Indianapolis Transportation

Currently Indy is experiencing the Hyperfix. They have closed down most of the highways through the downtown to make some much needed repairs. Traveling through Indy is almost impossible, unless you know the sidestreets. If you must pass through, the suggested routes are on I-465. However, this is also going through some major overhaul on the east/northeast side
It's scheduled to be completed in August, at which point the traffic should lighten up. Average additional commute from the southside is 15 minutes. This decreases the earlier that you get on the road.

A tip/warning for visitors from a frustated resident:

If, like me, you prefer to do your traveling without being burdened by driving a car in an unfamiliar city, you'd better choose a different destination. Indianapolis has for some decades now had probably the worst bus system of any city its size in the country. This is not my opinion--the statistics bear it out. Many buses run only once per hour, some less than that, and service is almost non-existent after dark.

Specifically, it is difficult to get into town from the airport by bus most of the day, and mostly impossible after sundown. There is one Amtrak train through Indianapolis, but our bus system does not operate early enough in the morning or late enough at night to allow someone to catch the train in either direction.

Routes are byzantine and transfers impossible--if you miss a transfer, you might be stranded for an hour or more, if not overnight. The bus system recently had a financial crisis because nobody was using this impossible-to-use system, and the city responded by eliminating more routes. This is a severe hardship for tourists as well as locals. Because there are few transportation alternatives, taxis are very expensive.

If you are in Illinois, Kentucky, Western Ohio, or Southern Michigan, Indianapolis is only a few hours drive and is easy to get via the Interstates 65, 69 & 70. Other than that, your probably flying into Indianapolis International Airport. Once in Indy, rent a car or if you are only staying downtown just rent cabs.

Indianapolis is a small city, so, getting around town in a rental car is easy and quick. From downtown, you can get to any of the suburbs in twenty minutes or less.

Because of its size and the ease of parking, Indianapolis does not have any real mass transit. I do not even think the bus system is that extensive! So, if you do not rent a car, take a cab. Those do exist in this 'one horse' city. Walking also works for all things “downtown.”

In all big cities find a cheap and convient parking is hard. Indy is still small enough that it isn't too hard or too pricy.

THE BIG SECRET:
Park under the Mall.
entrance: (easiest) Heading west on Washington, cross Meridian and be in the Left lane.
It is immediately on the left and you follow it down under the ground.
price: $1.50 for 3 hrs. (a great deal)

* Around the Holidays and special events it gets full fast,
so this is great during any non-busy time and worth a try
even if it is busy.

There is a really great new bus system that just began April 2006. It is called Megabus and it is really a great way to travel around the MidWest. The tickets are fairly reasonable. The website says that if you book your ticket far enough in advance you can get your ticket for $1. A last minute round trip ticket from Indianapolis to Chicago is $35, which isn't bad. The MegaBus can take you either to Chicago or Cincinnati. Or in Chicago you can go to Cleveland, Detroit, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, St. Louis, or Toledo. Maybe in time from Indianapolis we will have more direct city options other than Chicago and Cincinnati. My friend just used the bus last weekend and she said her trip to Chicago was great, after a weekend of fun it was nice to sleep on the way home and not worry about driving. And it was nice to not have to worry about a car in Chicago!

Downtown Indianapolis is very walkable! Most attractions are within a few blocks of the downtown hotels and Monument Circle, including the RCA Dome & Convention Center, museums, White River Park, Conseco Fieldhouse, Circle Center, and IUPUI campus. Signs posted almost every block guide you to your destination.

Driving in Indianapolis is pleasant. Unlike driving in Chicago like I do all the time, nobody tails you and it seems like everyone uses their signal.

The only thing that is a little annoying is driving downtown. The streets are not named in any specific pattern which makes it a little difficult to find your way around. The signs around town help out a little, pointing you in the right direction to major attractions in town.

Indianapolis is within a day's drive for half of the population of the USA. It is 3 hours drive or less from Chicago, Columbus, Cincinnati, Louisville, and many other cities.

Major highways that pass through Indianapolis are: I-65, 74, 70, and 69.

From Chicago, head east on I-90 or 80/94 to I-65 south.
From Cincinnati, head west on I-74.
From Columbus, head west on I-70.
From Nashville and Louisville, head north on I-65.
From St. Louis and Kansas City, head east on I-70.
From Detroit, head west on I-94 and south on I-69.