Itajaí has a layout that relies heavily on cars, with most areas lacking pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. While the city center (Centro) offers some walkable spots, these are quite limited compared to the overall expanse of the city, which includes significant rural areas. Running errands or commuting on foot could be challenging, and the lack of comprehensive pedestrian pathways affects overall walkability. The few walkable areas do provide an enjoyable experience, but they are not widespread enough to make the entire city accessible on foot.

The public transport system in Itajaí primarily consists of buses, which provide basic connectivity across the city and to neighboring areas. Although there are plans to improve this with projects like a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, current options are not vast enough to comfortably travel all around the city without a car. The existing bus network connects major spots but may be insufficient for a traveler relying solely on public transportation to access more remote or less populated neighborhoods.

Cycling in Itajaí can be challenging due to limited bike infrastructure. While there are development plans including new cycleways, these are mostly alongside the emerging BRT routes and not yet spread citywide. Cycling could be uncomfortable because of high traffic areas and less dedicated bike lanes. The city shows promise for biking, particularly for leisure, but requires substantial investment and expansion of cycling facilities to become genuinely bike-friendly for everyday travel.