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How to get from Louisville Airport to Downtown Louisville

Situated by the Falls of the Ohio River, Louisville is the largest city in the state of Kentucky. With its Southern charm and rich legacy in bourbon and whiskey distilling, it certainly lives up to its name of “Bourbon City”. Louisville is also a sports-fan favourite being the hometown of Muhammad Ali, the Kentucky Derby, and the Louisville Slugger. The riverfront city boasts iconic buildings of different architectural styles, a wide selection of popular museums, and traditional smokehouses with mouthwatering southern cuisine.

You can get from Louisville airport to downtown Louisville by taxi or private shuttle, or bus. An airport taxi transfer is the quickest method of transportation from Louisville airport to downtown, with the ride costing $19.55 (€20) and taking about 10 minutes in typical traffic. You can also take a bus for about 30 minutes to cover the route’s distance at only $1.75 (€1.80) per traveller.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Louisville at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Taxi €20 11min 24/7
Bus €3.60 30min 05:52–21:52

How to get from Louisville Airport to downtown Louisville by taxi

A taxi or private transfer is definitely the fastest and easiest way to get from Louisville airport to downtown. The trip to the city centre usually only takes about 10 minutes under normal traffic conditions and, for a direct transfer to a location in downtown Louisville, local cabs often charge a flat fee of $19.55 (€20).

Taxi fare from Louisville airport to downtown

On average, your transportation from Louisville Airport to downtown by taxi takes 10 minutes and costs $19.55 (€20) as local cabs often charge a flat fee for direct transfers to downtown Louisville. For other areas or transfers with more than one destination, yellow cabs calculate fares based on several variables such as the trip duration, distance, and time of day. If you prefer a guaranteed and competitive set rate fee, we recommend that you book your airport transfer in advance.

Cost

€20

Trip Duration

10 Min.

*Prices do not include tips and may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Louisville Airport.

Where do I get the taxi from?

At Louisville International Airport, you can find the taxi rank at the commercial curb which is located outside the baggage claim area.

Convenience

To get from Louisville airport to the downtown area, a cab or private transfer really is the quickest and easiest way to reach your destination. There is no waiting around, you don’t need exact cash to buy a ticket, and taxis are available 24/7. A taxi is also much more convenient than public transport because it will drop you off where you are going so that you don’t have to take another bus or walk to your hotel while dragging your luggage along.

Editor’s Note

A taxi or private transfer will be your only transportation option if your flight gets in between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am.

Useful Tips

Most taxis in Louisville accept credit card payments but make sure you double-check with the driver before getting in the cab if you don’t have enough cash on you.
Though local taxis use taximeters, private hire companies have their own rates, so it’s best to enquire about that before booking a cab.
A 15-20% tip is standard in the US, but it is not required by law. So, if you are unsatisfied with your driver’s behaviour and service or with the vehicle’s condition, you have the right not to tip.
Before beginning any taxi ride, it’s wise to check that the meter has been reset to the starting fare and that it is on the correct tariff setting.

How to get from Louisville airport to downtown Louisville by bus

A bus is the only available option for public transportation from Louisville airport to downtown Louisville. The ride takes about 30 minutes in average traffic and is budget-friendly with a single ticket costing only $1.75 (€1.80). However, the bus service from Louisville airport to the city centre has long wait times and only runs from around 6 am to 10 pm during weekdays, and even less frequently during weekends and holidays.

How much is the bus from Louisville airport to downtown?

A single ticket from Louisville airport to downtown Louisville costs $1.75 (€1.80), and the trip usually takes about 30 minutes. Unfortunately, at this time, you can only buy your tickets on the bus and must have the exact change in cash to do so.

Cost

€1.80

Trip Duration

30 Min.

There's a waiting time of 40-70 minutes for the bus.

Convenience
Safety
Value for money

Bus service 2 runs from 05:52-21:52 during the week, with less frequent buses during weekends and holidays.

Where do I get the bus from?

To get to the bus stop at Louisville Airport, you need to go to the east end of the main terminal where you will find an island with bus stops. Should you need more information, there is an Airport Information Booth inside the terminal with up-to-date bus schedules. 

Convenience

The bus from the airport to downtown Louisville is a very budget-friendly option costing only $1.75 (€1.80) for a single ticket, but you need to have the exact amount in cash in order to buy your ticket from the driver. The bus is the slowest mode of transport as it takes 30 minutes to reach the centre in normal traffic conditions, whereas by taxi or car it only takes 10 minutes. Perhaps the biggest issue with the bus is that there are long wait times of 40-70 minutes and the service only runs from around 6 am to 10 pm. Depending on what time your flight gets in, the bus could be a convenient option for you, especially if you don’t mind waiting for a while. Downtown Louisville is very walkable so, based on where your hotel is and how far you are willing to walk while carrying your bags, you might be able to avoid having to take another mode of transport.

Editor’s Note

There are long wait times for the bus and the service runs from around 6 am to 10 pm. Make sure you have your exact fare in cash so that you can buy your ticket on board.

Useful Tips

Travellers are requested to have their fare ready upon entry and to use the rear door of the bus when getting off.
All buses are bike rack equipped and wheelchair accessible.
The bus routes are less frequent on weekends and holidays.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

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Frequently asked questions

How far is Louisville airport from downtown Louisville?

Louisville airport is only about 8 km away from downtown Louisville. By taxi or private shuttle, it takes just 10 minutes to reach the centre, and by bus, around 30 minutes.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Louisville airport to downtown?

A taxi or private shuttle is the fastest and easiest way to get from Louisville airport to the downtown location of your preference. The trip takes about 10 minutes, and local cab drivers often offer a flat rate fee of $19.55 (€20) for direct transfers to downtown Louisville. If you would like to secure a competitive set rate, we recommend booking your private airport transfer in advance.

How do I get from Louisville airport to downtown Louisville?

There are two ways to reach downtown Louisville from Louisville airport; you can take a cab or private shuttle, or opt for the bus. Taking a Louisville airport shuttle will get you downtown faster as the average ride is about 10 minutes. For direct transfers from Louisville airport to downtown, cabs will often offer a flat rate fee of $19.55 (€20). The other way you can reach the centre is to take TARC Bus Service 2; the trip takes about 30 minutes and a single ticket costs $1.75 (€1.80). However, keep in mind that the bus has long wait times and doesn’t run until late, so make sure you check the bus schedules in advance and ensure that at least one of the bus departures works well with your landing time.

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