Moving to Indy without a car? Don’t panic. If you know how to navigate the public transportation in Indianapolis, you can get just about anywhere you need to go—no car necessary. 

Early last summer, I packed my belongings in a U-Haul and waved goodbye to the family truck as I left for Indianapolis. Jimmy (our name for the white flatbed pickup) was needed on the farm back home, and he would’ve been difficult to parallel park anyways. I put on my sunglasses, blasted “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield on the radio, and drove the two hours from small town Corydon to my new apartment in the St. Joseph Historic Neighborhood in downtown Indy. 

I learned how to get around with public transit during my college years at IU Bloomington and while teaching English in Spain. That previous experience gave me the confidence to commit to living in Indianapolis without a car. And now, I’m here to share some of the tips I’ve learned as a pedestrian in the Circle City, exploring Indianapolis by public transit.

What to Do Before You Move

If you’re moving to a new city without a car, researching the local neighborhoods is incredibly important. When you look for apartments, use Google Maps to check the walking or transit distance between the apartment address and relevant wants and needs. Consider where you’ll be working, types of entertainment you enjoy, and how you plan to prepare your meals. 

For me, I looked up a client’s office in Fountain Square, planned to watch the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and searched for groceries from the nearest Kroger. Make sure you check where the closest bus stop is located and walk around (or use Google Street View) to explore the immediate area. With the variety of vibrant neighborhoods in Indianapolis, you’re sure to find the perfect place to meet your needs!

What to Pack Before You Transit

Once you’ve found your housing, you’ll need to prepare to navigate Indy while using public transportation. No matter how you plan to get around the city, there are a few items to carry with you that make using any public transportation easier:

• Your Bag: Whether you are going to the Original Farmers’ Market or the grocery store, you’ll need a crossbody bag, backpack, or over-the-shoulder tote that allows you to carry anything you purchase while keeping your hands free to check transit apps.
• Your Charger: Always keep your phone charged while in transit. Consider carrying a portable charger or at least keeping a charging cable in your bag.
• Your Sunnies: Toss a pair of sunglasses in your bag to stay comfortable no matter the weather during your trips!
• Your Headphones: A pair of headphones and a good playlist or podcast to pass the time makes waiting for transit that much easier.
• Your Patience: Using public transportation relies on external schedules. A good bit of patience will serve you a long way.

Depending on distance and destination, Indianapolis offers many different modes of transportation for people who need to get around without a car. Below I’ll share my experiences with each of these methods, and help you figure out the ideal combination you need to travel Indy with ease!

Walking in Indianapolis

Walking around Indianapolis gives you a chance to see details unique to the city, like checkered flag décor during the Indy 500 season. I’ve walked from my apartment to wine tastings at Peace Water Winery on Mass Ave or to grab a coffee at Parlor Public House. Traveling from place to place, I prefer the walking directions Google Maps provides. But as you begin to familiarize yourself with the city, hopping on paths like the Indianapolis Cultural Trail provides a more scenic experience. 

If you have yet to live a whole year in the city, know that we are lucky to experience the full spectrum of the four seasons here in Indianapolis. Walking during the winter months requires boots, gloves, a long heavy coat, and ear muffs or a hat.  Summer means hot temperatures: dress in minimal clothing for your walk and bring a jacket or shawl for once you get to your destination. And during the spring, pack an umbrella or raincoat to avoid spring showers.

Prepared with good directions and seasonally appropriate clothing, I have found Indy to be quite walkable and really enjoy exploring the downtown area on foot.

Biking in Indianapolis

If your destination is a little further than you’d prefer to walk, Indy has great infrastructure for biking. Dedicated bike lanes and paths like the Monon Trail make it easy to navigate the city on two wheels. Many apartments I encountered during my housing search also offered indoor bike storage for residents. 

