Travel and Transportation
Your guide to getting to and around UW–Madison
Navigating UW–Madison is easy with a wide range of transportation and visitor resources designed to help you make the most of your time on campus. This section guide highlights the essentials for getting to, from, and around campus and the City of Madison.
On this page
Getting around Campus and Madison
The easiest ways to get around campus are by walking, biking, or riding the bus. Due to limited parking on campus, we recommend that students not bring cars.
Busing
With free campus buses and student bus passes, busing can be the easiest and most affordable way to get around Madison.
Free Campus Buses
- Routes 80, 81, 82, and 84 are free and run from early morning to late night.
- Service is limited during holidays and breaks.
- Bus stops are located across campus from Lake Street to Eagle Heights.
ASM Bus Pass
Most students can get a free bus pass (covered by segregated fees) for unlimited rides on:
- Madison Metro Transit city buses
- Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
- Paratransit services
Students pick up their pass at Transportation Services with a Wiscard or photo ID.
Madison Metro Transit
Metro Transit connects the campus to the city and offers accessible buses for wheelchairs and mobility devices.
- Find routes and schedules on the Metro Transit website
- Use apps like Transit or Google Maps for real-time arrival info
Accessible Shuttle
Free on-call or scheduled rides between campus buildings for students, employees, and visitors with mobility challenges.
- Hours: Mon–Fri, 7:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. during fall/spring semesters
- No service on weekends, holidays, or breaks
Biking
The League of American Bicyclists rates UW–Madison and the City of Madison at the platinum level for bike friendliness. Here are a few things to keep in mind while biking in Madison:
- Bikes are treated as vehicles and must follow traffic laws
- At night: white front light + red rear reflector required
- Helmets are strongly recommended
Madison BCycle
Students get a discounted membership for bike-sharing.
- Unlimited 90-minute rides with an annual membership
- Stations across campus and Madison
University Bicycle Resource Center (UBRC)
The UBRC is a free DIY bike repair space with tools, supplies, and safety classes. It is staffed by students who promote biking and sustainable transportation.
Car Sharing
Zipcar provides 24/7 hourly car rentals for errands and trips. Zipcar rentals are available on campus and throughout Madison.
Mopeds
Mopeds must have a valid UW–Madison parking permit and park in designated moped lots. Permits can be purchased from the Transportation Services office. City of Madison ordinances prohibit mopeds on sidewalks, terraces, or bike racks.
E-Scooters
E-scooters are allowed to park at bike racks or designated e-scooter parking areas (yellow stalls) in select moped lots.
Getting to and from Madison
Students and visitors have several options for getting to other cities. Madison is well-connected via bus, plane, or train.
Intercity Buses
Several bus companies leave from campus and travel outside Madison, including:
- Badger Bus
- Greyhound
- Jefferson Lines
- Lamers
- Megabus
- Van Galder
Air Travel
- Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) offers flights to regional and national destinations.
- The airport is accessible by taxi, airport limo, or Madison Metro bus (weekday service).
- Nearby airports:
- Milwaukee Mitchell International (90 miles)
- Chicago O’Hare International (135 miles)
Train
The Amtrak train travels to many regional and national destinations. The nearest station is in Columbus, Wisconsin, 25 miles northeast of Madison.
Other nearby stations are Milwaukee and Chicago, serviced by intercity bus connections.
Visiting Campus
The city of Madison sits on a beautiful isthmus, where the campus and city blend seamlessly together. Madison offers:
- Arts, music, museums, and unique restaurants
- The Wisconsin State Capitol and State Street pedestrian mall
- Five lakes and scenic outdoor spaces
- The nation’s largest producer-only farmers’ market
The Parent and Family Program hosts events like Family Weekend and Badger Family Spring Visit.
Visitor Questions
Need help before your visit?
- The Parent and Family Program can answer questions about lodging, transportation, and local attractions.
- While on campus, Campus and Visitor Relations (CAVR) offers info desks at Union South, Memorial Union, and the Discovery Building.
- Call 608-263-2400 for assistance.
Staying on Campus
There are three hotel accommodations on campus.
- Fluno Center
601 University Avenue - Wisconsin Union Hotel
Union South, 1308 W. Dayton St. - The Club Suites at Memorial Union
Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St.
For more options, visit Destination Madison for a list of hotels near UW–Madison and downtown Madison.
Parking on Campus
Parking is limited, so plan ahead!
- Hourly parking is available in campus garages (first-come, first-served)
- Use ParkMobile app for surface lots
- Check Visitor Parking for current rates and locations
- City garages and metered street parking are also available.
- ⚠ Construction and special events may affect travel.
Badger Athletics
Badger game days serve as a core part of the campus experience. Don’t miss out! Tickets are available for football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s hockey, and more.