Yale University
Office of International Students & Scholars
Office of International
Students & Scholars
International Center
421 Temple Street
New Haven, CT 06511
USA
Phone: 203.432.2305
Fax: 203.432.7166
email: oiss@yale.edu
Transportation & Travel
On this page:
New Haven
Getting around New Haven is quite easy. Even if you don’t own a car, you should have no problem getting to most places you require. Walking, using Yale transit, and biking are all popular means of transportation.
Biking
Expect to spend $50 and up for a used bike or $100 and up for a new bike. Keep in mind that the less attractive and valuable your bicycle is, the less likely it is to be stolen. Bicycle theft is not uncommon so you should protect your bike as best you can. Here are some bike security tips:
- Buy a good lock. A “D” lock is recommended. Always lock the wheels and frame to a secure bike rack, pole or fence in the most visible place possible. Do NOT lock your bike to a handicap access ramp, building entrance or stair rail. If you do, it could be impounded by the Yale police and you will pay a $50 fine to retrieve it.
- Register your bike yearly with the Yale Police Department, which can help in its recovery in case of theft.
Yale Transit
Ride free with a Yale ID. There are four forms of Yale transportation as described below. Always consult the Web site for the most up-to-date information on schedules and routes. Note that there is no service at all on certain holidays. Guest passes are available for spouses or children of Yale ID holders at Yale Parking & Transit.
Yale Shuttle — Scheduled daytime routes from 7:20 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The four different bus routes are marked as different colors on the map, and the buses are marked on the outside with a sign. Most stops are indicated by a “Y Shuttle” sign, but some are unmarked. The unmarked stops are not easily located by consulting the map, so new riders will want to ask others where to stand to catch the bus. Be careful to get on the correct bus; you can ask the driver before you get on. The bus driver will let you off wherever you request along the scheduled route.
Minibus Service — Nighttime service, 6 p.m. - 7:30 a.m., seven days a week (Monday through Sunday). The minibus runs on a scheduled service and is available for offroute door-to-door pick-ups. Call to request a pick-up. From 1 a.m. - 7:20 a.m., you must call for mini-bus service.
Bio-Med Express — Operates a continuous loop connecting the School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street and Science Hill, stopping at Lot 22 between 7:55 a.m. and 6:10 p.m., Monday through Friday. It also makes stops at the train station morning and afternoon for those who commute to New Haven by train. Runs during the academic year only.
Special Services Van — A door-to-door on-call service for members of the Yale community who are temporarily or permanently disabled. To use the service, you need to first get permission by going to the Office of Disability (100 Wall Street, WLH 103) and obtaining a form for your doctor to fill out. Operates within boundaries 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday, and on Saturday and Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. There is no daytime service on weekends.
Local Public Transit
Connecticut Transit Bus — A one-way fare within one zone costs $1.25 per person, payable in exact change (coins or bills). Or save and buy a 10-ride ticket (no expiration date) for $11.25, available online, by mail, or at various locations. Go to www.cttransit.com for details. Expect the buses to be occasionally slow and on an unreliable schedule, and you will not be disappointed. It will take you where you need to go to and from the downtown area, train station and surrounding neighborhoods. To plan your trip, call the information line; tell them where you are and where you are going, and they will tell you the closest bus stops. You can also find schedules on-line or at various locations around campus. The public bus is a good way to reach places like the shopping areas in Hamden (J Whitney bus) and Milford (J Kimberly bus) or outdoor recreation areas such as Sleeping Giant Park on Whitney Avenue in Hamden (J Whitney bus) or Lighthouse Park in East Haven (G bus).
Taxis
Connecticut taxi rates are $3.00 to start your trip and then $2.25 for each additional mile and $.25 per each 36 seconds of waiting time. Make sure that the drivers use the meter and are not charging you a flat rate.
You must call in advance to order a taxi. If you need to be on time to catch a train or go to the theater for example, call at least an hour in advance to give yourself plenty of time. You will typically have to wait anywherebetween five to thirty minutes for a taxi pick-up, so it is advisable to always plan accordingly.
Tip the driver 15% of the total on the meter at the end of the ride. If you have a lot of luggage and the driver assists you, you may wish to tip a bit extra.
A normal fare from the New Haven train station to Yale’s International Center is approximately $8.00.
