Getting To WWU
Western Washington University is located in Bellingham at the northwest corner of the state, 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, B.C.
Download printable directions to popular destinations. Each sheet has turn-by-turn directions by bike, bus and foot to and from WWU with time and distance information.
Options for getting to campus include:
Walk
WWU campus is located within a mile of the Bellingham Central Business District and is surrounded by friendly residential neighborhoods. The campus is accessible via trails and extensive sidewalk network through the neighborhoods.
Walking is the cheapest way to go, and for trips of less than a mile, walking from door to door is usually just as fast as driving, parking and walking.
Bike
Bellingham is recognized as a silver level Bicycle-Friendly City by the League of American Cyclists. WWU is accessible by bike on the street system, and every city bus is equipped with a rack that will carry up to three bikes. There are over 800 bike parking spaces throughout the academic core of campus. Bikes must be walked in some on-campus areas, speeds are restricted on campus, and pedestrians always have the right of way on campus walkways and plazas. Click here to view the updated campus bike map.
Bellingham and Whatcom county bike route maps are available at the AS Bookstore, local bike shops, the Community Food Co-op, and other shops. The City of Bellingham bike route map is available online.
For Washington State Bike Laws, go to the WSDOT website
Local Bus - Public Transit
Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) serves WWU with convenient multiple routes 7 days a week. Routes serving Western connect with other routes at the Downtown Bellingham Transit Station. Western is on the WTA BLUE Line, with buses stopping every 15 minutes on weekdays, between Bill McDonald/Samish Way and Downtown, via WWU. The GREEN, GOLD, RED and PLUM Lines connect at the Downtown Transit Station, which means you can get from other parts of town to WWU with just one transfer. Service from other parts of Whatcom county including Blaine and Ferndale make it easy and inexpensive to get to WWU by bus, and the buses drop you off and pick you up in the center of campus!
Some buses (90A, 90B) run only when WWU is in session, contact WTA for more details.
Regional Public Transit
"County Connector" express service between Bellingham and Skagit Station in Mount Vernon links WWU to the Puget Sound region via public transit bus, light rail and ferry. More information at Connections and on the student website.
Greyhound Bus
Greyhound provides frequent service to Bellingham's Fairhaven Transportation Center, located about 2 miles from WWU, with connections to WWU provided by WTA and several taxi services. Click here to download WTA bus directions from the Fairhaven Transportation Center to campus. Taxi fare from Fairhaven Station to WWU runs about $7.00.
Car
When approaching Bellingham from the north or south on Interstate 5, take Exit #252, marked Samish Way and W.W.U. Turn west onto Samish Way and follow the signs to Bill McDonald Parkway and the University campus.
For parking information, call (360) 650-2945 or stop at the Visitor Center on campus.
Parking on campus is limited especially on weekdays, and permits are required for parking in core lots at all times. Accessible parking for persons with disabilities is always available. Contact Parking Services for details and assistance.
Lincoln Creek Transportation Center (LCTC)
The Lincoln Creek Transit Center Park & Ride connects with WWU via WTA buses, serving multiple stops on campus, including the academic core. LCTC is located on Lincoln St., east of I-5, just north of exit 252. Coming from southbound I-5, turn left onto Samish, left again onto Lincoln, and right into the LCTC parking area. Coming from northbound I-5, turn left onto Samish and proceed north to the parking area. Parking is free at LCTC, with WTA bus service to WWU year-round. Use your bus pass or pay the cash fare. Service runs every 10-12 minutes on weekdays when WWU is in session, every 30 minutes year-round. WTA routes 190, 90A&B, 196/197 and 80X serve LCTC. The WWU Student Late Night shuttle also serves LCTC when WWU is in session (not including summer quarter).
See a map of the Lincoln Creek Transportation Center
Train
Amtrak Cascades provides daily service between Bellingham, Vancouver BC and points south to Eugene, Oregon. The Amtrak station is located about 2 miles from WWU, with connections to WWU provided by WTA and several taxi services. Click here to download WTA bus directions from the Fairhaven Transportation Center to campus. Taxi fare from Fairhaven Station to WWU runs about $7.00.
Air
Bellingham International Airport is served by Allegiant, Horizon and San Juan airlines. Ground transportation is provided by several taxi services and several car rental agencies. There is no regular transit service to/from Bellingham International Airport. Taxi fare from Bellingham airport to WWU runs about $20-$25. Connection to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is provided by Airporter; connection to Vancouver International Airport is provided by Quick Shuttle.
Taxi
Yellow Cab of Whatcom Skagit at 360-734-TAXI / 800-281-5340 (Central Dispatch) (toll-free number within Washington only) Taxi fare from Fairhaven Station to WWU runs about $7.00. Students are encouraged to share the ride and split the fare. There is no regular transit service to/from Bellingham International Airport. Taxi fare from the airport to WWU runs about $20-$25.
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