Route 38 Bus Schedule: Times, Stops & Map
Searching for a 38 bus schedule? Several transit agencies operate a Route 38, and their schedules are completely different.
San Francisco’s 38 Geary, Philadelphia’s SEPTA 38, Pittsburgh’s 38 Green Tree, and Boston’s MBTA 38 serve different roads, neighborhoods, and destinations.
This guide helps you identify your Route 38, check current departure times, find the right stop, compare fares, understand service frequency, and track the bus before leaving.
Which Route 38 Bus Schedule Do You Need?
Route 38 does not have one universal timetable. The correct bus schedule depends on where you are traveling.
Route 38 Schedule & Stops Guide
Route 38 Bus Schedule by City & Agency
Select the service matching your city. Each official link below belongs to the agency responsible for that route.
38 Geary — San Francisco, California
Operator: San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA / Muni).
Route 38 runs along Geary Boulevard and connects the Richmond District with Downtown San Francisco and the Salesforce Transit Center area.
Important: 38R Geary Rapid stops less frequently and does not have the same overnight service as local Route 38.
SEPTA 38 — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Operator: Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).
Route 38 links 5th-Market with Wissahickon Transit Center. It serves the Benjamin Franklin Parkway area, Philadelphia Museum of Art surroundings, Parkside, Mantua, and other intermediate locations.
Important: Trips marked with an “A” in SEPTA’s timetable do not serve the Please Touch Museum.
38 Green Tree — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Operator: Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT).
Route 38 Green Tree serves Downtown Pittsburgh, the Green Tree corridor, and destinations shown in its published directional schedule, including service patterns toward Chartiers Valley Shopping Center and the Mt. Lebanon area.
Important: Not every displayed trip necessarily uses the same terminal. Match the headsign and published trip pattern.
MBTA 38 — Boston, Massachusetts
Operator: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).
Route 38 is listed as the Wren Street–Forest Hills Station service, operating through the Centre Street corridor.
Important: Use the current MBTA timetable for exact first and last trips and any short-turn or alternative destination pattern.
What Time Does the Route 38 Bus Start and Stop?
There is no single answer for every Route 38. Here is how the identified services differ.
| Agency / Route | Service hours | Frequency / timing | Important detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| SFMTA 38 Geary | 24 hours daily | Service varies by corridor segment and time of day; overnight service is generally every 30 minutes. | Check whether your stop lies east or west of Geary & 32nd Avenue. |
| SFMTA 38R Geary Rapid | Weekdays approximately 5 AM–10 PM; weekends 6 AM–9 PM. | Published general frequency: approximately 6 minutes weekdays, 10 minutes weekends. | Limited stops; not overnight service. |
| SEPTA 38 | Weekday, Saturday and Sunday timetables. | Frequent portions of the weekday table show roughly 20-minute departures, with longer intervals at other periods. | Read PDF effective August 23, 2026 and its trip footnotes. |
| PRT 38 Green Tree | Depends on current scheduled service day and branch. | Less frequent than a major high-frequency corridor; use individual scheduled trips. | Choose Green Tree / Downtown direction and exact terminal. |
| MBTA 38 | Use current MBTA timetable. | Changes during commute, midday and evening. | Forest Hills and Wren Street directions have different stop sequences. |
38 Geary Bus Schedule: 24-Hour Service and 38R Rapid
San Francisco’s Geary corridor is an important example because two related routes serve it: 38 Geary and 38R Geary Rapid.
The SFMTA route page states that 38 Geary operates 24 hours every day. Its frequency varies along the corridor; buses east of Geary & 32nd Avenue are generally more frequent than those west of that point.
Published Route 38 Local Frequency
| Route segment | Morning | Midday | Evening | Late night | Owl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday: west of 32nd Ave | 16 min | 16 min | 16 min | 15 min | 30 min |
| Weekend: west of 32nd Ave | 20 min | 20 min | 20 min | 20 min | 30 min |
| Weekday: east of 32nd Ave | 8 min | 10 min | 8 min | 15 min | 30 min |
| Weekend: east of 32nd Ave | 15 min | 10 min | 10 min | 15 min | 30 min |
These are SFMTA-published service frequency figures, in minutes between buses, not guaranteed exact headways. Source: official 38 Geary route page.
