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#
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; it helps with recovery if the bike is stolen.
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 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.