City in Tennessee, United States
Getting around Memphis
How to get around Memphis
Memphis is car-oriented. Downtown trolleys and walking cover the tourist core; Uber and Lyft cover the rest, and MATA buses are slow with limited evening service.
Ways to get around Memphis
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| MATA bus | US$1 (a fare-free pilot was running in 2026) | Slow and infrequent outside downtown; limited evenings and Sundays |
| MATA trolley (Main Street) | Same as bus (US$1; pilot fare-free) | Downtown and South Main only; modern trolley or vintage cars |
| Uber or Lyft | US$10–18 for 5 km | Most practical for Graceland, Midtown and nights |
| Rental car | From about US$40–70 a day | Best for Graceland and the wider region |
Ride-hailing apps in Memphis
A 5 km ride costs about $10–18 ($10–18).
- Street-hail taxis are rare; book or use an app. Nights and events can mean waits.
Arriving in Memphis
Memphis International (MEM)
About 10 miles from downtown; Uber or Lyft US$20–30, 15–20 min; taxis similar; MATA buses serve the airport slowly.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Shared e-scooters operate downtown and Midtown; helmets are not provided. Rare in daily use.
- Driving: on the right. Foreign licences work for visitors in most states; carry an IDP if yours isn't in English. Under-25s pay rental surcharges.
- Onward travel in United States: Distances are long, so domestic flights are usually fastest. Amtrak works well in the Northeast Corridor; buses are cheapest. Outside big cities you often need a car.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Memphis?
Yes. Apps that work here: Uber, Lyft.
What's the best way to get around Memphis?
Memphis is car-oriented. Downtown trolleys and walking cover the tourist core; Uber and Lyft cover the rest, and MATA buses are slow with limited evening service.
How do I get from the airport to Memphis?
About 10 miles from downtown; Uber or Lyft US$20–30, 15–20 min; taxis similar; MATA buses serve the airport slowly.
Is Memphis walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Memphis
Going to Memphis solo?
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Sources
- Amtrak
- Greyhound
- FlixBus
- Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) fares
- Memphis International Airport
- Memphis Travel (Visit Memphis)
- National Civil Rights Museum
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.