Transportation (no car)
If you don't drive, or you won't have a car while you are here, do not be discouraged. It is fairly easy to get around without a car. It just takes some extra time and a bit of planning. There are lots of people living here without a car. Do take a look at our handout on public transportation.
Your Public Transportation Options include the following...
Duke Bus System:
This system is FREE! Anywhere on campus where the bus stops you may get on and ride. Duke University provides ADA accessible free bus service to all Campuses and the Medical Center for students, employees, patients and visitors. The main lines are East-West (C-1) and East-West-Central (C-2). A third line is Central-East-Science Drive Weekdays (Route C-3). In the fall of 2008 the LaSalle Bus Loop started which stops at many of the apartment complexes right off of West Campus. Click here for the schedule.
Safe Rides: (694-7233)
SAFE Rides supplements Duke’s regular bus service and provides an alternative to walking alone or in isolated areas of campus. Tel. #684-SAFE or SafeRides provides Duke employees and students with no cost on-demand van service to campus areas, and certain off campus areas, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., daily, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day. http://parking.duke.edu Also check out the new LaSalle Loop which passes many of the apartment complexes off of West Campus and then drives past Kroger Food Store. This bus runs every 30 minutes throughout the entire year. DO NOT WALK ALONE AT NIGHT! Take Safe Rides. IT is there for YOU! http://parking.duke.edu/buses_vans/bus_sched/lasalle.php
The Roberston Shuttle:
The Roberson Scholars Program provides non-stop, free bus service between Duke and the University of North Caroline-Chapel Hill campus during the academic year (mid August - early May). The bus stop is located at the Chapel Circle on the Duke campus and at at the Morehead Planetarium on the UNC campus. http://parking.duke.edu
The Durham City Bus System (DATA):
DATA is the abbreviated name for the city of Durham bus system. The two city buses that stop at Duke University/Hospital are Bus #6 and Bus #11. You can now purchase DATA monthly passes or ticketbooks at Duke Parking and Transportation Services Office, 2010 Campus Drive from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday. http://data.durhamnc.gov/Index_DATA.cfm
The Triangle Transit Authority (TTA):
The TTA is a regional bus system, travelling between Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh. If you need to go to RDU airport, the TTA bus can get you there. However allow at least one hour for travel time. If you need to go to NC State in Raleigh or UNC-Chapel Hill, you can take the TTA. You can now purchase TTA monthly passes or ticketbooks at Duke Parking and Transportation Services Office, 2010 Campus Drive from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday. http://www.ridetta.org/Home/index.html
Local Taxicabs
Beginning in 2003, Duke University Auxiliary Services partnered with Charlene's Safe Ride, LLC to provide taxi service payable by the DukeCard (Flex account). Of course they will always take cash!
Want to Learn how to Drive?
If you would like to learn how to drive one day, Durham is an excellent place to learn how. Although driving lessons can be costly, we STRONGLY recommend lessons from a private company as opposed to learning from a friend. It is well worth the money. For information about driving lessons, there are several local driving schools: All Around Driving and Andes Driving School.
Here for One Year or Less?
Chapel Hill Leasing has great deals of on leasing cars for four months, six months and one, two or three years. The lease fees include automobile insurance.