Air Travel
While most international flights arrive at JFK airport in New York City, there are four additional airports convenient to Yale: Newark Airport in Newark, New Jersey, LaGuardia in Queens, New York, Bradley International in Hartford, Connecticut, and the small local airport, Tweed-New Haven, www.flytweed.com, in New Haven, Connecticut. Tweed is by far the most convenient airport (only a 20 minute cab ride to campus) and you can sometimes arrange connecting flights to Tweed from the more major airports. Tweed has service with a major airline, U.S. Air and generally connects by commuter plane through Philadelphia. However, most visitors to Yale do not arrive at Tweed, so will arrange for shared van services from one of the other more distant airports - generally a two to three hour ride from New York/Newark or a one hour ride from Hartford. For ground transportation, never accept offers of rides from individuals who want to drive you. Always choose a reputable company.
Airport to Yale Transportation
All costs are stated as approximate per-person one-way fares. Inquire directly for the most current pricing. When making arrangements, remember to ask about Yale discounts.
Shared Van — $47 to $80. If you take a shared van, you may need to also take a local taxi from your final destination in New Haven depending on where you are dropped off. Inquire about the possibility of being taken directly to your destination in New Haven.
Private Limo — Door-to-Door Car Service - $105 to $160. A driver will meet you at international arrivals with a sign, and accompany you to the waiting car. You will be driven to the address you specify.
Rental Car — $90 one-way drop-off. It may be more economical or convenient to rent a one-way car or minivan if you have a lot of luggage or passengers.
Local Taxi — You will need a local taxi to get to the city center if you arrive at one of these locations: Connecticut Limo New Haven Terminal , Tweed New Haven Airport or the New Haven Train station, Union Station. $8 to $15 metered fare. Prohibitively expensive from any of the other more distant area airports.
Amtrak Train — $34 to $54. Runs from Newark Airport to New Haven’s Union Station.
Automobile Rental
Some places are nearly impossible to reach using public transportation. Long Island, for example, is not so far away, but you would have to take a combination of trains, buses and taxis to reach some of the less populated areas. What might take little more than a couple of hours in a car could take a whole day via public transportation.
Be advised that to rent a car you will need a valid driver’s license (including an International Driver’s Permit if your license is not a U.S. driver’s license). No car rental company will rent to a driver under 21. Most companies require a major credit card and will not rent to someone who is under 25 years old. If you are between 21 and 25, you may have to pay an additional fee.
Compare prices before you rent a car since they can vary greatly. Here are some questions you may want to ask the agency before you rent:
- How much is your daily rate?
- Do you have a weekly rate?
- Is there an unlimited mileage plan?
- How much will the insurance and the taxes cost?
Rental Insurance — Most rental car companies will hold you totally responsible for your rental vehicle if damaged or stolen. You can purchase insurance at the time of the rental, or if you have car insurance already or a major credit card, you can check to see if you are already covered. Some major credit card companies offer coverage only if you put the charges on your account. There is no need to pay for coverage you already have – especially since it can add up to $15- $25 per day on your final car rental bill. Be careful that you understand your options. The deductible is the amount you will be responsible for (should anything happen) before the insurance company begins to pay. For example, if the deductible is $500, and the total repair bill is $1200, you will pay $500 and the insurance company will pay $700. If the total repair bill is $492.97 then you will pay $492.97 and the insurance company will pay nothing since the amount is less than your deductible.
Train Travel
Union Station, the New Haven railroad station, is where you catch both Metro-North and Amtrak trains as well as find national bus services. Metro-North is the local commuter train and the cheapest, most appropriate choice for a trip to New York City. An off-peak oneway ticket to Grand Central Station costs $14 if you buy it in the station at the ticket window or one of the ticket machines. You will also get a slight discount if you plan ahead and purchase a ticket on the web. The convenient ticket machines are located near the ticket windows and accept cash and debit or credit cards. You can park your car at the garage at Union Station for $1/hour or $8/day.
Amtrak provides national U.S. rail service and offers riders frequent service to Boston and Washington, D.C. It is possible to travel throughout the U.S. or into Canada as well. Service can be slow and spotty, but Amtrak could be a less expensive alternative to air travel. It is not always the case, so it would be wise to compare options. International students and scholars may be interested to know about Amtrak’s special 15 or 30 day USA Railpass for international visitors.
Commuting from Branford area — For Metro-North shoreline commuters, there is a station on State Street that is more convenient to downtown New Haven. If you are traveling from Branford for example, you can avoid all the rush hour traffic, and travel 15 minutes, one stop to New Haven. Walk to campus from there. Monthly passes Branford/New Haven cost $51 ($2.50 one way).
