:show_git_badge: true

.. _transportation:

==========================
Getting Around Berkeley
==========================

Berkeley and the Bay Area are easy to navigate without a car.
Most graduate students get by comfortably on a combination of bike, transit, and walking.
For general University guidance, see `Transportation and Safety <https://studentaffairs.berkeley.edu/navigate-berkeley/transportation-and-safety/>`__.

Bicycle
-------

There are lots of places to get a bike:

* **Co-ops and community-oriented shops** — for example The Missing Link Bike Shop in Berkeley
* **Used or secondhand** — Craigslist, buy-nothing groups, and people moving out of the area
* **Traditional bike and outdoor retailers** — Mike's Bikes, REI, Sports Basement, and similar stores
* **Big-box stores** — for example Target

Learn local rules of the road, wear lights and visible gear at night, and use a solid lock and secure parking to reduce theft risk.
You can also register your bike on campus through `UCPD bicycle and mobility device registration <https://ucpd.berkeley.edu/services/bicycle-and-mobility-device-registration>`__; it helps with recovery if the bike is stolen.

Public Transit
--------------

All UC Berkeley graduate students receive a `Bay Pass <https://pt.berkeley.edu/public-transportation/baypass-information>`__,
which covers free rides on AC Transit, BART, Caltrain, Muni, Trolleys, and Ferries.

* `BART <https://www.bart.gov/>`__ — runs across much of the Bay Area, with direct lines to `Oakland International (OAK) <https://www.bart.gov/stations/oakl>`__ and `San Francisco International (SFO) <https://www.bart.gov/stations/sfia>`__.
* `AC Transit <https://www.actransit.org/>`__ — local and regional buses around the East Bay.
* `Bear Transit <https://pt.berkeley.edu/bear-transit>`__ — UC Berkeley's campus shuttle system, connecting nearby neighborhoods to campus.

Car
---

Roughly one third of graduate students have a car, and it is generally straightforward to get around without one.

If you **do** have a car:

* Some apartments charge extra for a dedicated parking spot, often $50–100 per month.
* The City of Berkeley issues `residential parking permits <https://berkeleyca.gov/city-services/parking/residential-preferential-parking-permits>`__ for overnight on-street parking in eligible zones.
* Campus parking requires a `separate university permit <https://pt.berkeley.edu/StudentParking>`__.
* You can also park behind Campbell Hall when observing — email Shirlin for a permit.

If you don't own a car but need to drive occasionally, short-term options include `Zipcar <https://www.zipcar.com/universities/the-university-of-california-berkeley>`__ and `Gig Car Share <https://gigcarshare.com/>`__.

Other ways to get around
------------------------

Berkeley is a very walkable city, and many students get by on foot for day-to-day errands.
Mopeds and motorcycles are less common but are also used by some students.

Night Safety
------------

UC Berkeley offers a number of resources for getting around safely at night, including walking escorts and late-night shuttles.
See `Night Safety <https://nightsafety.berkeley.edu/>`__ for the most up-to-date options.