informed traveler

City Population396,815

Elevation865 ft.

Sales TaxThe local sales tax is 8 percent. The city lodging tax is 5.5 percent (less in suburbs).

Cars rented at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport are subject to an 8 percent parking tax, a $6-$25 motor vehicle lessor tax, an 11.1 percent concession fee, a 60-cent per day energy recovery fee, a 15-cent per day license fee and a transportation fee up to $16 per day (transporting cars to airport location costs more than transporting to locations in greater Cleveland).

Emergency911

Police (non-emergency)(216) 623-5000

Time and Temperature(216) 931-1212

HospitalsCleveland Clinic, (216) 444-2200; St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, (216) 861-6200; University Hospitals Case Medical Center, (216) 844-8447.

Visitor Information Destination Cleveland Convention and Visitors Bureau 334 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, OH 44114. Phone:(216)875-6680 or (800)321-1001

Air TravelCleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is 13 miles southwest of downtown via I-71. Consult your AAA travel advisor for help with finding cheap airline flights and vacation packages.

Lakefront Lines Cleveland, (216) 267-8282 or (800) 543-9912, provides private van and minibus charter service daily 5 a.m.-11 p.m. Van service is $55 per hour (3-hour minimum), which includes a fuel surcharge and taxes. Minibus charter fares average $65-$85 per hour (3-hour minimum); reservations are required. Taxi fare to downtown averages $30-$50. Select RTA rapid transit trains provide service to downtown from about daily 4 a.m.-1:15 a.m.

Rental CarsHertz, which offers discounts to AAA members, has a counter at the airport and at 3663 Park East Dr., Beachwood; phone (216) 831-3836 (Beachwood), (216) 267-8900 (airport) or (800) 654-3080.

Rail ServiceThe Amtrak station is at E. Ninth Street and Cleveland Memorial Shoreway; phone (800) 872-7245.

BusesGreyhound Lines Inc., (800) 231-2222, is at 1465 Chester Ave.

TaxisCabs are available at the Public Square taxi stands or they can be ordered by phone. Rates average $2.75 for the first one-eighth mile and 28c for each additional one-eighth mile. The average fee for waiting is $18-$20 an hour. A $1 fuel surcharge also is added to the fare. Companies include Ace Taxi, (216) 361-4700; Americab, (216) 881-1111; and Yellow Cab, (216) 623-1500.

Public TransportationThe Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) offers bus and train service. Rail service runs from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport to the Tower City Rapid Transit Station on Public Square and continues to the Louis Stokes Station at Windermere in East Cleveland as well as from Tower City Center to points in Shaker Heights. The Waterfront Line transports visitors to popular attractions Mon.-Fri. 6:30 a.m.-midnight; weekends and holidays 9 a.m.-midnight.

There are more than 60 connecting bus routes, including free downtown trolleys operating Mon.-Fri. 7-7 (the C-Line Trolley runs Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sat.-Sun. 11-11).

The HealthLine is a Bus Rapid Transit system running along Euclid Avenue and beyond from Public Square to Louis Stokes Station at Windermere. One-way train or bus fare is $2.50; $1.25 (senior citizens and disabled passengers). An all-day pass costs $5.50. Passes can be purchased at fare machines at train stations. For details phone the RTAnswerLine: (216) 621-9500 (Mon.-Fri. 7-6, Sat. 8-4:30) or TTY (216) 781-4271.