Transportation and Parking

Bloomington is located in the heart of the Midwest, in one of the region's most picturesque areas. Conveniently located within a day's drive of over half of the U.S. population, Bloomington is a great place to visit and an easy place to get to. Made famous in the 1979 move "Breaking Away," Bloomington is bicycle and pedestrian friendly, through several other modes of transportation are also available.

Air Service

Licensed pilots with private aircraft can fly directly into the Monroe County Airport, located just west of Bloomington. For the rest of us, primary air service to Bloomington is provided by the Indianapolis International Airport, located just 50 miles to the north. The Indianapolis Airport is served by 18 different airlines and averages over 400 flights per day, including non-stop and direct flights to more than 100 destinations, serving more than seven million passengers each year. 

Passengers traveling on to Bloomington enjoy shuttle service to and from the Indianapolis Airport from Bloomington Shuttle Service, making nine round trips daily with convenient stops at select Bloomington area hotels. Reservations are recommended.

Highway Access

Bloomington can be accessed from two major state highways; Indiana Highway 37, which runs north-south from Indianapolis in the north to Interstate 64 in the south and Indiana Highway 46, which runs east-west from Columbus in the east to Terre Haute in the west. Several Interstates are easily accessed from these two highways, making Bloomington a great driving destination.

Car Rental

Ace Rent-a-Car, 2200 N. Walnut Street, (812) 336-1501  Shuttle service provided from Monroe County Airport. 

Car rentals are also available from several companies located at the Indianapolis International Airport, for visitors who are traveling by air.

Parking in Bloomington

As Bloomington has grown, so has its need for adequate parking facilities. To help serve this need, Downtown Bloomington offers many parking opportunities.  Parking is free on evenings and weekends in Downtown Bloomington! One- and two-hour free parking is permitted in posted areas throughout the downtown area and city. Look for parking signs to direct you. For parking beyond two hours we encourage the use of one of the several lots and garages in the downtown. These lots and garages are inexpensive, convenient and parking spaces are available for a nominal fee. Please note that parking is prohibited between 3 and 6 am in many areas to allow for street maintenance. Some residential areas near the IU Campus are part of the Neighborhood Parking Permit Program. In these areas only vehicles with Permits are allowed to park on the street between 8 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday.   

Downtown Parking Facilities

Parking on Campus

Indiana University-Bloomington has a user-based parking system, which is paid for by permit fees. As a visitor, you are a guest of those around you who pay for the facilities and are always welcome on our campus. To avoid citations, visitors must either use a pay facility, park at a meter, or obtain a visitor parking permit. Visitor permits are issued daily and are intended to serve the needs of those who are occasionally on campus. Visitors needing short-term parking can use one of the metered parking areas. Parking Operations has designated seven meter lots on campus for visitor use only. There are also three meter lots on campus for general use. 

There are also certain designated days and times when parking is absolutely free on the Indiana University campus. This means no permit is required, nor does it require you pay the meter or the parking attendant. See the Parking Operations web site for a list of these times.    

Indiana University Parking Garages

Bus Service

Bloomington Transit  (812) 336-7433  Uptown, downtown, cross town and around town, the best way to get there is Bloomington Transit. Several routes run daily, in town and on campus. Main passenger transfer terminal is located at the corner of Fourth and Washington Streets.  

Rural Transit (812) 876-1079  A service of the Area 10 Agency on Aging, Rural Transit offers bus service to everyone from Monroe, Owen and Lawrence counties. You can ride no matter your age or physical abilities. Rural Transit offers three different transportation services.  Express services travels between Spencer, Ellettsville, and Bloomington Monday through Friday. County Routes offers round-trip service between specific points in the counties on a one- to five-times weekly basis. County Sweeps offers service throughout each county 6-8 am and 4-6 pm Monday through Friday.

IU Campus Bus Service  (812) 855-8384  Campus Bus Service operates weekdays from 7:30 am to 12 Midnight, Saturdays from 8:40 am to 11:30 pm and Sunday 10:30 am to 11:30 pm. There is no service on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, New Year's Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day. Buses operate on a prepaid basis and can be used by any student, faculty, staff or visitor to campus without paying a fare. Just present a bus pass or show ID.

Bloomington Shuttle Service (812) 332-6004 or (800) 589-6004  Bloomington Shuttle Service offers nine round-trips per day to and from the Indianapolis International Airport with convenient pick-up points at select Bloomington area hotels. Reservations are recommended. Bloomington Shuttle is also available for charter bus service for large groups.  Call for more information. 

Catch A Ride Student Bus Service (866) 622-8242 Catch A Ride Transportation Service provides Indiana University Students with  express bus service home during holidays, semester breaks and over select weekends throughout the school year. Catch A Ride's students-only service is a favorite among students traveling to Schaumburg, Oakbrook and Northbrook, Ill. and Merrillville, Ind.

Signature Limousine  (812) 332-6045 or (800) 589-6004

Yellow Cab Company  (812) 339-9744

Mileage to Bloomington: 

Please Note: In anticipation of the Indiana Department of Transportation's planned construction on the 45/46 Bypass, Indiana University is adopting a new game day traffic plan that will take effect for the 2009 season. Additional info and maps.