Transportation in Richmond

Richmond keeps things simple: the GRTC Pulse bus rapid transit line is the backbone you'll use, running a straight shot from Rocketts Landing through downtown to Willow Lawn with dedicated lanes that shrug off traffic. Local buses fill the gaps, and the fare card you grab at any Pulse station works on the whole network, skip the daily ticket scramble and just tap. For door-to-door, rideshares cluster around Shockoe Bottom and the convention center; they're a splurge compared to the bus but split three ways it's barely more than coffee money. First-timers should know the Pulse stations are spaced far enough apart that you'll walk a few blocks, download the GRTC app to see real arrivals and avoid the rookie mistake of waiting at a regular stop for a rapid bus. Downtown's grid is compact enough that you might not need wheels at all between the riverfront, Capitol Square, and Carytown. Don't bother with the tourist trolley loops. They crawl and miss the neighborhoods where locals eat and drink. From Richmond International, the only public option is the Route 7 bus, it's cheap but winds through neighborhoods for 45 minutes. If you're landing late or hauling bags, the taxi queue outside baggage claim is your honest fallback. Agree on the meter before you load up, as there's no flat rate.