Transportation
It is possible to get around Duke and Durham by walking, cycling, public transportation, or driving. Many students come to Durham with a car and are grateful for it, and many students come without a car and can get by.
However, the transportation infrastructure in Durham, North Carolina and the surrounding area was designed for car travel. There is a public transportation system, but many students find it less convenient than the transportation systems they are used to in their home cities, states, or countries. The pedestrian and cycling infrastructure is also not as strong because of the emphasis on car travel.
Resources to learn about traveling around Durham and to Duke:
- Duke: Duke has a free bus system for all members of the Duke community. If you aren’t bringing a car to Durham, we strongly recommend living on a Duke bus line.
- Go Durham & Go Triangle: Duke students are eligible for a free bus pass for the Durham bus system, Go Durham, and the regional bus system, Go Triangle.
- Students most often use GoDurham buses for transportation to area grocery stores and shopping centers and to downtown Durham to socialize.
- In order to park on campus, you must apply for a student parking pass. Find more about the application to park on campus here.
- Some apartment complexes require you to purchase a parking pass. Additionally, some neighborhoods require a neighborhood parking pass to park on the street. Check with your property management for parking information.
- Duke offers many carpooling options to reduce the cost of parking on/driving to campus.
- Duke offers incentives for bike commuters, including two free parking passes per month, and has a number of resources for cyclists on the Parking & Transportation website.