Free public transportation
Getting around town shouldn’t drain your wallet. While most American cities charge fares for buses, trains, and other public transit, a growing number of communities have decided to eliminate those costs. These pioneering places prove that free public transportation isn’t just a pipe dream—it’s a working reality that benefits everyone from college students to working families.
Free transit does more than save you money. It reduces traffic congestion, helps the environment, and makes cities more accessible to people who can’t afford cars or prefer not to drive. Here is a list of 18 US cities where you can hop on public transportation without paying a dime.
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Here are 18 U.S. cities that currently offer free public transportation:
Olympia, Washington
Richmond, Virginia
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Corvallis, Oregon
Commerce, California
Jacksonville, Florida
Lawrence, Massachusetts
Miami, Florida
Park City, Utah
Clemson, South Carolina
Crested Butte, Montana
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Niles, Illinois
La Cañada Flintridge, California
Vail, Colorado
Boone, North Carolina
Akron, Ohio
Breckenridge, Colorado
What started as isolated experiments in small college towns and resort communities has grown into a nationwide movement. Cities across America are discovering that the benefits of free public transportation—reduced traffic, cleaner air, and more equitable access to opportunities—often outweigh the costs of lost fare revenue.
From major cities like Kansas City to small mountain towns like Park City, communities are proving that zero-fare transit works in diverse settings. As more communities join this list, free transit is becoming less of an exception and more of a practical solution to urban transportation challenges.
Take advantage of free walking tours
Photo credit: NY Harbor Tours
You don't always need an expensive pay-for guided tour. Take advantage of free walking tours to get the lay of the land in your travel destination before setting out on your own.
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t's been my experience they're often better than walking tours booked through tour companies. Some tour guides of free walking tours ask you only tip them based on how well they conducted your tour. $10 per person is a reasonable tip.
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51 Free Walking Tours From Across the U.S.
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GuruWalk – A great platform for finding unique local-led tours worldwide.
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FreeTour.com – Lists independent free tours in over 100+ cities.
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Ask at your hostel/hotel – Many offer their own walking tours or know of great ones.
Transportation passes
CONSIDER BUYING OR RENTING A VEHICLE THAT'S A TRAVEL INVESTMENT
When the time came to replace one of our vehicles, my late hubby and I made one of the best decisions we'd ever made. We invested in a conversion van.
The rear sets folded down into a queen-sized bed, we'd throw our screen house to cook and relax in into the van and off we'd go. That van paid for itself several times over in what it saved us in hotel and accommodations costs. We'd pull into a campground or RV park to shower, do laundry, etc.
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It got 32-33 mpg on the highway so wasn't a gas guzzler.
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After hubby passed away, I met my sometimes travel sidekick, Jay who happened to have a 30 foot+ luxury RV, the back end of which was a garage you could drive a car into.
No, I'm not suggesting you go out and buy an RV...
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But have you ever looked into renting one?
At todays prices for hotel rooms, especially if you're a family that requires more than one room, you may find it's cheaper to rent an RV for your trip!
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In my neck of the woods, many people own RV's that they seldom get a chance to use. Rather than let them sit unused (the worse thing for any vehicle) they will rent them out on the cheap.
The Best Way To Rent an RV For Beginners (And What It Costs)
RVShare – This website lets you rent RVs and camper vans directly from locals.
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Turo – A car sharing marketplace that lets you rent vehicles from locals.
Many cities have transportation passes. Tripjive is where public transportation pass comparison comes in to help you make an informed decision. By comparing the features, coverage, and prices of different public transportation passes, you can select the one that best suits your needs. They will guide you through the process of comparing and choosing the right public transportation pass for you.
Look for inexpensive, unique tours
My hubby was a retired fireman...while visiting Portland I found this inexpensive tour ($29 each current price) on a vintage fire truck.
The driver was also a retired fireman. I'm surprised that truck ever left the parking lot, driver and hubby reminiscing
about their firefighting days! Turned out to be his favorite activity we did in Portland.
In New Orleans we got a tour of the entire French Quarter via a mule drawn carriage ride - $10 per person.
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Such tours give you the lay of the land of your travel destination before you set out exploring on your own.
Familiarize yourself with your travel destination's transportation system
In New Orleans we discovered we could purchase a $3 pass that was good for 3 days, that allowed us to ride either the street car or the bus - unlimited rides.
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Both stopped right in front of our hotel, which made getting back and forth between the CBD and French Quarter a breeze.
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Knowing your travel destination's transportation options will not only save you money but a lot of time trying to figure out how to get from Point A to Point B.
Travel with your bicycle
Photo credit: New Orleans Transit
As often as I can, I travel with my bicycle. Saves a whole lot of walking and besides walking, is the cheapest form of transportation out there.
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I've outfitted my bike especially for traveling in that I carry an extra tire tube or two and tools with which to repair my bike if necessary. I have a bracket that holds my water bottle and have installed both fenders on my bike (handy when riding in wet conditions) as well as a rear luggage rack and front basket in which I can carry things.
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This not only saves on bike rental fees but my bike is specifically set up for me as the rider as far as seat height, etc.
You can get a good 2 bike trunk rack for $150.
Consider ride sharing options
Ride-sharing options like BlaBla Car or Lyft Line can be cheaper than taxis or ridesharing. Carpooling with other travelers heading in the same direction can also save you money.
Use fuel rewards programs
Many gas stations and credit card companies offer fuel rewards programs that can help you save money on gas purchases. By signing up for these programs, you can earn points or discounts based on the amount of fuel you buy. Some programs also offer cashback options or special promotions that can result in additional savings. Keeping track of your rewards and strategically planning your fuel purchases can maximize your benefits, allowing you to lower your overall travel expenses while fueling your vehicle.
Photo credit: 123RF.
Use mapping apps
Utilize mapping apps like Google Maps or Citymapper to plan your routes and find the most efficient and cost-effective ways to get from one place to another. These apps provide real-time information on public transportation schedules and routes, helping you save both time and money.
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Last-minute booking apps: If you’re flexible with your travel dates, you can take advantage of last-minute booking apps like HotelTonight or Secret Flying. These apps offer heavily discounted rates on hotels, flights, and vacation packages for spontaneous travelers.