How do I use public transit in:
North America
Europe
Asia
Looking for Directions?
TakeTheBus.net gives you important details about how to use each transit system. To get directions on a map to any location using public transit, Google Maps (almost everywhere) and Apple Maps (best in the USA and Europe) give you the step-by-step info you need. Simply type in your origin and destination information and select the transit button (often a bus or subway icon) in the app or on your browser.
Anchorage, AK
| Transit Options: | Bus |
| Local Name: | People Mover |
| Transit Hubs: | Anchorage Downtown Transit Center |
| Fares | |
| Adult Fare: | $2 |
| Youth Fare: | Free (0-18) |
| Child Fare: | University of Alaska Students are free (must swipe student ID) |
| Fare is Good For: | Tickets are single use |
| Day Passes (Fare Capping): | $5 for 1 day may be purchased on the bus, they are not earned automatically. |
| Payment | |
| How to pay for a ticket: | Cash (exact change), People Mover mTicket App, Smart Card (requires paper application) |
| – | |
| Where to buy physical tickets/transit cards: | Onboard the bus or Customer Service Office (single ride/1 day pass), Customer Service Office, Mountain View, Loussac, or Muldoon libraries (week, month, annual passes) |
| Visitors | |
| Easiest payment option for visitors: | mTicket App (can buy tickets with your mobile wallet), or cash |
| Transit options from the airport(s): | Buses depart the airport station every 15 minutes |
| Notes about taking transit from the airport(s): | Bus station is on a pedestrian island across from the airport arrivals entrance. Google/Apple maps is the easiest to use for route planning and bus location information. |
| Scenic routes for visitors: | – |
Calgary, AB
| Transit Options: | Light rail, bus |
| Local Name: | CTrain, MAX bus |
| Transit Hubs: | |
| Fares | |
| Adult Fare: | $4.00 CAD |
| Youth Fare: | $2.65 CAD (13-17) |
| Child Fare: | Free (0-12) |
| Fare is Good For: | 90 minutes |
| Day Passes (Fare Capping): | $12.65 CAD, no automatic fare capping |
| Payment | |
| How to pay for a ticket: | My Fare app, on official website, at most light rail stations |
| – | |
| Where to buy physical tickets/transit cards: | Most CTrain stations, city hall, and the customer care center |
| Visitors | |
| Easiest payment option for visitors: | My Fare app |
| Transit options from the airport(s): | ~45 minutes by bus to downtown Calgary |
| Notes about taking transit from the airport(s): | |
| Scenic routes for visitors: | |
Chicago, IL
| Transit Options: | Subway, bus |
| Local Name: | L Train, bus |
| Transit Hubs: | Union Station (Amtrak/Metra), Ogilvie (Metra) |
| Fares | |
| Adult Fare: | $2.50 (L Train), $2.25 (bus) |
| Youth Fare: | $1.25 (L Train), $1.10 (bus), must tell attendant before paying, (7-11) |
| Child Fare: | Free (0-6) with fare paying adult |
| Fare is Good For: | 2 transfers in 2 hours |
| Day Passes (Fare Capping): | $5, not earned automatically. Only available on Ventra Tickets and Cards |
| Payment | |
| How to pay for a ticket (L Train): | Tap contactless credit/debit cards and mobile wallets, Ventra Tickets (disposable), mobile wallet or physical Ventra Cards (reloadable) |
| How to pay for a ticket (bus): | Same as above, and cash |
| Where to buy physical tickets/transit cards: | Physical paper Ventra Tickets (either one ride or day passes) can be purchased at vending machines at every L Station, plastic ventra cards can be bought at various retail stores or ordered online |
| Visitors | |
| Easiest payment option for visitors: | Tap credit/debit/phone onboard |
| Transit options from the airport(s): | L Train Blue Line leaves directly from the airport every 15 minutes |
| Notes about taking transit from the airport(s): | Fare from O'Hare Airport is $5. |
| Scenic routes for visitors: | #147 bus along the lakefront, Orange Line 'L' train |
Denver, CO
| Transit Options: | Light Rail, Bus |
| Local Name: | RDT (Regional Transportation District) |
