How to Ride Transit in Durham and the Triangle
Durham has more ways to get around without a car than most people realize — city buses, regional routes, trains, shared bikes and 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.
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
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 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
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. Durham shared mobility
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 PHONE / EMAIL — placeholder]
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.
Fill out our interest form using the button below
Contact us by email at travel.training@bikedurham.org or
call us at (919) 283-1940.