(Lucia Thomas | Managing Illustration Editor)

Welcome, Class of 2030, to your personal travel guide for WashU! This article is a one-stop shop to help incoming first-years navigate and discover the various means of transportation available for getting around the Danforth Campus.

The main strategy commonly used to navigate WashU’s campuses, and the one we suggest most to first-years, is walking. Danforth specifically might seem intimidating in size and a hassle to navigate on foot, but there are tons of pathways and not-so-secret shortcuts you can take through or in between buildings to get where you need to go without waiting on shuttle rides. 

The first route is what we call the “Tunnel Track.” This walkway not only connects with other routes but also takes you through the Underpass that runs under Forsyth Boulevard, which separates the South 40 from the rest of the Danforth Campus. The walls are covered in mini murals painted by students from different student organizations to advertise their upcoming events. In order to make your way toward Danforth, you can access the tunnel by crossing Shepley Drive and continuing straight past the Clocktower by Bear Bodega on the South 40. 

If you are living in Lien or Dardick, another quick way to reach the Underpass is by using the top floor of Shepley Garage on the South 40. This parking lot is located between the baseball fields and the residential halls Dardick, Nemerov, and Lien. Toward the end of the lot, there is a small path that intersects with the same trail that leads you straight to the Tunnel Track. That way, you will not have to walk out of the way to the Clocktower.

Once you have reached the end of the Tunnel Track, you will immediately see a fork in the road with two walkways going in opposite directions. Taking the path on your right will lead toward the Danforth University Center, while going left guides you to Simon Hall, Seigle Hall, Sumers Recreation Center, and Mudd Field. So, choose accordingly based on which side of campus your specific class is closest to. P.S. You can find out where each of your classes are held through Workday under your registered courses!

Speaking of the DUC, if you are already on campus but need to get from lunch to class in two minutes, it’s got you covered. For example, if Mallinckrodt Center is your destination, taking the door past Ibby’s and the dining hall will put you outside in Bowles Plaza and right in front of the back set of double doors to Mallinckrodt. Additionally, to get to Simon Hall quickly, going through the door of the DUC next to Cafe Bergson will take you to the crosswalk in front of the DUC Garage, along the sidewalk next to Simon’s open parking lot, and into the building. 

Alternatively, if you are starting the day by going to Mallinckrodt Center or the front east side of the Danforth campus (around Brookings Hall) for classes, your best bet is walking along Shepley Drive to the corner of Koenig House and crossing to Wallace Drive. Not only is this method faster than the Tunnel Track if you live in a residential building close to Wallace Garage like Hitzeman, Myers, Hurd, or Eliot, but it’s a great scenic route for nature lovers. You will travel along the Elizabeth Danforth Butterfly Garden, a quaint and beautiful study spot to be productive while also getting your dose of vitamin D!

Besides walking and/or biking, the next best option for getting around campus is to use WashU’s free shuttle service, which operates from 7 a.m to 11 p.m. on weekdays and from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends. The shuttle system has a fleet of buses that provide transportation across all of WashU’s campuses. 

The shuttle that specifically roams around the Danforth Campus is called the Campus Circulator; this drops you directly in front of the Mallinckrodt Bus Plaza, putting you one step closer to the DUC. If you are heading toward any club activities that are located on South Campus, using its designated shuttle bus will get you there in no time. This route can also take you directly to the supermarket, Schnucks, which happens to be right next to the AMC Esquire 7. To reach WashU’s Medical Campus or Clayton, a neighboring city with great food and walking trails, the West Campus shuttle will be your best friend . Plus, if you ever need the Psychological Services Center (PSC) here at WashU, the West Campus route will get you there, too!

Additionally, the shuttle system provides transportation beyond WashU, allowing students to explore around the greater St. Louis area. The Delmar Loop bus takes you to the lively district filled with quirky shops and multicultural dining, commonly referred to as “the Loop.” The shopper shuttle takes you to the Saint Louis Galleria mall and all the way to Walmart in Maplewood. However, this is the only shuttle that provides services once a week on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. To track where each shuttle is and to stay updated on any scheduling issues, we recommend downloading the TripShot app on your phone. Keep in mind, though, that TripShot is sometimes inaccurate when it comes to exact shuttle times.

However, while the shuttles to and from the South 40 provide a straight-shot to Danforth, they are often not the most efficient or reliable method to use, especially when you are in a crunch for time. Most shuttle buses usually arrive at the Clocktower on the South 40 every 15 minutes and occasionally suffer from serious overcrowding and/or delays due to traffic, driver switching, etc. However, when the winter snow hits and temperatures drop, going with the shuttle system may save you the trip to CVS for cold medicine.

Now that you are familiar with all the main routes of getting from the South 40 to Danforth, when the time comes to start classes and extracurriculars, it should be a little less stressful. Safe travels!