Transportation

I bike to campus every day from my place in The Grove. I bike straight down Taylor Avenue and chain my bike in the badge-access bike lot at Olin Circle. My route doesn’t have bike lanes – nor do most streets around the Medical Campus – but I feel pretty safe on my commute since Taylor Avenue has lots of stop signs and cars move pretty slowly. Definitely invest in a good bike lock!

Is a car required in St. Louis? No. We have a pretty good MetroLink system that can get you to pretty much any neighborhood you would want to go to. Having a car, however, does make it very convenient to get groceries, make it to group hangouts, and go to areas that are outside the range of the MetroLink. Most students get by without one by carpooling, but that means making some friends that do have cars and are willing to drive you. Personally, I love the convenience of being able to go where I want, when I want.

Life without a car in St. Louis is more manageable than I thought. With the help of the metro, the buses, walking, and kind friends who will drive you around when needed, you will be just fine! As a former city girl, when I first got here I was very worried about navigating St. Louis without a car — and while there are definitely parts and nooks of the city and its surroundings that are more accessible via car, there is a lot to do within walking/biking/metro-able distance. I do all my grocery shopping by running to the store and taking the metro back, and I am just a walk/metro ride away from a lot of bars and fun activities (the Arch, sports games, all the museums, Forest Park, etc.). Best perk of not having a car? You make really amazing friends who give you rides when needed AND you get to be extra fit with all your walking, biking, and running everywhere 🙂

Moving to St. Louis from the East Coast was a significant change, but it has been a rewarding learning experience. While many things are different here, everyone is so welcoming, which made the transition much smoother. The Central West End is very walkable, so navigating without a car was not too challenging. For days when I wanted to explore further, prebooking Enterprise rideshare cars was incredibly convenient. There is always something to do, and I have been enjoying my time here!

There are plenty of parking options on and around campus for those who drive to school. The closest parking lot to the Farrell Learning and Teaching Center is the Clayton Garage, which costs around $90 per month with a parking permit. There is also metered street parking around campus, charging about $2 an hour. For those who like to penny-pinch, like me, there are several ways to park for free. The school offers free parking in the Clayton Garage after 2 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends for students. Additionally, students can park for free in unmetered areas of the Central West End or near Tower Grove and walk 10-15 minutes to campus.

My medical school experience started with a 17-hour road trip from Massachusetts to St. Louis. Since starting school, I’ve taken road trips to Nashville and Chicago, and I’m planning another trip soon! While I wish there were a train route to Nashville, the drive to Nashville was extremely doable, and it was a really fun time to spend with new friends! I’ve taken two trips to Chicago — one on the road, one via train — and both were really easy! Driving was a bit of a shorter trip, and it was nice to cut down on time. I love being so close to a couple big cities that are great places to visit with friends.

As WashU Med students, we can sign up for free public transit passes, and the public transit buses and trains are fairly accessible, with priority seating, step-free entry, and plenty of room for mobility devices. The train (MetroLink) is probably the most accessible way to get between the Medical Campus and the Danforth Campus (where undergraduate and other graduate programs are located), as there is a stop on the Medical Campus and a few stops near the Danforth Campus. Other than the bus and MetroLink, you can also sign up for Metro Call-A-Ride if you have a qualifying disability, and this service will take you directly to your destination anywhere within St. Louis City and parts of St. Louis County.

Whether you arrive at medical school via car, train, bus, or airplane, at some point you will take a drive to St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Though it may be smaller than some international airports, what I love most about it is how easy it is to pick friends and family up and drop people off when they go out of town or come in for the weekend. While it can be hard to find exactly the flight you want, you’ll be able to find the flight you need with enough time to plan for it. As far as driving goes, I’ve taken trips to Nashville and Chicago since arriving here, and my friends and I are planning a road trip to New Orleans in the near future; with the right attitude, any location is drivable. I’ve also taken the train to Chicago a few times. It’s pretty affordable, and a very convenient option for a weekend trip!