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Getting Around

Wayfinding sign system
Finding your way around Downtown is becoming a whole lot easier thanks to a special partnership with the City of Columbus and Capital Crossroads SID. Pedestrian map kiosks are being installed in 55 locations throughout downtown during 2008. 

Double-sided and oriented in the direction you’re facing, the maps highlight establishments within a five-minute walk of the sign. Establishments include restaurants, retail stores, hotels, theaters, and churches.

The wayfinding doesn’t stop there. The second phase includes approximately 100 vehicular signs guiding drivers to various attractions in downtown. The third phase is an undetermined number of parking rate signs that will indicate the cost of participating garages and surface lots. Coming soon to your downtown neighborhood!

Two wheel vehicles
New parking spaces for two wheelers!

The City of Columbus has announced new free parking spaces for two-wheelers which includes moped, scooters, and motorcycles. Click here to see a map of downtown locations and learn more about what’s to come in phase two.

Transit/COTA
As the hub of the bus transit services provided by the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), Downtown Columbus boasts more than a dozen routes converging at Broad and High Streets. With so many convenient options available, why not let someone else do the driving?

For information on routes, schedules, and fares, check out the COTA web site.

You can also find routes and schedules and purchase passes at COTA's customer service center, located at 60 E. Broad St (map).

COTA operates two express bus terminals downtown as shown on the map below. The north terminal is located on West Spring Street next to the Courtyard by Marriott and the south terminal is located on East Rich Street inside the City Center Parking Facility.

Bikes
If you prefer two wheels to four, Downtown Columbus is the perfect city to travel by bike. Many of the bike and multi-use trails that traverse the Columbus area converge Downtown, giving visitors a fun, scenic, and healthy way to see the sights and get around the city.

Olentangy Multi-Use Trail — The 12.75-mile Olentangy Multi-Use Trail connects Worthington, Clintonville, The Ohio State University, Harrison West, and Downtown. A favorite among many residents, this 10-foot-wide pathway features two bridges crossing the Olentangy River.

Scioto River Multi-Use Trail — Enjoy stunning views of the Scioto River, the downtown skyline, and the city's many parks and natural areas along this scenic trail. Bird watching enthusiasts will especially enjoy the lower Scioto dam and marina area. Winding its way through wooded natural areas, Berliner Trail provides beautiful glimpses of the Scioto River and park. Stop on the west side of the river at the Greenlawn dam area for a dramatic vista of the dam. Perhaps you'll catch sight of a great blue heron or one of the other water birds that frequent this area.

I-670 Multi-Use Trail — This 3.5 mile trail travels from Ft. Hayes, east along I-670, following Leonard Avenue, crossing Nelson and Fifth Avenues, and ending at Airport Drive, near Ohio Dominican College. It connects to the Alum Creek trail at Nelson Road.

City Biking Info: http://www.columbusrecparks.com/trails/Greenways_Trails.asp
Other info: http://www.jnybny.com/OverviewFm.htm

For more information including trail maps, check out the Recreation & Parks Trail Directory.

Road Closings
For a list of road closing please click here.

Moped/Scooter
If you want to head to the Tip Top for their two-wheeler discount or just tool around Downtown on your moped or scooter, it's a good time brush up on the laws and regulations related to moped use.

• Moped owners are required to follow similar licensing and registration requirements as car and motorcycle owners.
• Operators under the age of 16 must obtain a probationary motorized bicycle license.
• Moped operators must obey the same traffic laws as bicycles and motor vehicles.
• Riders under the age of 18 are required by law to wear a protective helmet with a properly fastened chinstrap. All riders, regardless of age, are encouraged to do so.
• Moped operators must stay within three feet of the right edge of the roadway, when practical.
• Passengers should not be carried on a moped.
• All mopeds must be equipped with rearview mirrors.
• If you are riding a small size moped, be aware of your decreased visibility, especially at night.
• To enhance visibility, moped owners should equip their moped with reflectors and other accessories that enhance visibility.

For any additional information regarding moped regulations and safety, please visit www.moped2.org.

Car Rental
Looking to rent a pair of wheels? Downtown offers four conveniently located car rental facilities, making it easy for you to get on the road. For more information or to reserve a vehicle, click the links below or call the facilities direct.

Taxi Service
Downtown offers reliable, 24-hour taxi service. Taxi’s can be found near major hotels, including the Hyatt on Capitol Square, Columbus Renaissance, and Hyatt Regency. Hailing taxicabs is legal. It is easy to do on certain streets where taxicabs cruise on a regular basis. Good hailing streets are those that lead to taxi stands and major visitor destinations. For example, Third Street between Chestnut and State is an excellent street for hailing a cab within two or three minutes because many empty cabs are headed to taxi stands at the Columbus Renaissance and Hyatt on Capitol Square. A word of caution for hailing is warranted. Taxicabs carrying fares in Columbus do not turn off cruising lights, so an illuminated cruising light does not mean a taxi is available.

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