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Getting around Cleveland

Public transport

Cleveland has a relatively developed public transit system consisting of four rapid transit lines and numerous bus routes. The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (tel: +1 216 621 9500; www.riderta.com) operates these services.

The Red Line is a heavy rail system running from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport through Downtown to East Cleveland. Both the Blue and Green Lines run from the eastern suburbs to Downtown. The Waterfront Line runs from Tower City along the east bank of the Flats to the Muny Parking Lot, stopping at major tourist sites along the way. All the lines intersect underground at Tower City Center. It is possible to transfer a fare onto buses. Buses serve Downtown and the suburbs.

Weekly and monthly transit passes are available, as are day passes, two-trip and five-trip cards. You can buy them online via the Transit Authority website.

Downtown has ‘free with a smile’ trolley services for commuters and visitors. There are four routes, with trolleys running every 10 to 15 minutes during the day.

There is also a HealthLine (formerly the Euclid Corridor), a rapid bus transit line. The buses run on clean fuel and the line runs along a green corridor down Euclid Avenue from Public Square, Downtown to the Louis Stokes station at Windermere in East Cleveland. Cleveland State Line is a second rapid bus transit line operating from Downtown, with branches to Lakewood Park, Bay Village and Crocker Park.

Taxis

You can hail taxis on the street at any time, or order them from a dispatching company if none are available. Companies include Ace Taxi (tel: +1 216 361 4700), Americab (tel: +1 216 815 3683) and Cleveland Taxi (tel: +1 216 856 0867). A tip of around 15% is not expected but always appreciated.

Driving

Cleveland's traffic is usually heaviest around rush hour (0800-0930), particularly on the highways leading into the city. Visitors should be aware that winter snowfalls can bring on dangerous road conditions, particularly on the highways and freeways.

The city is laid out on a loose grid system. Roads running north-south are mostly named according to numerical convention, whereas those running east-west are avenues. Cleveland's most important streets are East Ninth Street and Euclid Avenue. Street parking is available in the downtown core at parking meters. Garage parking is often more reliable. An abundance of garage parking is available near Public Square, adjacent to the Tower City Shopping complex.

Car hire

A number of car hire companies operate including Avis (tel: +1 216 265 3700; www.avis.com), Enterprise (tel: +1 216 348 0700; www.enterprise.com) and Hertz (tel: +1 216 267 8900; www.hertz.com).

Drivers must be at least 21 years to hire a car in Cleveland, and some companies will only hire cars to drivers over 25. Drivers with non-American licences must have a national licence from their country of origin. It is recommended that you always check with the car hire firm, in case an International Driving Permit is required. You can purchase insurance from the car hire company.

Bicycle hire

The city has recently seen a number of pro-cycling developments and awareness campaigns, and there are a number of decent cycle lanes both in and around Cleveland. You can hire bicycles from Garfield Bike Shop, 4520 Warner Road (tel: +1 216 441 6430), or The Bike Rack, 2148 East Fourth Street (tel: +1 216 771 7120; www.clevelandbikerack.com).

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Featured Hotels

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Ritz-Carlton Cleveland

Its spot on the top of the Tower City Center shopping mall is more romantic than it sounds, and the Ritz-Carlton is arguably the city’s most luxurious hotel. Midwest chic, if such a thing can be imagined, is the order of the day, with oversized desks, high-class toiletries and views over the city.

Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Cleveland Downtown - Lakeside

A former Holiday Inn, this property has undergone recent renovation (completed in 2011). For a good price, you’ll get flatscreen TVs and branded toiletries, as well as a smart location not far from Browns Stadium and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Hampton Inn Cleveland Downtown

It’s a budget hotel, but it’s as fresh as many above its station, and you can’t fault the location, which is within walking distance of many places you’re likely to want to visit. Rooms come with coffee makers and there’s even a small fitness room on site.

Embassy Suites Downtown Cleveland

A budget, all-suite option that puts you in the centre of things. Each room comes with a full-size sofa bed if you want to cram a small group in, and also HD TVs and complimentary tea and coffee. Again, you can walk to most of the city's main attractions.

Holiday Inn Express

This inn is constructed in a historic, refurbished bank building in the heart of the downtown theatre district. Centrally located and well priced, it is also popular with sports fans, being within easy walking distance of both Progressive Field and Quicken Loans (Q) Arena. Breakfast and wifi are included with your stay.

Renaissance Cleveland Hotel

A good value hotel on Public Square, the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel is housed in an elegant 1918 building with vaulted ceilings and high-arched windows, and it offers some of the finest accommodations in the city. Its Mediterranean-style restaurant Sans Souci is excellent, and the hotel is conveniently connected to Tower City Center, which offers other good restaurants and a cinema in addition to upscale shopping.