The Red Line is a rapid transit route in the RTA Rapid Transit system serving Cleveland, Ohio. It runs from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport through Tower City in Downtown Cleveland and continues east to Louis Stokes Station at Windermere. Also known historically as Route 66 and the Airport–Windermere Line, it is a major part of public transport and transportation in Cleveland, linking the airport, downtown, university areas, and East Cleveland.
| Key | Information |
|---|---|
| System | RTA Rapid Transit, Cleveland |
| Route | Cleveland Hopkins International Airport to Windermere via Tower City |
| Stations | 18 ADA-accessible stations |
| Running time | About 47 minutes end to end |
| Frequency | Generally every 15 minutes |
| Opening hours | Daily service, roughly from early morning until after midnight |
| Shared track | 2.6 miles (4.2 km) with the Blue and Green light rail lines |
| Basic fare | US$2.25 for a one-way ticket |
| Notable fact | The 1968 airport extension became the first airport rail link in North America |
Red Line Cleveland Map
Map of Red Line in Cleveland showing its stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Red Line in Cleveland map in PDF format.
Red Line Cleveland Stations
The Red Line route plan is simple: Airport on the west end, Tower City in the center, and Windermere on the east end. The stations list below follows the line from west to east, which is useful if you are checking a stations map or planning a path by train across the city.
All Red Line stations are ADA accessible. Tri-C–Campus District and East 55th are shared with the Blue and Green lines; the Red Line uses high platforms there, while the light rail services use low platforms.
| Station | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport | Serves Cleveland Hopkins International Airport |
| Brookpark | Connection to RTA buses and Greyhound Bus |
| Puritas–West 150th | Red Line station with parking |
| West Park | Red Line station with bus connections and parking |
| Triskett | Red Line station with parking |
| West 117th–Madison | Red Line station with bus connections and parking |
| West Boulevard–Cudell | Red Line station with bus connections and parking |
| West 65th–Lorain | Red Line station with bus connections and parking |
| West 25th–Ohio City | Serves the Ohio City area |
| Tower City | Main downtown transfer point for Blue, Green, Waterfront, HealthLine, bus, and regional services |
| Tri-C–Campus District | Shared station with the Blue and Green lines |
| East 55th | Shared station with the Blue and Green lines; parking available |
| East 79th | Red Line station with bus connection |
| East 105th–Quincy | Red Line station with bus connections |
| Cedar–University | Serves the University Circle area |
| Little Italy–University Circle | Serves Little Italy and University Circle |
| Superior | Connection to HealthLine and RTA buses; parking available |
| Windermere | Eastern terminal, officially Louis Stokes Station at Windermere; HealthLine and bus connections |
The line connects airport service, downtown city transport, and East Cleveland in one continuous rapid transit corridor.
Timetable & Operating Hours
The Red Line runs every day. Its operating hours, opening times, and train schedule are built around frequent all-day service, with trains generally arriving about every 15 minutes. If you are checking the schedule today or timings today, confirm the last train and closing time before you travel, especially close to the end of service.
| Service detail | Timings |
|---|---|
| Daily operating hours / working hours | Approximately 3:15 a.m. to 1:45 a.m. |
| Listed route timetable | 3:12 a.m. to 12:21 a.m. daily |
| Starting time | Early morning service begins around 3:12–3:15 a.m. |
| Frequency | About every 15 minutes through most of the day |
| Running time | About 47 minutes from end to end |
| Stations | 18 stations between Airport and Windermere |
| Holiday timings | Operating hours may change on holidays such as Veterans Day or Columbus Day |
The first and last train can vary by direction and station, so use the current timetable before an early airport trip or a late return.
Tickets and Fares
Red Line tickets are available from ticket machines at station entrances before boarding. Riders can buy a single ticket, multi-trip farecard, or pass depending on the trip. For most Red Line travel, the fare is straightforward, so comparing the price and cost usually does not require a fare calculator.
- One-way ticket price: US$2.25
- 5-trip cash card: US$11.25
- Day pass: US$5 for adults and US$2.50 for children
- Weekly and monthly passes: available
- Discounted fare: available for disabled riders and senior citizens
A day pass allows unlimited travel on RTA trains and buses during the valid period, which can be a better value if you are making several trips on local transport in one day.
