Getting to RISD

Conveniently situated on I-95 between Boston and New York, Providence is easy to reach. For those traveling to and from campus by air, the nearest airports are Rhode Island's Green Airport and Boston Logan International. Once here, you'll find a walkable city that's a breeze to navigate and offers a range of transportation options, several of which are free to RISD students.

Directions to RISD

From Interstate 95 North or South to Providence, take Exit 22A to Memorial Boulevard. At the fourth light, turn left onto Washington Place (which becomes Waterman Street).

From Interstate 195 westbound, take the South Main Street exit. Go straight through the traffic light at the end of the off-ramp, and after two blocks you are on the RISD campus.

Visitor parking is available at metered spots on the street as well as at the North Main/Steeple Streets MetroPark lot (reduced Museum rate available). On weekends only, visitors may park for free in RISD faculty/staff lots.

Rail

Amtrak serves the Providence rail station with Acela and Regional trains. The MBTA Commuter rail service also has regular trips to and from Boston and points between. Commuter trains connect to Boston's public transportation system (the “T”) via Ruggles, Back Bay and South Station.

Bus

One popular and inexpensive way to get to and from Providence is by bus. MegaBus, Bolt Bus, Peter Pan and Greyhound connect to major cities in the region and often offer special rates for fares booked in advance.

RIPTA

RIPTA operates public transit services throughout Rhode Island. The Providence hub, Kennedy Plaza, is located just across the Providence River. By presenting their RISD ID when they board, students are able to ride RIPTA buses free of charge. All-day passes are $6 and discounted weekly and monthly fares can be purchased as well.

Ride sharing/driving/parking

Uber and Lyft both operate in Providence. Zipcar also has locations throughout the city (particularly convenient for Home Depot and grocery store trips). Parking on or near campus can be a challenge when school is in session so consider carpooling or using alternative means of travel, if possible.

Cycling

Providence is a bike-friendly city (though the hills on the east side of town can be tricky). Bike lanes are present throughout the city and protected bike paths connect Providence to nearby towns in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. You'll find plenty of places to lock your bike on campus and if your interest in riding a bike goes beyond commuting, RISD has a popular cycling team you can join.

RISD Rides/Brown University Shuttle

RISD Rides is a free late-night shuttle service provided for RISD students, staff and faculty. It provides a flexible, on-demand, door-to-door service from any location within the designated service area to any college building. RISD students are also able to use the Brown University Shuttle with their student ID.

Ferries

It's worth mentioning that Providence has a ferry terminal in Fox Point with round-trip service to historic Newport, RI multiple times per day during the summer season. For those looking to visit Block Island, ferries run to and from Point Judith in southern Rhode Island.