***This is part of a series of articles compiling useful resources and information for new graduate students. Some of the information in this series will be relevant for anybody new to MSU, including undergraduates, postdocs, faculty and staff. The topical areas range from settling into East Lansing and Michigan, getting to know which services can be found on campus to administrative steps and information needed throughout a graduate program at MSU. For the full series, see this playlist dedicated to (international) graduate students.***
By Bus
The local bus service is called CATA. CATA also operates the busses on campus. They have an App called Transit that is useful but can be a bit confusing in the beginning and is not always 100% accurate in my experience. So don’t wait until the last second to get to the bus stop!
On-campus bus services are free to use.
Off-campus bus services have a reduced fee for students. You pay the driver 60 Cents which includes free transfers. Make sure to say you are a student and have your student ID ready to show to get that reduced fee. You can only pay in cash but no worries if you don’t have the exact amount, you will get the change back as a ticket to use next time. If you use the bus often, it might be worth buying a semester pass.
A note on busses…
Busses in the US don’t stop at every bus stop, you will have to signal the bus driver when you want to get off. In most busses, this is done by pulling the yellow cord that runs along the windows. Some of the newer busses have “Stop” buttons on the handrails. Make sure to signal early enough!
By car
Getting a car might be a convenient option for you. Remember to purchase insurance for your car!
If you drive to campus, make sure to get a parking permit or if you only come in occasionally to park at visitor parking spots.
As an international student, you will probably have to get an American driver’s license. This is also good as identification here (better than carrying around your passport).
A note on driving…
Make sure to get familiar with the local traffic laws, e.g. surprisingly for me you can actually turn right on a red light (unless there is a sign saying otherwise).
Have you heard of the “Michigan left”? It is quite common in this state to not be able to make a left turn at an intersection. Don’t worry, you are meant to make a right turn and then a U-turn.
When driving anywhere but especially on campus: Please be a respectful driver, stick to the speed limit and look out for cyclists and pedestrians especially when turning.
By Bike
The MSU campus is big! A great way, besides taking the bus, is to cycle across campus. There is a decent network of dedicated bike lanes and there are bike racks to lock your bike near every building.
Whether you cycle or walk, this map can be useful in navigating from building to building using the “Wayfinding” function in the top right corner.
Cycling is also a great way to explore the Lansing River Trail and beyond. The MSU Bike Shop has maps of good bike trails and lanes around town. And if you ever get caught in the rain or snow, CATA busses have bike racks on which you can transport your bike while riding the bus.
The MSU Bike Shop sells (second-hand and new), rents and repairs bikes at good prices.
You can also find second-hand bikes at the Lansing Bike Coop (also for DYI and repairs), Dicker& Deal and others. There are several dedicated bike shops around East Lansing and Lansing if you are looking for something new or high-end.
Make sure to REGISTER YOUR BIKE! There are regular checks of campus for neglected, dysfunctional or improperly parked bikes. If your bike doesn’t have a registration sticker, it will be removed.
A note on cycling on campus…
Though there are a lot of cyclists on campus, please be careful when cycling. Not every car driver looks over their shoulder when they make a turn! At the same time, please make sure to be a respectful member of traffic – follow stop lights, indicate with your arm where you are going if you’re making a turn, don’t ride on the sidewalks, park and lock your bike at bike racks only. Also, protect your head, wear a helmet!
Long-distance travel
There are several ways you can explore Michigan and the rest of the country.
By train
The local train station is on Harrison Road, close to Spartan Village. The trains here are operated by Amtrak and are a great way to go to Chicago or Detroit. They have comfortable seats and Wi-Fi but are not the fastest.
By bus
Next to the train station, you also find a bus terminal for longer distance busses operated by Indian Trails and Greyhound (which also leaves from the main CATA bus terminal in downtown Lansing).
The Michigan Flyer that leaves from downtown East Lansing (just outside the Marriott Hotel) is a convenient way to get to Detroit Metropolitan Airport or even just to Ann Arbor for a visit.
By plane
Lansing has its own airport, the Capital Region International Airport. You can sometimes find good deals to fly from there.
Often times, flying from the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is a cheaper option though.
It may also be worth looking at the Chicago airports, however, do keep in mind the longer travel time to get there and potential delays of trains, busses or because of traffic.