Student Life
Parking and Transportation
The preferred method of transportation on campus is walking or bicycling. If your son or daughter brings a bike to campus, encourage him or her to register the bike with City Hall, purchase a “U-lock,” and remember to lock the bike at all times. Bike racks are easily accessible at nearly every campus building.
Buses
Nighttime Transportation
Parking
Airport Shuttles
Transportation for Students with Mobility Impairments
Buses
The University and the city of Ann Arbor offer excellent public transportation options for students. The U-M operates a free bus service for the campus community. Buses run approximately every 10 minutes during the Fall and Winter terms. Buses to North Campus run past midnight.
In addition, University of Michigan students can ride the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority buses for free by showing an M-Card. AATA buses run throughout the Ann Arbor area, including campus, and can take students to many popular off-campus destinations like Meijer, Target, Briarwood, Arborland, and other shopping locales.
Nighttime transportation
For nighttime transportation, the U-M buses run until midnight or later, depending on the route. There are also free or low-cost nighttime ride services available to U-M students. Encourage your son or daughter to utilize these services on a regular basis. If no other option is available, the Department of Public Safety will provide emergency transportation from campus to a student’s residence.
Parking
Parking for students at the University of Michigan is extremely limited, and the University recommends that students leave their cars at home. With the easy availability of free buses on campus and in the city of Ann Arbor, most students find that bringing cars to campus is not usually necessary, and often not worth the expense and the effort.
Freshmen and sophomores are not eligible to apply for any parking permits offered through U-M Parking & Transportation Services. Juniors and seniors are eligible to apply for permits, but the demand exceeds the supply. In addition, most permits do not allow for “storage” parking (defined as leaving your vehicle continuously parked in a lot or structure for periods greater than 24 hours).
Due to the limited parking situation, students living in residence halls are strongly encouraged not to bring cars to campus. There is no permit parking adjacent to most of the residence halls. University Housing does offer a limited number of spaces to residents of Bursley, Baits, and Fletcher residence halls through a lottery held during move-in. However, the demand for these spaces exceeds the supply. Students should contact the hall directly for details about the lottery.
Airport Shuttles
Students who travel by airplane to campus generally fly into Detroit Metropolitan Airport, which is about 30 minutes from campus. There are several shuttles that run between Metro Airport and the U-M campus.
In addition, during scheduled U-M breaks, the Michigan Student Assembly sponsors AirBus. AirBus provides quick, easy, inexpensive airport transportation during U-M breaks.
Transportation for Students with Mobility Impairments
Students with mobility impairments can contact Services for Students with Disabilities for information about accessible campus transportation.
Quick Links
U-M Parking & Transportation Services
U-M buses
AATA Buses
U-M Parking Information
AirBus