The Golden Gate Bridge seen from the Marin Headlands at sunset

Golden Gate Bridge Guide: Tolls, Walking & History (2026)

2026 tolls, sidewalk hours for walking and biking, the best viewpoints, and the story of how the bridge was built.

See 2026 tolls

Visiting the Golden Gate Bridge: What to Know

Last updated: September 24, 2026. Tolls and hours verified with the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District.

Quick answers

Toll (2026): $10.25 with FasTrak, charged southbound only; no cash
Walking hours: East sidewalk, 5 am–6:30 pm in winter and 5 am–9 pm in summer
Length: 1.7 miles total, with a 4,200-foot main span
Walking time: about 1 to 1½ hours round trip (3.4 miles)
Opened: May 27, 1937

In this guide: Tolls · Walking & Biking · Bridge Facts · Best Views · History · FAQ

How Much Is the Golden Gate Bridge Toll?

The Golden Gate Bridge toll is $10.25 with FasTrak for a standard 2-axle vehicle (effective July 1, 2026). Tolls are charged southbound only, when driving into San Francisco. Tolling is fully electronic: there are no toll booths and no cash payments, so do not stop at the toll plaza.

Payment method (2-axle vehicle)	Toll
FasTrak	$10.25
License Plate Account	$10.50
Toll Invoice (mailed to the registered owner)	$11.25
Carpool with FasTrak (posted carpool hours)	$8.25

Driving a rental car? The toll will be billed through your rental company, so check its toll policy before you go. Tolls increase each July; see goldengate.org for current rates.

Can You Walk Across the Golden Gate Bridge?

Yes. Walking across the Golden Gate Bridge is free, and pedestrians use the east sidewalk (the side facing the city).

Pacific Standard Time (early November to early March): 5:00 am – 6:30 pm
Daylight Saving Time (early March to early November): 5:00 am – 9:00 pm

Walking across and back is about 3.4 miles and takes most people 1 to 1½ hours. Bring a jacket. It can be cold and windy on the bridge, even in summer!

Biking: Bicyclists can cross 24 hours a day. Depending on the day and time, bikes use either the east or west sidewalk. Follow the posted signs, keep to 15 mph (5 mph around the towers), and always yield to pedestrians.

How Long Is the Golden Gate Bridge?

The Golden Gate Bridge is 1.7 miles (8,981 feet) long, with a 4,200-foot main span between its two 746-foot towers. Engineered to withstand winds of up to 100 miles per hour, the bridge is designed to flex, and its center span can sway nearly 28 feet without damage.

Its signature color, an orange vermilion called International Orange, was chosen because it complements the natural surroundings while keeping the bridge visible to passing ships.

Where Are the Best Views of the Golden Gate Bridge?

Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center (south side): Open daily 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Here you can learn the stories of the bridge, browse commemorative gifts, and see the original 12-foot stainless steel "test tower" that engineers used in 1933 to test the design of the bridge's towers. Outdoor exhibits on the plaza cover the bridge's design and construction.
Vista Point (north side, Marin): One of the most breathtaking views in the Bay Area, with the San Francisco skyline framed by the bridge and Alcatraz and Angel Island in the bay. On a clear day, you can see the hills of Oakland and Berkeley.

History of the Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge opened on May 27, 1937, after construction began on January 5, 1933. It takes its name from the strait it spans. In 1846, Captain John C. Frémont named the strait "Chrysopylae," meaning "Golden Gate," after the Golden Horn ("Chrysoceras"), the harbor of Byzantium (today's Istanbul).

Why was the bridge built? By 1920, San Francisco had recovered from the 1906 earthquake and hosted a world's fair, but the city was choked with traffic, and ferry boats had reached their capacity. Surrounded by water on three sides, San Francisco had little room to grow, and it had just been overtaken by Los Angeles as California's largest city. The city needed two bridges: one to the East Bay (the Bay Bridge) and one to the north.

Why was it so hard to build? Builders faced the Pacific Ocean's treacherous tides and currents, rugged coastal terrain, gale-force winds, fog, and the ever-present threat of earthquakes. The center channel of the strait is about 335 feet deep, and the bridge had to be tall enough for large ships to pass underneath in one of the world's busiest harbors.

Who built the Golden Gate Bridge? Three men were central to making it happen:

Joseph B. Strauss, the bridge's chief engineer, was soft-spoken and shy but had an adventurous spirit, a limitless imagination, and the political savvy to get the bridge built.
Charles Ellis, a professor of structural and bridge engineering at the University of Illinois, was hired by Strauss and played a critical role in the bridge's design and engineering.
Michael O'Shaughnessy, San Francisco's City Engineer, had helped rebuild the city after 1906 and brought the mayor's full support to the project.

The bridge opened to pedestrians on May 27, 1937, and to vehicles the next day. It has been a symbol of San Francisco ever since. Learn more at the official Golden Gate Bridge website, goldengate.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Golden Gate Bridge toll in 2026?

The toll for a standard 2-axle vehicle is $10.25 with FasTrak, $10.50 with a License Plate Account, and $11.25 by mailed toll invoice. Rates took effect July 1, 2026.

Do you pay the Golden Gate Bridge toll both ways?

No. The toll is charged only southbound, when entering San Francisco. Driving north into Marin County is free.

Can you pay the Golden Gate Bridge toll with cash?

No. Tolling is fully electronic, with no toll booths. Pay with FasTrak, a License Plate Account, or the toll invoice mailed to the vehicle's registered owner.

Can you walk across the Golden Gate Bridge for free?

Yes. Walking is free on the east sidewalk, open 5:00 am to 6:30 pm in winter and 5:00 am to 9:00 pm during Daylight Saving Time.

How long does it take to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge?

The bridge is 1.7 miles long, so a round trip is about 3.4 miles. Most people take 1 to 1½ hours to walk across and back.

When was the Golden Gate Bridge built?

Construction began on January 5, 1933, and the bridge opened to pedestrians on May 27, 1937, and to vehicles on May 28, 1937.

Why is the Golden Gate Bridge orange?

The color, called International Orange, was chosen because it complements the bridge's natural surroundings and makes it easy for passing ships to see.