With the fall semester beginning on August 26, getting to campus efficiently is key to a smooth start. Here are some tips from Parking & Transportation Services to make your commute to campus as smooth as possible.

1. Order or extend a parking permit

Students, faculty, and staff must have a parking permit to park on campus. Permits can be purchased online through the UNLV parking portal. Make sure your vehicle information is correct, as your license plate serves as your parking permit. If you prefer to back into a parking space and do not have a front license plate, display a parking sticker or hang tag. Parking stickers can be purchased at the Parking & Transportation Services office.

2. Check campus maps and watch for closures

Visit the Campus Maps website for interactive maps of buildings and parking lots, as well as information on restaurants, computer labs, food stations, libraries, museums/galleries, athletic facilities, and restrooms. Visit the Parking & Transportation Services website for up-to-date information on road closures that may affect parking alerts.

3. Plan ahead with UNLV Park & ​​Go

UNLV Park & ​​Go displays real-time occupancy percentages for the Cottage Grove, University Gateway and Tropicana parking garages, so you can find available (covered!) parking before you even arrive on campus.

4. Park where there are sufficient parking spaces

There is usually plenty of open parking in the M and Gray Lots of the Thomas & Mack Center. Other options include the University Gateway Parking Garage or the Cottage Grove Parking Garage.

5. Come early

Plan to arrive on campus at least 45 minutes before the start of the semester, especially during the first few weeks of the semester. This will give you time to find parking and enjoy your walk to class, grab a coffee, or visit the library.

6. Search for PayByPhone locations

Don’t have a parking permit? PayByPhone is a simple and secure way to pay for hourly or daily parking. Register your vehicle via the app or website and pay for the time you need.

7. Charge your electric vehicle with additional chargers

There are currently 48 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across campus, including 32 on the Maryland Campus and 16 on the Shadow Lane Campus. To use them, you’ll need a valid UNLV parking permit and a ChargePoint account. Once your membership is activated, you can charge for up to four hours.

8. Explore alternative ways to get to campus

Save time and avoid parking problems with alternative transportation options. RTC offers carpooling through Club Ride and discounted fares through the U-Pass program for students, faculty, and staff. There are designated pickup and drop-off locations on campus for ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft.

For more information, visit the UNLV park website or call 702-895-1300.