Charter a Cable Car or Streetcar

Share this:
SFMTA.com/Charter

Want to take a group out for a special, rail-centric event? The SFMTA offers private charters on our historic cable cars and streetcars. Bring your friends, family, or coworkers out on a ride around San Francisco they'll never forget. 

Here's what you need to know in order to charter historic streetcars and cable cars--designated National Historic Landmarks in 1964.

Charter Reservations & Bookings - How do I reserve a vehicle?

  1. Read this page in full.
  2. Request a charter:
    1. Request a charter by joining our lottery. 
      1. As of April 1, 2026, reservations will be issued on a LOTTERY basis.  
      2. You may join the Streetcar Charter Lottery, Cable Car Charter Lottery, or both. Please See Charter Availability section for links to join the lottery.
      3. Selections will be made 2 months ahead. For example, July 2026 charters will be made starting May 1, 2026.
      4. Notifications will be made by email; save the events.muni@sfmta.com email address to your contact list. 
  3. Once charter reservation details are discussed and confirmed, you will be sent an invoice. Invoices must be paid at least 10 days in advance, or your charter will be cancelled. 
  4. Please keep in mind: San Francisco is vibrant city with an ever-changing calendar of unique public activities, and charters reservations are subject to cancellation or rescheduling if a conflicting event is scheduled after a reservation is made. For this reason, we do not recommend planning major life events around charters reservations.

Charter Availability

Date guidelines:

  • Frequency - Muni offers only 1 streetcar charter per week total and 1 cable car charter per week total. Streetcars charters usually fill up more quickly than cable car charters. 
  • Special Events - Charters are not available on days with major special events such as parades, protests, large festivals, major construction, or other major city events.
  • Multiple Requests - Multiple charters by the same requester are limited to 2 per year.
  • Subject to Change - Please keep in mind: San Francisco is vibrant city with an ever-changing calendar of unique public activities, and charters reservations are subject to cancellation or rescheduling if a conflicting event is scheduled after a reservation is made. For this reason, we do not recommend planning major life events around charters reservations. The availability of specific vehicles, especially vintage streetcars, is also subject to change, including "day of" changes for staffing, weather, and vehicle maintenance reasons.  Muni will contact you as soon as possible if your reservation needs to be changed. Refunds will be provided for cancelled charters and changes from vintage to historic streetcars. 

Lottery Entry and Selection Schedule: 

Month of Charter Trip Lottery Entry Restricted Dates (no charters operated)
Lottery Selection Date
(deadline is the night before at 11:59pm)
January

January Streetcar Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 10/31, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/jiaBR7PcRny8jyPJ9
  • Entries received between 11/1/25 & 10/31/26 will be considered for January 2026. 
  • Entries received between 11/1/26 & 10/31/27 will be considered for January 2027.

January Cable Car Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 10/31, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/aKLfrwzitRCMP57m8
  • Entries received between 11/1/25 & 10/31/26 will be considered for January 2026. 
  • Entries received between 11/1/26 & 10/31/27 will be considered for January 2027.
  • January 1 New year's day
  • Walk for Life Protest
  • Chinese New Year Parade
  • Equivalent dates in future years
November 1
February

February Streetcar Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 11/30, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/mPuxwQenMUkw3GqY8
  • Entries received between 12/1/25 & 11/30/26 will be considered for February 2026. 
  • Entries received between 12/1/26 & 11/30/27 will be considered for February 2027.

February Cable Car Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 11/30, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/mtYPm47947cLzh3D9
  • Entries received between 12/1/25 & 11/30/26 will be considered for February 2026. 
  • Entries received between 12/1/26 & 11/30/27 will be considered for February2027.
  • Chinese New Year Parade
  • Equivalent dates in future years
December 1
March

March Streetcar Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 12/31, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/n7C28UTF3mcTdRLt6
  • Entries received between 1/1/25 & 12/31/26 will be considered for March 2026. 
  • Entries received between 1/1/26 & 12/31/27 will be considered for March 2027.

