Atlantic Avenue without a car: Tri-Rail, Palm Tran and Freebee in Delray Beach

Downtown Delray Beach runs along Atlantic Avenue from I-95 east to the beach at A1A. You can get there and around without a car, using three services run by three different operators: Tri-Rail, from the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority; Palm Tran, Palm Beach County’s bus system; and Freebee, a City of Delray Beach ride service. We read each operator’s own pages on Oct. 19 and 20, 2026. Here is what they say, and the gaps.

By train: the Tri-Rail Delray Beach station

Tri-Rail lists its Delray Beach station at 345 S Congress Avenue, Delray Beach, Florida 33445, behind the South County Government Complex, with free parking for commuters. Some third-party listings give the ZIP as 33444; we use Tri-Rail’s. The station is not on Atlantic Avenue and not downtown. It sits west of I-95.

Tri-Rail’s driving directions show where it is: from I-95 exit 52B, go west 1/4 mile on Atlantic Avenue to Congress Avenue, then south 1/2 mile on Congress. That is 3/4 of a mile from the interstate by our sum of Tri-Rail’s two legs. Downtown is east of I-95 from there.

• Tri-Rail lists its Delray Beach station at 345 S Congress Avenue, Delray Beach, Florida 33445, behind the South County Government Complex, with free parking for commuters. Tri-Rail (SFRTA): Delray Beach Station
• Tri-Rail's directions: from I-95 exit 52B go west 1/4 mile on Atlantic Avenue to Congress Avenue, then south 1/2 mile on Congress. Tri-Rail (SFRTA): Delray Beach Station
• Tri-Rail's directions to its Delray Beach station start from I-95 at Atlantic Avenue, exit 52B. Tri-Rail (SFRTA): Delray Beach Station

By bus: Palm Tran routes

Tri-Rail lists Palm Tran routes 2, 70, 81 and 88 at its Delray Beach station, and also lists Amtrak, taxis and trolley among the connections there.

• Tri-Rail lists Palm Tran routes 2, 70, 81 and 88 at its Delray Beach station, and also lists Amtrak, taxis and trolley among the connections. Tri-Rail (SFRTA): Delray Beach Station

Route 81: Atlantic Avenue

Palm Tran describes Route 81 as direct east-west service along Atlantic Avenue from the Hagen Ranch Road Library to Downtown Delray Beach. Palm Tran lists it Monday to Saturday. There is no Sunday service on Route 81, so plan a Sunday trip another way.

• Palm Tran Route 81 (Atlantic Ave) provides direct east-west service along Atlantic Avenue from the Hagen Ranch Road Library to Downtown Delray Beach. Palm Tran lists its service span as Monday to Saturday (no Sunday). Palm Tran: Bus Routes (route page: https://www.palmtran.org/bus-route/route-81/)

Route 80: the central Delray loop

Route 80 (Lake Ida Rd and SW 4th Ave) serves central Delray Beach, looping through residential and commercial areas via Atlantic Avenue, NW 5th Avenue, SW 4th Avenue and SE 10th Avenue. Palm Tran lists it seven days a week.

• Palm Tran Route 80 (Lake Ida Rd/SW 4th Ave) serves central Delray Beach, looping through residential and commercial areas via Atlantic Avenue, NW 5th Avenue, SW 4th Avenue and SE 10th Avenue. Palm Tran lists it seven days a week. Palm Tran: Bus Routes (route page: https://www.palmtran.org/bus-route/route-80/)

Other routes in the area

Palm Tran also describes Route 1 (US-1, Palm Beach Gardens to Boca Raton, daily), Route 2 (Congress Ave, Palm Beach Gardens to Boca Raton, daily), Route 70 (Seacrest Blvd, Lantana to Delray Beach, daily) and Route 88 (Linton Blvd, Lakes of Delray to the Plaza at Delray). We do not give times or how often buses come. Palm Tran publishes the schedules, so check them before you travel.

