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.
Bicycle#
Berkeley is one of the best cities in the US to ride a bike. Many grads use bikes as a primary means of transportation and bike to the department daily. Be warned, Berkeley campus is on a hill, and Campbell in particular is towards the top of campus vertically speaking. Biking is much cheaper than driving.
Students have found that often-times biking can be faster and more convenient than other methods of transportation within the city. Because of heavy motor vehicle traffic and the way Berkeley streets are designed to route that traffic along a few thoroughfares, bikes can often take shorter routes and avoid riding alongside cars or buses. Within the city (and the greater East Bay), there exists a network of Bike Lanes and Bicycle Boulevards (streets meant for cyclists) which are well-paved and protected and can get you most places you need to go. This network connects well with campus. Bicycles are also allowed on buses (through the front rack), BART, ferries, and even the Space Sciences and Berkeley Lab shuttles, so it’s easy to use public transit when you have your bike with you.
Once at the department, there are many places to keep a bike. Campbell Hall hosts an indoor bike room on the second floor which is secured behind a keycard access door. To use the room, email the incredible building coordinator Shirlin (shirlin@berkeley.edu). There is also ample bike rack space on the East side of the building and outside every major building on campus, as well as many places downtown and in Berkeley, which makes getting to various departments (or restaurants) quick and easy. Some people choose to keep their bikes in their offices.
Warning
Berkeley is a hotspot for bike theft. Buy and know how to use a solid bike lock, but know that locks only buy you time. Plenty of well-locked bikes have been stolen over the years. Bike theft is a major issue in many cities across the US and unfortunately doesn’t receive the attention or resources it should. You can register your bike on campus through UCPD bicycle and mobility device registration; it helps with recovery if the bike is stolen. You can also register your bike with Project 529 which keeps a national registry to prevent bike theft. Unfortunately, the best recommendation is not to park a bike in public near campus that you wouldn’t want to be stolen. It’s easier and cheaper to replace a commuter bike than something custom and expensive.
Because Berkeley (especially the area around campus and Campbell in particular) is so hilly, many people opt to use an e-bike to get to the department. There are places to charge an e-bike in the bike room.
There are lots of places to get a bike:
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
Coops? - There used to be a cooperative called the Missing Link in Berkeley, but it has now closed. Not sure if there are alternatives.
Be careful when purchasing a bike second-hand as many stolen bikes are resold on websites like Craigslist. Be sure to ask about the history of the bicycle and from where the owner purchased it.
Biking can also be dangerous. To reduce the risks of an accident, learn local rules of the road and proper bike handling, wear a helmet as well as lights and visible gear at night, and keep your bike well-maintained. It’s always a good idea to have a small repair kit (for a tire puncture or loose bolt) with you when cycling.
Public Transit#
All UC Berkeley graduate students receive a Bay Pass, which covers free rides on AC Transit, BART, Caltrain, Muni, Trolleys, and Ferries.
BART — runs across much of the Bay Area, with direct lines to Oakland International (OAK) and San Francisco International (SFO).
AC Transit — local and regional buses around the East Bay.
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 for overnight on-street parking in eligible zones.
Campus parking requires a separate university permit.
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, Rent a Relic, and Gig Car Share.
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 for the most up-to-date options.