The Rapid Route 27

$1.75 gets you from GRR to Woodland Mall on The Rapid Route 27

The Rapid Route 27 is the budget move out of Gerald R. Ford International (Terminal 1) if you’re heading toward Kentwood, the 28th Street/Woodland Mall area, or transferring toward downtown. The ride runs about 30–40 minutes from the airport stop to Woodland Mall, and the cash fare is $1.75 per person as of 2024.

Buses typically come every 30 minutes on weekdays, which lines up best with mid-day and afternoon flights. Reddit riders describe it as “roughly every half hour,” but also flag that it’s not something to trust for a 6 a.m. departure or late-night arrival. Regulars basically treat it as a daytime-only option and switch to Uber or Lyft when flights leave before 7 a.m. or land after evening service ends.

The key connection point is Woodland Mall on 28th Street, where you can hop to other Rapid routes toward downtown Grand Rapids, East Beltline, or other suburbs. That transfer can stretch your total trip well past the base 30–40 minutes, especially if you hit a 25–30 minute wait between buses. Build the buffer if you’re changing routes, even for a short hop like Woodland Mall to Monroe Center.

How to ride Route 27 from GRR (step-by-step)

• 1. Exit Terminal 1 at arrivals and follow signs toward the public transportation/“Bus” area near the main curbside, where local riders say the Route 27 stop is clearly marked.
• 2. Check the schedule on The Rapid’s website or app for Route 27, and aim for a bus that gets you to the airport at least 90 minutes before a domestic flight or 2 hours before an international departure.
• 3. Have $1.75 ready in cash or use an accepted pass when you board; drivers on Grand Rapids routes typically do not make change, so bring small bills or a loaded card.
• 4. Ride 30–40 minutes to Woodland Mall, watching for the announced stop at the mall’s transit hub on 28th Street if you plan to transfer to another Rapid line.
• 5. Transfer if needed to a connecting bus toward downtown or East Beltline, and pad an extra 30–45 minutes for the transfer plus traffic before any time-sensitive plans.

One tip: if your flight departs before 9 a.m. or lands after evening service, price out Uber/Lyft from GRR as a backup; locals on Reddit repeatedly warn that the first and last Route 27 runs cut it too close for pre-7 a.m. flights.