Do I Need a Car? | Chapman University
Source: https://www.chapman.edu/admission/undergraduate/student-life/living-orange/bringing-car-campus.aspx
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:12
Do I Need a Car? | Chapman University
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Do I Need a Car?
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Do I Need a Car?
The short answer is: no.
Deciding whether to bring a car to Chapman is entirely up to you, but it’s far from
a necessity. In fact,
only
one-third of first-year students bring their car to campus
.
If you decide not to bring a car, don't worry—there are plenty of things to do within
walking distance of Chapman and alternative transportation options. On this page you
can find information on the various ways to get around campus and Orange, helping
you find the best fit for your needs and lifestyle.
Key details for students not bringing a car
These transportation options make it easy to navigate campus and explore the surrounding
area without needing a personal vehicle:
Walking
All Orange Campus departments are within walking distance of our Residence Life area,
making it easy to get to class, the library, and other campus facilities.
Additionally, Old Towne Orange, with plenty of shops and restaurants, is just two
blocks from campus. You can learn more about Old Towne on our virtual tour!
Start my tour
Biking
Biking is a popular mode of transportation at Chapman, especially for students living
on or near campus.
Bikes are permitted everywhere on campus except inside buildings, and there are numerous
bike stands for easy parking. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the special traffic
rules for bikers on and off campus.
Visit the
Bicycle Rules and Regulations page
for more information.
Chapman’s shuttle service
Chapman operates a
shuttle service
for students with a valid Chapman ID.
The shuttle runs between the west side parking areas and Schmid Gate, the Orange Campus
and Chapman Grand, the Orange Campus, and Panther Village, and between the Irvine
Train Station and the
Rinker Health Sciences Campus
.
If you end up living in
Chapman-owned apartments
after your first-year, the shuttle can help you conveniently commute to and from
campus, ensuring you always have a reliable way to get to your classes and other campus
activities.
Train (Metrolink)
The Metrolink train system is a great option fo
r traveling to the beach, San Diego, or Los Angeles
. Even better,
the Orange train station
is conveniently located within walking distance of campus, right across the street
from the
K Residence Hall
.
You can also bring your bike on the train, making it a great option for exploring
Southern California.
Ryan Kiser ‘25
Broadcast journalism major
“My friends and I love taking the train to LA, especially because it beats sitting
in traffic! Plus, all Chapman students qualify for discounted train tickets. I also
take the train whenever I go home to visit family, and it's always been a safe, dependable,
and convenient experience!”
Ask Ryan a question
Zipcar
Zipcar
offers a convenient solution for occasional trips where you need a car. You can rent
a car by the hour or even by the day, providing flexibility without the hassle of
owning a car.
All Chapman students receive a discounted Zipcar membership with valid student verification.
Bringing a car
As mentioned, a car isn't required to make the most of your Chapman experience. However,
if you decide to bring one, here are some important details to consider:
Parking permit and registration
All vehicles parked in university-owned parking areas must display a valid Chapman
parking permit associated with the vehicle's license plate.
Registering for a student parking permit is completely free
,
and permits must be renewed every academic year.
Visit the
Parking Permit Registration page
for more information.
Electric vehicle charging stations
Chapman has electric vehicle charging stations all around campus and in major parking
structures, but you’ll need to create an account with ChargePoint to utilize these
chargers.
For further details and instructions on how to sign up, visit the
Transportation page
.
Valid driver’s license
You can still legally drive in California without a California license if you are
from out-of-state
. However, you must have a current and valid license from the state where you reside
permanently, and that license must apply to the type of vehicle you are operating.
Parking over breaks and holidays
You can leave your car on campus during winter and spring breaks, but please note
that summer parking is only available for students residing in Chapman summer housing.
Living in Orange
For more details on what’s happening on and around campus and how to navigate the
area, visit the Living in Orange page.
Living in Orange
Ask a student
Have questions about transportation at Chapman or student life in general? Our student
ambassadors are here to help. Feel free to reach out!
Living Orange
Outdoor Activities & Clubs
Do I Need a Car?
Contact Admission
Email us:
Email General Admission
Email Transfer Admission
Email International Admission
Call us:
(714) 997-6711
Text us:
(714) 942-5474
Send your documents:
Chapman University
Attn: Office of Admission
One University Drive
Orange, CA 92866
Follow Us on Social Media
Follow us on social media for tips, news and updates about applying to Chapman University:
Admission Instagram
Admission YouTube
Admission Facebook
Chapman TikTok
Take a Self-Guided Tour
Virtually explore Chapman in this student-led tour through our Orange Campus. You'll
be able to visit classrooms, hang-out spots, our residence life area and much more!
Start the Tour
View all clubs and organizations
You can search and view all active Chapman clubs on Engage.
Search student clubs and organizations
Back to top
Back to top
©
Skip to main content
Skip over carousel to next section
Off
Undergraduate Admission
Do I Need a Car?
