Transportation
Local Public Transportation
Shuttle-UM
The University of Maryland Shuttle Bus is one of the largest university transit services in the United States. Shuttle-UM operates more than 60 vehicles, including hybrids and clean diesel models, and serves more than 2.6 million riders a year.
As a student at MEI, you can ride the UM shuttle buses for free. The shuttle buses connect the university to:
- apartments and student housing
- shopping centers and grocery stores
- libraries and post offices
- the local Metro subway system
- the local commuter (MARC) train
- the local bus systems
Metrobus and Metrorail
You can use the Metro Bus and Metro Rail to get to campus, or to travel around Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia. A Metro Rail stop is close to campus. The UM Shuttle runs regular routes to this metro stop.
- Metropolitan area bus and subway system
- connects UMD to Washington, DC
- connects to communities around campus
Commuter Trains
- The MARC train – service to downtown Baltimore
- MARC Train Service is a commuter rail system serving Harford County, Maryland; Baltimore City; Washington D.C.; Brunswick, Maryland; Frederick, Maryland and Martinsburg, West Virginia. MARC Train Service operates Monday through Friday.
- The Light Rail system – access to the Maryland suburbs
- The Virginia Railway Express – access to the Virginia suburbs
Local Bus Systems
- The Bus – bus service between local communities and nearby Metrorail stations
- The University of Maryland is in Prince George’s County. The country operates its own shuttle bus, called The Bus. As a student at MEI, with a University of Maryland student ID, you can ride all The Bus routes for free.
- Montgomery County Ride-On – bus service throughout Montgomery County
- Connect-A-Ride – bus service between the Laurel Mall and College Park
Amtrak
Amtrak is a nationwide passenger train service. It is headquartered at Union Station in Washington, D.C. You can use the train service to travel to New York City, or other locations around the country. You can also buy rail passes good for unlimited travel around the United States.
Intercity Bus Service
There are a number of buses that run between Washington DC and New York City or Philadelphia, or other famous cities in the United States, such as:
Air Travel
MEI’s location makes travel easy:
- Downtown Washington, DC: 15 minutes
- Downtown Baltimore, MD: 45 minutes
- Philadelphia: 2.0 hours
Three major airports serve the area:
| Airport | Airport Code | Distance from MEI |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport | BWI | 30-35 minutes |
| Dulles International Airport | IAD | 40-45 minutes |
| Ronald Regan Washington National Airport | DCA | 30-35 minutes |
There are several possibilities for transportation from the airports, including taxis, Uber, Lyft, or public transportation.
Biking at UMD
Biking is an important part of the transportation system on campus. Biking is part of the university’s commitment to being an environmentally friendly (“Green”) university. At UMD, you’ll find:
- biking trails that connect the university to local housing
- bike racks (places to safely park a bike) all around campus
- on-campus bike rentals for a whole semester for only $75
- a pass so students riding bikes to campus can shower on campus
- secured bike and motor scooter parking spaces
Driving by Car
If you choose to drive to campus, you will need to get a Maryland driver’s license, register your car in Maryland, and arrange for parking on campus.
If you have a valid driver’s license from your home country, you have 60 days after you arrive in Maryland to get a valid Maryland driver’s license:
| If you are coming from | Then |
|---|---|
| South Korea Germany France | You can exchange your valid driver’s license for a Maryland driver’s license |
| Any other country | Complete a S.A.V.E. Verification Request for International Students a Maryland official will then contact you about a license |
If you are bringing a car in from another state, you have 60 days after you arrive in Maryland to register that car.
As an MEI student, you can apply for parking in student parking lots on campus. These lots are within a 10-20 minute walking distance of classroom buildings. Most have Shuttle-UM stops if you do not want to walk.
There are also ZipCar stations on campus. ZipCars are short term rentals (a few hours to all day or night).