| Transit Hubs: | Union Station |
| Fares | |
| Adult Fare: | $2.75 |
| Youth Fare: | Free (0-19 + Active Duty Military) |
| Child Fare: | Free (0-19) |
| Fare is Good For: | 3 hours from purchase |
| Day Passes (Fare Capping): | $5.50, earned automatically after using the same method of payment (credit/debt/phone, MyRide App, MyRide Card) |
| Payment | |
| How to pay for a ticket (all modes): | Tap contactless credit/debit cards and mobile wallets, MyRide App, MyRide physcial cards (relodable), order paper ticket booklets online |
| – | |
| Where to buy physical tickets/transit cards: | MyRide cards are available at participating retailers, including King Soopers, CVS, Walgreens, and 7-Eleven |
| Visitors | |
| Easiest payment option for visitors: | Tap credit/debit/phone |
| Transit options from the airport(s): | Light rail leaves directly from the airport every 30 minutes |
| Notes about taking transit from the airport(s): | Fare from the Airport is $10 and is good for all rides that day if you use the same method of payment. |
| Scenic routes for visitors: | Sites such as Union Station, Denver State Capital, Denver Art Museum, Molly Brown House Museum, the big blue bear at the Colorado Convention Center are all accessible by public transit. |
Honolulu, HI
| Transit Options: | Bus |
| Local Name: | TheBus |
| Transit Hubs: | – |
| Fares | |
| Adult Fare: | $3.00 |
| Youth Fare: | $3.00 |
| Child Fare: | Free if not occupying a seat (0-5) |
| Fare is Good For: | 2.5 hours |
| Day Passes (Fare Capping): | Earned automatically after spending $7.50 on a Holo Card |
| Payment | |
| How to pay for a ticket (all modes): | Cash, Holo Card |
| – | |
| Where to buy physical tickets/transit cards: | ABC Stores ($3), reloadable online |
| Visitors | |
| Easiest payment option for visitors: | |
| Transit options from the airport(s): | Bus station at the airport with departures every 15-30 minutes |
| Notes about taking transit from the airport(s): | Must have exact cash or loaded Holo Card. Cards are not sold at the airport. |
| Scenic routes for visitors: | – |
Los Angeles, CA
| Transit Options: | Light rail, Subway, Bus |
| Local Name: | Metro Rail, Metro Bus |
| Transit Hubs: | Union Station (Subway, Light rail, Bus, Regional rail) |
| Fares | |
| Adult Fare: | $1.75 |
| Youth Fare: | Free (0–18) |
| Child Fare: | – |
| Fare is Good For: | 2 hours |
| Day Passes (Fare Capping): | $5.00, automatic fare capping when using the same method of payment |
| Payment | |
| How to pay for a ticket (Metro): | Tap contactless credit/debit & mobile wallets, physical or mobile wallet TAP card, TAP app |
| How to pay for a ticket (Bus): | Same plus cash |
| Where to buy physical tickets/transit cards: | Metro Customer Centers, TAP vending machines at rail stations, select retail locations |
| Visitors | |
| Easiest payment option for visitors: | Tap contactless credit/debit/phone |
| Transit options from the airport(s): | LAX: FlyAway Bus departs every ~30 minutes, ~35–60 minutes to downtown Los Angeles. |
| BUR: Metrolink and Metro Bus departures vary, ~25 minutes to downtown via rail. | |
| LGB: Metro Bus departs every ~30 minutes, ~60–75 minutes to downtown. | |
| SNA: Metrolink departs roughly hourly, ~1.5–2 hours to downtown with transfer. | |
| Notes about taking transit from the airport(s): | LAX: No direct Metro rail yet; FlyAway is the most straightforward option • BUR: Airport is adjacent to rail station and very easy to use • LGB and SNA: Bus or commuter rail plus transfers required and are slower. |
| Scenic routes for visitors: | A Line through downtown and along the LA River, E Line between Downtown LA and Santa Monica |
London, UK
| Transit Options: | Bus, Underground, Overground, Light Rail, Tram, River Bus |
| Local Name: | TfL: London Bus, the Tube (Underground), DLR (Docklands Light Railway) |
