Clicky Skip to Content

Getting around Palm Beach County by bus, Tri-Rail, trolleys and more

Public transportation can be a challenge to navigate for those who are unfamiliar with the interconnected systems, but it can also be an essential mode of travel to the savvy, frugal-minded transit rider. In South Florida’s sprawling urban-suburban landscape, there are various levels of how a person can get from point-A to point-B and back, including the following:

  • Trains
  • Buses
  • Trolleys
  • Water Taxis

A simplified overview is that rail service is usually governed by the state with linkage to the nationwide network; public bus service is usually provided by the county; and local trolley service is usually run by municipalities, often managed by contracted, private providers. Plus, travel-by-water vessels comes in many forms, from a narrated sightseeing cruise to scheduled shuttle service to take visitors and residents to destinations on and around the greater Palm Beach waterways.

Here’s a sample of options:

Palm Tran is Palm Beach County’s Public Transportation provider for fixed-route passenger bus service. Palm Tran Connection is a shared ride door-to-door, paratransit service that provides public transportation for residents with disabilities and ADA-eligible visitors. 

Image: palmtran.org

Here are some useful links to get you started:

Also read our stories about:

What does it cost?

When you consider the cost of gasoline, tolls, parking fees and the time it takes to navigate thoroughfares and city streets these days, opting to “leave the driving to us” is becoming more popular not only for tourists, but also with residents alike. 

Image: Tri-Rail.com

  • The Tri-Rail system is comprised of six zones between Miami International Airport and Mangonia Station in Palm Beach County; weekday fares are calculated on the number of zones traveled. A roundtrip ticket among all six zones runs between $8.75 and $17.50. Students, children ages 5-12, seniors & persons with disabilities pay the lowest rates. A one-way ticket between two zones costs $1.75 and $3.75 on weekdays. Weekends and holidays, everyone rides for $5 on a daily pass or $2.50 one way. Passes and tickets are available at all Tri-Rail stations but they are NOT sold onboard the train. Read our related story about Tri-Rail connections and shuttles, etc.
  • Brightline offers SMART fares that start at just $10, and monthly passes unlock fares as lows as $7. Discounted fares are available with two days advance purchase. Stations are located in Aventura, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach and Orlando.
  • Palm Tran operates on a multi-level fare system: One trip for $2, or $5 for a one-day pass. Seniors, students, the disabled, Medicare recipients, veterans with ID, police in uniform and children under age 8 may ride at discounted rates or for free with proof of eligibility.
  • The WPB Trolley System is handicap-accessible and makes getting around the Clematis and Rosemary Square districts a breeze. It is a FREE and convenient way to visit all your favorite shops, restaurants, and attractions. The Trolley picks up passengers every 10-15 minutes at designated stops throughout Downtown. You can track trolleys in real time with the WPB Trolley Tracker app. Download on the App Store or get it on Google Play.

Image: wpb.org

  • The WPB Water Taxi from Sailfish Marina offers a Peanut Island Shuttle service for day trips to enjoy snorkeling and swimming, etc., 7 days a week on a set schedule between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. for $18 a person roundtrip.
  • The Riviera Beach Marina Village has a Peanut Island Water Taxi on the Intracoastal waterway, near the Lake Worth Inlet to take visitors to the 80-acre park with facilities and activities for swimming, fishing, picnicking and various water sports. Shuttles run about every 20 minutes during operating hours and cost $18 roundtrip. Notice: No balloons or alcohol permitted on the island; bags subject to search.

Image: sailfishmarina.com

Bottom line: Plan ahead.

NOTE: All events are subject to change or cancellation. We suggest you confirm details before heading out.

Transportation in Miami-Dade County:

Brightline ways to save and ride

Coral Gables Trolley

Free transportation in and around Miami

Sign up for South Florida on the Cheap newsletter. Follow on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

More free and cheap deals

Friday, September 22, 2023

$12 Days at Fairchild

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Art After Dark Fridays; activities & times vary, WPB

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach

Art After Dark: Live performances every Friday at The Norton, WPB

7:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach

Saturday, September 23, 2023

Seaquarium free for teachers, school employees

All Day | FREE | Miami Seaquarium

American Indian Day with the Miccosukee, SW Miami-Dade

All Day | FREE | Miccosukee Indian Gaming, Resort, Museum & Village

Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU free every Saturday

10:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU

$12 Days at Fairchild

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Free film: Sea Turtles of the Palm Beaches

