Find Your Way
A few quick tips as your plan your trip
Ann Arbor’s compact scale makes it easy to find your way no matter where you’re going. Here’s where we share everything you need to know about getting to and around the city.
Buses
Both U-M blue buses aka the Magic Bus and Ann Arbor city buses are free for U-M students, trainees, faculty, and staff. You'll need to swipe your MCard to ride the Ann Arbor city bus.
Campus buses run until midnight or later. Track your route with the Magic Bus app. You can also register for curb-to-curb Paratransit services.
TheRide, also known as AAATA, is the city bus system, and it includes routes to neighboring Ypsilanti. Plan your route. You can also reserve disability transportation services through A-Ride, a service of TheRide.
Going out of town? The Megabus connects Ann Arbor to Chicago, or take a Greyhound.
There are a multitude of resources for accessible transport in Ann Arbor.
- Paratransit is a free service from U-M providing curb-to-curb transportation for students, faculty, and staff who qualify through the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities
- Ann Arbor city buses are free with your MCard and are lift or ramp-equipped
- Find accessible parking spaces in downtown Ann Arbor
- The Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living maintains a list of resources for the disabled community, including advocacy, health care, entertainment, and transportation
Walking
Ann Arbor is a Gold Level Walk Friendly Community, with a compact downtown and lots of shops, cafes, and restaurants to browse. Further afield, you'll also find walking trails throughout the city.
Around Town
- Explore Kerrytown, a neighborhood in downtown Ann Arbor, with this printable map
- Downtown Ann Arbor shops, restaurants and parking
- Go on a self-guided walking tour of Ann Arbor
- Get pedestrian safety updates
- Map your walking commute
On Campus
For way-finding on U-M campus, there are walking maps for the Michigan Medicine campus, as well as Ann Arbor, Flint, and Dearborn campuses. Use the interactive campus map to find a specific place, or search by a building acronym to find your way.
Biking
Ann Arbor is a very bike-friendly town with 79 miles of lanes dedicated to two-wheel transportation. Commuters enjoy the freedom of zipping to their destinations and always finding a place to park.
View available bike lanes, routes and shared-use trails in Ann Arbor and throughout Washtenaw County. Visit our Campus Life section for information on how to register your bike with campus security.
Driving & Ridesharing
Finding a decent parking spot on campus can be a challenge, but for running errands around town, a car can be the best option.
Ann Arbor has Zipcar locations near the campus, as well as Uber, Lyft, and local taxi companies. Bringing your car? Here's how to get a Michigan driver's license and a U-M parking permit. Bringing a motorcycle or moped? Here's where to park in campus.
Winter Transportation Tips
Make sure you're prepared for Michigan winters. Follow the city’s guidelines for parking in the snow. Take precautions when driving in the snow. Plan for winter commuting. Prepare your car for winter with these 12 tips.
Getting to the Airport
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is located about 35 minutes east of Ann Arbor off I-94, giving travelers easy access to any destination in the world.
You can schedule roundtrip bus service to the airport via the Michigan Flyer (also known as AirRide) for less than the cost of a taxi. Trips to or from Ann Arbor using Uber/Lyft tend to run $30-40.
Find more info on airport transportation options.
