Getting around · St. Louis · United States
Getting around St. Louis
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Lightmetro, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
MetroLink light rail links the airport, downtown, Forest Park, the Central West End, the Delmar Loop and Clayton, covering many visitor needs. Buses fill gaps, but a car or rideshare helps for The Hill, Soulard and outlying sights. Not essential for a city break if you stay near MetroLink; rideshares cover the rest.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Tram
- Airports
- STL
- Need a car?
- Sometimes
- Travel pass
- MetroLink day pass
Ways to get around
Tram
MetroLink's Red Line runs from the airport through Forest Park, the Central West End and downtown to Illinois; the Blue Line connects Clayton and Forest Park with downtown.
Buy tickets at station machines or in the Transit app before boarding.
Bus
MetroBus routes cover the city and county, useful for South Grand and The Hill.
Car
Driving is straightforward and parking is easy outside downtown; a car is useful for Laumeier, the Chain of Rocks Bridge and day trips.
Ride-hailing
Uber and Lyft are widely used and the easiest way to reach The Hill, Soulard and Lafayette Square at night.
Walking
Downtown, the Arch grounds and the riverfront are walkable, and Forest Park has paved trails linking its museums.
Cycling
Forest Park's paved paths and the riverfront trail are good for cycling; bike rentals are available in Forest Park.
Tickets and passes
MetroLink day pass
Unlimited rides on MetroLink and MetroBus for a day, sold at station machines.
From the airport
St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is about 23 km northwest of downtown. MetroLink's Red Line runs from both terminals to downtown in about 35–40 minutes and to Forest Park in about 25 minutes. Taxis and rideshares take about 20–25 minutes outside rush hour.
Do you need a car?
Not essential for a city break if you stay near MetroLink; rideshares cover the rest. A car is useful for day trips and outlying neighbourhoods.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site | About 20 minutes | Car |
| St. Charles | About 30 minutes | Car |
| Augusta wine country | About 1 hour | Car |
| Hermann | About 1.5 hours | Car or Amtrak Missouri River Runner |
| Grafton and the Great River Road | About 1 hour | Car |
| Hannibal | About 2 hours | Car |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in St. Louis?
Not essential for a city break if you stay near MetroLink; rideshares cover the rest. A car is useful for day trips and outlying neighbourhoods.
+How do you get from the airport to St. Louis?
St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is about 23 km northwest of downtown. MetroLink's Red Line runs from both terminals to downtown in about 35–40 minutes and to Forest Park in about 25 minutes. Taxis and rideshares take about 20–25 minutes outside rush hour.
+What is the best way to get around St. Louis?
Tram: MetroLink's Red Line runs from the airport through Forest Park, the Central West End and downtown to Illinois; the Blue Line connects Clayton and Forest Park with downtown.