How to Get Around the Davis and Sacramento Areas
Have a flat tire? Don't have a car but need to get to our Sacramento campus? Looking to get home safely after a late night of studying? As a UC Davis student or scholar, you have multiple resources available to you to address your travel needs. Here is a list of ways you can rent or purchase bicycles, bus tickets, ride-sharing services, and parking permits, and how you can take advantage of the free travel services offered to you by Unitrans and the UC Davis Police department.
Buses
Unitrans
Unitrans is a bus system with two terminals on campus (Memorial Union and Silo), and operates throughout the city of Davis. Rides are free for UC Davis undergraduate students with student ID, and other riders can pay per ride or purchase a multi-ride pass.
Check the Unitrans website for current rates and information about purchasing multi-ride passes
YoloBus
Rides on Yolobus are free with a UC Davis undergraduate student ID. The Yolobus goes to West Sacramento, the Sacramento International Airport (SMF), and the nearby town of Woodland and runs late on weekends, while Unitrans does not.
The Davis Berkeley Shuttle
The intercampus bus service provides transportation between UC Davis and UC Berkeley for faculty, staff, and registered students.
View rates and purchase tickets
Intercampus Shuttle: Causeway Connection
The UC Davis–UC Davis Medical Center Causeway Connection provides transportation between campuses in Davis and Sacramento Monday through Friday. Affiliates (students, employees, retirees and volunteers) will be able to ride for free through May 3, 2025. When you board the bus, show the bus driver your official UC Davis or UC Davis Health ID/badge to ride for free. Non-affiliates may pay their fare with cash, Connect Card, or through the SacRT mobile app.
View current policies, rates and routes
Trains
Amtrak
Amtrak is the national train service in the United States. From the Davis station, you can get to other parts of California, including the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. It’s also possible to take Amtrak to cities like Portland, OR and Seattle, WA, or even across the country to Chicago, IL. You can check fares and buy tickets on the Amtrak website.
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)
BART is a rail system that can get you around the San Francisco Bay Area or to and from the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), but does not come all the way to Davis and Sacramento. The closest stations are in Richmond, CA, and Antioch, CA. Check train routes before planning your trip on the BART website.
Capitol Corridor
Capitol Corridor is a passenger train service connecting Northern California, including cities like Sacramento, Davis, Berkeley and San Jose. Students ages 13–25 can save 15% on travel year-round with Capitol Corridor’s Student Discount program. Learn more about the service at capitolcorridor.org.
Bicycles
Where Can I Get a Bicycle?
Bicycles (bikes) are the most popular way to get around Davis, but there are different kinds like road bikes, mountain bikes, and cruisers. Check out the Davis local wiki Bicycles page if you need help figuring out which bike is right for you.
There are a few options for incoming students and scholars new to the city.
- You can rent a bike, short-term or long-term: The Davis local wiki Renting a Bike page has a list of shops in Davis where you can rent a bike long or short-term.
- You can buy a used bike, which is usually cheaper, but it may have some damage from use. There are options for used bikes online, on sites such as Craigslist or student Facebook groups. Alternatively, abandoned and unclaimed bicycles are sold through publicly held auctions in October and early May. More information on bike auctions can be found on the Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) website.
- You can buy a new bike at a retail outlet like Target or Walmart, but you will find better quality bicycles at a dedicated shop. A list of local bike shops can be found on the Davis local wiki Bicycle Shops page.
Where Can I Get My Bicycle Fixed?
Struggling with a flat tire, rusty chain, or loose brakes? All across campus, you will find self-service bicycle repair stations. Any bicycle shop in town offers repair services; check prices before you go. The Bike Barn on campus provides repairs at low costs.
Are There Rules for Bicycle Riders?
