Whether you're a student, tourist, or local explorer, Lincoln makes getting around a breeze. From buses to bikes, here’s your go-to guide for navigating the Star City.
Bus Service
StarTran provides bus service for the city of Lincoln. These buses run daily throughout the city and are a great way to get to and from campus. A bus pass is required to board and ride all StarTran buses. UNL students receive a free StarTran bus pass, which you can claim at the Token Transit website.
The university contracts with StarTran to operate campus bus routes Monday through Friday during the Fall and Spring semesters, with reduced service available during the summer, university holidays, and vacation periods. Buses 24 and 25 commute between City Campus and East Campus regularly for students who attend classes on both. Parking and Transit Services also provides van service to connect East Campus and Nebraska Innovation Campus when classes are in session. Information about campus bus routes and van services can be found on the Parking & Transit Services website.
The RideLNK Bus Tracker app allows students, staff, and faculty to view real-time GPS data of the City of Lincoln bus system on mobile devices. Visit the StarTran website for links to the Apple iOS and Android versions of the app. You can also plan your route using StarTran’s trip planner.
Tips for bus riders: How to Ride StarTran
Biking
There are several bicycle stores close to campus that offer new or second-hand bikes, as well as repair services. Student-run Facebook Marketplace groups and Lincoln Bike Kitchen are also good sources for second-hand bicycles. Bike rentals are available from the UNL Outdoor Adventures Bike Shop on a daily, weekend, weekly, and semester long basis. You can choose from single speed bikes, mountain bikes, and touring road bikes, and all rentals include a bike helmet and bike lock. Lincoln also has a bike-share service, BikeLNK, that offers students a 1-year pass for $25. Note that cyclists are required to bike in the bicycle lane or on the street, not on the sidewalk.
Safety tips:
- Wear a helmet and bright clothing
- Use lights at night (white in front, red in back)
- Announce when passing pedestrians (“On your left!”)
Driving/Ride Shares
If you’ve got a car, Lincoln’s roads are easy to navigate with the assistance of online maps. Parking downtown is generally available, and traffic is light compared to bigger cities. If you don’t have a car, providers such as Uber and Lyft offer on-demand, shared ride services that are becoming a preferred mode of transportation for many students. These services connect drivers with passengers who request and pay for rides through their respective smartphone apps and are typically available 24/7.
Taxis are not as common in Lincoln as they are in larger cities, but they are available on demand. To use a taxi, you’ll need to call a taxi company to have a cab dispatched to pick you up. Triple D City Car Service and zTrip are a couple taxi companies serving the Lincoln area.
Safety tips:
- Watch for pedestrians and cyclists
- Slow down in school zones
- Avoid distractions – stay off your phone!
- Don’t drink and drive
Walking
Lincoln’s downtown and Historic Haymarket District are super walkable. You’ll find restaurants, shops, and galleries all within a few blocks.
Safety tips:
- Use crosswalks and make eye contact with drivers
- Stay visible at night with reflective clothing and gear
- Avoid distractions like phones while crossing streets
Visit the City of Lincoln website for more tips on how to get around safely in the city.