Downtown San Diego - FRED Shuttle

FRED will shuttle riders from Little Italy to East Village and more - but how do you request a ride?

A Gaslamp Favorite Richard Walkers Pancake House

How to Hail FRED

Requesting a pick up from FRED is easy! Download the Ride Circuit app on both the Apple Store and Google Play Store.

Or flag down a shuttle as you see it.

Be aware that drivers can only pick up riders where it is safe and legal to do so. Drivers also are required to give app requests priority, including any rider requests to not pick up additional passengers.

Can You Schedule a FRED Ride?

No, sadly, FRED is an on-demand service. Riders can’t book rides in advance.

Is it safe to Ride FRED?

Absolutely! Riders can expect drivers that are friendly and engaging, with insider tips on the best places to visit and restaurants to try.

Depending on the day and time you’re requesting a ride, you may have to wait longer than promised eight minutes for a ride. But, considering the cost and safety, I find they’re well worth the wait.

FRED Perks

• An eco-friendly electric vehicle
• Access to other transportation options - Hop on a bus, trolley, ferry, or the light rail.
• Accessibility for all
• See the city without worrying about parking or traffic
• Free travel across Downtown

Say Cheese!

FRED offers guests a chance to document their journey with a free in-shuttle photo booth.

Many Kinds of Restaurants to Try in the Gaslamp Quarter

There is no best or worst time to ride with FRED, but there are a few things to keep in mind when requesting a ride.

FRED allows riders to get around Downtown San Diego without a car, which makes it ideal for commuters into the city.

Avoid ride requests during rush hour to minimize wait times. While unlikely, if all drivers are busy, your request might be denied until the commuter rush is over.

Personally, I find FRED works best when used in place of other ride share services or the trolley for going out with friends, a family get together, or date night. It gets me where I need to go safely so I can have a few drinks and not worry about getting safely around Downtown.

One of the Many Beautiful Streets in the Gaslamp Quarter San Diego

Again, FRED is free, but I recommend carrying small bills for tipping the driver.

Tipping isn’t mandatory, but I think it goes a long way if you enjoyed your ride.

The team behind Circuit, the creators of FRED, work with both the City of San Diego and businesses to ensure FRED remains free for the time being. Beyond tips for drivers, Circuit also encourages riders to show appreciation to the sponsors via social media.

The Wheelchair Accessible Electric Shuttle

The FRED fleet has both open-air shuttles and windowed shuttles, but don’t worry, all vehicles have a roof.

The FRED Schedule

While FRED doesn’t run 24/7, it has a set schedule, so you know when shuttles are available.

FRED runs:

• Monday - Thursday: 7AM–9PM
• Friday: 7AM–10PM
• Saturday: 8AM–10PM
• Sunday: 9AM–9PM

Beautiful Day at the Carte Hotel San Diego Downtown

Where to Stay Downtown to Take Advantage of FRED

There are dozens of wonderful hotels downtown, but the Carté Hotel San Diego Downtown is one of my personal favorites!

Carté Hotel San Diego Downtown

This brand new hotel is just steps away from Little Italy and perfectly placed so you can make the most of San Diego’s downtown.

It combines California’s classic elegance with rooms that feature bay or city views plus corner rooms with stunning panoramic views due to their floor to ceiling windows.