Getting Around Eugene
Eugene is a compact, largely flat city where the central neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot or by bike, while buses and ride services fill in the gaps for longer trips. If you're basing yourself downtown or near the University of Oregon, you can cover a lot of ground without a car — but some outlying areas are more car-dependent, so it helps to plan ahead.
On Foot
Walking is one of the most practical ways to get around central Eugene. The walkable neighborhoods include Downtown, West University, and Jefferson Westside, where cafes, shops, and restaurants sit within easy walking distance of one another. The city also promotes the idea of "20-minute neighborhoods," so that residents can meet daily needs without a car. Outside these central districts, however, the city becomes noticeably more car-oriented, and walking is less convenient.
By Bike
Eugene has an excellent system of bike routes, bike-friendly streets, and paths that let you ride along rivers, mountain trails, and through covered bridges. The network includes bike lanes, shared-use paths, and dedicated bike and pedestrian bridges, and the terrain is mostly flat, which makes cycling comfortable for most visitors. The city has been recognized as a Gold-Level Bicycle Friendly Community. Bike rentals are available from Bicycle Way of Life, and bike-sharing programs operate in the city. Rental bicycles and bike share are especially handy around downtown and the University of Oregon campus.
Public Transit: Buses and EmX
Public transit in Eugene is operated by the Lane Transit District (LTD), which runs an extensive metro bus network. Buses tend to run about every half hour, and extended routes reach east and west into more rural parts of Lane County. Be aware that waits are longer on weekends and evenings, and some destinations simply take longer to reach by bus.
The system's centerpiece is EmX, a bus rapid transit line. EmX runs on a direct route with frequent service — roughly every ten minutes on weekdays and every twenty to thirty minutes on weekends and evenings. The route is useful for visitors because it connects many hotels with sports and conference venues and shopping areas, and it serves key destinations including downtown and the University of Oregon campus.
- Fares and passes: A one-way fare is $1.75, or $3.50 for an all-day pass.
- Paying: Fares can be paid via the Umo app.
- Coverage: LTD routes also connect Eugene–Springfield with nearby communities, including the McKenzie River and Oakridge areas. Routes, stops, and schedules can change with weather conditions, so confirm before you depart — and note that cell service is unreliable in some outlying areas, so plan ahead.
Taxis, Ride-Hailing, and Car Share
Taxis are available in Eugene, and both Uber and Lyft operate in the city. Ride services and pedi-cabs are also found around downtown and the University of Oregon campus. If you prefer a traditional cab, local companies include Eugene Hybrid Taxi Cabs (an all-hybrid fleet) and Oregon Taxi; with Oregon Taxi you'll generally need to schedule a pickup in advance unless you're arriving at the airport. Both accept major credit cards. Zipcar car-sharing is also available near the university.
Getting In from the Airport
Eugene Airport (Mahlon Sweet Field, code EUG) is the city's main commercial airport, serving Eugene, Springfield, Corvallis, Newport, Florence, Coos Bay, and the surrounding Lower Willamette Valley and Central Oregon Coast. It sits off Airport Road and Highway 99, northwest of downtown, and is roughly a 15-minute drive from the city center. Airlines serving EUG include American Eagle, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant, Delta Connection, Southwest, and United Express, with additional domestic and international connections available through hubs such as Chicago O'Hare, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake City.
One important practical point: there is no public transportation (LTD bus service) to or from the airport. To get into the city you'll need to hire a cab, arrange a shuttle, or rent a car. The nearest public transit is the 95-Junction City bus line, which stops at the intersection of Airport Road and Highway 99 — a couple of miles from the terminal, so it isn't a realistic option with luggage.
Many travelers instead fly into Portland International Airport (PDX), the next closest airport with commercial service, located well to the north. It's common to find more competitive airfares into Portland and then rent a car to drive down to Eugene.
Arriving by Train or Intercity Bus
Amtrak serves Eugene at the Eugene-Springfield station on Willamette Street in downtown. Two routes stop here: the Amtrak Cascades, running between Vancouver, BC and Eugene via Seattle, Portland, Salem, and Albany (with connecting Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach service on some segments), and the Coast Starlight, which runs daily between Seattle and Los Angeles. Travel times by road give a sense of the region: Portland is about two hours north via Interstate 5, and Seattle about five hours.
The same downtown station doubles as a central bus hub for Greyhound, Flixbus, Oregon Point, Groome Transportation, and Pacific Crest. Intercity buses also stop in front of the University of Oregon School of Law, across from Hayward Field, on Agate Street. Note that Greyhound buses stop on 5th Avenue rather than at the train station, and some older downtown and Springfield bus stops have closed. Pacific Crest connects Bend with Eugene, Florence, and Coos Bay, while Oregon Point and the Cascades Point/Amtrak Cascades Thruway run up to Portland via Woodburn, Salem, and Albany. Tickets for some of these services can be purchased through Amtrak or Greyhound.
Reaching Nearby Destinations
Most nearby communities are connected by LTD bus routes, and some private companies run scheduled shuttles. Florence on the Oregon Coast is about an hour west via Highway 126, with daily public transportation between Eugene and Florence. To reach the Cascades, head toward Oakridge via Highway 58 or follow Highway 126 to the McKenzie River. Because schedules in these areas can shift with the weather and cell coverage can be spotty, it's wise to confirm routes and plan your trip in advance.
Visitor Information
If you need maps, schedules, or local advice, the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Visitor Center is located in Market Alley in downtown Eugene's Market District.