FasTrak on the Golden Gate Bridge
FasTrak is the cheapest way to cross the Golden Gate Bridge at $8.75 per crossing, saving you $1.00 every trip compared to pay-by-plate. Here is everything you need to set up an account and start saving.
FasTrak vs Pay-by-Plate
| Scenario | FasTrak | Pay-by-Plate | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single crossing | $8.75 | $9.75 | $1.00 |
| Weekly (10 crossings) | $87.50 | $97.50 | $10.00 |
| Monthly (43 crossings) | $376.25 | $419.25 | $43.00 |
| Annual (500 crossings) | $4,375 | $4,875 | $500 |
Based on 10 southbound crossings per week, 50 weeks per year.
How to Set Up a FasTrak Account
Go to bayareafastrak.org or 511.org
Click "Open an Account" and choose between an individual or business account. You will need your vehicle license plate number, a valid credit or debit card, and an email address.
Pay the $25 prepaid balance
This is not a fee. It is a prepaid toll balance that gets used each time you cross a bridge. When it runs low, it auto-replenishes from your card. You can set the replenishment amount and threshold.
Receive your transponder by mail
Your FasTrak transponder typically arrives in 5-7 business days. It is a small plastic device that attaches to your windshield with adhesive strips. If you need one today, visit a FasTrak customer service center in person.
Mount it on your windshield
Attach the transponder to the inside of your windshield behind the rearview mirror, following the included instructions. The sensors at toll plazas detect it automatically as you drive through at normal speed.
Transponder Types
Standard FasTrak
The basic transponder for solo drivers. Charges the standard FasTrak rate on all Bay Area bridges. Simple, reliable, no switches or settings to manage.
FasTrak Flex
Has a physical switch with positions 1, 2, and 3 to indicate occupancy. Set it to 3 when carpooling to get the discounted $5.75 rate on the Golden Gate Bridge. Required to access HOV lanes on express lanes throughout the Bay Area.
E-ZPass Does Not Work Here
If you are visiting from the East Coast, Midwest, or any state that uses E-ZPass, your transponder will not be detected at the Golden Gate Bridge or any Bay Area bridge. The Bay Area FasTrak system is completely separate from the E-ZPass network.
If you drive across with only an E-ZPass, you will be billed at the pay-by-plate rate of $9.75. There is no penalty for this, but you will not get the FasTrak discount.
Tip for visitors: If you are only crossing once or twice, pay-by-plate at $9.75 is fine. But if you are staying for a week and plan multiple bridge crossings, consider opening a temporary FasTrak account online before your trip.
FasTrak on Other Bay Area Bridges
Your FasTrak account works on all eight Bay Area toll bridges. You do not need separate accounts or transponders for different bridges. The FasTrak rate on the seven state-owned bridges is $8.50 (as of January 2026), slightly less than the Golden Gate Bridge rate.
Compare all Bay Area bridge tolls →In-Person Customer Service
If you need a transponder today, visit one of the FasTrak customer service centers. You can open an account and walk out with a transponder the same day.
| Location | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | 375 Beale St, Suite 200 | Mon-Fri 8am-5pm |
| Oakland | 1011 Grande Vista Ave, Suite 200 | Mon-Fri 8am-5pm |
| Walnut Creek | 1250 N. Broadway, Suite A | Mon-Fri 8am-5pm |
Phone: (877) BAY-TOLL (229-8655). Online: bayareafastrak.org