| Transit Hubs: | King’s Cross St Pancras (Underground, Overground, National Rail), Waterloo (Underground, National Rail), Victoria (Underground, National Rail, Coach), Liverpool Street (Underground, Overground, National Rail), Canary Wharf (Underground, DLR) |
| Fares | |
| Adult Fare: | Zone-based £2.80–£8.10 (Underground, Overground, DLR), flat £1.75 (Bus, Tram), distance-based £5.60-£18.25 (River Bus) |
| Youth Fare: | Free with a paying adult (0-11) |
| Child Fare: | – |
| Fare is Good For: | 1 hour (busses, trams) |
| Day Passes (Fare Capping): | £8.90-£16.30, automatic fare capping when using Oyster card or contactless payment |
| Payment | |
| How to pay for a ticket (all modes): | Tap contactless credit/debit & mobile wallets, Oyster card, Visitor Oyster card, cash at ticket vending machines |
| How to pay for a ticket (Ferry) | – |
| Where to buy physical tickets/transit cards: | Tube stations, Oyster Ticket Stops, TfL Visitor Centres, National Rail stations, online |
| Visitors | |
| Easiest payment option for visitors: | Tap contactless credit/debit or mobile wallet |
| Transit options from the airport(s): | LHR: Piccadilly Tube or Elizabeth overground departs frequently, ~50–60 minutes to central London. |
| LGW: Thameslink trains depart frequently, ~30–45 minutes to central London. | |
| STN: Stansted Express departs every ~15 minutes, ~45–50 minutes to Liverpool Street Station. | |
| LTN: Thameslink trains depart frequently, ~30–50 minutes to central London. | |
| Notes about taking transit from the airport(s): | LHR: Piccadilly Line is cheapest but slower; express rail options exist at higher cost. • LGW: Multiple rail routes exist with different prices and speeds. • STN: Express train is direct and fastest but relatively expensive. • LCY: DLR provides the most direct city access. • LTN: Rail plus Underground transfer required. |
| Scenic routes for visitors: | River Bus services on the Thames offer scenic views of central London landmarks |
Missoula, MT
| Transit Options: | Bus |
| Local Name: | Mountain Line |
| Transit Hubs: | Mountain Line Downtown Transfer Center |
| Fares | |
| Adult Fare: | Free |
| Youth Fare: | Free |
| Child Fare: | Free |
| Fare is Good For: | Always |
| Day Passes (Fare Capping): | – |
| Payment | |
| How to pay for a ticket (all modes): | Fares are free, simply walk on the bus. |
| – | |
| Where to buy physical tickets/transit cards: | – |
| Visitors | |
| Easiest payment option for visitors: | Simply walk onto any bus and ride for free! Download the Transit App for realtime bus locations and travel planning. |
| Transit options from the airport(s): | Bus 11 departs the airport station every 60 minutes |
| Notes about taking transit from the airport(s): | Bus station is on a pedestrian island across from the airport entrance. |
| Scenic routes for visitors: | – |
New York City, NY
| Transit Options: | Subway, local bus, express bus, ferry, commuter rail |
| Local Name: | Metro, Express Bus, Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), Metro-North |
| Transit Hubs: | Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal, World Trade Center Transportation Hub (Oculus) |
| Fares | |
| Adult Fare: | $3 (subway/local bus), $7 (express bus), $4.50 (ferry), varies based on distance (LIRR & Metro North) |
| Youth Fare: | n/a |
| Child Fare: | Free for children under 44 inches tall |
| Fare is Good For: | One transfer in 2.5 hours |
| Day Passes (Fare Capping): | Earned automatically after paying 12 fares with the same payment method in a 7 day period |
| Payment | |
| How to pay for a ticket (all modes): | Tap contactless credit/debit cards and mobile wallets, OMNY Card |
| How to pay for a ferry ticket: | Vending machines on every pier |
| Where to buy physical tickets/transit cards: | Purchase an OMNI card at vending machines at every station |
| Visitors | |
| Easiest payment option for visitors: | Tap credit/debit/phone at the turnstiles or onboard |
| Transit options from the airport(s): | Take the AirTrain ($8.50) to meet with the subway ($3) or LIRR commuter rail ($5-7) |
