Getting Around Covington: Walkability, Public Transit & Biking

Covington's downtown area, particularly around Columbia Street, provides a pleasant walking environment with restaurants, shops, and services within easy reach. The area is ideal for exploring and offers a historic district worth strolling through. However, to reach larger shopping centers or to run errands in other parts of the city, using a car becomes more practical. The presence of coworking spaces within walking distance, like Columbia Coworking LLC and 106 Park Place, adds to its walkable appeal, although planning may be needed for some daily tasks.

Public transit in Covington is limited and not very convenient for travelers relying on it exclusively. The St. Tammany Parish Transit (STAR Transit) operates on a demand-response basis, requiring rides to be requested a week in advance. The service connects different parts of the city and nearby communities, but the need for advance booking and its limited operating hours make it less practical for spontaneous travel or daily commuting needs.

Covington is an excellent city for biking, largely due to the Tammany Trace—a 31-mile paved trail that provides a scenic and safe biking route for both recreational and transportation purposes. The trail connects five communities and is largely separated from traffic, making it a secure and enjoyable option for cyclists. The flat terrain adds to the ease of biking, and with bike rentals and shops readily available, it is a viable mode of transport in the area.