Visual Frequency Comparison
The bars below illustrate relative frequency: shorter waits have longer bars. These are based on SFMTA’s daytime weekday local-route frequency examples, not performance or on-time percentages.
38 Geary or 38R Geary Rapid?
Stops more frequently, making it useful for intermediate neighborhood stops.
Operates all day and overnight. Check the exact stop list because the Downtown inbound street may differ from the outbound street.
Local 38 schedule and stopsUses a more limited stop pattern, useful for longer trips when both your boarding and destination stops are served.
SFMTA lists approximately 5 AM–10 PM weekdays and 6 AM–9 PM weekends.
38R Rapid schedule and stops38 Geary Stops: Downtown vs Richmond Direction
The same corridor can have different stops for inbound and outbound trips. Here are examples from the official SFMTA Route 38 stop list.
Outbound Toward The Richmond
Inbound Toward Downtown
SEPTA Route 38: 5th-Market to Wissahickon Transit Center
SEPTA Route 38 is useful for travel between Center City and destinations around the Parkway, Art Museum, Mantua, Parkside, and Wissahickon corridor.
The currently linked official route timetable is effective August 23, 2026. It includes weekday, Saturday and Sunday service, route maps, timepoints and trip notes.
Simple Route 38 Corridor
Simplified sequence of major published timepoints, not every stop or a precise geographic map.
Verified Weekday Departure Examples
These selected examples show how a printed SEPTA timetable works. They are not live arrival predictions.
| Departure: 5th St south of Market | Art Museum west entrance | 34th / Mantua | Arrival: Wissahickon TC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:08 AM | 7:26 AM | 7:32 AM | 8:03 AM |
| 7:35 AM | 7:53 AM | 7:59 AM | 8:30 AM |
| 7:58 AM | 8:17 AM | 8:22 AM | 8:53 AM |
Selected outbound weekday timepoints from SEPTA’s August 23, 2026 official Route 38 PDF. Times are local Philadelphia time; check the complete timetable before travel.
PRT Route 38 Green Tree: Downtown and Green Tree Bus Service
Pittsburgh Regional Transit lists 38-Green Tree in its official schedule directory.
The route serves Downtown Pittsburgh and travel toward Green Tree, with published trip patterns involving Green Tree Road and destinations such as Chartiers Valley Shopping Center and the Mt. Lebanon area.
Route 38 Green Tree Rider Checks
| Question | What to do |
|---|---|
| Where is my Downtown bus? | Select Route 38 in PRT TrueTime, choose inbound, and locate your exact stop. |
| Does my bus go to the shopping center? | Read the outbound terminal/headsign in the current timetable. Do not assume all departures continue to the same place. |
| How frequent is the service? | Review the actual departures for your travel day rather than assuming fixed 15- or 30-minute frequency. |
| What is the fare? | PRT lists a $2.75 standard fare, with different transfer benefits depending on payment medium. |
| What if the bus is missing? | Check the schedule, TrueTime, and detour notices. No prediction may mean missing location data rather than a canceled bus. |
Official PRT Schedule Finder — select 38 Green Tree
PRT TrueTime vehicle and stop tracker
For more Pittsburgh transit information, see our PRT Bus Schedule: Routes, Times & Stops guide.
Route 38 in Boston and London
MBTA 38 — Boston
Route 38 is identified as Wren Street–Forest Hills Station, using the Centre Street corridor.
Forest Hills is an important bus and rail connection. Select the correct direction and check whether any scheduled journey uses a different destination sign or shortened pattern.
Published running times may be around 15–20 minutes for portions of the route, but individual journeys vary.
Official MBTA Route 38 scheduleTfL Route 38 — London
London’s Route 38 is not related to any of the American routes discussed here.
The main service connects the Victoria and Clapton Pond areas through central and northeast London. Check the separate N38 for overnight journeys.
TfL publishes individual stop timetables and live arrival information.
Official London Route 38 timetableHow Much Does the Route 38 Bus Cost?