| Notes about taking transit from the airport(s): | |
| Scenic routes for visitors: | No. 7 train to Flushing, F train to Coney Island, Staten Island Ferry |
Portland, OR
| Transit Options: | Light rail, bus, commuter rail, transit for those with disabilities |
| Local Name: | MAX Light Rail, Bus, WES Commuter Rail, LIFT Paratransit |
| Transit Hubs: | |
| Fares | |
| Adult Fare: | $2.80 |
| Youth Fare: | $1.40 (7-17) |
| Child Fare: | Free (0-6) |
| Fare is Good For: | 2.5 hours |
| Day Passes (Fare Capping): | Earned automatically after paying two fares with the same payment method |
| Payment | |
| How to pay for a ticket (all modes): | Tap contactless credit/debit cards and mobile wallets, Hop Card, Hop App |
| – | |
| Where to buy physical tickets/transit cards: | Physical HOP cards can be purchased at Fred Meyer, Safeway, New Seasons stores, and Hop card machine at the MAX/WES station |
| Visitors | |
| Easiest payment option for visitors: | Tap credit/debit/phone onboard |
| Transit options from the airport(s): | Max Red Line light rail leaves from airport station every 15 minutes |
| Notes about taking transit from the airport(s): | Regular fare is charged to and from the airport |
| Scenic routes for visitors: | |
San Fransisco, CA
| Transit Options: | Bus, Light rail (which includes one section of Subway), Streetcar, Cable car, Ferry |
| Local Name: | Muni (Bus, Metro which includes the Central Subway, Streetcar, historic Cable Car), Bay Area Rabid Transit (BART) |
| Transit Hubs: | Embarcadero (BART, Muni Metro, Streetcar, Ferry), Montgomery St (BART, Muni Metro), Powell St (BART, Muni Metro, Cable Car), Civic Center/UN Plaza (BART, Muni Metro, Bus), Balboa Park (BART, Muni Metro) |
| Fares | |
| Adult Fare: | $2.85, $9 for historic cable car |
| Youth Fare: | Free (0-18) |
| Child Fare: | – |
| Fare is Good For: | 2 hours |
| Day Passes (Fare Capping): | $5.70 (does not include Cable Car), no automatic fare capping |
| Payment | |
| How to pay for a ticket (all modes): | Tap contactless credit/debit & mobile wallet, physical or mobile wallet Clipper Card, MuniMobile app, paper ticket, cash |
| How to pay for a ticket (Ferry) | Physical or mobile Clipper card, San Francisco Bay Ferry App, Paper tickets at piers |
| Where to buy physical tickets/transit cards: | Clipper retail locations, participating Walgreens, transit sales locations |
| Visitors | |
| Easiest payment option for visitors: | (1) Tap contactless credit/debit & mobile wallet, (2) Use physical or mobile Clipper card for all modes |
| Transit options from the airport(s): | SFO: BART departs for downtown every 10 minutes, 30–32 minutes travel time. |
| OAK: BART departs for downtown every 6 minutes, 30 minutes travel time. | |
| SJC: VTA Orange Line light rail departs every 15 minutes, 70 minutes to downtown San Francisco with BART transfer. | |
| Notes about taking transit from the airport(s): | SFO: BART station is reached via the free AirTrain; follow airport signs for “BART.” |
| OAK: BART station is connected to terminals via the free BART-to-OAK people mover. | |
| SJC: Light rail plus a BART transfer works but is slower and less direct. | |
| Scenic routes for visitors: | Any Cable Car line, F Line historic streetcar along Market & Embarcadero |
Seattle, WA
| Transit Options: | Bus, Light rail, Streetcar, Ferry, Commuter Rail |
| Local Name: | Metro (busses operated by King County Metro), Link (light rail by Sound Transit), ST Express (express busses by Sound Transit), Seattle Streetcar (by city DOT), Washington State Ferries (by state DOT), Sounder Trains |
| Transit Hubs: | Westlake Station (Light rail, Monorail, Bus), International District/Chinatown Station (Light rail, Streetcar, Bus), Pioneer Square Station (Light rail, Bus), University of Washington Station (Light rail, Bus), Colman Dock (Ferry, Bus) |
| Fares | |
| Adult Fare: | $2.25–$3.50 (busses, Link), $3.25-5.75 (Sounder Trains), $6+ (Washington State Ferries) |