• Other Palm Tran routes Palm Tran describes in the Delray area: Route 1 (US-1, Palm Beach Gardens to Boca Raton, daily), Route 2 (Congress Ave, Palm Beach Gardens to Boca Raton, daily), Route 70 (Seacrest Blvd, Lantana to Delray Beach, daily) and Route 88 (Linton Blvd, Lakes of Delray to the Plaza at Delray). Tri-Rail lists routes 2, 70, 81 and 88 at its Delray Beach station. No schedules or frequencies are stated here. Palm Tran: Bus Routes

Downtown: Freebee, the free ride

The City says Freebee is a free, on-demand ride service in and around downtown, using low-speed electric GEM vehicles. To ride, use the Ride Freebee app, call 855-918-3733 or flag down a driver. The DDA adds that it is a public service provided by the City and is not available for private rentals.

• The City says Freebee is a free, on-demand ride service in and around downtown, using low-speed electric GEM vehicles. Riders use the Ride Freebee app, call 855-918-3733, or flag down a driver. City of Delray Beach: Delray Beach Freebee
• The DDA says Freebee is an on-demand public service provided by the City and is not available for private rentals. Delray Beach DDA: Get Around, Riding
• The DDA describes Freebee as a free, all-electric GEM vehicle service covering the downtown area from I-95 to A1A and Gulfstream Boulevard to SW 10th Street. Request a ride in the Ride Freebee app, wave one down, or call (855) 918-3733. Hours: Sunday to Wednesday 11 AM to 9 PM, Thursday to Saturday 11 AM to 11 PM. It is an on-demand public service provided by the City of Delray Beach and is not available for private rentals. Delray Beach DDA: Get Around, Riding

Hours, per the City and the DDA: Sunday to Wednesday 11 AM to 9 PM, and Thursday to Saturday 11 AM to 11 PM. That is 10 hours a day early in the week and 12 hours late in the week. Plan morning trips, such as a 9 AM GreenMarket start, on foot or by bus.

• The City and the DDA list Freebee hours as Sunday to Wednesday 11 AM to 9 PM, and Thursday to Saturday 11 AM to 11 PM. City of Delray Beach: Delray Beach Freebee

The City describes the service area as most locations east of I-95 to A1A, and Gulfstream Boulevard to S.W. 10th Street. That reaches from the west side of downtown to the beach. We found no source saying Freebee serves the Tri-Rail station, which is west of I-95, so do not count on it for that leg.

• The City describes the Freebee downtown service area as most locations east of I-95 to A1A, and Gulfstream Boulevard to S.W. 10th Street. City of Delray Beach: Delray Beach Freebee

On foot after dark

The DDA’s Downtown Safety Ambassadors, in yellow shirts, offer safe walks within the downtown district. They are on call Monday to Thursday 7 AM to 9 PM and Friday and Saturday 7 AM to 11 PM at 561-386-1134.

• The DDA's Downtown Safety Ambassadors wear yellow shirts, patrol on bike, golf cart and foot, and offer safe walks within the downtown district. They are on call Monday to Thursday 7 AM to 9 PM and Friday and Saturday 7 AM to 11 PM at 561-386-1134. Delray Beach DDA: Safety Ambassadors

Putting it together

• From the south or north by rail: Tri-Rail to the Delray Beach station, then Palm Tran Route 81 east on Atlantic Avenue, Monday to Saturday.
• Inside downtown: walk, or call Freebee from 11 AM.
• To the beach: Freebee’s service area runs to A1A. Our beach guide covers both public beaches.
• If you do drive, our parking page has garages, lots and rates.

Our getting here guide has the driving route, and the day planner lays out stops along the Avenue. If you are out for the evening, the open container rules explain why a drink cannot come with you between stops.

Getting here questions

Written by the Atlantic Avenue Guide Editorial Team. AI tools help us draft; people check every fact before it publishes.

Dates, rules and hours can change. The organisers have the final word: City of Delray Beach (official site)