For people who don’t own a bicycle, the Pacers Bikeshare system is a great way to get around Indy. Just borrow a bike, ride it where you need to go, and drop it off at one of the 50+ stations around town. Renting a bike costs just a small checkout fee plus a 25 cent charge for every minute you ride. 

But if you’re living in Indianapolis, I recommend getting an IndyRides Free Pass. IndyRides Free offers unlimited 30-minute rides for Marion County residents—totally free.

Bus Routes in Indianapolis

The IndyGo bus system here in Indianapolis makes it easy to get across downtown or pop over to explore other neighborhoods. I frequently hop on the bus to the IU Michael A. Scott Field to play in CCA soccer games or to Fountain Square to shop for plants at Snakeroot Botanicals and browse records at Square Cat Vinyl. 

Bus fare can be uploaded directly to the MyKey app, and then you just scan a QR code at the MyKey validator in the front of the bus to begin your ride. IndyGo has over 25 active bus routes—with some running on the hour and others (like the Red Line) running every 15 minutes. 

You can use Google Maps or the IndyGo Trip Planner to find your transit route and determine which bus you’ll need to take to reach your destination. Buses are typically right on schedule, though they can sometimes be around 5-10 minutes early or late. About 15 minutes before the scheduled departure of your chosen bus, double check your route on Maps or MyStop to see if there are any delays. 

Once you’re on the bus, there is a digital ticker sign at the front of the bus and an audio recording announcing each stop. You can also follow along in your chosen transit app as the bus makes its way along the route. Just before your stop, pull the cord running along both sides of the bus to indicate to the driver that you would like to get off. 

Taking the bus has allowed me to significantly expand the area I explore, giving me access to some of my favorite Indy neighborhoods as well as nearby cities like Greenwood and Lawrence. 

Rideshare in Indianapolis 

Destinations further away from home base and trips late at night are the best times to use the rideshare apps available in Indy. I have been a long time user of Uber and have always had an easy time catching a ride here using their platform. Turning on Verify Your Ride is a great safety measure to ensure that you are getting into the right vehicle with the right driver. 

I recommend scheduling important rides in advance, like I do once a month for my networking meetings with entrepreneurs from the Apeiron Network hosted at the Nexus Impact Center. I also enjoy spoiling myself with Uber Eats on occasion to order a pad see ew from Thaitanium on Mass Ave. 

While not explicitly rideshare apps, Instacart and Kroger Delivery can help you snag groceries in a pinch or save you time and energy when stores are far from your home. Whether you’re ordering a ride for yourself or your groceries, rideshare is always a great backup plan to have in place if you are reliant on public transportation.

Coach Buses from Indianapolis 

Interested in exploring other Midwest destinations like Chicago, St. Louis, or Nashville? Coach buses are a great way to travel between cities without needing a rental car. 

I’ve found them particularly convenient for weekend trips outside of Indy. Hopping on an intercity bus made it possible for me to visit Chicago to attend Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour—and to stop by Bloomington to celebrate my younger sister’s birthday. 

I use Rome 2 Rio to plan my transit routes between cities, and if you’re concerned about comfort, I recommend looking for routes operated by Flixbus for newer buses and comfortable seating. If you are storing luggage under the bus, make sure you tie a bandana, scarf, luggage tag, or some other identifier to quickly distinguish your suitcase from others.

Airport Travel from Indianapolis

For trips outside the state, the Indianapolis International Airport couldn’t be easier to navigate. Ranked the Best Airport in North America for over 10 years in a row, IND makes it quick to get through security and offers more than 40 nonstop flights across the country and around the world. 

Whether I’m flying to Oregon for whitewater rafting with my college roommates or heading out to Arizona to hike with my high school friends, I’ve always had a stress-free experience flying through the Indy airport.

Happy Travels!

Whether you choose to walk, ride, or fly, I hope sharing my experiences helps you to navigate Indianapolis using our public transportation systems. I’ve certainly had an incredible first year running around Naptown, and I wish you the best while exploring the city for yourself.