Most students at USC, including international students, possess some means of transport. There are two reasons for this: Los Angeles is a big, sprawling county, and USC is a big campus - it takes around 20 minutes to walk from one end of campus to the other.

USC transport
USC provides tram service for students living around campus, and a vanpool service for those living away. There is also a campus escort service called that runs after 5:00 pm. The escort service comprises Campus Cruisers (cars) that drop off/pick up students from any destination within a three-mile radius of USC and pick up/drop them off on campus. There are also bike and walking escorts available.

Bikes
To get around campus, many students skateboard or roller-blade, but the most popular form of transport on campus is the bicycle, commonly referred to as the bike. Bikes are very popular as they're cheap and easy to ride and maintain. It's also very convenient for students living around campus, as they can bike to school. Bikes are allowed everywhere on campus, except inside the buildings, and there are bikestands outside practically every building. Most of the main streets around USC have special bike lanes too. Special traffic rules apply to cyclists, and they are required to have licenses, a rear light, and wear a helmet. Pick up a copy of the traffic rules from the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) located on Exposition, just a stone's throw from USC. Failure to comply with law can result in hefty traffic fines. Click here for more information. Do not forget to purchase a bike lock (available at the university bookstore) or you will not own your bike for long.

You can buy a bike at …
You can buy a used bike at USC forsale, a campus newsgroup, or from a local used bike store around campus, that could set you back by around $30 or more, depending on the type and condition of the bike.

Public transport
Students who live away from campus can take a bus or train to come to school. The Metropolitan Transport Authority (MTA) is the provider of public transport in LA and more information can be obtained from their Web site, which is very comprehensive and user-friendly. Also you can use this trip planner for mta busses, trains, etc. However, the public transport system in LA is not as developed as in other cities and countries: the rail system is restricted to a few routes, and buses do not ply very frequently. Moreover, as LA is a very spread-out region, one often has to change buses en route. The bus journeys also take up to twice or thrice the time it would take to drive by car.

Cars
Cars are, by far, the most popular and convenient form of transport in Los Angeles. In fact, this county was made to drive - with far-flung cities, five-lane freeways, a car for every budget, and great weather to drive with the top down. But even a cheap used car costs around $3,000 to $4,000 and involves a lot of research, shopping around, and haggling. So, be realistic about the time and money you'll have to spend, before you sit behind the wheel. Renting a car is a more popular option with new students, especially when it's for a day-trip or a short holiday.