March Cable Car Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 12/31, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/WPbYHvtxb3V6Q1My7
  • Entries received between 1/1/25 & 12/31/26 will be considered for March 2026. 
  • Entries received between 1/1/26 & 12/31/27 will be considered for March 2027.
  • Sat, March 7, 2026 - Chinese New Year Parade
  • Sat, March 14, 2026 - St Patrick's Day Parade
  • Sat, 3/28/26 - No Kings Protest
  • Equivalent dates in future years
January 2 
April

April Streetcar Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 1/31, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/fPtdPcCecPffMoWN9
  • Entries received between 2/1/25 & 1/31/26 will be considered for April 2026. 
  • Entries received between 2/1/26 & 1/31/27 will be considered for April 2027.

April Cable Car Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 1/31, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/T9m9RWcizdGV97J98
  • Entries received between 2/1/25 & 1/31/26 will be considered for April 2026. 
  • Entries received between 2/1/26 & 1/31/27 will be considered for April 2027.
  
February 1
May

May Streetcar Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 2/28*, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/WirjcGTK3DHDHUFu7
  • Entries received between 3/1/25 & 2/28*/26 will be considered for May 2026. 
  • Entries received between 3/1/26 & 2/28*/27 will be considered for May 2027.
  • *2/29 in leap years

May Cable Car Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 2/28*, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/gUr9SMyHWVn4e8kM6
  • Entries received between 3/1/25 & 2/28*/26 will be considered for May 2026. 
  • Entries received between 3/1/26 & 2/28*/27 will be considered for May 2027.
  • *2/29 in leap years
  • Sun, 5/17/26 - Bay to Breakers
  • Equivalent dates in future years
March 1
June

June Streetcar Charter Lottery: https://forms.gle/y2nsx7wasBHgnwzG8

  • CLOSING 3/31, 11:59pm: 
  • Entries received between 4/1/25 & 3/30/26 will be considered for June 2026. 
  • Entries received between 4/1/26 & 3/30/27 will be considered for June 2027.

June Cable Car Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 3/31, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/uEkrknog3xQ685Hy5
  • Entries received between 4/1/25 & 3/30/26 will be considered for June 2026. 
  • Entries received between 4/1/26 & 3/30/27 will be considered for June 2027.

We're sorry, no Charters will be offered in June 2026.

  • Sikh Day Parade
  • Juneteenth Parade
  • Friday, Saturday, Sunday of Pride Weekend
  • Equivalent dates in future years
April 1
July

July Streetcar Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 4/30, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/dtepz98tMRMtyZMt7
  • Entries received between 5/1/25 & 4/30/26 will be considered for July 2026. 
  • Entries received between 5/1/26 & 4/30/27 will be considered for July 2027.

July Cable Car Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 4/30, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/DimLaNQK76vQrq1t8
  • Entries received between 5/1/25 & 4/30/26 will be considered for July 2026. 
  • Entries received between 5/1/26 & 4/30/27 will be considered for July 2027.
  • Sat - Sun, July 4-5, 2026 - July 4th Holiday
  • Sat, July 11, 2026 - Special Event
  • Sat - Sun, July 18 - 19, 2026 - Special Event
  • Sat - Sun, July 24 - 25, 2026 - SF Marathon Weekend
  • Fri, July 31, 2026 - Special Event
  • Equivalent dates in future years
May 1
August

August Streetcar Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 5/31, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/Dgv7DpfB1e9Sk66U8
  • Entries received between 6/1/25 & 5/31/26 will be considered for August 2026. 
  • Entries received between 6/1/26 & 5/31/27 will be considered for August 2027.

August Cable Car Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 5/31, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/teoavyCwoVKkt7FZA
  • Entries received between 6/1/25 & 5/31/26 will be considered for August 2026. 
  • Entries received between 6/1/26 & 5/31/27 will be considered for August 2027.
  • Sat - Sun, Aug 12, 2026 - Special Event
  • Fri - Sun, Aug 7-9, Outside Lands
  • Fri - Sun, Aug 14-15 - Special Event
  • Equivalent dates in future years
June 1
September

September Streetcar Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 6/30, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/HayyxbMDk5eSCzT48
  • Entries received between 7/1/25 & 6/30/26 will be considered for September 2026. 
  • Entries received between 7/1/26 & 6/30/27 will be considered for September 2027.

