Getting Around St. Louis
St. Louis offers visitors multiple ways to navigate the city and surrounding metropolitan area. Whether you prefer public transit, ride-hailing services, or walking through distinct neighborhoods, understanding your transportation options will help you make the most of your visit.
The MetroLink Light Rail System
MetroLink is St. Louis's primary rapid transit network, consisting of light rail lines that connect many of the metropolitan area's most popular destinations. The system features two branches on the Missouri side: the Red Line, which begins at Lambert–St. Louis International Airport, and the Blue Line, which starts in the suburb of Shrewsbury. These lines merge at the edge of Forest Park and travel through downtown before extending into Illinois.
Key MetroLink stops include the Delmar Loop, Grand Center arts district, Forest Park, the Central West End, Downtown St. Louis, and Downtown Clayton. The campuses of University of Missouri–St. Louis, Washington University, and St. Louis University each have stops on campus or nearby, making the system convenient for visitors exploring educational and cultural institutions.
MetroLink tickets are affordable and straightforward to purchase. A 2-hour transfer pass costs $3 when bought in the city (or $4 if purchased at the airport station), and a day pass covering both trains and buses costs $5.
Bus Service
Metro St. Louis operates buses throughout the metropolitan area, providing coverage to neighborhoods and destinations not served by MetroLink. MetroBus operates local routes within St. Louis City and St. Louis County, as well as routes extending into Illinois. Additional bus service in the Illinois suburbs is provided by Madison County Transit, which also offers express routes to downtown St. Louis.
Bus fares are simple: a single fare costs $2. While buses are a useful complement to the light rail system, service frequency may be less frequent than visitors accustomed to larger transit systems might expect.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing Services
Traditional taxis in St. Louis do not typically cruise the streets looking for passengers. Instead, you must order service by phone or through an app. Uber and Lyft are extremely popular in the city and offer a reliable way to arrange transportation on demand. Both services are permitted at Lambert–St. Louis International Airport's terminal, making ride-hailing a convenient option when arriving by air.
Walkability and Neighborhoods
Many of St. Louis's neighborhoods are walkable and feature distinctive character. Downtown St. Louis is undergoing ongoing revitalization and is home to the Gateway Arch, professional sports stadiums, hotels, restaurants, and shopping districts. The Central West End is known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, featuring turn-of-the-century architecture, upscale dining, and boutique shops on the eastern edge of Forest Park. Tower Grove offers tree-lined streets with 19th-century Victorian architecture and an ethnically diverse, active street life. Laclede's Landing, near the Mississippi River, features historic cobblestone streets and converted industrial buildings now housing restaurants and bars.
When walking, be aware that St. Louis's neighborhoods have distinct characteristics shaped by historic boundaries. You may transition from tree-lined avenues with large homes to other areas within short distances, so understanding the layout of your chosen neighborhood is helpful. Hotels and local guides should provide maps to help you navigate safely.
Getting from Lambert Airport to the City
Lambert–St. Louis International Airport, located 14 miles northwest of the city center, is the region's largest airport. The airport is directly served by the MetroLink Red Line, making light rail the most convenient public transportation option. A 2-hour MetroLink transfer ticket purchased at the airport station costs $4, allowing you to reach downtown and other destinations efficiently.
Alternatively, Uber and Lyft are both available at the airport terminal for visitors who prefer ride-hailing services.
Arriving by Train or Bus
Amtrak serves St. Louis with five daily arrivals from Chicago, two daily arrivals from Kansas City, and one daily arrival from Los Angeles, San Antonio via Dallas, Little Rock and many smaller intermediate stops on each route. The Gateway Multimodal Transportation Center, located at 430 S 15th Street, serves as the central terminal for both Amtrak trains and intercity buses operated by Greyhound and Megabus. The center is directly linked to the Civic Center station on the MetroLink light rail system, making it easy to connect to the broader transit network upon arrival. Just nearby, the historic Union Station is worth visiting to experience the elegance of St. Louis's rail heritage.
Car Travel
While car travel is the most common mode of transportation in the greater St. Louis region, visitors to the city itself may find public transit and ride-hailing services more convenient for navigating downtown and popular neighborhoods. If you do rent a car, be aware that St. Louis is a freeway hub with major interstates connecting to Kansas City, Chicago, Memphis, and other regional centers.