If you’ve spent any time in the St. Augustine area, chances are you’ve seen a white-and-blue St. Augustine Rider (STAR) Circulator bus carrying residents and visitors around downtown. The free service offers a convenient way to get around the city, and now, Flagler students have even more reasons to hop aboard.
Following the popularity of its expanded route during the 2025-26 Nights of Lights season, the City of St. Augustine added new stops along Anastasia Boulevard and A1A Beach Boulevard in St. Augustine Beach.
For Flagler College students, that means an easier way to enjoy a beach day, explore Anastasia Island, and experience more of what St. Augustine Beach has to offer without needing a car.
1. Find Your Closest Stop
The STAR Circulator has three stops downtown, all within walking distance of Flagler.
Cathedral Place and Cordova Street: Located on the east side of The Ponce, this is the closest stop to campus, about a five-minute walk from the West Lawn.
Bayfront: Located at the corner of Avenida Menendez and Hypolita Street, this stop is about a 10-minute walk from the College.
Visitor Information Center (VIC): Also about a 10-minute walk from the heart of campus, this is where the route officially begins and ends.
For most students, the Cathedral Place and Cordova Street stop is the easiest place to catch the bus.
2. Ride From Downtown to the Beach
Once aboard, the STAR Circulator travels across the Bridge of Lions and onto Anastasia Island. From there, the expanded route includes 15 stops along Anastasia Boulevard and A1A Beach Boulevard in St. Augustine Beach.
Whether you want to spend the afternoon on the sand, walk along the coast, or explore the surrounding area, the expanded route makes it easier to plan a trip without worrying about driving or finding parking.
Bonus stops: The expanded route offers more than just beach access. Students can hop off along Anastasia Boulevard near Sarbez, an alumni-owned business popular with Flagler students, or visit nearby favorites like Osprey Tacos and Ponce De Le Rollin.
For those looking to explore local wildlife, the route also includes a stop at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, where students can see alligators, crocodiles, and other wildlife up close.
3. Know Before You Go
The best part? The STAR Circulator is completely free to ride. The service operates daily, so students can plan a beach trip during the week or make it a weekend outing.
Hours of operation:
- Sunday through Thursday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Be sure to check the route before leaving, identify the stop closest to your destination, and plan your return trip around the service hours.
Ready to trade the classroom for the coastline? Visit the City of St. Augustine’s STAR Circulator page for route information and details before heading out.
