Getting Around Lansing: An Overview
Lansing is the capital of Michigan and the hub of the Lansing–East Lansing metropolitan area, which also includes neighboring East Lansing and Michigan State University. For a visitor, the practical reality is that this is a car-oriented region: the area is served by a network of freeways, traffic is generally light, and driving to almost any part of the city normally takes very little time. That said, there is a usable local bus system, an Amtrak station, taxi and ride-hailing options, and a growing set of walking and biking routes. This guide covers each of those in turn.
Arriving by Air
Capital Region International Airport (LAN) is the local airport, located in DeWitt Township just northwest of downtown Lansing on Grand River Avenue (Business Route 96). It offers non-stop domestic flights to Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Orlando, plus seasonal non-stop international service to Cancún and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. The terminal also has a concierge travel center where you can book airline tickets, cruises, tours, car rentals, and hotel rooms.
For getting into the city from the airport, the most straightforward public option is CATA bus line 14, which provides direct service between the airport and downtown Lansing. If your plans take you further afield, note that Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Flint Bishop International Airport, and Grand Rapids Gerald R. Ford International Airport are other nearby airports serving the region.
Arriving by Train
Amtrak serves the area with one daily train, the Blue Water Service, which runs east to Flint and Port Huron and west to Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, and Chicago. Amtrak Thruway Buses connect to the Wolverine line between Chicago and Detroit, as well as to the Capitol and Lake Shore Limited services via Toledo.
All trains depart from the East Lansing Station, located next to Michigan State University in East Lansing rather than in downtown Lansing. CATA's route 20 serves the station for both departures and arrivals on weekdays, and for arrivals to East Lansing on Saturday. To reach downtown Lansing from the station, connect via route 1.
Arriving by Bus
Intercity bus service gives Lansing several useful connections. Greyhound Lines serves both Lansing and East Lansing, with direct connections to Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo (and transfers onward to Chicago). Indian Trails Bus Lines, based in Owosso, Michigan, provides daily service to Chicago. The Michigan Flyer motorcoach offers multiple daily connections to Detroit Metropolitan Airport, with stops in Jackson and Ann Arbor.
Arriving by Car
Lansing is easily accessible from Detroit and Chicago by road. Interstate 96 directly connects Lansing and East Lansing to Detroit and Grand Rapids. US-127 links to Interstate 94, connecting the area to Chicago, Ann Arbor, and Detroit. Interstate 69 connects Lansing and East Lansing to Flint and Fort Wayne. Within the region, freeways I-96, I-496, I-69, and US-127 provide fast connections throughout the Lansing area.
Local Buses
The Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) runs the local bus system. For visitors, CATA service to downtown Lansing, downtown East Lansing, and Michigan State University is a convenient and affordable alternative to driving.
- Route 1 runs along the Michigan/Grand River Avenue corridor between downtown Lansing and East Lansing. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights it runs until 3AM, which makes it a practical way to avoid driving and parking fees when going out.
- Route 20 serves the East Lansing Amtrak station on weekdays (both departures and arrivals) and on Saturday for arrivals.
- Route 14 connects Capital Region International Airport directly with downtown Lansing.
- Trip planning: CATA recommends the smartphone app Transit to plan trips, track buses in real time, and see up-to-date departure information.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Many companies provide taxi service throughout the Lansing area, and taxi companies offer around-the-clock service. Availability, however, is uneven by neighborhood.
- Taxi service is heavily concentrated in the downtown East Lansing area, especially during evenings and weekends. There, you generally don't need to call ahead — an available taxi can usually be found on Albert Street behind downtown East Lansing.
- In downtown Lansing, taxis are less frequent. Riders should allow at least 30 minutes for a taxi to arrive, and longer delays are common on weekends and during Michigan State University football games.
- One option is L Transportation Taxi, reachable at +1 517-402-3995.
Walking and Biking
Lansing and East Lansing offer good options for getting around on foot or by bike, particularly around the university and along the rivers.
- The City of Lansing maintains an extensive river walk trail along the Red Cedar River and the Grand River. The route follows the Red Cedar as it meanders through the Michigan State University campus, through dense forest, and past Potter Park Zoo, where the Red Cedar joins the Grand River (Michigan's largest river). From there it continues through downtown Lansing, past Cooley Law School Stadium (formerly Oldsmobile Park), home of the Lansing Lugnuts minor league baseball team, and the downtown Farmer's Market, ending near historic Old Town on Lansing's north side.
- The area has many bike lanes, especially in East Lansing near Michigan State University.
- Whether on foot or by bike, the region offers plenty of sidewalks, bike lanes, and trails connecting pedestrians to local attractions.
Practical Summary
If you're staying downtown or near the university, CATA buses — especially Route 1 along the Michigan/Grand River Avenue corridor — plus walking and biking can cover most visitor needs. Taxis are easiest to find in downtown East Lansing and harder to come by in downtown Lansing, so plan ahead there. For regional travel, Amtrak's East Lansing Station and the intercity bus services tie Lansing to Detroit, Chicago, and other Michigan cities, while Capital Region International Airport handles local flights and connects to downtown via CATA Route 14.