Getting Around Traverse City
Get to know your travel options, from airports to bus systems to rideshare services
Traverse City Airport Information
Traverse City's Cherry Capital Airport is a full-service commercial airport offering major airline service to over 300 domestic and international destinations. Find nonstop flights below from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Elite Airways and Allegiant. Global service is also offered through hub airport connections in Detroit and Chicago year-round. Cherry Capital Airport is located 5 miles from downtown Traverse City.
Traverse City Ground Information
The Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) provides more than half a million annual rides to residents and visitors in Leelanau and Grand Traverse counties. The transit authority offers Loop service with dedicated routes and fixed stops throughout Traverse City and the surrounding villages, as well as Link service that functions as a traditional dial-a-ride. In addition, BATA introduced programs like Bike-n-Ride, Ski-n-Ride, and various event and festival shuttles, broadening standard service offerings. Service if offered Monday – Friday from 5 am until midnight and 6 am to midnight on Saturday and Sunday. One-way fares range from $1.50 to $3.00 and reduce fares are available for students, seniors, and the disabled.
Indian Trails intercity bus service has scheduled trips to Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Flint and many other Michigan cities, as well as Chicago.
Rental Cars
TVC has on-site rental offices for Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National.
Taxis
Cherry Capital Cab, Chippewa Cab, and Grand Traverse Limousine & Airport Service all provide rides from the airport. (Calling in advance is recommended.) Expect to pay about $10 for a cab ride to downtown.
Indian Trails intercity bus service has scheduled trips to Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Flint and many other Michigan cities, as well as Chicago.
Rental Cars
TVC has on-site rental offices for Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National.
Taxis
Cherry Capital Cab, Chippewa Cab, and Grand Traverse Limousine & Airport Service all provide rides from the airport. (Calling in advance is recommended.) Expect to pay about $10 for a cab ride to downtown.
Traverse City General Information
Here is some helpful information that we hope will be useful in planning your trip to Traverse City ... and while you are here!
Time
Thanks to Traverse City's northern position on the 45th parallel and its location on the western edge of the Eastern time zone, it enjoys daylight well into the evening hours throughout the spring and summer! Michigan is on Eastern Standard Time EST), sharing that time zone with cities and states on the east coast of the United States. With the rest of Michigan, Traverse City moves to Eastern Daylight Time from April through October each year, jumping ahead one hour ("spring forward") the second Sunday in March, and moving back one hour ("fall back") on the first Sunday in November.
Sales Taxes
Michigan's sales tax rate is 6 percent. Food and prescription drugs are exempt. A 5-percent lodging assessment is levied on overnight room rentals in the region.
Operator, Directory Assistance
Operator assisted calls can be made by dialing 0 + area code + seven-digit phone number. Directory assistance is available by calling 0 + area code + 555-1212. Toll-free numbers use the prefixes 800, 888, 877 or 222.
Public Safety
Emergency assistance is available by calling 911. Maritime assistance is available by calling the United States Coast Guard Station in Traverse City at (231) 922-8222. For a complete list of emergency numbers, visit our Public Safety page.
Accessibility
There are several beaches, outdoor recreation areas, art centers, and more that are accessible in Traverse City. Mobi-mats create a pathway to the area's popular beaches, many of the local trails are paved for easy accessibility, and there are ample opportunities to participate in art programs. For more detailed information please visit our Accessibility page.
Liquor Laws
The legal drinking age in Michigan is 21. Taverns must cease serving alcohol at 2 a.m. and must close by 2:30 a.m.
Smoking
The legal smoking age in Michigan is 21. All state offices and many public and private businesses -- including most restaurants -- prohibit smoking.
Travel to Canada
For United States and Canadian Citizens, either a passport, passport card, Nexus card (frequent visitors from U.S. to Canada) or an enhanced driver's license is required to cross the border. Travelers crossing back into Canada after 24 hours away can bring back $200 worth of duty-free goods -- up from just $50. And if you stay longer than 48 hours, you can enjoy an $800 duty-free allowance on goods. Travelers may take their dogs and cats to Canada if they have a certificate issued by a licensed Canadian or U.S. veterinarian showing that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies during the previous 36 months. Puppies and kittens under 3 months of age, and seeing-eye dogs, may be taken to Canada without certification or other restrictions.
Time
Thanks to Traverse City's northern position on the 45th parallel and its location on the western edge of the Eastern time zone, it enjoys daylight well into the evening hours throughout the spring and summer! Michigan is on Eastern Standard Time EST), sharing that time zone with cities and states on the east coast of the United States. With the rest of Michigan, Traverse City moves to Eastern Daylight Time from April through October each year, jumping ahead one hour ("spring forward") the second Sunday in March, and moving back one hour ("fall back") on the first Sunday in November.
Sales Taxes
Michigan's sales tax rate is 6 percent. Food and prescription drugs are exempt. A 5-percent lodging assessment is levied on overnight room rentals in the region.
Operator, Directory Assistance
Operator assisted calls can be made by dialing 0 + area code + seven-digit phone number. Directory assistance is available by calling 0 + area code + 555-1212. Toll-free numbers use the prefixes 800, 888, 877 or 222.
Public Safety
Emergency assistance is available by calling 911. Maritime assistance is available by calling the United States Coast Guard Station in Traverse City at (231) 922-8222. For a complete list of emergency numbers, visit our Public Safety page.
Accessibility
There are several beaches, outdoor recreation areas, art centers, and more that are accessible in Traverse City. Mobi-mats create a pathway to the area's popular beaches, many of the local trails are paved for easy accessibility, and there are ample opportunities to participate in art programs. For more detailed information please visit our Accessibility page.
Liquor Laws
The legal drinking age in Michigan is 21. Taverns must cease serving alcohol at 2 a.m. and must close by 2:30 a.m.
Smoking
The legal smoking age in Michigan is 21. All state offices and many public and private businesses -- including most restaurants -- prohibit smoking.
Travel to Canada
For United States and Canadian Citizens, either a passport, passport card, Nexus card (frequent visitors from U.S. to Canada) or an enhanced driver's license is required to cross the border. Travelers crossing back into Canada after 24 hours away can bring back $200 worth of duty-free goods -- up from just $50. And if you stay longer than 48 hours, you can enjoy an $800 duty-free allowance on goods. Travelers may take their dogs and cats to Canada if they have a certificate issued by a licensed Canadian or U.S. veterinarian showing that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies during the previous 36 months. Puppies and kittens under 3 months of age, and seeing-eye dogs, may be taken to Canada without certification or other restrictions.
