Do you need a car to get around Salt Lake City?

The United States and the West in particular may not be known for great public transit but Salt Lake City has a surprisingly robust public transportation system even without a subway. Salt Lake City public transportation has a high number of riders for the size of the city with a bus system, light rail system, and commuter rail line all operated by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA). The city even has a Free Fare Zone within downtown Salt Lake City in which bus and light rail is free! Want to know more about getting around in Salt Lake City without a car as a new resident or visitor? Here are the many ways to explore SLC.

TRAX Light Rail in Salt Lake City | Utah Transit Authority

Utah’s TRAX light rail system, officially the Transit Express, stretches 45 miles with 50 stations to serve all of Salt Lake County. The TRAX system makes it easy to get to downtown SLC on public transportation from throughout the valley using three color-coded lines. About 67,000 people ride the TRAX line per day or 19.7 million every year.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by RideUTA (@rideuta) on Apr 22, 2020 at 8:25am PDT

Utah Transit Authority TRAX Fares

There are three classes of TRAX fares: adults, students/youth, and seniors. Salt Lake City public transportation for seniors is available at a 50% discount.

  • One-way is $2.50 for adults and students and $1.25 for seniors.
  • Roundtrip is $5/adults and $2.50/seniors.
  • Day passes are $6.25.
  • Monthly passes are $83.75 for adults, $62.75 for students, and $41.75 for seniors.

UTA TRAX Schedule & Routes

There are three TRAX public transit lines that are color-coded:

  • The Green line starts at Salt Lake International Airport, runs through downtown and continues to West Valley City.
  • The Blue line starts downtown and runs to Draper.
  • The Red line runs from the University of Utah to downtown then South Jordan.

The TRAX runs 7 days a week at 15-minute intervals during peak times. You can use the TRAX to connect at FrontRunner stations, Park & Ride lots, and bus hubs throughout the valley.

Salt Lake City TRAX Contact Info

  • Website: https://www.rideuta.com/
  • Phone: 801-743-3882
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Address: Utah Transit Authority, 3600 South 700 West, South Salt Lake, Utah 84119

Getting Around Salt Lake City by Bus | Utah Transit Authority

You can get almost anywhere in Salt Lake City and to many other areas of the Valley with the UTA bus system. The bus system extends along the Wasatch Front with curbside pickup for seniors and disabled riders, winter service to ski resorts, and express buses between SLC suburbs and downtown. There are more than 400 buses serving Salt Lake, Utah, Summit, Tooele, Davis, Box Elder, and Weber counties with 120 bus routes. This is the most extensive form of public transit in Salt Lake City.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by RideUTA (@rideuta) on Mar 17, 2020 at 12:25pm PDT

UTA Bus Fares

The bus is one of the cheapest ways to get around Salt Lake City on public transit. You can take one-way rides for $2.50 ($1.25 for seniors) with day passes just $6.25 and monthly passes at $83.75 for adults ($41.75 for seniors).

Salt Lake City Bus Schedule & Routes

There are 120 bus routes operated by UTA. Among the most popular UTA routes are those that go long distances with limited stops and special-destination bus routes for industrial areas and schools. Popular Salt Lake City bus routes include:

  • 608 DTSI / 2nd Street
  • 920 Rose Park (West High School)
  • 919 Fairpark (West High School)
  • 841 UVU (Orem Station)
  • 606 Monroe Blvd
  • 2 200 South
  • 901 Park City to Salt Lake City

You can see the extensive UTA bus schedule and routes here.

Utah Transit Authority Bus Contact Info

  • Website: https://www.rideuta.com/
  • Phone: 801-743-3882
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Address: Utah Transit Authority, 3600 South 700 West, South Salt Lake, Utah 84119

Salt Lake City’s Commuter Rail FrontRunner | Utah Transit Authority

The FrontRunner commuter rail, UTA Route 750, runs along the entire Wasatch Front corridor from Ogden and Provo through Salt Lake City. Stretching 88 miles and covering 16 stations, the rail is expected to extend to Santaquin and Brigham City in twenty years. More than 28,000 people ride the FrontRunner every day.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Daily Pics of Temple Square 📷 (@templesquaredaily) on Aug 17, 2016 at 3:52pm PDT

UTA FrontRunner Fares

FrontRunner fares are very affordable:

  • One-way base fare is $2.50 for adults and students and $1.25 for seniors
  • Roundtrip base fare is $5 for adults and $2.50 for seniors
  • Additional stops are $0.60 for adults and $0.30 for seniors

Students at BYU, UVU, and UofU can ride the FrontRunner for free by scanning their student IDs.

Utah Transit Authority FrontRunner Schedule & Routes

The FrontRunner runs through 16 stations between Ogden, Provo, and Salt Lake City with trains running every hour. You can catch the FrontRunner at North Temple Station at 5:03 am with the last train stopping at the station at 10:08 pm. View the full FrontRunner schedule here.

There are three stations where you can transfer between FrontRunner and TRAX including Salt Lake Central to connect to the Blue line. This station is also an Amtrak Station.

The FrontRunner generally does not run on Sundays or holidays but it does special trips for major events in the area.

UTA FrontRunner Contact Info

  • Website: https://www.rideuta.com/
  • Phone: 801-743-3882
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Address: Utah Transit Authority, 3600 South 700 West, South Salt Lake, Utah 84119

Getting Around Salt Lake City on the Streetcar | Utah Transit Authority

Formerly the Sugar House Streetcar, the S Line or UTA Route 720 is a streetcar line that connects South Salt Lake and SLC’s Sugar House neighborhood with the TRAX system. It’s the first streetcar system operated by UTA and a joint project between UTA and the cities of South Salt Lake and SLC. The S Line is similar to the light rain system but it operates at a slower speed of just 25 mph with one track and more frequent stops. About 1,100 people ride the S Line daily.

