Whether you had the luxury of having a car in high school or not, coming to college without a car can be tough for some students. Having a car in college can mean freedom, flexibility, and access, but do you really need one?

Not having a car on campus actually has some perks like not having to save gas money, and never having to worry about parking. Here are some ways around not having a car on campus:

1. Walking

Walking is good exercise, eco-friendly and the best part, it’s free.

If possible though, avoid walking at night, especially by yourself. Always stay visible! Wear bright or reflective clothing, use the sidewalk or face traffic while walking and always look before you cross.

2. Biking

Biking is also a great exercise and cost-friendly. It is faster and safer than walking, and you can confidently do it alone. The best parts about bikes is you can buy them used in great condition for fair price. Try checking out local garage sales, you city’s Craigslist page, and even Freecycle to score a totally free bike.

3. Public Transportation

Types of public transportation include buses, trolleys, trains, and subways. Public transportation has proven to be cheaper and less stressful than owning a car. Not only does public transportation help save energy, it reduces traffic congestion and the number of injuries and fatalities caused by car accidents.

In some communities, routes and hours of hours of operation can be very limited. Some system do not always operate during the evening, holidays, or weekend hours. Familiarize yourself with the systems available to you, and plan your route accordingly.

4. Uber, Lyft, Etc

With the technology we have today, you can request a ride at the touch of a button. Apps like Uber, Lyft, Getaround, Carma Carpooling, Sidecar, and many more make it super easy and convenient to get a ride almost anywhere you need to go. Check out which of these is offered in your area and let the hassle-free riding begin.

While you may think this is a more expensive option of getting around, many of these apps offer free rides to new users, promo codes, and fare-splitting.

5. Car Pools, Bumming Rides and Borrowing Cars

Find people that are going to same place as you, try to catch a ride with them. Carpooling saves money and gives you the opportunity to make new friends. Bumming rides off friends doesn’t always seem like the best option, but giving them some sort of compensation or incentive to take you where you need to go could help. Borrowing a car from someone may seem like a long shot but with companies such as Zipcar, it only takes a few clicks. Zipcar is an alternative to traditional car rental. You can rent a car per hour, or day with gas & insurance included. Zipcar works with a lot of colleges and universities to make the process as easy as possible for students. You have to go through an application process of age verification and a background check of driving records from the Department of Motor Vehicles. From there, the cars can easily be rented and picked up right one campus.

Not having a car on campus may seem hard, but with all these alternatives, it’s definitely not impossible.