Local and Regional Travel
Western Washington University is located in Bellingham, WA, 90 miles north of Seattle and 50 miles south of Vancouver, B.C.
Local Travel
Whatcom Transit Authority (WTA) is a county-wide transit system that provides frequent daily service to Western's Campus.
WTA travels as far north as Blaine, and south to Mt. Vernon, connecting with other transit agencies and transportation modes.
Visit www.ridewta.com or call 360-676-7433 for full details.
You may also Contact our office for assistance.
For more information about routes through campus or tips on how to ride the bus, click here.
Bellingham Airport is 7.5 miles from Western's campus.
There is no direct bus or shuttle service from the Western Campus to the Airport. Taxis are numerous.
WTA bus Route 3 travels from the Bellingham station, or Cordata station, to W. Bakerview Rd, .5 mile from the Airport Lobby. From here there is a free, quick Airport Shuttle connection to the Bellingham airport.
Bellingham has many taxi companies to choose from, and Uber, to meet a wide variety of needs.
WWU campus is located within a mile of the Bellingham Central Business District, surrounded by residential neighborhoods, with access to an urban trail network.
For trips of less than a mile, walking from door to door is usually just as fast as driving, parking and walking.
Click here for more information related to walking.
You may also Contact our office for assistance.
For more information about routes through campus or tips on how to ride the bus, click here.
The Lincoln Creek Transportation Center (LCTC) is a university owned Park & Ride lot on Lincoln St., east of I-5, just north of exit 252. Map
A permit is required to park at LCPR.
The WTA bus provides daily service from LCTC to WWU.
The WWU Student Late Night shuttle also serves LCTC when WWU is in session (the shuttle does not operate summer quarter).
When approaching Bellingham from the north or south on Interstate 5, take Exit #252, marked Samish Way and WWU. Turn west onto Samish Way and follow the signs to Bill McDonald Parkway and the University campus.
Parking on campus is limited especially on weekdays, and permits are required for parking in all lots at all times. Accessible parking for persons with disabilities is always available.
For parking information, call (360) 650-2945 or visit the Parking Services website or Visitor Page.
The Baker Bus is a private company that can help students get to the Mt. Baker ski area without the use of their own car.
Regional Travel
The County Connector is a series of buses that are timed for travel between counties and transit agencies. These include:
80x - WTA (Bellingham - Mt Vernon)
90X - Skagit Transit (Mt Vernon - Everett)
40X - Skagit Transit (Mt Vernon - Anacortes)
411W - Island Transit (Mt Vernon - Whidbey Island)
411C- Island Transit (Mt Vernon - Camano Island)
412 - Island Transit (Camano Island - Everett)
Routes that compliment this service include:
80S Shuttle - WTA (connects WWU to the 80X at Lincoln Creek Park and Ride; operates when classes are in session during the academic year, does not operate during Summer Session)
510/512 - Sound Transit (Everett to Seattle)
Our region is connected by several bus systems. Make a connection from one system to the next to travel between counties.
The Amtrak Station is located at the Fairhaven Transportation Center, 401 Harris Avenue, about 2 miles from campus. Amtrak Cascades provides daily service between Bellingham, Vancouver BC and points south to Eugene, Oregon.
Tickets are available online or at the station.
Check their websites for deals and promotions: Amtrak and Amtrak Cascades
Transportation between the Amtrak/Greyhound station and WWU campus:
Taxi, 7 days a week
WTA bus service, 7 days a week
- Route 14, Evenings and Sunday, via Campus, 21st St. and Harris.
Also, from Bellingham Station:
- Route 1, Daily, via State St.
- Route 5, Sunday, via York, Lincoln St., 32nd and Old Fairhaven Parkway.
www.ridewta.com or call 360-575-7433 for details.
The Greyhound station is located at the Fairhaven Transportation Center, 401 Harris Avenue, Bellingham, about 2 miles from campus.
Transportation between the Amtrak/Greyhound station and WWU campus:
Taxi, 7 days a week
WTA bus service, 7 days a week,
- Route 14, Evenings and Sunday, via Campus, 21st St. and Harris.
Also, from Bellingham Station:
- Route 1, Daily, via State St.
- Route 5, Sunday, via York, Lincoln St., 32nd and Old Fairhaven Parkway.
www.ridewta.com or call 360-575-7433 for details:
Boltbus travels non-stop between Bellingham and Seattle, Portland and Vancouver B.C.
Boltbus uses the WTA Cordata Station to load and unload passengers. Use WTA routes 4, 15 or 232 from the Bellingham Downtown Station to Cordata Station. For complete WTA route information and schedules, www.ridewta.com
The Bellair Airporter Shuttle provides service multiple times daily between Bellingham and SeaTac airport, plus many other destinations.
Airporter picks up on the WWU Campus! at the Performing Arts Center, Friday/Saturday/Sunday with extended service on holidays and breaks.
The Airporter can also be boarded any day at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, 714 Lakeway Drive (next to Fred Meyer), with convenient connections to WWU via WTA bus, Student Late Night Shuttle, and Taxi.
SEATAC Airport can be reached from Bellingham using a variety of transit options:
Airporter Shuttle provides direct service.
Boltbus, Greyhound and Amtrak can be used with a transfer to Link Light Rail.
The Port of Seattle operates SEATAC Airport. Information regarding the airport can be found on their website, www.portseattle.org/Sea-Tac.
Ferries provide service to/from multiple points around the Puget Sound, San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island.