Sugarhouse Streetcar Fares

Getting around in SLC without a car is affordable using the S Line if you’re in the Sugar House or South Salt Lake area. Fares for the Salt Lake City streetcar are only:

  • One-way: $2.50/adults, $1.25 seniors
  • Roundtrip: $5/adults, $2.50 seniors
  • Day: $6.25/adults and seniors
  • Monthly passes: $82.75/adults, $62.75/students, $41.75/seniors

UTA Streetcar Schedule & Routes

The S Line starts at Central Pointe Station in South Salt Lake. This is the southernmost station that serves the Blue, Red, and Green TRAX lines. The line heads south then turns east near 2230 South, crossing Main & West Temple to the South Salt Lake City stop. It then continues to 300 East then continues east, leaving South Salt Lake to enter Sugar House.

The S Line leaves Central Pointe Station at 6 am on weekdays and Saturdays heading east with the last car leaving at 9 pm. On Sunday, the line runs from 9:20 am to 7:20 pm. Streetcars run every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 20 minutes on weekends. See the full schedule here.

Utah Transit Authority Streetcar Contact Info

  • Website: https://shstreetcar.com
  • Phone: 801-743-3882
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Address: Utah Transit Authority, 3600 South 700 West, South Salt Lake, Utah 84119

Getting Around SLC With a Car | Salt Lake City Highways

Public transportation options in Salt Lake City are fairly robust but they primarily serve downtown, Sugar House, South Salt Lake, and a handful of communities. SLC remains fairly car-dependent, especially when leaving the Salt Lake Valley.

There’s an extensive highway system in Salt Lake with three interstate highways, two state highways, and a limited-access highway. Unless you live downtown, you’ll likely need to use the highways frequently, particularly to commute downtown from the outlying suburbs of SLC.

Major Highways Near Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is served by the following major roadways:

  • Interstate 15: I-15 and I-80, the city’s major highways, intersect close to downtown. I-15 enters Utah and continues through Davis County before reaching Salt Lake Valley from the north. It continues into Utah County and leaves Utah.
    Interstate 80: I-80 goes into Utah from the west at Tooele County and passes by the Salt Lake City International Airport then merges with I-15 near downtown. After 3 miles, I-80 splits east and continues through South Salt Lake and Sugar House then goes through Summit County.
  • Interstate 215: The Belt Route creates a 270-degree loop around SLC and its closest suburbs. I-215 goes through Rose Park in northwestern SLC from Davis County then intersects State Route 201 and I-80, goes through Taylorsville, intersects I-15 as it goes through Murray, and heads north to Holladay.
  • State Route 201: The 201 goes west from the south I-80/I-15 junction near the West Valley City and Salt Lake City border. The 201 is very congested with commuter traffic on the west side, for Tooele County, and when it’s used as an alternative route to I-80.
  • State Highway 154: This expressway serves the southern and western parts of the valley and starts near I-15 in Draper.

Salt Lake City Public Transportation FAQ

How much is a UTA pass in Salt Lake City?

A monthly unlimited pass for TRAX and local buses is $83.75 for adults, $62.75 for youth, and $41.75 for seniors. A $198/$99 monthly pass includes the FrontRunner commuter rail.

What public transportation is in Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has local bus service, a commuter rail, a TRAX light rail system, and a streetcar.

How do I get from Salt Lake City International Airport to downtown Salt Lake City?

You can get from the airport to downtown SLC on the TRAX Green line for $2.50. Go to the south end of Terminal 1, buy a pass, and get on the train that leaves every 15 minutes.

Ready to start exploring SLC as a visitor or new resident? Public transportation in Salt Lake City is surprisingly robust for a city of its size with light rail, bus service, a streetcar, and a commuter rail that make getting around in Salt Lake City without a car easy. If you’re planning on relocating to SLC, the friendly Salt Lake City movers at Wasatch Moving Company are here to make moving day stress-free and efficient.

Do you need a car to get around Salt Lake City?

Jared Beckstead

Jared Beckstead is the owner and operator of the three branches servicing the entire Wasatch Front. Established in 2014, Wasatch Moving Company has performed more than 10,000 Residential and Commercial moves. With quality customer care, we look forward to delivering an honest service at a fair price!

How do people get around in Salt Lake City?

Getting Around.
Public Transportation. Salt Lake City has a robust public transportation system that utilizes commuter… ... .
Maps. We've got the tools to help you find your way around. ... .
Airports & Airlines. Salt Lake's accessibility by air is exceptional. ... .
Ground Transportation. ... .
GreenBike SLC. ... .
Electric Scooters..

Is Salt Lake City walkable?

About this neighborhood With a Walk Score of 87, the Central City section of Salt Lake City is the most walkable area in town. It's easy to get around on foot to run errands or visit your favorite restaurant.

Can you get around Utah without a car?

The best way to explore the state is to rent a car, though there are private shuttle and tour options. In the Wasatch Front urban corridor of Northern Utah there is great public transportation, including TRAX light rail, FrontRunner commuter rail and the UTA bus system.

Does Salt Lake City have good public transportation?

Salt Lake City has a robust public transportation system that utilizes commuter trains, buses, and light-rail to provide you with access from the airport all the way up to the ski resorts. Commuter trains, called FrontRunner, provide transportation access from Ogden to Provo, with limited stops along the way.