10:30 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Farm Tours at Tradewinds Park

11:30 am to 2:00 pm | $3.00-4.50 | Tradewinds Park

Free tour of the Adrienne Arsht Center

12:00 pm to 1:00 pm | FREE | Adrienne Arsht Center

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Merrick House Museum Guided Tours

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | $0-5.00 | Merrick House Museum, Miami-Dade

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Jr. Research Lab, Juno Beach

3:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Night sky viewing with telescopes in west Broward

8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Fox Observatory

Sunday, September 24, 2023

Seaquarium free for teachers, school employees

All Day | FREE | Miami Seaquarium

American Indian Day with the Miccosukee, SW Miami-Dade

All Day | FREE | Miccosukee Indian Gaming, Resort, Museum & Village

$12 Days at Fairchild

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Free film: Sea Turtles of the Palm Beaches

10:30 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Farm Tours at Tradewinds Park

11:30 am to 2:00 pm | $3.00-4.50 | Tradewinds Park

Free entry for Fort Lauderdale residents to NSU Art Museum

12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Merrick House Museum Guided Tours

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | $0-5.00 | Merrick House Museum, Miami-Dade

Free Family Day at Bass Museum of Art

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Bass Museum of Art

Monday, September 25, 2023

$15 Mondays at Zoo Miami

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Zoo Miami

$12 Days at Fairchild

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Free tour of the Adrienne Arsht Center

12:00 pm to 1:00 pm | FREE | Adrienne Arsht Center

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Jr. Research Lab, Juno Beach

3:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

$12 Days at Fairchild

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

$12 Days at Fairchild

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Jr. Research Lab, Juno Beach

3:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Thursday, September 28, 2023

$12 Days at Fairchild

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Friday, September 29, 2023

$12 Days at Fairchild

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Art After Dark Fridays; activities & times vary, WPB

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach

Jazz at MOCA, North Miami

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)

Art After Dark: Live performances every Friday at The Norton, WPB

7:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU free every Saturday

10:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU

$12 Days at Fairchild

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Free film: Sea Turtles of the Palm Beaches

10:30 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Farm Tours at Tradewinds Park

11:30 am to 2:00 pm | $3.00-4.50 | Tradewinds Park

Free tour of the Adrienne Arsht Center

12:00 pm to 1:00 pm | FREE | Adrienne Arsht Center

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Merrick House Museum Guided Tours

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | $0-5.00 | Merrick House Museum, Miami-Dade

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Jr. Research Lab, Juno Beach

3:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Night sky viewing with telescopes in west Broward

8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Fox Observatory

Sunday, October 1, 2023

Free entry to museums with bank card

All Day | FREE | South Florida Museums

Free film: Sea Turtles of the Palm Beaches

10:30 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Farm Tours at Tradewinds Park

11:30 am to 2:00 pm | $3.00-4.50 | Tradewinds Park

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Merrick House Museum Guided Tours

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | $0-5.00 | Merrick House Museum, Miami-Dade

Monday, October 2, 2023

Free tour of the Adrienne Arsht Center

12:00 pm to 1:00 pm | FREE | Adrienne Arsht Center

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Free admission for Miami-Dade seniors with Golden Ticket

10:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Sunny Days/Starry Nights at NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale with free entry

11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

 

Mary Lou Cruz

About Mary Lou Cruz

I worked at the South Florida Sun Sentinel for 21 years, as an Advertising Special Sections Writer; Editorial Systems Editor in Technology; and Editorial Assistant in the Newsroom. Before my newspaper career, I worked in the airline and travel industry and I have lived in Brazil, Puerto Rico and vacationed in more than 25 countries. Originally, I'm from Maryland. I moved to Florida in 1984 and raised my daughter in Miami. Send me notices and details for upcoming free events, in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties, to events@SouthFloridaOnTheCheap.com.

Living on the CheapMiami on the Cheap is a member of Living on the Cheap, a network of websites published by frugalistas, journalists and consumer advocates. Find practical advice on saving money on groceries, travel and shopping, plus tips from our experts on how to live the good life for less at Living on the Cheap.

Living on the Cheap in the Media