| Youth Fare: | Free (0-18) |
| Child Fare: | – |
| Fare is Good For: | 2 hours |
| Day Passes (Fare Capping): | $6, only available with ORCA. Can be purchased or will be earned automatically when $6 is spent |
| Payment | |
| How to pay for a ticket (all modes): | ORCA card, Transit Go Ticket app, paper tickets (can be purchased with card or cash) |
| How to pay for a ticket (Ferry) | – |
| Where to buy physical tickets/transit cards: | Transit centers, ORCA vending machines, participating retail locations |
| Visitors | |
| Easiest payment option for visitors: | ORCA Card works on all modes of transport. Purchase a physcial card at a vending machine, order one to be mailed to you in advance, add an ORCA card to your phone's Google Pay wallet (not yet compatible with Apple Pay) |
| Transit options from the airport(s): | SEA: Link 1 Line departs for downtown every ~10 minutes, ~40 minutes travel time |
| Notes about taking transit from the airport(s): | SEA: Light rail station is connected directly to the airport terminal via covered walkways; no shuttle required |
| Scenic routes for visitors: | Washington State Ferries from downtown Seattle, Link light rail crossing Lake Washington |
Spokane, WA
| Transit Options: | Bus |
| Local Name: | Bus |
| Transit Hubs: | Spokane Intermodal Center (Amtrak, FlixBus, Greyhound, Trailways, and Jefferson Line), STA Plaza (Spokane Transit bus hub) |
| Fares | |
| Adult Fare: | $2.00 |
| Youth Fare: | Free (0-18) |
| Child Fare: | – |
| Fare is Good For: | 2 hours |
| Day Passes (Fare Capping): | $4, earned automatically after using the same method of payment |
| Payment | |
| How to pay for a ticket: | Tap contactless credit/debit cards and mobile wallets, physcial Connect Card, eConnect Card on the STA Connect App |
| – | |
| Where to buy physical tickets/transit cards: | STA Plaza |
| Visitors | |
| Easiest payment option for visitors: | Tap credit/debit/phone onboard |
| Transit options from the airport(s): | Busses depart from the airport station every ~60 minutes |
| Notes about taking transit from the airport(s): | Bus station is outside of Concourse C (by the Alaska Airlines entrance. |
| Scenic routes for visitors: | – |
Washington DC
| Transit Options: | Subway, bus |
| Local Name: | Metrorail, Metrobus |
| Transit Hubs: | Union Station (Metrorail, Amtrak, Maryland Rail Commuter Service-MARC, Virginia Railway Express-VRE) |
| Fares | |
| Weekdays 5am-9:30pm: | $2.25 (DC proper), up to $6.75 for surrounding suburbs |
| Weekdays after 9:30pm & Weekends: | $2.25 (DC proper), up to $2.50 for surrounding suburbs |
| Child Fare | Free (0-4) |
| Fare is Good For: | 2 hours if using the same method of payment |
| Day Passes (Fare Capping): | $13.50, not earned automatically. Only available on SmarTrip card/mobile wallet. |
| Payment | |
| How to pay for a ticket (Metro): | Tap contactless credit/debit cards and mobile wallets, SmarTrip card (physical or mobile wallet) |
| How to pay for a ticket (Bus): | SmarTrip card (physical or mobile wallet), Cash. Note, some busses may take tap credit/debit cards. |
| Where to buy physical tickets/transit cards: | Fare Vending Machine located at any Metrorail Station, Metro retail outlet, or commuter store |
| Visitors | |
| Easiest payment option for visitors: | (1) Tap credit/debit/phone, (2) SmarTrip if riding the bus often |
| Transit options from the airport(s): | Blue and Yellow Metrorail lines leave from airport station every 10-15 minutes |
| Notes about taking transit from the airport(s): | Metro Station is across from the aiport terminal. Easily found if you follow the signage. |
| Scenic routes for visitors: | Eastern side of the Red Line for nice views above ground between Union Station and Silver Spring. Yellow Line towards Pentagon has above ground views and access to Arlington Cemetary. |
There was no easy way to learn a new public transit system.
And we were tired of frantic research at the end of a long journey.
So we did something about it!