Your Ultimate Guide to Getting Around the University of Maryland & College Park
Hey everyone! If you're heading to the University of Maryland, College Park, one of the first things you're probably trying to figure out is how to get around. Trust me, I've been there. Navigating a new, sprawling campus & the surrounding city can feel like a puzzle. But here's the good news: College Park is SUPER well-connected with a ton of public transportation options. Seriously, you can get almost anywhere you need to go without ever getting behind the wheel of your own car.
Whether you're a freshman living in a dorm, a commuter student, or just visiting for a Terps game, understanding the transit system is a game-changer. It'll save you time, money, & a whole lot of stress. So, let's break it all down. I'm going to give you the insider scoop on everything from the free campus shuttles to the regional train lines that can whisk you away to D.C. or Baltimore for the weekend.
The Star of the Show: Shuttle-UM
First up, let's talk about the absolute MVP of UMD transportation: the Shuttle-UM. This is the university's very own bus system, & it's one of the largest university transit services in the country. And the best part? It's free for UMD students & staff. Some routes might ask you to flash your student ID, but that's a small price to pay for such an extensive network.
The Shuttle-UM has a whopping 19 fixed routes that cover not just the entire campus, but also the surrounding neighborhoods of College Park. This means you can easily get from your off-campus apartment to your morning lecture, or from the library to your favorite study spot across campus. The service is based on the academic calendar, so you'll find reduced service during breaks & holidays, which is something to keep in mind.
Here are a few of the key routes you'll want to get familiar with:
- The 104 Shuttle: This is your lifeline to the rest of the D.C. metro area. It runs from Regents Drive Garage directly to the College Park Metro Station. It operates seven days a week during the regular semester, making it super convenient for weekend adventures.
- Commuter Routes: For students & staff living a bit further out, Shuttle-UM has you covered. There are routes that go as far as Silver Spring (the 111), New Carrollton (the 126), & even Shady Grove. These are a fantastic alternative to driving & dealing with traffic.
- Evening Routes: Don't worry about getting stranded on campus after a late-night study session. The evening routes for Shuttle-UM don't require an ID, making them accessible to everyone.
To make your life even easier, you can download the Transit App to track bus arrivals in real-time. This is a MUST-HAVE. No more standing at the bus stop wondering if you've missed your ride.
For those of you who are city residents but not UMD students, you're in luck! The City of College Park actually offers free Shuttle-UM bus passes to its residents. You just need to apply in person with a photo ID & proof of residency. The city pays the university a fee for this service, which is a pretty cool partnership that benefits the whole community.
Venturing Out: Metrorail & Metrobus
When you're ready to explore beyond College Park, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is your best friend. WMATA operates both the Metrorail (the subway system) & the Metrobus, connecting you to the entire D.C. region.
Metrorail: Your Gateway to D.C. & Beyond
The College Park-UMD Metro station is on the Green Line, & as I mentioned, the 104 Shuttle-UM will take you right there. From this station, it's a quick & easy ride to downtown Washington, D.C. You can catch a concert, visit a museum, or even head to an internship without the hassle of driving & parking. The Green Line also connects to other Metro lines, so you can easily get to places like Reagan National Airport (DCA) or Union Station for even more travel options.
There's also the Greenbelt Metro station, which is another nearby option on the Green Line. It's a short walk from the Hollywood Commercial District, giving you even more flexibility.
Metrobus: Filling in the Gaps
In addition to the Metrorail, WMATA operates a number of Metrobus routes that run through & near the UMD campus. These are great for reaching areas that might not be directly on a Metro line. Some of the key routes for UMD students include:
- 83, 83X, 86 (College Park Line): These buses travel along Route 1, heading north from the Rhode Island Avenue Metro station.
- C2 (Greenbelt-Twinbrook Line): This route connects the Greenbelt and Twinbrook Metro stations, passing through College Park along the way.
- C8 (College Park - White Flint Line): This is another useful route that connects College Park to the White Flint area.
- F6 (New Carrollton - Fort Totten Line): This route can get you to the New Carrollton and Fort Totten Metro stations.
You can use the WMATA website or app for trip planning & to get real-time bus tracking. To pay for both Metrorail & Metrobus, you'll need a SmarTrip card. This is a reloadable fare card that you can purchase at any Metrorail station. It's a much more convenient way to pay than fumbling for cash, & it allows for free transfers within a two-hour window.
Local Flavor: TheBus & The Route 1 Ride
Prince George's County also has its own bus system, aptly named TheBus. This is a super affordable option for getting around the county. TheBus Route 17, also known as the Route 1 Ride, is particularly useful for UMD students. It travels along the Route 1 corridor, from the D.C. line all the way to IKEA in College Park, with a stop at the College Park Metro station.
