Public Transportation
Getting Around Cleveland
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA).
Things Cleveland Marathon participants should know:
- The Red Line goes directly from the airport to downtown, for participants who are flying in and staying downtown. Tower City connects to the Marriott Renaissance Hotel directly, and is not far away from many of the hotels.
- On weekdays only, there are free Trolleys around downtown (two routes) from 7 am to 7 pm, that connect Tower City to several hotels and restaurants, so the expense of car, gas and parking could be avoided! Trolleys do not operate on weekends.
- Downtown area: Click here to see the downtown map on the RTA website that might be helpful to participants.
- Bus Route #1: Here is the schedule of the bus that serves the Euclid location where the Health & Fitness Expo is located. Schedules are different for weekdays, Saturday and Sunday, so riders are advised to take a look at which day and which direction for timing.
- Prices/Riding Options. One way ride: $2.25 (exact change). All-Day Pass $5.00. i.e. From the airport, Red Line service, one way to downtown: $2.25. If traveling by bus to the Expo Center (bus #1), or planning on riding more than twice in the same day, an All-Day pass can be purchased for $5. If you are going to do more riding, another economical option is a 5-trip pass - can get you to and from the airport, then to and from the Expo for $11.25 and you don't have to look for change, etc! There are ticket vending machines at the airport and along the Red Line stops, or tickets can be purchased in advance by clicking here.
- The Waterfront Lines are extensions of the Blue and Green Rapid Transit Lines that runs from Tower City down by Browns Stadium. Saturday and Sunday it runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Same rates apply. Runners could take a ride on Saturday to familiarize themselves with the area of the race for Sunday. Again, an All-Day pass is $5 and the easiest way to do this.
- Plan ahead to navigate Cleveland on RTA, and telephone operators can help make a route plan for each individual. Google Transit is also available to assist, but when someone is new to the area or visiting for an event like this, it is nice to have that personal assistance. RTAnswerline for Route Planning and question answering is: 216.621.9500. Operators answer calls Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Free Parking available along Rapid Lines! RTA riders can drive to a Rapid Transit Station with free parking in nearly 8,000 available spaces and then ride downtown, avoiding parking hassles and fees. The most available parking is located along the Red Line on the west side of Cleveland, at Triskett Station at 12405 Lakewood Heights Blvd. 44107; West Park, 14510 Lorain Rd, 44111; Puritas & W. 150th, 4200 W. 150th St., 44135; and Brookpark Station, 18010 Brookpark Rd, 44135. The best location with parking east of Cleveland is the Green Road station on the Green Line, 22900 Shaker Blvd., 44122. All stations are listed here.
The above are best bets for parking and then taking the Rapid downtown. It is a walk from Tower City to the Waterfront, but it's walkable and could be cheaper. - More info: Visit www.riderta.com for info.