TLDR
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport sits 15 miles northwest of downtown. MetroLink light rail is 5 dollars one way and runs every 20 minutes. Uber or Lyft averages 30 to 45 dollars to downtown and 25 to 35 minutes. Taxis are a flat rate of around 45 dollars. Rental cars make sense only if you plan on day trips or stays outside downtown. This guide covers every option with actual costs and timing.
“Stayed four nights for a work trip and found great dinners within two blocks every single night. Staff were warm and actually knew the neighborhood.”
See More Reviews →Insider Tip
If you arrive on a weekday between 4pm and 6pm, take the MetroLink instead of a rideshare. I-70 inbound during that window can turn a 25 minute rideshare into 45 minutes of stop and start traffic. The train runs its own dedicated track and never gets stuck behind cars.
Planning your stay? Check current rates at Hotel Majestic St. Louis. A convenient downtown base for exploring Saint Louis.
MetroLink Light Rail (5 dollars, 35 minutes)
The cheapest and often the fastest option. MetroLink has two lines, Red and Blue, that both stop at Lambert Airport. There are two airport stations, one for Terminal 1 and one for Terminal 2. Trains run every 20 minutes most of the day and every 40 minutes late at night. Service runs from 4:30am to about 12:30am depending on direction.
A single ride to downtown is 4 dollars with a 1 dollar transfer if needed, or buy a day pass for 7.50 dollars if you plan more than one ride. Tickets are sold at machines on the platform, card and cash both work. Trains to downtown take 35 to 40 minutes and stop at Forest Park, Central West End, Union Station, and Civic Center before reaching the Arch. The trains themselves are clean, use them with the same awareness you would in any US city.
Uber and Lyft (25 to 45 dollars, 25 minutes)
The rideshare pickup zone is on the lower level outside baggage claim at both terminals. Follow the signs that say Rideshare or TNC, not the taxi stand. Both Uber and Lyft operate with typical 3 to 8 minute wait times. Expect 25 to 35 dollars to downtown hotels in off peak hours, 35 to 55 dollars during morning or evening rush, and surge pricing on event nights or during weather.
UberXL and Lyft XL for families or groups with luggage run about 40 to 60 dollars. If you have four adults or more, this is often cheaper per person than individual fares. For a smaller car, UberX is fine and most drivers can fit two carry ons plus two checked bags in the trunk.
Taxi (Flat Rate around 45 dollars)
St. Louis has a regulated flat rate taxi from Lambert to downtown, usually around 45 dollars for the first passenger with a few dollars extra per additional passenger. This has been a flat rate for years and does not surge during peak times, which can occasionally make it cheaper than Uber or Lyft during bad weather or big events. Taxis queue at the designated taxi stand on the lower level, look for the yellow Taxi sign.
Pay with card or cash. The flat rate only covers downtown hotels within a defined zone. If your hotel is in Clayton, Central West End, or The Hill, the meter runs from the flat rate boundary and the total comes out closer to 50 to 60 dollars. For these neighborhoods, rideshare is usually cheaper unless surge is active.
Rental Car (40 to 80 dollars per day)
If you plan to do day trips to Meramec Caverns, Hermann, Ste. Genevieve, or Six Flags, rent a car. The rental counters are inside the airport terminals, return is at the rental center a short shuttle ride away. Enterprise, Hertz, National, Budget, Alamo, Avis, and Thrifty all have counters. Compact rentals start around 40 dollars a day, midsize 55 to 65 dollars a day, plus taxes and airport fees that add roughly 20 percent.
Downtown hotels charge 25 to 45 dollars a day for parking, which is the main reason not to rent a car if you are staying downtown and only exploring the city. Forest Park and most attractions have free parking. If your trip is strictly city based with no day trips, skip the rental. If you plan even one day trip or are staying multiple days in one of the suburb neighborhoods, the rental pays off.
Shuttles, Limos, and Hotel Cars
Go Best Express and similar shared shuttles operate a hub and spoke system from Lambert to downtown hotels for around 25 to 30 dollars per person one way. Book online 24 hours ahead for the best rate. Service is slower than rideshare because they pick up multiple passengers, expect 45 to 60 minutes door to door.
Private car service with meet and greet at baggage claim runs 80 to 120 dollars for a sedan and 130 to 180 dollars for an SUV. This is the move for late night arrivals, families with young children and lots of luggage, or business travelers on expense. Most services include 30 to 60 minutes of wait time if your flight is delayed, so you do not pay extra for a normal delay.
Hotel Majestic St. Louis Photos
Disclosure: booking links on this page are affiliate links.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does MetroLink take from Lambert to downtown?
35 to 40 minutes to the Civic Center or Stadium stop. Trains run every 20 minutes most of the day, every 40 minutes late at night. The last trains leave Lambert around 12:30am. A single fare is 4 dollars.
How much is Uber from Lambert Airport?
25 to 35 dollars to downtown hotels in off peak hours, 35 to 55 dollars during rush hours or big events. Surge pricing can push fares over 60 dollars on event nights. Wait time is typically 3 to 8 minutes at the rideshare pickup zone.
Is there a flat rate taxi from Lambert?
Yes, around 45 dollars for the first passenger to downtown hotels within the flat rate zone. Additional passengers add a few dollars each. Taxis queue at the taxi stand on the lower level outside baggage claim. They accept card or cash.
Do I need to rent a car in Saint Louis?
Only if you plan day trips outside the city or are staying in a neighborhood without easy transit access. Downtown, Central West End, and Clayton are all walkable or reachable by MetroLink. Rentals are worth it for day trips to Meramec Caverns, Hermann wine country, or Six Flags.
What is the cheapest way from Lambert to downtown?
MetroLink at 4 dollars per ride is the cheapest. A round trip is 8 dollars versus 50 to 70 dollars for rideshare or 90 dollars for a taxi. Families and groups of four or more may find rideshare XL or taxi more practical when luggage and walking with kids are factored in.
Check current prices at Hotel Majestic St. Louis
Hotel Majestic St. Louis in Downtown offers a solid base for exploring everything on this list.
Check Available RoomsWe may earn a small commission if you book through this link. It doesn’t cost you anything extra.
You might also find these useful: Where to Stay in Saint Louis, Saint Louis Neighborhood Guide, Is Saint Louis Safe.