September Cable Car Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 6/30, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/3ZkkqT9B8UrEuCoUA
  • Entries received between 7/1/25 & 6/30/26 will be considered for September 2026. 
  • Entries received between 7/1/26 & 6/30/27 will be considered for September 2027.
  • Sat & Sun, Sept 19 & 20, 2026 - Muni Heritage Weekend
  • Sat & Sun, Sept 26 & 27, 2026 - Portola Music Festival
  • Equivalent dates in future years
July 1
October

October Streetcar Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 7/31, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/TJwiZuhT9JsMGPLKA
  • Entries received between 8/1/25 & 7/31/26 will be considered for October 2026. 
  • Entries received between 8/1/26 & 7/31/27 will be considered for October 2027.

October Cable Car Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 7/31, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/JeR3goG1hjJGaBPs6
  • Entries received between 8/1/25 & 7/31/26 will be considered for October 2026. 
  • Entries received between 8/1/26 & 7/31/27 will be considered for October 2027.
  • Fri - Sun, Oct 2-4, 2026 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
  • Fri - Sun, Oct 9-11, 2026 Fleet Week Air Shows
  • Equivalent dates in future years
August 1
November

November Streetcar Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 8/31, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/DWyKSpHHfb8DnRix5
  • Entries received between 9/1/25 & 8/31/26 will be considered for November 2026. 
  • Entries received between 9/1/26 & 8/31/27 will be considered for November  2027.

November Cable Car Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 8/31, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/XKXFmTumm9r4VzMv6
  • Entries received between 9/1/25 & 8/31/26 will be considered for November 2026. 
  • Entries received between 9/1/26 & 8/31/27 will be considered for November 2027.
  • Sunday, 11/8/2026, Veterans Day Parade
  • Equivalent dates in future years
September 1
December

December Streetcar Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 9/30, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/awsyC8KSSR3914hw8
  • Entries received between 10/1/25 & 9/30/26 will be considered for December 2026. 
  • Entries received between 10/1/26 & 9/30/27 will be considered for December 2027.

December Cable Car Charter Lottery:

  • CLOSING 9/30, 11:59pm: https://forms.gle/LR5WXoRgFFq6nwj8A
  • Entries received between 10/1/25 & 9/30/26 will be considered for December 2026. 
  • Entries received between 10/1/26 & 9/30/27 will be considered for December 2027.
  • Thurs, Dec 31, 2026 New Years Eve
  • Equivalent dates in future years
October 1

Types of Charters

Muni's charters are trains and are only able to run on tracks. Muni does not offer any bus or motorized cable car charters, and we cannot pick up at various locations around the city. 

Streetcar Charters

  • Route options:
    • F Market route is the sole routing option, which travels from the Castro to Fisherman’s Wharf via Market Street and The Embarcadero.
  • Start/End location options:
  • Vehicle Options & Cost:
    • Historic Streetcars  = $496 for 2 hours + $248/hr for additional hours
    • Vintage Streetcars = $740 for 2 hours + $370/hr for additional hours
      • Car 1 (max capacity 40 people)
      • Melbourne Car 496 (max capacity 40 people)
      • Boat Tram 228 or 233 (Note: Guests must stay seated while on the Boat Tram. Standing & moving around is not permitted.) (max capacity 40 people)
      • Zurich Car 737 (max capacity 40 people)
      • Note: the SFMTA cannot guarantee the requested car will be available. The availability of specific vehicles, especially vintage streetcars, is also subject to change, including "day of" changes for staffing, weather, and vehicle maintenance reasons. The SFMTA will do its best to provide the requested car or your preferred backup car, and we will do our best to notify you in advance, if possible. Charters which change from Vintage to Historic will receive a refund for the difference in price.
  • Food & Drink
    • Food & Drink may be enjoyed on streetcar charters, following the guidelines section below. 
    • Music may be enjoyed on streetcar charters, following the guidelines section below. 

