Long gone are the days when you could stick out your thumb at the side of the road and land a free ride to get you from point A to point B. In South Florida, however, that doesn’t mean you can’t get free rides.

Some communities now offer free transportation via an electric, open air golf cart that you can request or schedule through an app—and don’t worry, they’re street legal and have seat belts. The carts are funded through advertisements placed on the sides and rooftops of the vehicles, and though the rides are free, tipping is encouraged. In other neighborhoods, you can catch free rides on trolleys that stick to predetermined routes in limited geographic areas.

Here are the neighborhoods in South Florida where you can ride for free.

Downtown Miami

Metromover in Downtown Miami

Downtown Miami probably has the most options of any South Florida neighborhood. The Metromover runs every day from 5 a.m. to midnight and serves Downtown Miami, Brickell, Park West, and Omni.

The Miami Trolley also serves Downtown communities such as Brickell and Omni. While you can’t request service through the Miami Trolley App, you can track where trolleys are along the route at any given moment.

By downloading the Ride Freebee App, you can request a ride in Downtown and Brickell, along with nearby neighborhoods like Wynwood, Edgewater, Midtown, and the Design District. The app brings an electric golf cart to you for a ride that typically can accommodate 1-8 people taking short trips within the neighborhood. While the ride is free, it’s customary to tip drivers. Freebee also services Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Key Biscayne, Miami Beach, and Miami Lakes.

Coral Gables

Miracle Mile in Coral Gables

In addition to using Freebee, you can get around town with the Coral Gables Trolley, a free service provided by the city. The North/South Ponce de Leon Boulevard route runs along Ponce de Leon Boulevard from the Douglas Metrorail Station to Flagler Street. The Grand Avenue Loop begins and ends at Douglas Metrorail Station and runs along Grand Avenue, north on LeJeune Road, and east on Granello Avenue. Trolleys run every 10 to 12 minutes Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Coconut Grove

Streetview in Coconut Grove

Like neighboring communities, Freebee is available in Coconut Grove. Also, the Coconut Grove route of the Miami Trolley services South Bayshore Drive, 37th Avenue, Grand Avenue, and the Metrorail Station. The hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Trolleys run approximately every 20 minutes.

Downtown Fort Lauderdale

Aerial view of Fort Lauderdale photo by Shutterstock

Residents in Downtown Fort Lauderdale can also catch free rides in electric golf carts with the Free Ride. You can text ahead to schedule a ride or flag down a ride at Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale Beach, Galleria Mall, or Victoria Park.

The Sun Trolley has seven routes that service Downtown and the beach, and it can also connect you with the Riverwalk Water Trolley, Broward County bus service, Tri-Rail train service, and even Fort Lauderdale Airport. All routes are free, except the beach and Las Olas routes which will set you back $1.00 for a single ride.

Downtown Delray Beach

Delray Beach photo courtesy of Oskar Aanmoen

Though it’s considered a suburb, Delray Beach has many of the same amenities offered in much larger communities, including free transportation. The Delray Downtowner provides free transportation within a roughly two-mile area around Downtown Delray along Atlantic Avenue, A1A, and Swinton Avenue. You can call ahead to schedule a ride and, with this service, you can also reserve a table at one of eight participating restaurants. Like similar services in other communities, it’s free, although tipping drivers is customary. 

Downtown Boca Raton

Mizner Park in Downtown Boca Raton

Downtown Boca Raton has also jumped on the bandwagon, offering free rides in electric golf carts with Round the Town. The service runs seven days a week and riders can either wave down a cart or call or text ahead to secure a ride.

Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach

Aerial view of Deerfield Beach

Those looking for a ride to or from the beach areas in Deerfield Beach or Pompano Beach can use Beach Rides USA. This service alleviates the need to find parking at the beach as rides can be arranged from houses, condos, hotels, or restaurants nearby. Drivers work only for tips.