Getting Around, Bismarck Travel, Transport and Car Rental

(Bismarck, North Dakota - ND, USA)

When considering how to get around the city and the public transport on offer, the seasonal weather in Bismarck will no doubt play an important factor in your travel plans. The hot summers contrast greatly with the winter weather, when overnight temperatures can drop to -20°C / -4°F at times, with even colder spells on occasion making a hire car in the winter not the most practical mode of transport.

The city's Municipal Airport is easy to reach, since it is to be found just a mere 3.5 miles / 6 km to the southeast of downtown Bismarck and is reachable by simply following the route of Highway US-1804 (South 7th Street, University Drive, South 9th Street and the Airport Expressway).

Many tourists choose to rely on the public bus routes, which connect the various places of interest around the city and its outskirts. These routes are managed by Capital Area Transit (CAT) and the Bis-Man Transit Board, with more than ten different routes being available around Bismarck and its neighboring suburb of Mandan, to the west.

Bismarck Municipal Airport (BIS) / Arriving by Air

Address: 2301 University Drive, Bismarck, North Dakota (ND), 58502, USA
Tel: +1 701 355 1800
Bismarck Municipal Airport enjoyed much remodeling and general improvements in the year 2005, at the cost of approximately US$15 million, including a gleaming new terminal building and improved passenger parking. Around 200,000 passengers now use this transport hub each year, with the principal destinations being Denver, Las Vegas, Minneapolis and Phoenix. The current airlines based here are Allegiant Air, Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection, Frontier Airlines and United Express.

Ground transportation into Bismarck consists of rental cars (Avis, Enterprise and Hertz), and taxis and limos (including Taxi 9000, Metro Area Taxi, Enchanted Limousines and Limo Scene). There are currently no bus services traveling between the airport and the city center, although Capital Area Transit does offer transport connections between the nearby Kirkwood Mall.

Car Rental

By hiring a car or driving to Bismarck, you will benefit from having the freedom to travel where you want, when you want. Being the state capital, the city is well connected to much of North Dakota, by prominent thoroughfares such as Interstate I-94, the Bismarck Expressway (I-194) and the Memorial Highway (I-94B), all of which head roughly east to west, while Highway US-83 travels north and south.

A number of parking lots are located in and around the city center, with these being managed by the Bismarck Parking Authority (tel: +1 701 222 8954).

Book your Bismarck Car Rental here.

Buses

It is possible to travel to all of the main towns and cities throughout North Dakota by using Greyhound bus transport. Popular destinations include Jamestown and Valley City to the east, Dickinson to the west, and the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge and Minot to the north.

The Rimrock Stages Trailway company provides chartered bus travel between downtown Bismarck, Fargo and Billings in Montana, making a number of stops along these routes. Around the city of Bismarck itself, bus transport is on hand for short journeys to the top attractions, shopping centers and to nearby Mandan.

Trains

There is no passenger rail transport available in Bismarck, since the city is only served by freight trains. Therefore, if you are looking for an Amtrak rail service, you should note that the nearest train station is to be found within the city of Minot, which is actually located some 110 miles / 177 km to the north and is best reached by taking Highway US-83. Further Amtrak trains can be caught from Fargo, around 195 miles / 314 km to the east via the I-94. Both of these railway stations offer lengthy long-distance rail transport to cities such as Chicago, Portland and Seattle.

Taxis

Bismarck is by no means a large state capital and therefore much of the city is quite walkable. However, if you are planning a day of sightseeing and need to travel between attractions without the hassle of waiting for bus transport, then taxis can easily be arranged. Taxis are also extremely useful if you are planning a night out on the tiles and need to travel home late, safely. Of note, Taxi 9000 is the main cab service in the city and can be contacted on - tel: +1 701 223 9000. Seniors and travelers with disabilities will be able to make use of the taxi services provided by Bis-Man Transit - tel: +1 701 223 9001.