Connections
The Red Line is one of Cleveland’s most useful transport links because it connects the airport, Downtown Cleveland, University Circle, Little Italy, Ohio City, West Park, and Windermere. At Tower City, riders can transfer to the Blue, Green, and Waterfront services, plus HealthLine, bus routes, and regional carriers.
| Station | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport | Cleveland Hopkins International Airport |
| Brookpark | RTA Bus 54, 78, 86; Greyhound Bus |
| Puritas–West 150th | RTA Bus 78 |
| West Park | RTA Bus 22, 83, 86 |
| West 117th–Madison | RTA Bus 25, 78 |
| West Boulevard–Cudell | RTA Bus 18, 26, 26A |
| West 65th–Lorain | RTA Bus 22, 25, 71 |
| West 25th–Ohio City | RTA Bus 22, 25, 45, 51, 51A |
| Tower City | Blue, Green, Waterfront, HealthLine, multiple bus routes, and regional services |
| Tri-C–Campus District | Blue, Green, RTA Bus 15, 19, 19A, 19B |
| East 55th | Blue, Green, RTA Bus 16 |
| East 79th | RTA Bus 2 |
| East 105th–Quincy | RTA Bus 8, 10, 11 |
| Cedar–University | RTA Bus 11, 48, 50 |
| Little Italy–University Circle | RTA Bus 9 |
| Superior | HealthLine, RTA Bus 3, 35, 40 |
| Windermere | HealthLine, RTA Bus 3, 7, 7A, 28, 28A, 31, 35, 37, 41, 41F |
Tri-C–Campus District and East 55th are especially important transfer points because the Red Line shares track with the Blue and Green lines on this part of the route.
Parking
RTA provides thousands of free parking spaces at Rapid stations and Park-N-Ride lots. On the Red Line, station parking is available at Puritas, Brookpark, West Park, Triskett, West 117th–Madison, West Boulevard–Cudell, West 65th–Lorain, East 55th, Superior, and Louis Stokes Station at Windermere.
No parking charges per day are listed for these RTA station parking areas in the provided information, because the spaces are described as free. Some spaces are reserved for people with disabilities, and parking there without the proper designation may result in a ticket.
Overnight parking is available for up to five nights at Puritas and Louis Stokes Station at Windermere. These areas are intended for RTA customers riding the Rapid to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
For a safer trip, follow posted signs and keep valuables out of sight. If you leave a vehicle overnight, call Transit Police at 216-566-5163. Transit Police patrol the stations and enforce parking rules.
Tips and Rules
If you are new to the Red Line or the wider RTA system, plan the route before you leave. Check the timetable, route number, transfer points, and any schedule updates. If two route numbers are involved, you will need a transfer.
For trip-planning help, riders can call the Community Connection Line at 216-621-9500. It is staffed Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Have your current address and destination ready.
Cash riders must pay the full fare on each bus or train and need exact change. Operators do not make change. Five-trip farecards include 2-1/2 hour transfer privileges, while time-based farecards allow unlimited use during the valid period.
The Red Line Rapid and HealthLine use Proof of Payment. Buy and activate your ticket or pass before boarding, then keep it until you exit the system.
Blue and Green Line riders should note a different fare rule: westbound travel toward downtown requires paying as you leave the train, while eastbound travel toward Shaker Heights requires paying when you board.
- Arrive at least 5 minutes early.
- Use well-lit stops and stations, especially at night.
- Check the front of the bus or rapid vehicle for the final destination.
- Keep belongings zipped and close to you.
- Allow enough time for transfers.
- Service animals are welcome without restrictions.
- Pets are welcome if they weigh no more than 25 lbs. and stay in a pet carrier for the full ride.
- Report suspicious activity to GCRTA Transit Police at 216-566-5163 or text 216-575-EYES (3937).
- Be courteous and follow GCRTA rules.
For airport trips, allow extra time. Cleveland Hopkins officials encourage travelers to arrive at least two hours before scheduled departure, and the Red Line trip between CLE and Downtown Cleveland via Tower City takes less than 30 minutes, with trains departing from CLE every 15 minutes for much of the day.
- Have a government-issued ID ready for the ticket counter and security checkpoint.
- Check luggage for prohibited items before leaving home.
- Follow the TSA 3-1-1 rule for carry-on liquids.
- Do not pack knives, pointed scissors, pepper spray, or similar items in carry-on bags.
- Carry-on luggage is typically limited to one bag and one personal item.