Cable Car Charters

  • Route options:
    • Powell-Hyde (most popular), which travels from Hyde & Beach in Fisherman’s Wharf to Powell & Market in Union Square.
    • Powell-Mason, which travels from Bay & Taylor in Fisherman’s Wharf to Powell & Market in Union Square.
    • California, which travels from California & Drumm downtown to California & Van Ness.
  • Start/End location options:
    • Hyde Terminal for Powell-Hyde Line
    • Bay Terminal for Powell-Mason Line
    • Drumm Terminal for California Line
    • Drop Off Only:
      • Powell-Market (Powell-Hyde Line and Powell-Mason Line)
      • 1201 Mason (Cable Car Barn @ Mason/Washington) (Powell-Hyde Line and Powell-Mason Line)
      • Van Ness/California (California Line)
  • Vehicle Options & Cost:
    • All Cable Cars (max capacity 40 people) = $958 for 2 hours + $479/hr for additional hours
  • Food & Drink
    • Food & Drink are not allowed on cable cars.
    • Music may be enjoyed on cable car charters, following the guidelines section below. 

Motorized Cable Car Charters

Muni does not offer motorized cable car charters (the type that can go anywhere because they are a cable car on wheels). Please check with local charter bus companies for this type of service.

Bus Charters

Muni does not offer bus charters. 

Guidelines During a Charter

  • Food & Drinks - food and drinks are allowed on chartered streetcar vehicles only. Food and Drink are not allowed on cable car charters. All items brought on board the vehicle must be removed by the charter requester. Tables, stands, and carts are not permitted on board. 
  • Music - music is allowed on charters. Small, battery powered speakers are permitted; multi-piece sound systems are not permitted. Requesters must provide their own power source. Vehicle operators must be able to hear, and volume cannot be excessively loud. Tables, stands, and carts are not permitted on board. 
  • Safety (behavior) - all passengers must act safely and follow instructions of the operator. If the operator feels the passengers are acting unsafely, the charter can be terminated.
  • Safety (exits) - aisles and exits must remain open and accessible at all times.
  • Smoking - smoking or vaping is not allowed on any charter vehicle.
  • On/Off Service & Stopping - Muni charters are trains that share the tracks with regular cable car and streetcar service. We are unable to provide on/off service, drop you off somewhere and pick up you later, nor can they stop while your group does something else.
  • Bathrooms - Bathroom stops are not permitted. Please plan your charter length accordingly.
  • Group Size - Muni charters can fix a maximum group size of 40 people. 
  • Tables, stands, carts, and other furniture - are not permitted on board. 

Cost for a Charter

  • Cable cars are $958 for 2 hours + $479/hr for additional hours
  • Historic streetcars are $496 for 2 hours + $248/hr for additional hours
  • Vintage streetcars are $740 for 2 hours + $370/hr for additional hours
  • Charters require a two-hour minimum. You may choose to ride for less time.
  • All payments must be submitted 10 days in advance of the charter date.
  • Payment may be made by check or ACH bank transfer. 
  • See Cancellations and Refunds section.

Cancellations and Refunds

  • Refunds - Refunds will be issued for cancellations made per the cancellation procedures defined below.
  • Weather - Inclement weather may affect the ability to provide a requested vehicle. The SFMTA will provide another vehicle if the vehicle requested is not suitable for the forecasted weather. If weather causes disruption to rail service, the charter may be cancelled. The SFMTA will rely on www.wunderground.com as the official weather forecast.
  • SFMTA unable to fulfill a confirmed charter - If the SFMTA is not able to fulfill a charter, the SFMTA will notify requesters as soon as possible. All charter requests are at the sole discretion of the SFMTA, and the SFMTA cannot guarantee a charter will be available. A refund will be provided if the charter must be cancelled and charters which change from Vintage Streetcar to Historic Streetcar.
  • Cancellation - If charter is no longer needed, please cancel at least 14 days before the event.

 

Contact Information
SFMTA Charter Team
events.muni@sfmta.com