Most students, staff, and faculty ride bicycles because they are convenient, inexpensive, and fun. It is important to learn how to be safe when cycling in Davis and to know and follow the rules. Bicycles are considered vehicles under California law, and riders must follow the same traffic safety laws they would when driving, like signaling turns and stops. Riders should always yield when entering a bike circle, signal when exiting a roundabout, and remember that pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks. Have more questions? Check out TAPS for more information on bicycle safety.
Do I Need a License to Ride a Bicycle?
We recommend registering your bike to create a record that it belongs to you. Register your bike with TAPS.
Ride Sharing
Don’t have a car and don’t feel like taking the bus or riding your bicycle? Sometimes you can find other people on campus looking for a passenger:
- Check the UC Davis Ride Sharing Facebook Group
Mobile Apps
On-demand transportation is available in most places through an app on your mobile device. It is more expensive than public transportation but fast and convenient. Options include:
Safety Tips When Ride Sharing
- Always check the license plate, driver’s name and photo in the app before getting into the car. Make sure they match.
- Wear a seatbelt. It’s required by law in California.
- If ridesharing through Facebook, try meeting in a well-lit, public location.
Specialized Ride Services
For Individuals with Disabilities
The Mobility Assistance Shuttle provides on-campus rides to specified locations for academic or work-related purposes. Only UC Davis students, staff, and faculty members with documented disabilities are eligible. Rides are on a first-come, first-served basis and must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. To schedule a ride, call (530) 754-2677 or visit the Transportation Services Mobility Assistance Shuttle webpage.
Wheelchair accessible service is offered at no charge through the UC Davis Police Department's Safe Rides Program.
Safe Rides with the UC Davis Police
Alone on campus and not feeling safe? Safe Rides offers nighttime rides from any campus location to any location in Davis. During other hours they provide a ride or walking escort between locations on campus. Request a ride through the app “UC Davis Safe Ride.” The Safe Rides Instagram account (@ucdsaferide) will have more information and answers to your questions.
Wheelchair accessible service is offered at no charge through the UC Davis Police Department.
Cars and Driving
Driving in California
You need a California driver's license in order to drive. Driver's licenses from your home country are valid for 10 days after moving to California. International driver's licenses are not recognized in California. You cannot drive in California with an International Driving Permit.
To get a California driver's license, you must pass both a written exam and a driving exam at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If taking a driving exam, you must make an appointment prior to arriving at the Davis DMV. For more information about driver's licenses, the required documents to obtain one, and tips for a successful visit to the DMV, visit our Driver's License and Car Insurance page.
Renting a Car
To rent a car in the U.S., you usually must be over 21, but some companies require you to be at least 25. If you’re using your home country driver’s license, you will likely be asked to show your passport, too. Insurance for your rental car can be confusing, but it is very important, so do research ahead of time or ask about options when renting. Find car rental companies in Davis. There are many car rental locations in Sacramento. Find a location near you by searching online.
Owning a Car
Before purchasing a vehicle to drive in California, please understand the carious law associated with driver's licenses, vehicle registration and insurance requirements. To buy a car, you will need a valid driver’s license. To obtain a license, you will need to make an appointment at the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
A condition of owning a vehicle while living in California is that you must register and annually renew your vehicle with the DMV for as long as you own it. State law also requires auto insurance for all vehicles. You can get information about how to buy and register a vehicle online. You will also need proof of car insurance. Do your research to find a provider and policy that works for your budget. Find the information you need on the DMV website and visit our Driver's License and Car Insurance page.
Car Shares
There are a few car-sharing services in Davis and Sacramento. Car sharing allows you to sign up through an app to rent a car only for the time you use it, by the minute, hour, or day. You will need a valid driver’s license. For more information, visit Zipcar.
Parking on Campus
UC Davis Transportation Services offers daily parking rates on campus, paid for via a mobile app. You can use either AMP Mobile or Honk to pay for campus parking. Download either app, sign up for a free account and provide your credit card for payment.
For more information, please visit the Transportation Services parking operations webpage.
Some employees can obtain a monthly parting pass. Check the Transportation Services website to see if you are eligible.