No. 5: UNH students without cars still have means of travel

UPDATED: An original version of this article stated that students had to be 21 to participate in ZipCar. Any UNH students over 18 can take advantage of the car-sharing service.

If you're reading this, you're probably just starting to find your way around campus, and it probably feels pretty big. Soon, though, you'll get the hang of it and realize that Durham is pretty small, and sometimes it's nice to get out and explore. Of course, if you don't have a car on campus, this can take a little bit of planning. Not to worry, though—there are plenty of ways to get around without getting behind the wheel.

Wildcat Transit

The most high-profile choice on campus, the free UNH buses will take students to Portsmouth, Newington, Dover and Newmarket. This is a great way to get a feel for the area and find out what's out there. If you have a free afternoon it's not a bad idea to jump on one of the outbound buses, get off somewhere that looks interesting and have a look around.

Pros: Easy, free, and accessible

Cons: Buses stop running around 10:30 p.m.

Ridesharing

There are a variety of ways to find a ride to or from campus. The first, obviously, is to communicate with your friends, classmates and hall mates and find out who lives near you. Chances are you can probably find a few people who wouldn't mind sharing a ride home. You can also register with the NH Rideshare database (www.nh.gov/dot/nhrides/ridematch.htm) to find other people heading in your direction, or check out Craiglist's rideshare section. Carpooling is safe, but be smart: if you rideshare with strangers, let people know where you're going and keep your cell phone handy.

Pros: Can be a great way to get where you're going and meet new people.

Cons: Relies on other people's schedules.

The Downeaster

Taking the train from Durham is very easy—you can reserve your tickets online or just purchase them right at the ticket kiosk at the Dairy Bar.

It's a bit pricey (one way tickets are $18 to Boston, $15 to Portland) but if you'll be using the trains a lot you can purchase the college 6TIX, which includes six one-way fares and is good for a full year. Go online to www.amtrakdowneaster..com to buy tickets and get schedules.

Pros: Easy, comfortable, and convenient

Cons: It's on the expensive side.

C&J Buses

Costing about the same as the train, the C&J bus is a good choice if you need to get to Logan Airport or South Station. The C&J buses are running almost constantly throughout the day, so chances are you'll be able to find a ride that fits your schedule. You can buy tickets online at www.ridecj.com or on the bus.

Pros: Buses leave campus frequently, and the bus is probably the easiest way to get to Logan.

Cons: Like the train, not the most student-friendly pricing.

Zipcars

There are a few of these cars parked near Thompson Hall, and a lot of students don't really know what they are. They're part of a car-sharing service that allows paying members to reserve and use cars for a few hours or a full day. They haven't entirely caught on at UNH but if you're over 18, then they're a nice alternative if you need to use a car for a while, Zipcars are worth checking out. You can find out more online at www.zipcar.com (click on "Durham" for regional information.)

Members can use a car when they need one, and not worry about gas (or moving their car at 5 a.m. so UTS can snow plow).

Ride your bike

If you don't want to worry about bus schedules or finding people to carpool with, the best thing you can do is bring a bike to school. If you don't have room to store your bike in your room, ask your hall director if your hall has a bike room and where it is located in your dorm. The distances between towns are fairly short, and if you're up for it, a bike can be an awesome way to get around.

The roads around Durham are not the best in the world for cyclists, but just remember your helmet and be cautious. If you ride at night use a light and/or reflectors and wear light colors.

Pros: It's free (if you already have a bike), great exercise and you don't have to wait for anyone.

Cons: You might miss out on the time-honored tradition of the freshman fifteen.