Getting to campus & around your city
Airport options, transit costs, and whether you need a car — honest per-city guidance for international students. No fluff; just the numbers.
Flying to North America
🔎 Flight search
Google Flights is free, fast, and the best starting point. Skyscanner is strong for flexible-date searches.
🎓 Student discount airlines
StudentUniverse and STA Travel (via BYLO) offer student-only discounted international tickets. Worth comparing.
📅 When to book
Book 6–12 weeks before your flight for best prices. Semester-start (August, January) is peak — book earlier. Budget airlines rarely win on international routes.
🧳 Student baggage
Most airlines offer "student extra baggage" — 2 checked bags free on education routes to US/Canada. Verify with your airline when booking.
Moving between cities
✈️ Domestic flights (USA)
Southwest, Delta, American, United are the main carriers. Southwest includes 2 free checked bags. Book 2–4 weeks ahead for best prices.
✈️ Domestic flights (Canada)
Air Canada, WestJet, Porter, Flair, and Lynx are the main airlines. Flights within Canada can be expensive; compare with trains for shorter routes.
🚆 Amtrak (USA rail)
Best on the Northeast Corridor (Boston ↔ NYC ↔ DC). Slow elsewhere. Book 2 weeks ahead for the student-friendly "Saver" fares.
Amtrak ↗🚆 VIA Rail (Canada)
Strong on the Québec City–Windsor corridor. Student discount available with ISIC card. Corridor Pass for 10-day unlimited travel.
VIA Rail ↗🚌 Greyhound / FlixBus / Megabus
Cheapest intercity option. Book early for $1–$20 fares on FlixBus and Megabus.
Daily transit in your city
Complete breakdown of 15 top student cities — airport transit, monthly pass, and whether you need a car.
Do you need a car?
For most urban US and Canadian campuses, no. For suburban or Sunbelt campuses, sometimes yes. Here's what to know.
- Get an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your home country BEFORE you arrive.It translates your license and is accepted by rental companies and police. Your home license alone is often not enough.
- Insurance for new international drivers is expensiveBudget $150–$300/month for liability + full coverage. Some states (CA, FL, NY) are much pricier.
- You can usually convert your license after 6–12 monthsVaries by state/province. DMV/MVD written test required in most states; some require a road test too.
- Used cars under $8,000 are common for studentsToyotas, Hondas, and Mazdas hold value and insurance costs are lower. Avoid luxury brands — higher insurance and repair costs.