Ferry Services
New Haven is located on Long Island Sound and there are a number of convenient ferry services nearby. Depart from Bridgeport, New London or southern Rhode Island and you, or you and your vehicle, can enjoy a ferry ride to Long Island www.licvb.com (approx. 1 hour 20 mins. crossing time) or Block Island www. blockisland.com (approx. 1 hour crossing time). You’ll need a car to get around Long Island, but if you visit Block Island, you’ll want to consider bringing or renting a bike for transportation once you are there.
Travel Agencies
Many students and scholars at Yale prefer to shop for and purchase their plane tickets through online ticket services. Priceline is one online ticket service where you can name your price, but you will need to be flexible in your travel plans and times. As an alternative, there are travel agencies convenient to campus. Yale Travel Services assists Yale employees, faculty and staff for Yale business travel needs. STA Travel provides travel services for the general public, and also specializes in travel for youths, students and teachers, offering international student cards and special student and faculty airfare rates. You may be interested in learning about their USA summer and spring break tours. Worldtek Travel is another local agency specializing in collegiate travel.
Practical Matters
Related Links
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Maps
Campus and New Haven Map Resources
Bike Resources
Riding Laws and Safety
Always wear a helmet. Required by law for children under 15 years old.
Always ride with the flow of the traffic. Bikes and cars are subject to the same rules by law.
Ride predictably and use your hands to signal turns.
If you must ride at night, a white front light and red taillight are required by law. Wear light-colored or reflective clothing.
Take the Orange Street bike lane in the East Rock area when possible.
Elm CityCycling
Devoted to all things concerned with cycling in New Haven. On the final Friday of each month join their Critical Mass ride to make a public statement about your cycling rights, or just because you want to.
Shuttle & Bus Service
Shuttle Locator
Check the real-time location of a Yale shuttle online or get updates on your mobile phone:
Daytime Shuttle
432-9790
Nighttime Shuttle
432-6330
Special Services Van
(24 hours)
432-2788
Connecticut Transit Bus Service
624-0151
Hours: Monday to Saturday
6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Sunday/Holidays
7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
You must close any baby strollers before boarding the bus. Buses have special carriers for bicycles.
Bus schedules and maps are available on the bus itself and at the following locations:
CT Transit Info booth
Chapel St on the Green
between Church St and Temple St
The International Center
421 Temple St
New Haven Public Library
133 Elm St
The McDougal Center
Hall of Graduate Studies
320 York Street
Taxi Service
Metro Taxi
777-7777
Quick Taxi
777-7778
Shared Van Services
Connecticut Limousine
878-2222
www.ctlimo.com
Primetime Shuttle
891-1280
www.primetimeshuttle.com
Car Rental
AAmity
129 Whalley Ave
776-7208.
Under 25 okaywith $10 fee.
Avis
www.avis.com
Union Station: 624-2161
Tweed Airpor:; 466-2847
Nationwide: 1-800-230-4898
Budget
www.budget.com
323 George St
1-800-527-0700
U-Save
244 Whalley Ave
772-1143
Will rent on an international license.
Enterprise
www.enterprise.com
408 Crown St
789-2252
Hertz
www.hertz.com
1 George St
777-6861
Also at: Tweed Airport, Union Station.
Nationwide
1-800-227-7368
Marathon Car Rental
1351 Dixwell Ave
Hamden
288-6884
Under 25 acceptable. Good prices.
National Car Rental
www.nationalcar.com
255 Crown St
562-8139 (local)
1-800-227-7368 (toll free)
Train Service
Union Station
50 Union Ave
624- 0151
Amtrak
www.amtrak.com
1-800-872-7245
Metro-North
www.mta.nyc.ny.us/mnr
1-800-872-7245
Shoreline Commuters
www.shorelineeast.com
National Bus Service
Peter Pan
www.peterpanbus.com
1-800-343-9999
Greyhound Bus Lines
www.greyhound.com
772-2470 or 1-800-229-9424
Ferry Service
Bridgeport and Port Jefferson
Steamboat Co
www.pagelinx.com/bpjferry
1-888-44-FERRY or (203) 335-2040
Cross Sound Ferry Services
www.longislandferry.com
(860) 443-5281 from Connecticut
(631) 323-2525 from Long Island
Block Island Express
www.goblockisland.com
(860) 444-4624
Block Island Ferry
www.blockislandferry.com
(866) 783-7340