The price depends on the transit agency. These verified fares apply to the listed cities and should not be used for a different Route 38 service.
Adult single ride using Clipper or eligible contactless debit/credit card.
Cash fare: $3.00.
Validity: 120 minutes under Muni single-ride rules.
Muni fare rulesStandard Bus and Metro pay-per-ride fare.
SEPTA Key or eligible contactless payments provide two free transfers within two hours.
Cash requires exact change and does not provide the same transfer benefit.
SEPTA faresStandard stored-value and cash fare.
Stored-value products provide unlimited transfers within three hours; cash is one ride.
Day pass: $7.00.
PRT fare detailsUse the MBTA’s current local-bus fare page for the adult, reduced, cash, and CharlieCard payment rules.
Do not apply the SFMTA, PRT or SEPTA fare to MBTA service.
MBTA fare detailsHow to Find the Correct Route 38 Stop
Most wrong-route problems happen because a rider selects the correct number but the wrong city, direction, or stop.
Official Route Maps
Includes the actual Geary stop list, both directions and the live bus map.
Open SFMTA MapIncludes Center City, Parkway, Parkside, Wissahickon and connecting-route information.
Open SEPTA PDF MapChoose 38 Green Tree in the official directory and review its current schedule/map.
Open PRT Route FinderFind the Forest Hills–Wren Street corridor and stop-specific arrival information.
Open MBTA MapHow to Track the Route 38 Bus Live
Scheduled time is the published departure under the agency timetable. Live arrival is a predicted time based on available vehicle information. The prediction can change because of traffic, detours, driver availability, canceled trips, weather and location-data issues.
Open SFMTA, SEPTA, PRT, MBTA or your local operator.
Select the correct route including any Rapid, branch or night designation.
Choose the actual destination or terminal.
Select the exact stop or posted stop ID.
Look at prediction and alert information before leaving.
SFMTA publishes real-time stop predictions and a live route map on the official 38 Geary page.
SFMTA Live Route 38PRT TrueTime provides estimated arrivals for supported vehicles and stops.
PRT TrueTimeUse SEPTA’s route page or real-time map and choose Route 38 with the correct direction and stop.
SEPTA Route 38Use MBTA’s route page, stops and current arrival information.
MBTA Route 38For instructions on Google Maps transit directions and predicted times, read our Google Maps Bus Routes & Schedule Guide.
Route 38 Bus Alerts, Detours & Schedule Changes
2026 Information Worth Checking
The August 29, 2026 service change included additional 38R morning capacity. SFMTA also updates temporary Geary stop relocations.
38R route and alertsThe official Route 38 timetable is dated August 23, 2026. A newly published PDF can change the effective schedule; always compare dates.
Current SEPTA 38 PDFPittsburgh Regional Transit periodically publishes service adjustments. Use the current PRT directory and alerts to check whether Route 38 is affected.
PRT Schedule FinderRoute 38 Accessibility and Reduced Fare Information
Check both the vehicle accessibility features and the physical conditions at your boarding stop.
What to Do When Your Route 38 Bus Is Late or Missing
| Problem | Likely explanation | What you should do |
|---|---|---|
| Bus does not appear on live tracker | Prediction unavailable, vehicle not reporting, or detour. | Check the scheduled trip and agency alerts before assuming cancellation. |
| Bus passes your stop | Wrong direction, Rapid stop pattern, stop closure or vehicle situation. | Check stop eligibility and route designation. For San Francisco, verify 38 versus 38R. |
| Different fare shown online | Fare pages from another city, different payment method or stale information. | Confirm the agency and its current official fare page. |
| PDF says different times | Old timetable or wrong service day. | Compare PDF effective dates and choose weekday, Saturday, Sunday or holiday correctly. |
| Return stop cannot be found | One-way street, different terminal or separate bus bay. | Use the exact return direction stop list instead of reversing the outbound map mentally. |
| Last bus already left | Route/stop-specific service ended or a trip was missed. | Check the next available official alternative; do not assume Rapid or night service uses the same stops. |
Route 38 Travel Checklist
- Confirm the exact city.
