TRANSPORTATION GUIDE TO BOISE

By Arianna Creteau

As the Treasure Valley grows, there are more and more ways to connect people to their community. While Boise lacks the public transportation of some larger cities, there are some options for getting around, both practical and fun.

For a low-cost option, the Valley Regional Transit bus system connects Caldwell, Nampa, Meridian, Garden City, and Boise. With 23 unique routes, it’s never been so easy to get around the town. Whether your destination is a hike in the foothills, a shopping trip at the mall, a drop off at the Boise Airport or even drinks downtown, there’s a stop for you. Track bus locations and expected stop times with the VRT System Map website.

Buses are also free for Boise State University faculty, staff, students, and those traveling to and from campus.

Adult Local Fare

One-Way (Single Route): $1.50

All-Day Pass: $2.50

31-Day Pass: $42.00

Senior/Disabled/Youth Local Fare

One-Way (Single Route): $0.75

All-Day Pass: $1.25

Adult Universal Fare (for Routes 40/43)

One-Way (Single Route): $4.50

All-Day Pass: $7.50

Senior/ Disabled/Youth Universal Fare

One-Way (Single Route): $2.25

All-Day Pass: $3.75

With endless trails and bike friendly initiatives, biking is a big part of Boise’s identity.

At the Boise Bicycle Project, their mission is to promote the personal, social, and environmental benefits of bicycling. By repairing bikes and providing education, the Boise Bicycle Project has been instrumental in impacting hundreds of families’ lives. In December 2022, as part of their annual giving day, 580 dream bicycles made their way to kids in the community. The Boise Bicycle Project also offers free youth bike repairs and adult programs. Donating your old bike to the Boise Bicycle Project may be the perfect way to find it a new home.

Adventure with Boise Bicycle Tours. Whether it be around the city, on the Greenbelt, or on a beer bike tour, there’s lots to see. Take a relaxing tour with Boise natives as your guide. It’s not often that visitors can tour a city as bike-friendly as Boise is. Confident enough to go off on your own? Evolve Electric Bikes LLC has an array of bike rentals for you! Their website makes it easy to reserve your bike ahead of time and choose which electric bike style is best for you. They offer city bikes, mountain bikes, fat tire bikes, road bikes, cargo bikes, and helmets. Electric bikes are a unique experience and make biking accessible for more people.

For top notch customer service, visit Bob’s Bicycles , one of Idaho’s premier bicycle shops. Bob’s has everything when it comes to bikes and bike accessories. Family-owned since 1979, stop by to find your perfect ride with expert advice.

Boise’s airport is a hub for easy traveling. The airport itself is located just 15 minutes from the Idaho State Capitol in the heart of downtown Boise. Parking is easy to find, easy to use, and convenient to leave. In the past few years, the Boise Airport has responded to the growth of travelers by increasing parking lot sizes and improving TSA screening capabilities.

Popular airlines flying into Boise include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, Gem Air, and more. Gem Air is actually an Idaho-owned and based airline from Salmon, ID. Specializing in many services such as private boat, hunting, and backcountry flights, their charter flights operate often to places like Jackson Hole, Sun Valley, and West Yellowstone.

Or, you can charter a private plane with Jackson Jet Center, and fly non-stop to cities across the U.S. and Canada. Western Aircraft also offers comfort and safety with the WestAir Charter fleet.”

107,651 miles of river is a lot to explore. Throughout Idaho, get a one-of-a-kind taste for fishing, swimming, camping, kayaking, rafting, and more!

Bear Valley Rafting makes whitewater river rafting a truly memorable experience. Located in Banks, Idaho, only 45 minutes outside of Boise, rafting guides can take you for a wild ride. Half day and full day trips make for an equally fun day. There are beginner/moderate and advanced options.

While it’s highly likely that the ride will be wet and bumpy, expert guides are with you at all times.

If you want an easy adventure that only lasts an afternoon, try floating our own Boise River, which offers a few hours of floating fun with raft rentals and bus service back to your car.

If you happen to lose something in the outdoors while exploring, plan ahead with Boise-based Karmik Outdoors. They make lost gear identifiable with custom QR code decals. If it gets found, you can get notified, connected, and then get it back.

An endless amount of trails and hangout spots are located around Boise. Picturesque trails for all skill levels can be found at Boise National Forest, Hillside to Hollow Reserve, Hulls Gulch, Camel’s Back Reserve, The Military Reserve, and more trailheads scattered along the foothills. Step aside for bikers and remember to pack enough water.

The Boise River Greenbelt is a 25-mile pathway, and most sections are paved and easily accessible for short or long walks. Some of the best picnic spots in Boise are in parks along the river like Julia Davis Park, Ann Morrison Park, Kathryn Albertson Park, Esther Simplot Park, Veterans Memorial Park and Willow Lane Park & Athletic Complex. Craving more? Try one of the many restaurants or breweries along the Greenbelt.

Roads around the Treasure Valley may see changes in the next few years. The State Highway 21 Wildlife Overpass at Cervidae Peak project, anticipated to start in 2023, is an overpass project with a goal to reduce wildlife collisions by 80%. Eagle Road pavement repairs that began in 2021 are expected to be completed in 2023. Closer to McCall, Smiths Ferry improvements are nearing a completion date. As crews return, slope finishing work continues and avalanche mitigation systems are implemented.

Overlooking the city of Boise sits the Boise Train Depot. With roses in the front and train tracks in the back, this historic and beloved site was built in 1925. Today, the Boise Train Depot is the backdrop for school dance photos, a popular event location, and a must-see tourist spot. Throughout its history, the Boise Train Depot was once an active train station with multiple passenger trains

arriving and departing each day. By 1974, the Boise Train Depot was put on the National Register of Historic Places. Eventually, decreased traffic through the depot changed its functionality. Airmail, passenger train route closures, and a changing world led to the final passenger train leaving the depot in 1997.

In the past year, the Boise Metro Chamber in partnership with the City of Boise, has kickstarted an effort to restore service and potentially bring back trains

to the Boise Train Depot. One of the first steps is for the Federal Railroad Administration to conduct a study to assess the feasibility of reviving railroad lines. If successful, in 10-15 years you could find yourself arriving in style by train pulling into the Boise Train Depot!

Visit retired locomotive “Big Mike” on the Boise Train Depot tracks to learn about the massive power behind trains. Visitors can get a first-hand look at its history from free, guided tours—visit cityofboise.org for dates and times.