Transportation plays an integral role in the bustling life of a college student, dictating daily schedules and influencing overall campus experiences. The mode of transport chosen must strike a balance between cost, speed, learning curve, and convenience. When making my tier list, I envision a sizable campus spanning approximately 2000 acres holding 20,000 students, complete with paid on-campus parking facilities and shuttle services provided by the university.

Parking fees can add up over time, making cars the most expensive option – not to mention the up-front investment and upkeep costs. While cars are arguably the fastest option, navigating campus traffic and finding parking can slow you down. In addition, traffic can sometimes be unpredictable. The learning curve is generally small as it doesn’t take much time to learn the roads of a given campus and provides flexibility and convenience, especially since you are unbound by the schedule of public transportation.

While walking stands as the slowest mode of transport, it can certainly be an efficient mode of travel: particularly for short to moderate distances within the campus environment. Walking can sometimes be quicker than driving or waiting for shuttle services. After your first few days on campus, you should be relatively comfortable with navigating the area to the point where you have “mastered” walking. It also allows students to navigate campus pathways, sidewalks, and pedestrian-friendly routes with ease.

To bike around campus, a budget of $100-$500 should be perfect. I bought a bike for $300 about seven years ago that has stood the test of time and provided many uses. Aside from this, you will also need to invest in a dependable lock. Cyclists can often navigate through traffic more swiftly than cars or shuttles, particularly during peak times. With dedicated bike lanes or multi-use paths, cyclists can bypass congestion and reach their destinations efficiently. Bikes prove to be a convenient option as they can often be parked closer to destinations than cars, reducing the need for lengthy walks from parking lots.

Taking the bus can result in significant savings on fuel, parking fees, and vehicle maintenance expenses compared to motor vehicles as many universities offer it for free. While not as fast as having a personal car, buses are still faster than the average mode of transport despite their fixed routes and schedules. With a little planning, taking the university shuttle can be significantly faster than walking. The only learning curve is identifying the schedule of the bus and the routes, which is made easy with signs, applications, and frequency of trips. Depending on where you live on campus, the bus can either be super convenient or not worth it – with the way certain routes are set up, it might not make sense for some people who live far away.

You can easily secure a quality skateboard for around 100 bucks and there are rarely other costs associated with skateboarding. Skateboarding is exponentially faster than walking with speeds topping out at 15 mph. However, this method of transport hinges entirely on your ability to push. It may take a bit of practice to pick up a skateboard with it requiring skill and balance. However, once you have the slightest ability to use it, it will become the most efficient.

Many students find skateboarding to be an enjoyable and rewarding form of transportation, with the added benefit of promoting physical activity and coordination. Skateboarding offers unparalleled convenience and accessibility on campus. They are also lightweight and portable, making them easy to carry and store in dorm rooms, classrooms, or lockers. Skateboarding provides direct access to campus buildings allowing students to navigate the campus quickly without having to worry about storing it.

Evaluate all the transportation options available to you as you start classes this semester and you’ll be navigating your way around campus like a pro in no time.

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