Admission
Undergraduate Admission
Graduate Admission
Non-degree Seeking Students
Contact the Office of Admission
Activating Your Chapman Account
Undergraduate
Undergraduate Admission
How to Apply
Financing
Academics
Student Life
College Counselors
Visit Opportunities
Contact Us
Request Information
Student Life
Chapman Housing
Dining
Health and Wellness
Student Athletes
Clubs and Organizations
Greek Life
Social Media
Living in Orange
Student Safety
Living Orange
Outdoor Activities & Clubs
Do I Need a Car?
»
Do I Need a Car?
The short answer is: no.
Deciding whether to bring a car to Chapman is entirely up to you, but it’s far from
a necessity. In fact,
only
one-third of first-year students bring their car to campus
.
If you decide not to bring a car, don't worry—there are plenty of things to do within
walking distance of Chapman and alternative transportation options. On this page you
can find information on the various ways to get around campus and Orange, helping
you find the best fit for your needs and lifestyle.
Key details for students not bringing a car
These transportation options make it easy to navigate campus and explore the surrounding
area without needing a personal vehicle:
Walking
All Orange Campus departments are within walking distance of our Residence Life area,
making it easy to get to class, the library, and other campus facilities.
Additionally, Old Towne Orange, with plenty of shops and restaurants, is just two
blocks from campus. You can learn more about Old Towne on our virtual tour!
Start my tour
Biking
Biking is a popular mode of transportation at Chapman, especially for students living
on or near campus.
Bikes are permitted everywhere on campus except inside buildings, and there are numerous
bike stands for easy parking. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the special traffic
rules for bikers on and off campus.
Visit the
Bicycle Rules and Regulations page
for more information.
Chapman’s shuttle service
Chapman operates a
shuttle service
for students with a valid Chapman ID.
The shuttle runs between the west side parking areas and Schmid Gate, the Orange Campus
and Chapman Grand, the Orange Campus, and Panther Village, and between the Irvine
Train Station and the
Rinker Health Sciences Campus
.
If you end up living in
Chapman-owned apartments
after your first-year, the shuttle can help you conveniently commute to and from
campus, ensuring you always have a reliable way to get to your classes and other campus
activities.
Train (Metrolink)
The Metrolink train system is a great option fo
r traveling to the beach, San Diego, or Los Angeles
. Even better,
the Orange train station
is conveniently located within walking distance of campus, right across the street
from the
K Residence Hall
.
You can also bring your bike on the train, making it a great option for exploring
Southern California.
Ryan Kiser ‘25
Broadcast journalism major
“My friends and I love taking the train to LA, especially because it beats sitting
in traffic! Plus, all Chapman students qualify for discounted train tickets. I also
take the train whenever I go home to visit family, and it's always been a safe, dependable,
and convenient experience!”
Ask Ryan a question
Zipcar
Zipcar
offers a convenient solution for occasional trips where you need a car. You can rent
a car by the hour or even by the day, providing flexibility without the hassle of
owning a car.
All Chapman students receive a discounted Zipcar membership with valid student verification.
Bringing a car
As mentioned, a car isn't required to make the most of your Chapman experience. However,
if you decide to bring one, here are some important details to consider:
Parking permit and registration
All vehicles parked in university-owned parking areas must display a valid Chapman
parking permit associated with the vehicle's license plate.
Registering for a student parking permit is completely free
,
and permits must be renewed every academic year.
Visit the
Parking Permit Registration page
for more information.
Electric vehicle charging stations
Chapman has electric vehicle charging stations all around campus and in major parking
structures, but you’ll need to create an account with ChargePoint to utilize these
chargers.
For further details and instructions on how to sign up, visit the
Transportation page
.
Valid driver’s license
You can still legally drive in California without a California license if you are
from out-of-state
. However, you must have a current and valid license from the state where you reside
permanently, and that license must apply to the type of vehicle you are operating.
Parking over breaks and holidays
You can leave your car on campus during winter and spring breaks, but please note
that summer parking is only available for students residing in Chapman summer housing.
Living in Orange
For more details on what’s happening on and around campus and how to navigate the
area, visit the Living in Orange page.
Living in Orange
Ask a student
Have questions about transportation at Chapman or student life in general? Our student
ambassadors are here to help. Feel free to reach out!
Living Orange
Outdoor Activities & Clubs
Do I Need a Car?
Contact Admission
Email us:
Email General Admission
Email Transfer Admission
Email International Admission
Call us:
(714) 997-6711
Text us:
(714) 942-5474
Send your documents:
Chapman University
Attn: Office of Admission
One University Drive
Orange, CA 92866
Follow Us on Social Media
Follow us on social media for tips, news and updates about applying to Chapman University:
Admission Instagram
Admission YouTube
Admission Facebook
Chapman TikTok
Take a Self-Guided Tour
Virtually explore Chapman in this student-led tour through our Orange Campus. You'll
be able to visit classrooms, hang-out spots, our residence life area and much more!
Start the Tour
View all clubs and organizations
You can search and view all active Chapman clubs on Engage.
Search student clubs and organizations
Back to top
Back to top
©