How to Ride Transit in Durham and the Triangle

The City of Durham has many ways to get around without a car — GoDurham buses, regional routes, Amtrak trains, shared bikes and Lime scooters, and door-to-door service for riders who need it.

This guide walks you through your first trip and points you to current schedules and fares. If you'd rather learn in person, Bike Durham's Travel Training program will ride with you the first time.

HOW DO I PLAN A BUS TRIP IN DURHAM?

Start with where you're going and when you need to be there. A trip-planning app does the rest; it maps the route, tells you which bus to catch, and shows where to transfer.

Google Maps and the Transit app both plan trips across GoDurham, GoTriangle, and the region's other systems. Transit also shows live bus locations, so you know whether yours is running early or late.

To use Google Maps, follow these easy steps:

Enter your destination and click “Directions”
Choose transit mode (click the train icon)
Check the route, travel time, and any transfers before you leave
Click “Start”

For current schedules and real-time arrivals: GoTransitNC.org

New to this? You don't have to figure it out alone. Bike Durham's Travel Training program plans a real trip with you and rides along the first time.

How much does the bus cost in Durham?

GoDurham is fare-free; there's no charge to ride any GoDurham route. For regional GoTriangle trips and travel into Raleigh or Cary, you'll pay a fare through the Umo app or with cash on board.

For regional fare details and passes: gotriangle.org.

How often do the buses come?

It depends on the route and the time of day. GoDurham's busier routes run about every 15 minutes during the day, while others come every 30 or 60 minutes, and service is less frequent in the evenings and on Sundays. GoDurham adjusts routes and frequencies a few times a year, so the most reliable way to know your bus is to check the live schedule.

The easiest approach is a trip-planning app. The Transit app shows real-time arrivals, so instead of memorizing a timetable you can see exactly when the next bus reaches your stop. For route schedules and current service changes check GoDurham.

What do I do at the bus stop?

Arrive a few minutes early and stand where the driver can see you.

Check the route number and destination on the front of the bus before you board. Several routes may use the same stop. Wait away from the curb until the bus comes to a full stop.

A few habits make the ride easier for everyone:

Let riders exit before you board
Keep priority seats open for seniors and riders with disabilities
Signal your stop by pulling the cord or pressing the button with enough time for the driver to pull over safely. If you're not sure where to get off, tell the driver your stop when you board and ask them to let you know

Can I bring my bike on the bus?

Yes. Every GoDurham bus has a rack on the front that holds two bikes, at no extra charge, first come first served. If the rack is full, wait for the next bus. Bikes are not allowed inside the bus.

To load:

Tell the driver you're loading a bike
Squeeze the handle to lower the rack, lift your bike into an open slot front wheel first, and pull the support arm over the front tire.
When you reach your stop, tell the driver before you exit, unload from the curb side, and never step in front of the bus.

How do I get to Chapel Hill, Raleigh, or RDU airport?

GoTriangle runs the regional routes that connect Durham to the rest of the Triangle — Chapel Hill, Raleigh, RTP, and RDU. Trips are paid through the Umo app or with cash.

Because regional schedules change with demand, plan these trips against GoTriangle's current schedule rather than a printed timetable. Their site has route maps, times, and service alerts. gotriangle.org

What if I can't use the regular bus?

Durham has door-to-door and on-demand options for riders who need them.

GoDurham ACCESS is ADA paratransit for riders whose disability prevents them from using regular buses; it requires an application. GoDurham Connect offers on-demand shared rides within parts of Durham. Durham County ACCESS serves eligible county residents, including adults 60 and older. Eligibility, service areas, and booking differ for each — the details are on GoDurham's site. godurhamtransit.org

ACCESS applications can look intimidating. They're not, and you don't have to do it alone — Travel Training will sit down and walk through it with you. Learn about Travel Training

Can I take a train from Durham?

Yes. Durham Station serves NC By Train, with Piedmont trains running between Raleigh and Charlotte and the Carolinian continuing north toward Washington and New York. It's a low-stress way to reach Greensboro, Charlotte, or points beyond without driving.

Book at Amtrak.com or the Amtrak app, arrive 30 minutes early (45 if you're checking baggage or a bike), and reserve a bike space when you book if you're bringing one — spaces are limited. ncbytrain.org

What should I know before my first train trip?

Buy your ticket ahead of time — online at Amtrak.com, in the Amtrak app, by phone, or at the station kiosk or ticket counter. Arrive at Durham Station 30 minutes before departure, or 45 minutes if you're checking baggage or bringing a bike.

Once you're there, read the departure board and listen for announcements so you know when your train is called. Let passengers exit before you board, then follow the crew's directions. In coach you can take any open seat — ask a crew member if you need help finding one or need an accessible seat. Keep your ticket handy to show when asked, and then settle in for the ride.

If you're bringing a bike, reserve a bike space when you book — spaces are limited and fill up. For schedules, tickets, and accessibility requests: ncbytrain.org

What about scooters and shared bikes?

Shared scooters and e-bikes cover the short trips buses don't — the half-mile to your stop, the mile to the store. Durham's program currently lists Spin and Lime; you find, unlock, and pay through the operator's app.

Both operators run discount programs for riders receiving benefits like SNAP or Medicaid, which lower the cost of every trip. Rates and programs change, so check the operator's app and the City's current information before you ride.

Learn more from the City of Durham’s page on shared micromobility devices in Durham.

Where can I learn to ride with Bike Durham?

Bike Durham's Travel Training program helps you get comfortable using transit — planning a trip, reading a schedule, and taking that first ride with someone alongside you. We also teach bike education classes at three levels, from learning to balance through riding confidently in traffic, on a sliding scale.

Travel Training: travel.training@bikedurham.org
Bike classes: bikedurham.org/bike-education-classes

Every trip you take builds confidence for the next one. Start with something small this week — ride one bus, plan one route, walk to a stop — and go from there. If you get stuck, we're here to help.