Getting around · Salt Lake City · United States
Getting around Salt Lake City
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Downtown and the university are linked by TRAX light rail, which also runs to the airport. City blocks are very long and streets wide, so walking takes longer than expected. For the canyons, Antelope Island or national parks, a car or ski bus is needed. Not for downtown and the university, which TRAX links to the airport.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Tram
- Airports
- SLC
- Need a car?
- Sometimes
- Travel pass
- UTA day pass
Ways to get around
Tram
UTA's TRAX light rail has three lines: the Green Line to the airport, the Red Line to the University of Utah and the Blue Line south through the valley. A free-fare zone covers much of downtown.
Check which TRAX stops fall inside the downtown free-fare zone before buying a ticket.
Train
FrontRunner commuter trains run north to Ogden and south to Provo from Salt Lake Central station.
Bus
UTA buses cover the valley, and in winter ski buses run up Big and Little Cottonwood canyons to the resorts.
Car
A car is best for Park City, Antelope Island and southern Utah road trips; parking downtown is plentiful but paid.
In winter, canyon roads may require four-wheel drive or chains during storms; check UDOT road conditions.
Ride-hailing
Uber and Lyft are widely available for airport runs and evenings.
Cycling
GREENbike bike-share stations are spread across downtown, and protected lanes and foothill trails make cycling popular in summer.
Tickets and passes
UTA day pass
Unlimited rides on TRAX, buses and the S-Line for a day; useful if leaving the free-fare zone several times.
Ski passes
Multi-resort passes such as Ikon and Epic cover several Utah resorts and are usually cheaper bought well ahead of the season.
From the airport
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is about 8 km west of downtown. The TRAX Green Line reaches downtown in about 20–25 minutes; a taxi or ride-hail takes about 15 minutes. Park City is about 45–60 minutes by car or shuttle, and the Cottonwood Canyon resorts about 45 minutes.
Do you need a car?
Not for downtown and the university, which TRAX links to the airport. Hire one for Antelope Island, Park City in summer and any trip to the national parks; in winter, ski buses and shuttles can replace a car for skiers.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Park City | About 40–50 minutes by car | Car on I-80, or airport shuttle |
| Antelope Island State Park | About 1 hour by car | Car via I-15 and the causeway |
| Bonneville Salt Flats | About 2 hours by car | Car on I-80 west |
| Golden Spike National Historical Park | About 2 hours by car | Car via I-15 |
| Ogden | About 45 minutes by car or 1 hour by FrontRunner | FrontRunner train or car on I-15 |
| Sundance and Provo Canyon | About 1 hour 15 minutes by car | Car via I-15 and US-189 |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Salt Lake City?
Not for downtown and the university, which TRAX links to the airport. Hire one for Antelope Island, Park City in summer and any trip to the national parks; in winter, ski buses and shuttles can replace a car for skiers.
+How do you get from the airport to Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is about 8 km west of downtown. The TRAX Green Line reaches downtown in about 20–25 minutes; a taxi or ride-hail takes about 15 minutes. Park City is about 45–60 minutes by car or shuttle, and the Cottonwood Canyon resorts about 45 minutes.
+What is the best way to get around Salt Lake City?
Tram: UTA's TRAX light rail has three lines: the Green Line to the airport, the Red Line to the University of Utah and the Blue Line south through the valley. A free-fare zone covers much of downtown.