Getting Around Akron
Akron is a mid-sized Ohio city with a compact downtown and a spread-out metropolitan area. For a visitor, the practical reality is that the city is easiest to navigate by car, with public buses filling in the gaps and a walkable core for those staying downtown. There is no rail, metro, or tram network to rely on.
Rail, Metro and Trams
Akron has no local rail, metro, or tram system for getting around the city. It also no longer has an Amtrak station, having lost its service in a round of cuts. If you want to arrive or depart by train, you will need to travel to Cleveland or Alliance and connect from there.
Buses and Public Transport
Public transit in Akron is provided by Akron METRO RTA. The service is somewhat limited but adequate for reaching most Akron locations, and it connects with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority to the north and the Stark County Regional Transit Authority to the south. This makes it possible to travel between Akron and neighboring areas by bus, though you should plan around the schedule rather than expect frequent, turn-up-and-go service.
For longer-distance bus travel, Greyhound operates a station in the city at 631 S Broadway, with station and ticketing hours daily from 7:30AM to 10PM.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available in Akron. City Yellow Cab, based at 650 Home Ave, is one option for booking a ride. Ride-hailing apps are also a common way to get around, particularly for trips that buses do not serve conveniently.
Walkability
Downtown Akron is compact enough that walking works well for local sightseeing and getting between downtown destinations. Beyond the center, however, the city spreads out, and the highway network means many attractions and neighborhoods are separated by distances that are not pleasant on foot. For most visitors, walking is best treated as a downtown mode rather than a way to cover the whole city.
Getting Around by Car
Driving is the most flexible way to see Akron. The city has excellent interstate highway support: I-76 is a good route in from the east or west, and I-77 is an easy connection between Cleveland and Akron, continuing south to Canton, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Within the city, Route 8 and Route 59 (the Innerbelt) both serve the center. Very little in the city is more than about ten minutes from an expressway, and as a result rush hour tends to be short.
Getting In from the Airport
Akron-Canton Regional Airport (CAK) is the most convenient airport for the city: it is small, easy to navigate, and quick to get in and out of. It has non-stop flights from a range of cities, some of which are seasonal or only served on certain days of the week, including Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Fort Myers, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, and Tampa.
From the airport, two bus options serve the area, both picked up at the north end of the airport terminal:
- METRO RTA bus 110 runs several times a day between the airport and downtown Akron on a local route through southern Summit County. The fare is $1.25 and the trip takes approximately one hour.
- SARTA Route 81 connects downtown Canton, the Belden Village area, the airport, and the downtown Akron Metro RTA Transit Center via I-77, running Monday through Friday. The fare is $1.50. Note that Route 81L runs only from the airport to the Belden Village area and downtown Canton, and the Saturday 81L does not travel to Akron.
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is another option, roughly an hour's drive northwest of Akron, and serves as a hub for United Airlines.
Other Options
Akron Executive Airport (AKC) is a large general aviation airport with an office for immigration and customs that can accept international flights, though it is not a typical arrival point for leisure visitors.
For cyclists, the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail runs through the area and connects with Metro Cleveland, offering a car-free route for those traveling by bike.