Regional Transit
Convenient, affordable ways to get home without driving
Many students bring a vehicle to campus to travel home for academic breaks. While this is the only way to get home for some students, most Vandals have a number of other options that can save money and reduce stress.
Vandal Break Bus for Idaho-Bound students and options for the Pacific Northwest and beyond
Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) and the Office of the Dean of Students provide chartered buses to students for low-cost, safe and convenient transportation to the Boise and Idaho Falls areas for fall, winter and spring breaks. Visit the Vandal Break Bus page for details and reservation information.
For students traveling to the Tri-Cities, Portland or the Seattle area, regional carrier Wheatland Express offers its "Vacation Express" service that aligns with U of I's academic break schedule. Students traveling to the Spokane area can contact Northwestern Stage Lines for information on daily bus service between Moscow and Spokane.
Vandal Student Special: discounted bus fare with Northwestern Stage Lines for travel to campus in Moscow
No car? No problem! Vandal students headed to or from the Moscow campus for fall semester move-in are eligible for a 50% discount ONLY when booking bus reservations directly with Northwestern Stage Lines. This is NOT a charter- travel is on Northwestern Stage Lines' regularly scheduled bus routes.
- Students MUST use their Vandal email address and promo code VANDALMOVEIN50 when booking with Northwestern Stage Lines, operated by Salt Lake Express
- Price includes up to four pieces of luggage
- Purchase a one-way fare to get to campus in the fall and another one-way fare to get home at the end of the academic year
- Routes available from many cities throughout Idaho, Utah, Washington and Montana, and from airports in Boise, Spokane, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas
- Good for travel to campus between Aug. 1-31, 2025 and for travel from campus between May 2-19, 2026
Vandal Student Special FAQ
Our transportation partner, Northwestern Stage Lines/Salt Lake Express, is offering Vandal students a 20% discount on the published base fare. Parking and Transportation Services will then subsidize another 30% from the listed fare for students using the service, which we’ll pay after you purchase. Students see just the 50% discount. Note that there are SMALL service fees (a $2.95 ticketing fee) and possibly, depending on the stop you choose, additional fees (for example, the only Boise stop is at the airport, which adds $1.75 to the ticket price). The 50% discount applies to the base fare for one adult.
You’ll have two options for bus stops:
- The Intermodal Transit Center or
- The LLCs (at the bus stop at the corner of Line St. and Sixth St.- right by room check-in).
Housing and Residence Life is happy to help you out. Just email housing@uidaho.edu or call 208-885-6571 and they’ll work with you on a late check-in.
Here are some options on how to get around Moscow after you arrive at the ITC or the LLCs:
- Coordinate a ride with a local friend
- Use your free LYFT credit for a ride (Learn about Lyft Credit HERE and be sure you sign up before you arrive on campus.)
- Pay for your own ride on Lyft or Uber
- SMART Transit public bus service is free for everyone in Moscow during weekdays from 6:40 a.m. through 7 p.m. Learn more here.
Pay for a cab ride:
- College Cabs: 855-829-4487
- Moscow Taxi: 208-892-4544
Absolutely! Extra luggage is $10/piece. And remember, you can take a small carryon with you on the bus.
For fall move-in, arrive in Moscow between Aug. 1 through 31, 2025. For move-out at the end of the year, get the discount between May 2 through 19, 2026. REMEMBER- you MUST use the special code to get the discount!
You’ll be on a Northwestern Stage Lines/Salt Lake Express regularly scheduled bus route, so any member of the public can purchase a ticket.
On whatever date you choose- you are purchasing a ticket on a regularly scheduled bus route and you get to pick your own travel date. If you will live on campus, be sure to plan your arrival for a date that your housing will be available.
The 50% fare discount is available ONLY for U of I students. Someone else is welcome to ride with you, at regular cost, but the discounts from the vendor and from PTS are available solely for U of I students.
This offer is good ONLY for one-way tickets for U of I student travel booked with Northwestern Stage Lines/Salt Lake Express using a valid Vandal email address and the discount code. There is no discount available on bus fare purchased from other vendors, nor on any other type of travel.
Northwestern Stage Lines/Salt Lake Express serves many cities throughout Idaho, Utah, Washington and parts of Montana. They also have service from airports in Boise, Spokane, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. Click here to learn more about departure cities and locations.
That’s a question that can only be answered after you choose your departing city and time. Your trip will have an itinerary- be sure to review it carefully before you leave so that you know what to expect.
Regional Airports
Choosing which regional airport to travel through can be daunting. For most travelers, determining the preferred airline and destination is a good start.
Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport (PUW)
Alaska Airlines offers daily, nonstop flights between Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport and Boise. Alaska Airlines also offers daily nonstop flights to Seattle, as well as flights to other cities in the U.S. and some international destinations. Ground transportation options between Moscow and this airport are somewhat limited, and include Moscow's two local taxi companies:
- College Cabs LLC: 855-829-4487 | College Cabs LLC on Facebook
- Moscow Taxi: 208-892-4544 | Moscow Taxi
Lewiston Nez Perce County Regional Airport (LWS)
Daily nonstop jet service offered to Denver via United Airlines and to Salt Lake City via Delta Airlines.
Shuttle service between campus and the Lewiston airport is available, for a fee, with 48-hour-advance booking. This service will be discontinued on May 15, 2025. Confirm price and booking details in advance by visiting the LWS ground transportation information web page.
Spokane International Airport (GEG)
Many major airlines, including Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, Sun Country and United, offer service via Spokane International Airport. For transportation between the Moscow campus (via the Intermodal Transit Center) and Spokane International Airport, choose from the following options:
- DAILY shuttle service, 365 days/year (except on 12/25) is offered, for a fee, by Northwestern Stage Lines. Confirm price and booking details with Northwestern Trailways in advance.
- During academic breaks ONLY, Wheatland Express often schedules airport shuttles, for a fee, between Moscow and Spokane International Airport. Confirm price and booking details with Wheatland Express in advance.
Regional Bus Service
- Northwestern Stage Lines, operated by Salt Lake Express, offers daily bus service from Spokane to Boise, including scheduled stops at many cities on the route, including Moscow, at the Intermodal Transit Center on campus. They also offer daily bus service to Seattle, including cities along the I-90 corridor.
- Wheatland Express often offers a "Weekend Express" to the Seattle and Tri-Cities areas and typically offers "Vacation Express" during academic breaks.
- Greyhound offers bus service to many locations throughout the region and the country, including routes to the Tri-Cities and Portland.