How the Bridge Toll Works
Driving through
You do not stop. The plate or the transponder is read as you cross southbound, and the charge follows the vehicle. If you have FasTrak it settles itself. If you do not, the District looks up the plate and mails an invoice to the registered owner, or you pay online yourself. The amount is on goldengate.org; I do not print it because it changes and a stale figure helps nobody.
Rental cars
Most car-rental companies bill the toll to the renter with a service fee on top. The cheaper route is to pay online within 48 hours of crossing, before the invoice goes to the rental company. Ask at the desk which the company does. Or park at Crissy Field, walk over and take the bus back, and there is nothing to pay; the getting-there page covers the parking, and the cost page covers everything else at the bridge that costs money. The is-it-free page is the short version.
Northbound into Marin is free. If you only want the drive across for the view, go north, turn round at Vista Point and walk back over instead of driving.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay the toll going north?
No. The toll is southbound only, into San Francisco. Northbound is free. See the cost page for the full picture.
Can I pay the toll in cash?
No. There are no booths; payment is by FasTrak, a plate account, one-time online payment or a mailed invoice. Rental-car details are above and on the getting-there page.
Is there a toll for cyclists?
No. Cycling is toll-free 24 hours a day, and walking is free. Details on the cycling page.