Providence Getting there & around

Getting there & around

Providence is small, pretty and walkable, so once you arrive you’ll probably want to get around on foot.

Bus & tram

Bus

All long-distance buses and most local routes stop at the central Intermodal Transportation Center (Kennedy Plaza; 6am-8pm). RIPTA (401-781-9400, 800-221-3797; www.ripta.com), Greyhound and Peter Pan (401-751-8800, 888-751-8800; www.peterpanbus.com; Kennedy Plaza) all have ticket counters inside, and there are maps outlining local services.

RIPTA operates two ‘trolley’ routes. The Green Line runs from the East Side through downtown to Federal Hill. The Gold Line runs from the Marriott Hotel south to the hospital via Kennedy Plaza, and stops at the Point St Ferry Dock.

Bonanza Bus Lines (401-751-8800, 888-751-8800; www.peterpanbus.com; Kennedy Plaza), operated by Peter Pan, connects Providence and TF Green State Airport with Boston’s South Station ($15, 70 minutes, 12 daily) and Boston’s Logan International Airport ($22, 75 minutes, 12 daily).

Greyhound (401-454-0790, 800-231-2222; www.greyhound.com; Kennedy Plaza) buses depart for Boston ($8.75, 70 minutes, five daily), New York City ($25, four to 5½ hours, six daily), Foxwoods Resort Casino, Connecticut ($19, one hour, five daily) and elsewhere.

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Air

TF Green State Airport (401-737-8222; www.pvdairport.com) is in Warwick, about 20 minutes south of Providence. Green is served by most major airlines.

Aero-Airport Limousine Service (401-737-2868) runs a shuttle to most downtown Providence hotels about once an hour for $9 one way. Taxi services include Airport Taxi (401-737-2868) and Checker Cab (401-273-2222). RIPTA buses 12, 20 and 66 ($1.25, 20 to 30 minutes) run to Kennedy Plaza in Providence. Service is frequent on weekdays until 11pm. On Saturday and Sunday it is significantly reduced.

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Car & motorcycle

With hills, two interstates, and two rivers defining its downtown topography, Providence can be a confusing city to find your way around. Expect one-way streets and curving roads. Parking can be difficult downtown and near the train station. For a central lot, try the huge garage of the Providence Place Mall and get a merchant to validate your ticket. On the East Side, you can usually find street parking easily.

Most major car-rental companies have offices at TF Green State Airport in Warwick. Avis (401-521-7900; www.avis.com; Providence Biltmore, 1 Dorrance St; 8am-6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4:30pm Sat, 9am-5pm Sun) has an office downtown as well.

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Boat

From May through October, RIPTA operates the scenic Providence/Newport Ferry (adult/child $8/free, 65 minutes, five to six daily) from Newport to Conley’s Wharf in Providence.

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Train

Eight Amtrak (800-872-7245; www.amtrak.com; 100 Gaspee St) trains connect Providence with Boston ($16, 50 minutes) and New York ($65 to $85, 3½ hours). Additional high-speed Acela trains, also operated by Amtrak, make runs to Boston ($30, 45 minutes) and New York ($83 to $115, 2¾ hours); they shorten your trip and have slightly more comfortable seats. The Boston run is a rip-off.

The MBTA commuter rail (617-222-3200, 800-392-6100; www.mbta.com) connections to Boston ($7.75, 70 minutes, 15 midweek, fewer on weekends) use the same track as Amtrak. Watch the same scenery on a harder seat for half the price.

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