Getting Around Rochester
Rochester is a compact, easy-to-navigate city, and most visitors find that getting around is straightforward. Whether you're heading to a meeting downtown, exploring a neighborhood, or connecting to a nearby city, you have several practical options. This guide covers the main ways to move around Rochester, New York, and how to reach the city from its airport.
Arriving by Air: Frederick Douglass – Greater Rochester International Airport
Most visitors arrive through Frederick Douglass – Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC), which sits just a few miles from downtown. The airport is served by a good range of carriers, including Allegiant, American Airlines, American Eagle, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, and United, so you can often find a convenient direct or connecting flight.
Once you land, ground transportation is readily available and generally affordable. From the airport you can typically choose among taxis, ride-hailing services, and other ground transport options to reach your hotel or the city center. Because the airport is so close to downtown, the transfer into the city is quick and uncomplicated.
Public Transit: Rochester Public Transit (RPT)
Rochester Public Transit (RPT) is the local bus system serving the city. It is the primary form of public transportation for getting around Rochester and its surrounding areas. The system is operated under contract by Transdev on behalf of the City of Rochester.
Fares are affordable, with bus fares starting at around $1 per ride. If you plan to ride frequently during your stay, RPT offers passes that can be more economical than paying per trip. A few practical points to keep in mind:
- Passes are non-refundable and non-replaceable, so keep them secure — RPT is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged passes or fare media.
- You may bring up to two bags or personal items, which must be held on your lap or stored so they don't block aisles, doorways, or seating.
- Strollers must be foldable; the child must be removed before boarding, and the stroller should be folded, carried on, and kept out of the aisle.
- Service animals are welcome in line with ADA rules — only dogs individually trained to work or perform tasks for a person with a disability qualify.
- Eating, drinking, smoking, loitering, littering, and playing radios or instruments (except with earphones) are not permitted on buses.
RPT is committed to providing access without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or socioeconomic status, and accessibility and paratransit information is available for those who need it.
The Rochester Transit Center
Many bus routes converge on the Rochester Transit Center, located on Mortimer Street between North Clinton Avenue and St. Paul Street. This is a useful hub to know if you're planning to transfer between routes or simply want a central, comfortable place to wait. The center is enclosed and climate-controlled, making it a pleasant spot in any weather, and it has ample capacity to handle a high volume of buses and passengers.
Intercity Bus and Rail
If your travels extend beyond Rochester, the city is well connected by both bus and rail.
- Amtrak offers daily service to Rochester from points throughout the Northeast, making it a convenient option for arriving from or continuing on to other cities in the region.
- New York Trailways provides charter bus service connecting Rochester to major New York cities, smaller towns, and even Toronto and Montreal.
These options are worth considering if you're combining a Rochester visit with other stops in the Northeast or Canada.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis and ride-hailing services are available in Rochester, including at the airport, where ground transportation is described as readily available and affordable. For visitors, these are often the simplest way to get from the airport to a hotel or to reach destinations that aren't conveniently served by bus. They're also a good fallback for late-night trips or when you're carrying luggage.
Walkability and Getting Around on Foot
Rochester is a manageable city to explore on foot, particularly in the downtown area and around key destinations. Commute and travel times in and around Rochester are short — often cited as among the shortest in the country — which means you won't spend a lot of time in transit between points. For many visitors, a combination of walking in the central areas and using buses, taxis, or ride-hailing for longer trips works well.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- If you're arriving by air, plan on a quick, affordable transfer into the city — the airport is close to downtown.
- For budget-friendly local travel, RPT buses are the way to go; buy a pass if you'll be riding often, and keep it safe since passes can't be replaced.
- Use the Rochester Transit Center as your central hub for bus connections.
- For intercity trips, check Amtrak for rail and New York Trailways for bus connections to other cities, including Toronto and Montreal.
- Keep baggage to two items and follow onboard rules to make your ride smooth.