- Identify the operating transit agency.
- Choose Route 38, 38R or the correct variant.
- Read the current schedule effective date.
- Check weekday, Saturday, Sunday or holiday service.
- Find the correct direction and headsign.
- Confirm your posted bus stop ID.
- Review first and last departures.
- Verify the current fare and payment method.
- Check transfer rules.
- Review live predicted arrival.
- Check temporary stop closures and detours.
- Allow time for walking and boarding.
- Confirm return-trip service before leaving.
Official Route 38 Timetable, Fare & Map Sources
Each source below is published by the operating agency or its official schedule system. Check the current version on travel day.
Local route, 24-hour service, frequencies, stop IDs, live map and arrival estimates.
SFMTA Route 38Rapid service hours, limited stops, schedule and live information.
SFMTA 38RAdult cash and contactless fares, passes, transfer validity and reduced fares.
Muni Fare InformationOfficial August 23, 2026 timetable, route map, trip symbols and weekday/weekend tables.
SEPTA Route 38 PDF2026 bus fare, SEPTA Key, contactless payments and transfers.
SEPTA Fare DetailsOfficial schedule finder containing Pittsburgh Route 38 Green Tree.
PRT Schedule FinderPittsburgh real-time vehicle location and stop-arrival predictions.
PRT TrueTimeForest Hills–Wren Street route schedule and transit information.
MBTA Route 38London stop-specific timetables and service information.
London Route 38August 29, 2026 route updates and additional 38R morning capacity.
Service Change NoticeRoute 38 Bus Schedule FAQs
What is the Route 38 bus schedule?
Route 38 is used by different transit agencies. The correct schedule depends on the city and operator, such as SFMTA in San Francisco, SEPTA in Philadelphia, PRT in Pittsburgh or MBTA in Boston.
Does Route 38 run 24 hours?
San Francisco’s local 38 Geary operates 24 hours daily. That does not mean every Route 38 operates overnight. SFMTA 38R Rapid has separate operating hours, and other agencies follow their own timetables.
What is the difference between 38 and 38R in San Francisco?
38 Geary is the local route with more stops and overnight service. 38R Geary Rapid serves a more limited set of stops and has published daytime/evening operating periods.
How often does the 38 Geary bus run?
SFMTA publishes different frequencies east and west of Geary and 32nd Avenue. During weekday daytime periods, east-side service is generally more frequent; overnight local Route 38 service is listed at about 30-minute intervals.
What stops does SEPTA Route 38 serve?
SEPTA Route 38 connects 5th-Market with Wissahickon Transit Center through the Parkway, Art Museum area, Mantua, Parkside and other stops. Check the official PDF because some trips do not serve the Please Touch Museum.
How much is the 38 bus fare in San Francisco?
SFMTA lists $2.85 for an adult single ride using Clipper or eligible bank-card payment and $3.00 for cash. Check current SFMTA fare rules before travel.
What is Pittsburgh Route 38 called?
Pittsburgh Regional Transit lists Route 38 as Green Tree. Use the PRT Schedule Finder and TrueTime for the correct Downtown or outbound destination and stop-specific departure.
Where does Boston Route 38 go?
MBTA Route 38 is identified as Wren Street–Forest Hills Station, operating through the Centre Street corridor. Verify the current stop list and timetable on MBTA’s official website.
How do I track Route 38 live?
Open the operating agency’s official route or tracker page, choose Route 38 and its direction, then select your exact stop to check predicted arrival times. Predictions are not guaranteed.
What time is the last Route 38 bus?
Last departure depends on the city, route variant, service day, terminal and direction. San Francisco’s local 38 Geary operates 24 hours, while other Route 38 services have different final trip times.
About This Route 38 Bus Guide
This is an independent transit information article. BusSchedule.us is not the operator of Route 38 in San Francisco, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Boston, London or any other city.
Information reviewed: October 9, 2026. The selected schedules, fare rules, and route details are drawn from official transit resources where available. Real-time vehicle status is not continuously updated on this page.
Always use the correct transit agency’s current timetable, stop information, and alerts before making an important journey.