Here's a great tip: rides on TheBus Route 17 are FREE for UMD students, faculty, & staff with a valid ID! For everyone else, the fare is just $1. This makes it an incredibly budget-friendly way to explore the shops & restaurants along Route 1.
For the Commuters: MARC Train & MTA Commuter Bus
If you're commuting to UMD from further away, there are some great regional transit options to consider.
The MARC Train, operated by the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), provides commuter rail service throughout Maryland. The College Park station is on the Camden Line, which runs between Baltimore's Camden Station & Washington D.C.'s Union Station. This is a fantastic option for students & faculty who live in Baltimore or the surrounding suburbs.
The MTA also operates Commuter Bus routes that provide express service from various suburbs to College Park. For example, Route 204 connects Frederick & College Park. It's important to note that there's no weekend service on this particular route. And here's a major perk for university employees: UMD faculty & staff can get FREE rides on all MTA light rail, subway, commuter, & regular bus routes! You just have to apply for the program.
Getting Active: Biking & Scooting with VeoRide
For those who prefer a more active way to get around, UMD has a partnership with the micromobility company VeoRide. This program provides a fleet of electric-assist bikes (e-bikes) & electric scooters (e-scooters) that you can rent for short trips. You'll find VeoRide stations all over campus, in the City of College Park, & in the Town of University Park.
To use VeoRide, you just need to download their free app. You can use the app to locate a nearby bike or scooter, unlock it by scanning a QR code, & you're on your way. When you're done, you just park it at any public bike rack or designated parking area. The cost is pretty reasonable: it's usually $1 to unlock a vehicle, & then a per-minute fee of around 20-25 cents.
This is a fantastic option for those shorter trips where a bus might be overkill. Plus, it's a great way to get some fresh air & exercise. And with bike lanes & the beautiful Anacostia Tributary Trail nearby, it's a safe & scenic way to travel.
What About When You NEED a Car?
Okay, let's be real. As amazing as the public transportation system is in College Park, there are still going to be times when you need a car. Maybe you have a job off the beaten path, or you want to do a big grocery run, or you're planning a road trip with friends. But on-campus parking can be a nightmare. It's expensive, spots are limited, & navigating the permit system can be a headache.
This is where thinking outside the box can really pay off. If you absolutely need to bring a car to campus but don't want to deal with the official university lots, you should check out Prked. It's a pretty cool service that connects people who need parking with homeowners who have extra space in their driveways or garages. You can often find a spot that's more convenient & affordable than the campus lots. It's a great way to have the flexibility of a car without the usual parking frustrations.
And for those of you who are local homeowners, this is a great way to make some extra cash from that empty driveway space!
Getting to & from the Airport
If you're flying in or out of the area, you have several options for getting to & from the major airports.
- Reagan National Airport (DCA): This is the most convenient airport to get to via public transit. There's a Metrorail station right at the airport on the Blue & Yellow lines. You can take the Metro to the College Park station & then hop on the 104 Shuttle-UM to get to campus.
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI): From BWI, you can take a shuttle bus to the BWI Rail Station & then catch a MARC train to the College Park station.
- Dulles International Airport (IAD): Getting to Dulles is a bit more of a journey. You can take the Washington Silver Line Express bus from the airport to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station, & then take the Metrorail to College Park.
Of course, ride-sharing services like Uber & Lyft are always an option from any of the airports. You'll find designated pick-up zones at each airport.
The Purple Line: A Look to the Future
One more exciting thing to mention is the Purple Line. This is a new light rail line that's currently under construction. Once it's complete, it will connect the College Park Metro station with New Carrollton in Prince George's County & Bethesda in Montgomery County. This will make east-west travel across the region SO much easier & will provide even more public transit options for the UMD community.
Tying It All Together
So, there you have it! A comprehensive rundown of all the ways to get around the University of Maryland & College Park. From the free & convenient Shuttle-UM to the extensive network of Metrorail & Metrobus, you have a ton of options at your fingertips. And with bike-sharing, regional trains, & new projects like the Purple Line on the horizon, the area is only getting more connected.
My advice? Embrace the public transit system. Get a SmarTrip card, download the Transit & VeoRide apps, & start exploring. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to navigate the campus & the entire D.C. region without a car. And for those times when a car is a necessity, remember to check out creative solutions like Prked to find a convenient & affordable parking spot.
Hope this was helpful! Let me know what you think, & if you have any other tips or tricks for getting around College Park, feel free to share them in the comments. Go Terps
