Travel Information

Travel Information

Penn State University Park is located in State College, Pennsylvania - University Park is the campus and is adjacent to the town of State College.

Travel Options
Housing check-in locations

Global Programs info

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Travel Options

There are several ways to travel to University Park.

Car Travel

If you will be driving a personal vehicle, you will be provided ONE temporary unloading permit to use while you unload your belongings at your residence hall. After unloading, you can use the temporary long-term parking permit to relocate your vehicle. Due to limited parking capacity near the residence halls, additional vehicles and multiple trips are discouraged to allow other students space to move in.

If you are using a taxi or rideshare service, such as Uber or Lyft, please be aware that you may need to check-in at one location, and then travel to your residence hall to unload. Ride shares are permitted near the residence halls, but are not able to park.

Air Travel

State College Regional Airport (SCE) is located five miles from campus, a ten-minute drive via taxi or rideshare service. State College Regional Airport offers non-stop flights to/from major hubs, including Philadelphia (PHL), Chicago (ORD), and Washington/Dulles (IAD).

Approximate drive times from other cities/airports:

Harrisburg 1.5 hours
Latrobe 2 hours
Pittsburgh 3 hours
Philadelphia 3.5 hours
Baltimore 3 hours
Washington DC 4 hours
Newark 4 hours
New York 5 hours

Bus Travel

Greyhound Bus has a terminal located across from the west side of the University Park campus at 152 North Atherton Street, State College PA 16801. The State College Greyhound bus station serves Philadelphia, Harrisburg, New York, Pittsburgh, Newark, Altoona, Latrobe, and several other major cities.

Fullington Trailways also operates out of the State College Bus Station, and is located across from the west side of the University Park campus at 152 North Atherton Street, State College PA 16801 and the State College Airport at 2493 Fox Hill Road, State College PA 16803. Fullington Trailways serves Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, New York City, and other major cities.

CATABUS offers extensive bus service to the local community in State College. CATABUS connects students with neighborhoods and shopping centers throughout State College with twenty different routes. CATABUS also offers free continuous shuttle service on campus with its LOOP and LINK routes.

Train Travel

Amtrak passenger service runs from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg to Philadelphia, stopping in Altoona or Lewistown. The Lewistown train station is approximately 30 miles from University Park, a 35-minute drive. The Altoona train station is a little farther, but offers more amenities. It is located about 45 minutes from University Park.

Ship Items In Advance!

You can ship items up to two (2) weeks in advance of your arrival! Make your travel experience a bit easier by shipping linen, clothes, and other essential items before you depart. You can also order items online and use your campus mailing address - you can confirm your mailing address once room assignments are posted in eLiving.

The Commons Desk Operations will receive and store your packages until your arrival - simply stop by the Commons Desk that is located in your housing area once you arrive to campus to pick up your packages. The Commons Desk Operations are open 24 hours a day.

Find Your Mailing Address

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Arrival Check-In Locations

When you arrive to campus, proceed to the appropriate Arrival Check-In Location, based on your room assignment:

Housing Area	Buildings	Check-In Location
East	Bigler, Brumbaugh, Curtin, Earle, Geary, Hastings, Martin, McKean, Packer, Pennypacker, Pinchot, Snyder, Sproul, Stone, Stuart, Tener	no location; use self check-in feature*
Eastview Terrace	Brill, Curry, Harris, Miller, Nelson, Panofsky, Young	no location; use self check-in feature*
Nittany	All apartments and Nittany Hall	no location; use self check-in feature*
North	Beam, Holmes, Leete, Robinson, Runkle	no location; use self check-in feature*
Pollock	Beaver, Hartranft, Hiester, Mifflin, Porter, Shulze, Shunk	check-in at Pollock Commons Desk (open 24 hours a day)
South	Atherton, Chace, Cooper, Cross, Ewing, Haller, Hibbs, Hoyt, Lyons, McElwain, Simmons, Stephens	no location; use self check-in feature*
West	Hamilton, Irvin, Jordan, McKee, Thompson, Watts	no location; use self check-in feature*
White Course	Dunham, Garban, Grubb, Patterson	no location; use self check-in feature*

*The Self Check-In feature allows you to proceed directly to your assigned residence hall; you will follow the instructions to check-in through eLiving, which will provide building and room door access.