- Remove outer coats and jackets for x-ray screening.
- Children under 12 do not have to remove their shoes before security.
- TSA Pre✓ is available at CLE for eligible travelers.
History
The Red Line corridor had been planned for rapid transit use before 1930, when Cleveland Union Terminal opened. A short segment between East 34th and East 55th Streets was already in service in 1920 under the Cleveland Interurban Railroad, and by 1930 the line between East 34th and the Union Terminal was complete.
Planning gained momentum during World War II as transit ridership rose. In 1946, the city approved a single-line subway plan, while Cleveland’s older streetcar and tramway network was gradually abandoned before the new service opened.
Red Line service began on March 15, 1955, from the existing line near East 55th northeast to Windermere. Service west from downtown to West 117th Street opened on August 15, 1955. The line followed former railroad corridors beside the Nickel Plate Road and the New York Central Railroad.
The extension to West Park opened on November 15, 1958. The final section to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport opened in 1968, creating North America’s first airport rail link.
Later milestones included larger Airporter cars in 1970, stainless-steel Tokyu cars in 1985, and major station rehabilitation work beginning in 1990. Tower City was rebuilt that year, followed by new or reconstructed stations including Airport, Windermere, and Little Italy–University Circle.
- 1920: East 34th to East 55th segment in use by the Cleveland Interurban Railroad.
- 1930: Line between East 34th and Cleveland Union Terminal completed.
- 1946: City approves a single subway line plan.
- 1955: Service opens to Windermere and West 117th Street.
- 1958: Extension opens to West Park.
- 1968: Final extension opens to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
- 2015: Little Italy Station opens, the first new Red Line station since Brookpark opened in 1969.
- 2018: RTA marks 50 years of direct airport rapid transit service.
Future Extensions
RTA is studying possible east-side expansion through the Red Line HealthLine Extension Study. The work is looking at whether future service should extend the Red Line, the HealthLine, or a combination of both into East Cleveland, Euclid, Collinwood, and nearby communities.
The study focuses on better access to high-quality transit, stronger links to University Circle, Midtown, and Downtown Cleveland, and long-term redevelopment opportunities in the northeast part of RTA’s service area.
Possible alignments under review include routes from Windermere to Lakeshore Boulevard, St. Clair Avenue, or farther east along the Euclid Avenue corridor toward Euclid and adjacent Lake County communities.
The existing Red Line is also entering a modernization phase. GCRTA is preparing platform widening, station repairs, and maintenance facility upgrades for new Siemens railcars, with temporary shutdowns expected in 2027 for platform work and train replacement.
Fun Facts
- The Red Line was formerly and internally known as Route 66, and it is also called the Airport–Windermere Line.
- About 2.6 miles (4.2 km) of track are shared with the Blue and Green light rail lines at stations including Tri-C–Campus District and East 55th.
- The line was built next to former freight railroads and also follows former intercity passenger rail rights-of-way from the New York Central and Nickel Plate routes.
- Power comes from overhead lines and pantographs, and trains use one-person operation.
- When the airport extension opened in 1968, it became the first airport rail link in North America.
- In 2024, the line recorded 3,151,500 rides. As of the third quarter of 2025, weekday ridership was about 7,200.
- The current fleet includes stainless-steel cars built by Tokyu Car Corporation and delivered between 1984 and September 1985. Earlier fleets included the shorter Blue Birds and later Airporters built for airport service.
- The Red Line also appeared in the final scenes of the film Proximity, including a hostage sequence on a train and a chase through Tower City station.
Nearby Attractions
The Red Line Greenway is a nearly 2-mile (3.2 km) paved all-purpose trail connecting the Cleveland Foundation Centennial Lake Link Trail with two RTA Red Line stations. It also works as an active transportation corridor from West 65th Street to Downtown Cleveland.
- Cleveland-Cliffs Bike Park: an outdoor complex with a public-use paved pump track, an outdoor competition course, a professional paved jump line, and youth-focused features.
- Ohio & Erie Canal Mountain Bike Trailhead: a starting point for mountain bike trails around Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, with options for beginners and experienced riders.
- CanalWay Center Trailhead: a trail access point for a scenic descent into the Cuyahoga River Valley and a route toward the Blue Heron Boardwalk.
Nearby outdoor activities include biking, cycling, hiking, and walking, making this area useful for visitors who want to combine local transport with time outside.