Transportation

Find easy ways around campus, Cincinnati and the US.

The University of Cincinnati's individual campuses—the main West campus, East (Medical) campus, Blue Ash campus in northern Cincinnati, and Clermont County campus (regional campus 25 miles east of Cincinnati)—are each self-contained within the area of a few blocks. Most of them are situated in city or suburban neighborhoods.

Depending on your personal situation and where you live, you may or may not need public transportation daily, and you may or may not want to have a car (plus the insurance required to drive one).

Getting to campus

Your pre-arrival checklist from UC International will include information about signing up for shuttle service from the Greater Cincinnati Airport (CVG) across the river in northern Kentucky directly to the University of Cincinnati.

Getting around campus

On-campus transport options include shuttle services and bike rentals; scooter rentals are currently suspended.

The Bearcat Transportation System provides free shuttle service for UC students, faculty and staff with 16 shuttles covering 13 routes.

The shuttle routes operate at various times during the academic terms and connect UC's Uptown Campus with the nearby neighborhood, Blue Ash Campus and Victory Parkway Campus.

Learn more about the shuttle View the live shuttle map

Bikes

  • A free bike-share program is available through the UC Bike Kitchen, created by the Office of Sustainability.
  • The City of Cincinnati's Red Bike Share program also has rental stations on UC's campus.

Getting around the city

Cincinnati has no subway system (ask a local the story), but there are two bus systems and a small streetcar system downtown.

METRO Bus

Greater Cincinnati’s public transportation system, the Metro, offers bus service in Hamilton County and portions of Clermont County every day of the year. Fares are subject to change. For complete route, schedule and fare information, check the Metro website, or call the Metro Center at 513-621-4455, weekdays 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and weekends 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Through UC*Metro, you can get free and discounted bus passes.

TANK

Tank (Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky) is the public transportation system across the Ohio River. Some of its routes connect to METRO.

Cincinnati's new electric streetcar system is a fun way to see the sights or hop around the downtown and Over-the-Rhine neighborhoods of the city.

Taxis

There are many taxicab companies in Cincinnati. The Yellow Cab Company (513-241-2100) is one of the oldest, but there are many other taxicab companies to choose from. You must call to be picked up unless you are near a taxi stand downtown; taxis do not cruise around town like in many other big cities.

Ride share services

Uber and Lyft are the most familiar transportation services whose mobile phone apps connect you with a ride. Payment is automatic through the app, and fares are typically cheaper than a taxi.

Driving

Typically (and stereotypically) Americans rely on cars to get around most parts of the country, including Cincinnati. But owning a car is a big added expense and may not be convenient on campus if a parking garage isn't near your dorm or college buildings.

If you need a car, there are things you need to know.

When you rent or buy and register a car, you must also purchase insurance to drive it. You will not be able to purchase license plates for your car unless you can show proof of insurance.

You must carry proof of insurance with you when you drive, whether you own, rent, or lease the car. It is illegal to drive without insurance according to state law. If you do not have proper insurance, you can be fined or jailed.

Insurance is available through agents or online.

Limited on-street parking is available near campus. Parking in campus garages is available hourly/daily or by month or semester for faculty, staff and students. Visit Parking Services for maps, permit information and more.  

The Zipcar car-sharing service is available for UC students with valid driver's licenses, who can book cars at an hourly rate through an annual membership plan that includes insurance.

Driver's License (Ohio)

If you intend to drive in the United States, you are required to have a valid driver's license from the state in which you reside. To drive as an Ohio resident, you must have a valid Ohio-issued driver's license, automobile insurance, registration and license plates. Driving without these items is against the law.

However, see the exceptions for international students who hold valid, unexpired driver’s licenses from reciprocity countries or from other U.S. states.

A non-renewable, non-transferrable (limited term) license is the form of driver license issued to temporary residents in the United States that is valid for the duration of their stay.

A temporary resident is a person who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident under U.S. immigration laws, but who does have legal presence in the country.

If you currently hold an unexpired out of country license from Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan, you are exempt from these requirements, and may obtain a Limited Term License by presenting your current license at the time of application.

For all other applicants, you must:

  1. Get a temporary learner's permit. 
    1. Review the Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws online.
    2. Pass the knowledge test and vision screening to obtain a temporary permit. Learn more at the Ohio BMV website.
  2. Complete driver training.
    1. 24 hours of in-person or online driver education
    2. 8 hours of behind-the-wheel driving with a licensed driving instruction
    3. This training must be done through an Ohio-approved "Class D" driving taining course. You can search for approved driving courses online and filter by "Class D Driving Schools" or "Class D Online Courses" and selecting "Hamilton County."
  3. Complete 50 hours of practice driving, including at least 10 hours of night driving.
    1.  This must be completed with a licensed driver aged 21 or older
    2. You must then complete the BMV5791 Fifty-Hour Affidavit form and have it notarized with the supervising adult's signature. Notaries are available at banks, public libraries or some shipping centers (UPS, FedEx); confirm details.
  4. Contact the nearest exam station for a road test and submit the Driver's License Letter Request Form in iBearcatsGlobal.
  5. Take the test (and hopefully, pass!). In order to be issued a license, you must present:
    • Valid passport
    • U.S. visa
    • I-94
    • I-20 or DS-2019
    • A letter from UC International stating that you are affiliated with the University of Cincinnati (which you received in the previous step)
    • Proof of residency: an electric bill, rental agreement or bank statement issued within the last 12 months showing your name and address
    • Your permanent Social Security number, if you were assigned one (if not, you don't need one) 
    • Certificates from your driving course, in-car practice and your notarized 50-hour affidavit

All driver's license / ID cards will be mailed about 15 business days after you apply at the BMV. The card is valid for the duration of your I-20 or DS-2019.

When you receive your driver's license, you will specify whether you would like a REAL ID (also referred to as a compliant ID) or a standard ID. In either case, only a driver's license, in combination with auto insurance, allows you to lawfully operate a motor vehicle.

REAL IDs:

  • Require you to have a social security number (SSN)
  • Have a star in the upper right hand corner
  • Are accepted to fly commercially within the United States or enter federal facilities
  • Allow you to buy age-restricted products

Standard IDs:

  • Do not require you to have a social security number (SSN)
  • Allow you to buy age-restricted products

Driver's License (Kentucky)

If you live in Kentucky, the rules to obtain a driver's license are a little different than for those who live in Ohio. For full details, refer to the Kentucky DMV website.

If you currently have a valid foreign driver’s license and international permit from a reciprocity country (as listed on the website), you can drive for up to one year before you need a Kentucky driver's license.

All eligible non-U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply for a Kentucky driver’s permit/license/ID card at any Driver Licensing Regional Office. If any testing is required, an appointment will need to be scheduled first with the Kentucky State Police.

Driver's license process:

Your driver's license or ID card will be mailed about 15 business days after you apply at a BMV Registrar agency. The license or ID card will be valid for the duration of your I-20 or DS-2019.

Long-distance travel

The classic American roadtrip is the way to see the US if you have the time and a car. Train service is limited outside major urban corridors.

The Greyhound bus station is located at 1005 Gilbert Avenue, downtown Cincinnati. Call 1-800-231-2222 (out of town) or 352-6012 (local) for schedule and fare information. Bus fares are reasonable and riding the bus is a great way to see the United States.

Flixbus is another bus company with service in Cincinnati. Flixbus tickets are available to and from several U.S. cities.

The Amtrak train station is located at 1301 Western Avenue, Queensgate. Routes are limited.