Getting Around Lubbock
Lubbock spreads across a large, flat stretch of the South Plains, and that scale shapes how visitors get around. The city is laid out on a big, orderly grid, with major roadways spaced at regular intervals and running uniformly straight. That makes driving the simplest and most flexible way to cover ground, while public transit and walking work best for shorter, more targeted trips.
By Car
Lubbock is easily accessible by car, and driving in and out of the city is straightforward. US 62/82, US 84, I-27, US 87 and TX 114 are well-maintained roadways serving the city. A modern beltway, TX Loop 289 — often called "The Loop" or "289" by locals — offers a quick shortcut around the city's notably light congestion, though its southwest portion can be congested during business hours.
The street grid is easy to navigate once you understand its logic. North-south streets are labeled A-Z Downtown and progress to city and state names moving west. East-west streets are numbered from 1 to about 150. Streets north of Downtown follow the names of colleges and universities, while those east of Downtown are named for flowers and trees. Block ranges, house numbering and street names are consistent throughout the city, and most follow alphabetical order.
A couple of spots deserve caution. The interchange of 66th St., US 84 and I-27 was once the site of a notorious intersection called The Circle, where several avenues and roads converged in a large vaulted hub; the remaining intersection is still tricky at the northeast corner. Construction of the Marsha Sharp Freeway can also cause severe disruptions near Texas Tech University and Downtown.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Lubbock has no metro, tram or light rail network for visitors to use. The city's rail history is just that — history: the first railroad train arrived in 1909. For getting around town today, there is no passenger rail option, so plan on road-based transport instead.
Buses and Public Transport
The city's public transit authority, Citibus, operates fixed bus routes throughout Lubbock on set schedules, with fully accessible buses. The system relies on a pulse-based schedule originating at the Downtown Transfer Plaza, and most routes pass through Texas Tech University and the two medical centers. Because the city is quite large, using transit may be inconvenient for some trips.
- Fares and passes: A one-way trip is $1.75 and a day pass is $3.50. Drivers operate electronic fare boxes and do not carry change, so bring exact fare. Daily, weekly and monthly passes are available.
- Texas Tech: Citibus has served Texas Tech University students since 1968. TTU students ride any fixed-route service free with proof of a TTU ID. The university routes include on-campus and off-campus shuttles, with off-campus shuttles running from nearby apartment complexes to the campus interior.
- Service calendars: Fixed-route buses do not operate on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day. TTU routes operate only when Texas Tech is in session, with limited service during summer sessions, and are also closed on those six major holidays.
- On-demand and other services: Citibus On-Demand offers additional rides within the city, costing $2.00–$10.00 each way. Other Citibus services include CitiAccess (the paratransit system), special services and NiteRide.
- Planning tools: Real-time bus tracking is available through the DoubleMap app (on Google Play and the App Store); select Citibus (Lubbock) as the system. For questions, Citibus can be reached at 806-712-2000, and fares, routes and other details are on the Citibus website.
For travel beyond the city, TNM&O is the local Greyhound affiliate and offers connecting lines to all major U.S. cities. Arrivals occur most often in daylight, while a majority of departures occur at dawn or dusk. The TNM&O terminal also serves as its corporate offices.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
The city's only taxicab service, Yellow Cab, is described as very reliable and offers reasonable fares. It is available 24 hours a day at 806 765-7777. A few practical tips will make the experience smoother:
- Reserving pick-up times is recommended, and it is best to plan your trip before calling, as dispatchers are often extremely busy.
- Offer your mobile phone number when arranging a pick-up; drivers will phone you when they are a few blocks away.
- Yellow Cab also carries several thousand contract passengers every day, so be prepared to wait up to 45 minutes in the late afternoon or early morning.
Walkability
Lubbock is a large, spread-out city developed along a big grid, so walking is best suited to specific districts and destinations rather than as a way to cross town. Visitors will find it most practical to walk within a particular area — such as around a campus or a cluster of nearby businesses — and use a car, bus or taxi for longer hops between neighborhoods.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB) sits about 5 miles north of downtown. It is a small airport served by Southwest Airlines, United Express and American Eagle. Air travel to Lubbock will most likely require a connecting flight through an airport with direct service: American flies to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and United flies to Houston (Bush) and Denver. Southwest has nonstop flights to Las Vegas, Austin and Dallas Love Field.
Once you land, taxis are the main posted option for reaching the city:
- Cab fares: Cab fare to the Downtown area or Texas Tech is $13 to $18. Fare to the hotels along the south and southwest beltway ranges from $20 to $25.
- Royal Coach: Royal Coach offers posted rates from the airport into the city, based on a zoned map ranging from $6 to $24 depending on your destination.
Because the airport is only a short drive from downtown and the Texas Tech area, the transfer into the city is quick once you have arranged your ride.