What is the cheapest way from SLC Airport to downtown Salt Lake City?

The TRAX Green Line light rail, run by UTA. A one-way ticket is $2.50 and the ride takes about 20–25 minutes from the Airport station to downtown stops like Temple Square or City Center.

Where do I catch TRAX at Salt Lake City Airport?

Exit baggage claim through Door 1A on the east side of the terminal and walk about 2–3 minutes to the Airport TRAX platform, where the Green Line boards.

How do I buy a TRAX ticket?

Buy a $2.50 single-ride ticket at the vending machine on the platform (cash or card) or through the Transit app before boarding — there are no tap-to-pay readers on the train.

Is there a free fare zone in downtown Salt Lake City?

Yes — once you're off the train inside downtown's Free Fare Zone (roughly North Temple to 500 South, 200 East to 400 West, including Temple Square, City Center and Salt Lake Central stations), further TRAX or bus rides that start and end inside the zone are free.

Is TRAX service to the airport ever disrupted?

Occasionally — UTA has run weekend bus bridges between the Airport and North Temple Bridge/Guadalupe stations in 2025–2026 for I-215 bridge maintenance, adding about 30–45 minutes. Check UTA's Detours & Disruptions page before you fly if you're traveling on a weekend.

What is the best way from SLC to downtown Salt Lake City?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the $2.50 TRAX Green Line, about 25–30 minutes door-to-door to city center stops like Temple Square, City Center or Courthouse.

How much is a taxi from Salt Lake City International Airport to the city?

Yellow Cab's metered downtown fare runs about $25–30 (with a roughly $25 minimum), and Uber/Lyft price similarly — about ten times the $2.50 TRAX fare for a comparable 15–25 minute trip.

How do you get from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) to downtown Salt Lake City — the cheapest way?

The cheapest way from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) into downtown is the TRAX Green Line light rail: a one-way ticket is $2.50 and the trip takes about 25–30 minutes door-to-door, including the short walk from baggage claim to the platform. Buy your ticket at the station's vending machine or in the Transit app before boarding, then ride into central Salt Lake City — Temple Square, City Center or another downtown stop inside the Free Fare Zone. Skip the taxi or Uber/Lyft outside baggage claim — they run about $25–30 for the same trip, roughly ten times the train fare.

How to find it

AIRPORTSalt Lake City International Airport
01From baggage claim, exit through Door 1A on the east side of the terminal and walk about 2–3 minutes to the Airport TRAX platform.
02Buy a $2.50 one-way ticket at the vending machine (card or cash) or in the Transit app before boarding — TRAX has no tap-to-pay readers on board.
03Board the next Green Line train — trains run every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 20 minutes on weekends, roughly 4:45am–11:30pm.
04Ride about 20–25 minutes to Temple Square, City Center or Courthouse station, all inside downtown's Free Fare Zone near Temple Square and Salt Lake Central.
CITY CENTRESalt Lake City

Ticket

TRAX single-ride fare (UTA)

Where to buy: Ticket vending machine (TVM) on the Airport TRAX platform, or in advance via the Transit app.

How to pay: TVMs take card and cash; the Transit app takes card. Buying the ticket activates it for 2 hours — no separate validation stamp is needed.

Local's trick: Downtown has a Free Fare Zone (roughly North Temple to 500 South, 200 East to 400 West) covering Temple Square, City Center, Gallivan Plaza, Courthouse and Salt Lake Central stations — once you're off the train there, further TRAX or bus hops that start and end inside the zone are free, so a hotel a few stops away doesn't need a second ticket.

Trap to avoid: Skip the taxi or Uber/Lyft outside baggage claim — Yellow Cab's metered downtown fare runs about $25–30 (with a roughly $25 minimum) and rideshare prices similarly, about ten times the $2.50 TRAX fare for a comparable 15–25 minute trip.

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from SLC Airport to downtown Salt Lake City?: The TRAX Green Line light rail, run by UTA. A one-way ticket is $2.50 and the ride takes about 20–25 minutes from the Airport station to downtown stops like Temple Square or City Center.
Where do I catch TRAX at Salt Lake City Airport?: Exit baggage claim through Door 1A on the east side of the terminal and walk about 2–3 minutes to the Airport TRAX platform, where the Green Line boards.
How do I buy a TRAX ticket?: Buy a $2.50 single-ride ticket at the vending machine on the platform (cash or card) or through the Transit app before boarding — there are no tap-to-pay readers on the train.
Is there a free fare zone in downtown Salt Lake City?: Yes — once you're off the train inside downtown's Free Fare Zone (roughly North Temple to 500 South, 200 East to 400 West, including Temple Square, City Center and Salt Lake Central stations), further TRAX or bus rides that start and end inside the zone are free.
Is TRAX service to the airport ever disrupted?: Occasionally — UTA has run weekend bus bridges between the Airport and North Temple Bridge/Guadalupe stations in 2025–2026 for I-215 bridge maintenance, adding about 30–45 minutes. Check UTA's Detours & Disruptions page before you fly if you're traveling on a weekend.
What is the best way from SLC to downtown Salt Lake City?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the $2.50 TRAX Green Line, about 25–30 minutes door-to-door to city center stops like Temple Square, City Center or Courthouse.
How much is a taxi from Salt Lake City International Airport to the city?: Yellow Cab's metered downtown fare runs about $25–30 (with a roughly $25 minimum), and Uber/Lyft price similarly — about ten times the $2.50 TRAX fare for a comparable 15–25 minute trip.

Last verified: Jul 2, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.