Getting to/from Penn State
Traveling to campus? Assisting your student in making travel plans for break? Interested in your student’s local transportation options? Familiarize yourself with transportation, travel, and lodging in and around State College.
PLEASE NOTE: The Parents Program provides the following information to assist families. Although we strive to provide useful and accurate information, we cannot guarantee the quality of services provided, pricing, availability, or the accuracy of information provided on websites.
Lodging Resources
University Park and the surrounding areas are popular places to visit and stay, especially on event weekends. Reserve accommodations early, especially for busy weekends including move-in and move-out, football games, Parents & Families Weekend, and Commencement.
Accommodations
- Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (State College and surrounding areas)
- Bellefonte Lodging (30 minutes)
- Altoona Lodging (45 minutes)
Suggestions for busy times such as Family Weekend:
- Keep checking for availability. Schedules change and many families will cancel reservations before the weekend.
- Try non-traditional rentals including Airbnb, VRBO, and StateCations.
- Contact the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau: happyvalley.com or 814-231-1400
- Search outside of the State College area:
- From I-80 East (Northern New Jersey, New York, Long Island, etc.)
- Try Lock Haven, Lamar, and Bellefonte
- Camping/cabins: Bellefonte KOA; The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle
- From 322 South (Harrisburg, Philly Area, Lancaster, MD/VA/DC, etc.)
- Try Lewiston, Reedsville, Mifflintown, Boalsburg
- Camping/cabins: Aikens Cabins at Bear Meadows
- From 99 North (Pittsburgh, Ohio, etc.)
- Try Altoona, Philipsburg, Clearfield
- From I-80 East (Northern New Jersey, New York, Long Island, etc.)
Transportation Resources
Ground Transportation
Bus Services
Greyhound, Fullington, College Break Bus, and OurBus provide service from State College to cities including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York City, Baltimore, and Washington DC. Greyhound, Fullington, and OurBus pick-up and drop-off at 152 North Atherton Street on the west side of campus. Seats fill fast during peak travel time, such as Fridays, holidays, and semester breaks. In addition, the College Break Bus runs chartered buses during semester breaks. Making reservations as early as possible is recommended.
- Fullington Trailways (814) 238-1100
- Greyhound (814) 238-7971
- OurBus (844)800-6828
- Charter Buses to New England - arranged by the New England Alumni Chapters
- College Break Bus - Penn State Parent-Owned
PLEASE NOTE: Bus routes are being updated regularly, and trips are being added and removed. The individual websites provide the most up-to-date information. Providers are not affiliated with Penn State.
Air Travel
- University Park Airport (local)
- Harrisburg Airport (1.5 hours)
- Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark, NJ (3-4 hours)
- Pittsburgh International Airport (3.5 hours)
- Philadelphia International Airport (3.5 hours)
- Baltimore/Washington International Airport (3.5 hours)
- Dulles International Airport, Washington, D.C. (4 hours)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington, D.C. (4 hours)
Amtrak Train Stations
- Harrisburg (1.5 hours)
- Lewistown (40 minutes)
- Altoona (45 minutes)
PLEASE NOTE: Trains are not available directly to or from State College, but Greyhound bus service is available to and from all three stations.