Service Overview
St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is served by public bus options from the airport’s Bus Port, mainly MetroBus for local travel and Greyhound for limited scheduled inter-city service. This is the most budget-friendly way to leave the airport if you’re comfortable with public transit and short walks, and it’s especially useful if your final destination isn’t right on the MetroLink line.
Best for: solo travelers and budget-minded visitors, airport employees, and anyone connecting to the broader Metro Transit network. Families with lots of luggage may find buses less convenient than a taxi/rideshare or shuttle. Reliability is generally good on MetroBus, but allow buffer time—traffic and transfers can add delays compared with rail.
Route & Destinations
- MetroBus (Metro Transit): Local routes from the Bus Port (south of Terminal 1) serving areas across St. Louis and nearby communities. Routes vary, but most practical trips involve a transfer to MetroLink (light rail) for downtown access.
- Greyhound: Scheduled inter-city service from the same Bus Port with destinations across the U.S. (often with onward connections). From STL it’s typically used for regional/city-to-city travel rather than local downtown trips.
Downtown (city center) travel time: by bus-only routing, times vary widely by route and connection. Under normal conditions, the airport-to-downtown corridor is about 15 miles. If you’re heading downtown, the fastest transit option is usually MetroLink (about 31 minutes from Terminal 1 station to Civic Center), with MetroBus mainly acting as a feeder or last-mile option.
Connections: The airport is well set up for transfers—MetroBus links into the Metro Transit system, and you can connect to MetroLink Red Line at the airport stations (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 access). Greyhound connections depend on the specific itinerary.
Pricing & Tickets
- MetroBus fares: Vary by route/fare type. If you’re combining bus and rail, check Metro Transit fare options before you ride.
- Greyhound fares: Varies by route; typical airport-to-downtown-area inter-city pricing seen is about $20–$40 depending on date and demand.
Where to buy: Metro transit fares can be purchased via the Transit app and at Metro vending/ticketing points where available; Greyhound tickets are best purchased online/in-app in advance to lock in your seat and fare. Payment methods depend on the operator, but mobile purchase and major cards are commonly supported.
Schedule & Frequency
- MetroBus: Listed as “regular service,” but frequency depends on the route and time of day. Expect longer waits outside peak commuter periods.
- Greyhound: Service can be limited; recent schedules indicate as little as once daily from the airport on some routings.
For late-night/early-morning airport trips, buses may not be ideal if your route has gaps. In those hours, consider MetroLink (typically operating roughly 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. depending on day) or a taxi/rideshare.
Practical Tips
- Pickup point: Buses depart from the Bus Port, south of Terminal 1. Follow airport signage for “Buses/Bus Port.”
- Luggage: MetroBus is fine for standard suitcases, but space is limited during busy periods. Greyhound typically has undercarriage luggage space.
- Accessibility: Metro buses are generally accessible (low-floor/ramp-equipped). If you need assistance, arrive early and use the front-door boarding area.
- Real-time planning: Use the Transit app for mobile tickets and real-time arrivals where available; always confirm your specific route and stop.
- Best alternatives: For downtown, MetroLink is usually simpler and more predictable. If you’re door-to-door with luggage, a taxi/rideshare (often around $45 to downtown) or a shuttle may be worth the extra cost.