How to Ride the Salt Lake City Trax

One of my least favorite things about traveling to a new city is looking like a total tourist while trying to figure out how to pay for the train/bus/subway.  That is why I am writing this guide so you won’t look like a lost and confused visitor when boarding Salt Lake’s light rail system – TRAX.

Purchasing TRAX Fare

You need to purchase a ticket before boarding the train.  But before purchasing a ticket, make sure that you need one!  Most of downtown Salt Lake is in the FREE fare zone.  Passengers may ride Trax or any buses in the zone that stretches from the State Capitol to the Gateway Mall and all the way to the Salt Lake Public Library for FREE.

If you will be traveling outside of the FREE fare zone you will need to purchase a ticket at the TRAX ticket vending machine located on the TRAX platform.  The TRAX ticket machines only takes cash and you can purchase one-way, round-trip, and day passes.

How to Ride TRAX

It is pretty simple, just stand behind the yellow line until the train stops and then push the red button near the door to open the door.  TRAX stops at all stops so there is no need to request your stop.  Just press the button by the door to open the door at your desired stop and then hop off.

TRAX Maps

Trax maps are posted at each TRAX stop and you can grab your own map inside each TRAX train.  The UTA website has a nice Trip Planner to help you plan your transportation from point A to point B.

TRAX Etiquette

• Don’t bring food or drinks aboard TRAX or just don’t get caught
• Don’t bring 80′s styled boom boxes aboard, do use headphones
• Do yield designated seats to the elderly and persons with disabilities
• Do take you pets aboard only if they are in a cage of course (service animals are always okay)
• Do take your bikes on Trax , just don’t block exits or stairways
• Don’t talk on your cell phone even though everyone else is doing it

[Photos courtesy of .dh, Amiee Maxwell, and Edgar Zuniga Jr.