Getting In, Getting Around Jacksonville

Jacksonville can easily be reached by car. Major highways entering the city include I-10, I-95, US-1, US-90, and FL-A1A.

Jacksonville International Airport also has regular flights to many US cities with major carriers such as Delta, US Air, Continental, American, Air Tran and Southwest.


Unless you want to spend a lot of time waiting for buses, a car is a must to fully experience Jacksonville; due to Jacksonville's size and low density, most destinations are not within walking distance of each other. Mass transit is limited to the city bus system, and an elevated rail system in the downtown district that links both banks of the River with a crossing on the Acosta Bridge. The bus system is minimally adequate; no bus runs past midnight, and many bus routes stop running at around 8 or 9 PM. All buses are linked via GPS to a central control system and stops are well-marked throughout the entire city.

Jacksonville Transportation Authority (904-630-3100) bus system is fairly extensive in scope, but you must plan ahead as the frequency of stops is between 30 minutes to an hour. Buses are air-conditioned and reasonably comfortable, but JTA buses struggle with on-time performance.

Greyhound is centrally located downtown.

Amtrak (3570 Clifford Lane, 1-800-872-7245) - service by the Silver Service/Palmetto and Sunset Limited lines.

Taxi services are available, but expensive due to the sprawl of the city.

Car rentals are the most convenient for of transportation for visitors, with local companies offering better prices but national chains offering more convenience vis-a-vis return policies and times. Car Rental Companies include:  Alamo Rent A Car (1-800-462-5266);  Avis Rent A Car (1-800-331-1212);  Budget Rent A Car (1-800-527-0700);  Dollar Rent A Car (1-800-800-3665); E-Z Rent-A-Car (1-800-277-5171); Enterprise Rent-A-Car (1-800-261-7331); Hertz Car Rental (1-800-654-3131); Thrifty (1-800-847-4389)