Iola's downtown area is notably walkable, with a variety of shops, restaurants, and services within a convenient distance. The vibrant historic downtown square features good parking and easily navigable paths, fostering a pedestrian-friendly environment. However, as you move further from the city center, missing sidewalks and more stretched-out residential areas can make walking less practical. For travelers, this means more car dependence if exploring beyond the downtown.

Public transit in Iola is extremely limited, with primarily specialized services like Allen Regional Transit prioritizing the elderly and individuals with specific needs. Scheduling in advance and limited operational hours make public transit in the area unsuitable for spontaneous or flexible travel needs. Lack of a robust bus system further restricts travel options, making public transit a challenging choice for travelers needing mobility around Iola.

Iola offers several attractive biking paths such as the Prairie Spirit Trail and Southwind Rail Trail, catering to recreational cycling. The city also supports cycling with a bike route network and shared lane markings on city streets. The generally flat terrain enhances the biking experience. However, for practical day-to-day transportation, the connection between trails and main transportation routes may be insufficient. Cyclists will need to assess traffic conditions and the availability of bike lanes before planning their routes across the city.