You probably don't need a car. Here's how to navigate downtown like a local.
Downtown Indianapolis is one of the most walkable downtowns in America. The Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Monument Circle, and Mass Ave are all within a 15-minute walk of each other. Add the skywalk system and you might not go outside at all. Most convention visitors who rent a car end up wishing they hadn't — you'll spend more on parking than you'd save on rideshare.
Walking Distances Between Major Venues
Here's how long it actually takes to walk between the places you'll likely visit. All times are at a comfortable walking pace.
Indianapolis has an enclosed, climate-controlled skywalk system connecting the Convention Center to 4 hotels and Lucas Oil Stadium. You can walk from your hotel room to your convention session without going outside.
Both Uber and Lyft are widely available downtown. A few tips specific to Indianapolis:
Typical fares: Most rides within downtown are $6-12. To Fountain Square or Broad Ripple, expect $12-20. To the airport, $18-25.
Event surge pricing: Expect 1.5-3x surge pricing immediately after Colts games, major concerts at Gainbridge, and when Gen Con sessions let out at 10 PM. Wait 15-20 minutes for prices to normalize, or walk a few blocks away from the venue for lower rates.
Pickup zones: During major events, designated rideshare pickup/dropoff zones are set up near the Convention Center and Lucas Oil. Follow signs — don't try to get picked up in blocked-off traffic areas.
Wait times: Normal days: 3-5 minutes. Event days: 5-15 minutes during peak. Late night (after midnight): 5-10 minutes.
Local tip: For Colts games and big concerts, the smartest move is to walk 3-4 blocks away from the venue before requesting a ride. You'll avoid both surge pricing and the traffic jam at the designated pickup zone.
IndyGo Bus System
Indianapolis has a public bus system that's useful for a few specific routes.
Red Line (Rapid Transit)
The most useful route for visitors. Runs every 10-15 minutes along a dedicated bus lane from the University of Indianapolis through downtown to Broad Ripple. Key stops include:
Fountain Square
Downtown (Capitol Ave & Washington St)
Mass Ave area
Broad Ripple
Fare: $1.75 per ride. Pay with the myKey card or the MyIndyGo app.
When the bus makes sense: If you want to visit Broad Ripple without paying for a rideshare, the Red Line is $1.75 vs. $15-20 for Uber. Takes about 30 minutes from downtown.
When it doesn't: For trips within downtown, walking is faster than waiting for a bus. The bus system is best for getting to neighborhoods outside the walkable core.
Indianapolis has a docked bikeshare system with 50+ stations and 500+ bikes throughout downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.
Cost: $3.50 per 30-minute ride, or $9 day pass for unlimited 60-minute rides
How: Download the Pacers Bikeshare app, find a station, unlock a bike, ride, dock at any station
Best for: Convention Center to Fountain Square (10 min ride), exploring the Cultural Trail, getting to Mass Ave quickly
Stations near Convention Center: Georgia Street, Capitol Ave & Washington St, Maryland St
Electric Scooters
Lime and Bird scooters are available throughout downtown. Find them on sidewalks, unlock with the app, ride, and park when done.
Cost: $1 to unlock + $0.15-0.39 per minute (varies by provider)
Hours: Available from early morning until late evening. Fleets are recharged overnight.
Best for: Quick trips to Mass Ave or Fountain Square when you don't want to walk but rideshare feels excessive
Safety note: Ride in bike lanes or on the Cultural Trail, not on sidewalks. Helmet use is recommended. Watch for pedestrians on the Cultural Trail — it's shared space.
The Indianapolis Cultural Trail
The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is a 10-mile, dedicated bike and pedestrian path connecting all six downtown cultural districts. It's completely separated from car traffic and serves as downtown's best navigation backbone.
Key connections: Convention Center area → Monument Circle → Mass Ave → Fountain Square → White River State Park. The trail forms a loop with spurs, so you can reach almost any downtown destination via a safe, car-free path.
Why it matters for visitors: The Cultural Trail is the safest and most pleasant way to walk or bike between neighborhoods. It's well-lit, well-maintained, and lined with public art. If you're walking from the Convention Center to Fountain Square, take the Cultural Trail instead of navigating street sidewalks.
Getting To/From the Airport
Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is about 15 minutes from downtown — one of the closest major airports to a downtown core in the country.
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) — $18-25, 15-20 min. Pick up on the ground level of the terminal garage. This is what most visitors do.
IndyGo Green Line (Route 8) — $1.75, ~40 min. Runs between the airport and downtown. Cheapest option but much slower than rideshare.
Taxi — Flat rate of approximately $35 to downtown. Available at the taxi stand outside baggage claim.
Rental car — All major agencies at the airport. But if you're staying downtown for a convention, you'll spend more on parking than you'd save over rideshare. Only rent if you're visiting attractions outside the downtown core (IMS, State Fairgrounds, etc.).
The bottom line
For most convention visitors, the formula is simple: walk for anything under 15 minutes, rideshare for Fountain Square and Broad Ripple, use the skywalk when weather is extreme. Skip the rental car unless you're going beyond downtown. You'll save money and avoid the headache of event-day parking.