same low price as the day rental, from €17, with 4.7 from 391 reviews.
€34 per person4 hours 4.9 (242)
More details
- Who it suits
- Riders who want help on the hills
- Why we picked it
- The best-rated rental: 4.9 from 242 reviews.
Golden Gate Bridge e-bike rental
€34 per personValid 1 day 4.6 (208)
More details
- Who it suits
- Couples who want to go further
- Why we picked it
- An e-bike from €34, with 4.6 from 208 reviews.
Guided ride over the bridge to Sausalito
€64 per person3 hours 4.7 (567)
More details
- Who it suits
- First-timers who want a guide
- Why we picked it
- The most-reviewed bike tour: 4.7 from 567 reviews.
Guided bike or e-bike tour of the bridge
€66 per person3 hours 4.7 (92)
More details
- Who it suits
- Groups who want photo stops
- Why we picked it
- A guided ride from €66, with 4.7 from 92 reviews.
Guided e-bike tour to Sausalito
€87 per person3 hours 4.8 (131)
More details
- Who it suits
- Riders who want it easy on the hills
- Why we picked it
- The best-rated guided ride: 4.8 from 131 reviews.
Group size is stated for 3 tours only: Bike or e-bike rental with a ferry upgrade, up to 50; Self-guided e-bike rental, up to 100; Guided ride over the bridge to Sausalito, up to 18. None of the 8 includes hotel pickup: you meet on site. All 8 offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 22 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
Golden Gate Bridge bike rental: ride over and ferry back
The classic ride goes from Fisherman's Wharf along the waterfront, over the Golden Gate Bridge and down to Sausalito. From there, you take the ferry back across the bay.
Bikes cross the bridge for free, 24 hours a day. On weekdays they use the east side until 3:30 p.m., then the west side. On weekends they use the west side in the daytime.
Bike or e-bike?
Pick an e-bike if you are not used to hills. The waterfront path is easy, but the climb up to the bridge is steep. An e-bike costs about twice as much: from €34, against €17 for a regular bike.
E-bike rental or electric bike tour?
Rent an e-bike if you want to go at your own pace, from €34. Book a guided e-bike tour if you want stories and someone to find the way, from €87.
Guided bike tours
A guided bike tour takes about 3 hours from Fisherman's Wharf to Sausalito. The guide leads the way and stops for photos. Two of the three tours let you keep the bike for the rest of the day.
To see the bridge by boat or on foot as well, read our Golden Gate Bridge guide.
Alcatraz and a bike ride in one day
Alcatraz is closed from 26 October to 18 November 2026, so plan the two together only from 19 November on. Alcatraz ferries leave from Pier 33.
Visit Alcatraz in the morning, which takes 3 to 5.5 hours. Then rent a bike for the afternoon, for 2 or 4 hours.
Tips before you rent a bike
Check the ferry ticket
Most rentals and tours do not include the ferry back from Sausalito, but some sell it as an extra. Buy your ticket before you set off, or ride back.
Before you leave the counter
Check the brakes, the lock and the helmet fit. Ask if damage cover is extra, and get the map and route tips.
Dress for wind on the bridge
The bridge can be cold and windy, even on sunny days. Bring a jacket that zips up.
Free cancellation
All eight picks let you cancel for free up to 24 hours ahead. Check the forecast the day before.
Bike rentals: questions and answers
Where can I rent a bike in San Francisco, for example at Fisherman's Wharf?
How much does it cost to rent a bike in San Francisco for a day?
Should I rent a regular bike or an e-bike in San Francisco?
How does renting a bike work?
More San Francisco bike tours, live
More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.
Live prices and availability from GetYourGuide load here.
More ways to see the bay
Facts checked on 23 October 2026 against: Golden Gate Bridge: bikes and pedestrians · NPS: Alcatraz to close for dock repairs · Alcatraz City Cruises: tickets.
Written by the Things to Do in San Francisco editorial team.