You don’t need a car to get to Muir Woods. The Marin Transit Muir Woods Shuttle runs from Sausalito, and you can combine it with the Golden Gate Ferry from San Francisco for a car-free day trip. This page covers the shuttle schedule, 2026 pricing, how to reserve, and why the shuttle is often a better choice than driving. Looking for guided tours instead? See our full tours guide.
How the shuttle works
The Marin Transit Route 66/66F Muir Woods Shuttle is the official NPS-partnered shuttle to the park. It picks up at two Marin transit hubs (Larkspur Landing Ferry Terminal and the Sausalito Ferry Terminal) and drops off at the Muir Woods visitor center. A single ticket covers round trip.
The shuttle reservation is separate from park entry, but you book both in the same online flow at gomuirwoods.com. Your shuttle reservation is your parking reservation — if you’re on the shuttle, you don’t need a parking slot.
| Item | 2026 price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult shuttle round trip | $4 | Age 16 and up |
| Kids 15 and under | Free | No ticket required, but count in reservation |
| Park entry (separate) | $15 | Paid at the shuttle boarding or online |
| Golden Gate Ferry (SF to Sausalito) | $14 round trip | Clipper card or app; no reservation needed |
Shuttle schedule
Larkspur Landing: Weekends and federal holidays, running a seasonal schedule typically from early spring through October. First bus around 9:00 AM, last return around 6:30 PM.
Sausalito Ferry Terminal: Summer weekdays only (roughly June through August). Designed for visitors already in Sausalito by ferry or on foot — no dedicated shuttle parking at this stop.
Closures: Shuttle typically does not run Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or during storm-related road closures. Check the gomuirwoods.com alerts page before you travel.
Boarding locations
Larkspur Landing Ferry Terminal
Closer to the 101 freeway, useful if you’re coming from the East Bay or North Bay, or if you want to drive to Larkspur and leave the car there. Free parking at the landing on weekends and holidays. This is the primary shuttle pickup on weekends.
Sausalito Ferry Terminal
Most SF visitors use this stop, but it only operates on summer weekdays. Take the Golden Gate Ferry from the SF Ferry Building to Sausalito (30-minute ride, beautiful Bay views), walk 2 minutes to the shuttle stop, board. No dedicated shuttle parking is available at this stop.
Full car-free day from San Francisco (summer weekdays)
| Time | Step | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Golden Gate Ferry, SF Ferry Building to Sausalito | $7 |
| 9:30 AM | Board Muir Woods Shuttle at Sausalito Ferry Terminal | $4 |
| 10:15 AM | Arrive Muir Woods, walk the main loop | Entry $15 |
| 12:30 PM | Shuttle back to Sausalito | (included) |
| 1:15 PM | Lunch in Sausalito, stroll the waterfront | Varies |
| 4:00 PM | Ferry back to SF Ferry Building | $7 |
Total cost per adult: about $33 plus lunch. For the full itinerary including Stinson Beach and Mount Tam variations, see our one-day Marin itinerary. On weekends you’ll use Larkspur Landing instead — the Golden Gate Ferry also serves Larkspur.
Why take the shuttle instead of driving
No parking stress. Parking reservations fill up 2–4 weeks ahead for summer weekends. Shuttle slots are easier to get and cheaper at $4 versus $10 for a car slot.
No mountain road. The last 3 miles into Muir Woods are a narrow, winding road. The shuttle driver handles it. You look out the window.
Kids free. Under-16 rides free on the shuttle. A family of 4 with two kids pays $8 for transport instead of $10 for parking — plus the kids get a front-row window seat.
Cheaper total cost once you factor in the ferry and the avoided gas + parking.
When the shuttle isn’t the right call
The shuttle runs on a fixed schedule, so if you want to hike beyond the main loop (say, all the way to Cardiac Hill and back, or the Dipsea Trail), you’ll be watching the clock. For longer hikes, driving gives you more schedule flexibility.
Also, shuttle service is limited in winter weekday shoulders. If you’re visiting on a December Tuesday, you’re driving or taking Uber.
Other transit options
Uber & Lyft
Works fine getting there; the return trip is the problem because there’s no cell service at Muir Woods. See our full Uber / Lyft guide.
Guided tours
If you want door-to-door service without transferring between ferry and shuttle, a guided tour is easier. See our tours page for pricing and operator comparisons.
Rental car
See the directions & parking page for driving directions and reservation logistics.
Reservations in one place
Reserve everything — park entry, parking slot (if driving), or shuttle ticket — in one transaction at gomuirwoods.com. It’s the official NPS reservation portal. Don’t pay a third-party site for what’s a flat $4 shuttle fee.