7 U.S. Cities Where You Can Get Around for Free

Public transportation is the lifeblood of many urban environments, providing an essential service to commuters, tourists, and anyone else getting around the city. Subways, buses, and trams typically require riders to pay a fare — but not always. Here’s a look at seven U.S. cities that offer complimentary forms of public transportation.

Tucson, Arizona

Sun Tran is the official public transit provider for Tucson, offering bus and streetcar service. The entire fleet is designed to burn cleaner fuels and be environmentally friendly, which is important considering that the buses cover more than 28,000 miles each day. Better yet, all Sun Tran vehicles are free to ride.

Sun Tran first introduced free service in 2020 amid the pandemic. Based on the success of the program, the city council declared in 2023 that Sun Tran would remain free for the foreseeable future, voting again in 2025 to reaffirm that choice. Riders can take Sun Tran to many popular attractions in Tucson, from the vibrant market district of San Augustin to basketball games at the University of Arizona.

Richmond, Virginia

In 2025, officials at the Greater Richmond Transit Company — which operates public transit in the Virginia capital — voted to keep its Zero Fare policy for another fiscal year. This decision was based on the overwhelming success of the city’s free fare program, especially for lower-income households. Richmond saw ridership reach a record high of 11 million passengers in 2024, with an estimated 74% of riders coming from households earning below $40,000 annually.

But the complimentary bus service isn’t merely a boon for locals — it makes Richmond easier to navigate for anyone who visits. These free buses service Richmond International Airport and many popular local attractions, including the downtown arts district. While the Zero Fare program will expire at the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2026, many are hopeful that the service will be extended yet again.

Tampa, Florida

Since 2018, the TECO Line Streetcar has been 100% free to ride. Streetcars operate every 15 minutes beginning at 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, 9:00 a.m. on Saturdays, and 8:30 a.m. on Sundays. The service ends at 11:00 p.m. on weeknights and 2:00 a.m. on weekends.

The line connects popular spots in Tampa, such as the vibrant Ybor City neighborhood, Amalie Arena (where the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team plays home games), the Tampa Museum of Art, and Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.

Detroit, Michigan

The Detroit People Mover is fully automated, and it takes around 15 minutes to navigate the entire 2.9-mile-long track. While the system used to require payment, the DPM was made 100% free in 2024. Additionally, there’s a 3.3-mile-long streetcar line called the QLINE, which is also free and connects the downtown city with the northern suburbs.

When riding the Detroit People Mover, you can hop off at the Broadway stop and walk over to see any of the city’s four major sports teams — the Tigers, Lions, Red Wings, or Pistons. You can also explore Greektown or head over to the Renaissance Center along the waterfront, where you’ll find Michigan’s tallest building, the 727-foot-tall Detroit Marriott.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City contains a Free Fare Zone that’s been in existence since 1985. The city’s light rail (TRAX) and bus routes are free to ride so long as passengers enter and exit within the designated boundaries. To ride the bus within the Free Fare Zone, simply inform the driver you plan to exit within the same zone.

The zone covers several major attractions in downtown Salt Lake City, including the Salt Palace Convention Center, the Delta Center (where the NBA’s Utah Jazz and NHL’s Utah Mammoth play), and the Utah State Capitol. The bus also passes by Temple Square, a historic Mormon landmark.

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Over 2 million annual passengers use Fayetteville’s two public transit agencies, Ozark Regional Transit and Razorback Transit, both of which are free to ride. Ozark Regional Transit provides service in both the urban and rural areas around the city, while Razorback Transit operates more centrally near the University of Arkansas. (You don’t have to be a student to ride for free.) There are more than 220 stops across both systems, and the city also offers on-demand rides that you can schedule for $1.25.

New York, New York

America’s most populous city also has one of the country’s most impressive and extensive public transit networks. While the majority of New York City’s subway and bus lines require a standard $3 fare, there are a handful of individual free routes.

The Q70 bus offers complimentary service for riders between the Woodside neighborhood of Queens and LaGuardia Airport. It’s a convenient way for visitors to get from the airport to both the subway lines into Manhattan and the Long Island Rail Road. (The bus portion is free, but you’ll need to pay a fare to ride the subway or LIRR.) Another free service is the Red Bus on Roosevelt Island, which is located in the Hudson River between Manhattan and Queens. 

Perhaps the most popular form of free public transit in the Big Apple is the Staten Island Ferry, which connects the borough of Staten Island with Manhattan’s Financial District. Not only is the ferry a trusted commuter service, but it also offers stunning views of New York Harbor and even passes by the Statue of Liberty — and it’s completely free to ride.