Alameda has a wealth of transportation options including bus and ferry service to Oakland and San Francisco, sidewalks on almost all streets, and bikeways across town. Plan your trip by reading the information below or visiting 511.org.
Bus
Alameda is served by AC Transit, including bus service to San Francisco.
Business Shuttles
The Harbor Bay Business Park Shuttle to BART is free and open to the public. It runs from the Coliseum BART Station to the Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal with stops in the business park along the way, and is operated by the Harbor Bay Business Park Association.
BART
There are no BART stations in Alameda, but there are three stations nearby in Oakland (12th Street, Fruitvale and Lake Merritt). AC Transit provides BART connections from Alameda.
The Oakland-Alameda Water Shuttle is a free service connecting Jack London Square (in Oakland) and Alameda Landing (in Alameda).
Alameda has three ferry terminals that link the city to San Francisco in about 20 minutes, to jobs in South San Francisco, and to Oakland via a “Short Hop” to Oakland. The service is operated by San Francisco Bay Ferry.
Seaplane Lagoon has direct service to San Francisco. There are many options to get to the terminal:
Main Street has direct service to Jack London Square in Oakland (called the Short Hop); and to Downtown San Francisco and South San Francisco. Service is offered midday, evenings and on weekends. There is also game-day service to Chase Center and Oracle Park.
Harbor Bay provides direct service to San Francisco. There are many options to get to the terminal:
Maps
Find your way around using the Bicycle and Walking Map of Alameda published by Bike Walk Alameda. Hard copies of the latest map can be found at many locations around town. And, the map is also online here. Find a route using Google bikeways map. Plan a ride on the Bay Trail here.
Education
Increase your bicycling safety skills with a FREE class or workshop, targeted to adults, teens and families offered by Bike East Bay.
E-Bikes
People who live in Alameda have three potential electric bike ("e-bike") rebate or incentive programs for which they may qualify:
Bike Lockers
On-demand, shared-use bicycle lockers are available around the city. These BikeLink lockers cost $0.05 per hour. Access the lockers in one of three ways:
Alameda bike lockers (map):
- Main Street Ferry Terminal - 20 spaces
- Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal - 24 spaces
- Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal - 24 spaces
- Alameda Landing Shopping Center -24 spaces (BikeLink card only)
- Bohol Circle Immigrant Park (on Estuary @ foot of Fifth Street) - 12 spaces
- City Hall - 4 spaces
- Civic Center Parking Garage - 16 spaces (BikeLink card only)
- Webster Street & Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway intersection (@ Cross Alameda Trail) - 12 spaces
Bike racks: There are many bike racks around town. If you'd like to see one added somewhere, submit a SeeClickFix request.
Bicycle theft: Reduce the chances of your bike being stolen by using these simple tips (more detail):
- Use a strong, high-quality lock like a newer U-lock, plus a thick cable for wheels
- Lock your frame and at least one wheel to the rack. Look for racks in locations with good visibility.
- Register your bike now at the free registry, Bike Index, via Bike East Bay, to help you retrieve your bike if it’s ever stolen.
Find your way around using the Bicycle and Walking Map of Alameda map published by Bike Walk Alameda.
Walking, bicycling, taking transit and carpooling are all great ways to get to school in a healthy and sustainable way. Follow these safety tips(PDF, 247KB) as you plan how you and your family will get to school, no matter how you choose to travel there.
Suggested Routes Maps for each school are below.
Academy of Alameda(PDF, 557KB)
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Edison(PDF, 205KB)
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Love(PDF, 1MB)
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Paden(PDF, 463KB)
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ACLC(PDF, 550KB)
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Encinal(PDF, 3MB)
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Maya Lin(PDF, 2MB)
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Ruby Bridges(PDF, 434KB)
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Amelia Earhart(PDF, 445KB)
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Franklin(PDF, 1MB)
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Nea(PDF, 551KB)
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Wood(PDF, 3MB) |
Bay Farm(PDF, 410KB)
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Lincoln(PDF, 2MB) |
Otis(PDF, 233KB)
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AC Transit School Bus Routes (links to all lines here):
- Line 631: Serves Bay Farm School, Amelia Earhart Elementary, Lincoln Middle, Alameda High, St. Joseph's, Nea, Alameda Community Learning Center, Academy of Alameda, Island High, Encinal Junior and Senior High.
- Line 663: Serves Alameda High, Wood Middle, Academy of Alameda, Nea, Alameda Community Learning Center, Island High and Encinal Junior and Senior High.
- Line 687: Serves Lincoln Middle, Bay Farm School, and Amelia Earhart Elementary.
Driving: If you're driving yourself or your child, please do so safely, following these safety tips: English(PDF, 429KB) | Spanish(PDF, 200KB) | Chinese(PDF, 241KB)
Learn about auto parking for visitors and regular users here.
There are five drawbridges over the Oakland-Alameda Estuary, used to get to and from Alameda. Each bridge has its own rules for when and how they're opened. Find out more here.
For any employee working in Alameda County who get to work via transit, walking, bicycling, or carpooling, the Guaranteed Ride Home program pays for a free ride home in the event of illness, family crisis, or unscheduled overtime. Pre-registration is required.
Ride hail carpooling services: Lyft Line, uberPOOL, Scoop and Waze
Bike & scooter share: The City does not currently have a bike or scooter share program, but will be working to bring both to Alameda. In the past, there was an Alameda Bikeshare Program.