Getting Around Providence
Downtown Providence is very compact and can easily be covered on foot, which makes walking the simplest way to move between many of the city's central sights. Some parking is available throughout the city, but RIPTA's public transport network is extensive and serves as a practical alternative to driving.
Public Transport: Buses and Trolleys
Public transit in Providence is almost entirely comprised of buses. The good news for visitors is that the buses are described as on-time, reliable, and much of RIPTA's bus fleet is new. Kennedy Plaza is RIPTA's downtown bus station and central hub, and it is well laid out with digital displays at each terminal that tell you when the next bus will be coming.
- RIPTA serves all of Rhode Island and throughout Providence, with its central hub at Kennedy Plaza. The bus charge is $2.00, plus an extra $0.75 for a 2-hour valid transfer to travel with other buses.
- Passes: One-day, 10-day, 15-day, and monthly RIPTA passes can be purchased inside the Kennedy Plaza bus station or at a Rhode Island Stop-and-Shop or Shaw's.
- Providence LINK Trolley: Two of the downtown lines are run completely on natural gas trackless trolleys and cover most of historic Providence. The base fare is $2.00, and e-riptiks or ride passes may be purchased either on-board or at local Shaw's and Stop and Shop supermarkets.
- Discounts: Seniors or disabled persons ride for half price during non-peak hours with the presentation of an ID. Students from some local colleges can buy discounted bus passes or use their school ID cards, though the policy varies depending on the school.
Rail: Trains Into and Around Providence
Train is by far the easiest way into Providence if coming from any major city along the Boston–DC line. The train station is convenient to all of downtown and the area around Brown. Providence station sits at 100 Gaspee Street, across the street from the Rhode Island State House, and serves as the central train station in the city.
- Amtrak operates trains throughout the United States, with routes stopping in Providence. The Acela travels multiple times daily between Boston and Washington, D.C., and is the only route in the U.S. that resembles a high-speed rail line. The Northeast Regional is Amtrak's busiest regional service and its most frequent, connecting Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and the many towns and cities in between, with some services continuing south into Virginia.
- MBTA Commuter Rail runs a commuter rail service between Boston and Providence on the Providence/Stoughton Line. If coming from Boston, this is a cheaper option than Amtrak, although the trip takes longer. Tickets bought aboard the train, instead of at the station, carry a surcharge.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
The source material for this guide does not cover taxis or ride-hailing services in Providence, so no specific guidance on those options can be given here. Visitors should plan around the bus, trolley, rail, and walking options described above.
Getting In from the Airport
T.F. Green Airport (PVD) is in nearby Warwick, south of Providence, and offers many low-cost and regular flights to cities in the United States. There are several ways to reach downtown:
- By car: take I-95 North, approximately 20 minutes.
- By bus: the #14 and #20 buses connect the airport to Kennedy Plaza in downtown Providence. The #14 is an express bus taking 15–25 minutes; the #20 has more stops and takes about 40 minutes. Check RIPTA for schedules.
- By commuter rail: the MBTA runs trains from the airport to downtown Providence.
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) is much larger than T.F. Green and is generally used for most international flights. From Logan, you can drive via I-95 South (about an hour, potentially much longer in traffic), or use public transit by taking the MBTA Silver Line bus (a BRT line) to South Station and then an MBTA commuter train to downtown Providence. Allow roughly 1 hour 30 minutes in travel time, plus waiting time of 1–2 hours if you haven't planned which commuter train to catch. The commuter rail leaves you in downtown Providence.
Arriving by Car or Intercity Bus
For those driving, I-95 serves well from the Boston or New York areas, Route 146 is better when coming from Worcester or western Massachusetts, and I-195 connects to Cape Cod and eastern Massachusetts. Driving from T.F. Green Airport, head north on I-95; the airport exit is exit 13 on I-95.
Intercity buses also serve Providence:
- RIPTA also runs regional services, with its central hub in Kennedy Plaza.
- Bonanza Bus Lines travels to many states on the East Coast. Tickets can be purchased at Kennedy Plaza or online, and trips depart from Kennedy Plaza throughout the day.
- Greyhound Bus serves the city.
- Megabus stops at Canal Street at Park Row, across the street from Roger Williams National Memorial, with daily services from New York City. Tickets can be purchased online.