Now Live! New Parking Permit Management System
Stanford Transportation has launched a new, streamlined system to purchase parking permits at Stanford. Discover more about parking.stanford.edu.
Stanford Transportation has launched a new, streamlined system to purchase parking permits at Stanford. Discover more about parking.stanford.edu.
We have developed frequently asked questions to help answer questions you may have about transportation and commuting at Stanford.
Parking permits are required to park at the Stanford campus and Stanford Redwood City campus.
At Stanford, you purchase your parking through our Parking Permit Management System. To determine which permit is right for your commuting needs, visit Commuter Parking. Visit our “How to” guides for help.
If you will be commuting part-time, consider purchasing daily permits to save on parking costs. Visit our electric vehicles section for more information about electric vehicle charging stations and fees.
To park at the Stanford campus and Stanford Redwood City campus, you must purchase a commuter, resident, or visitor parking permit to park during business hours: 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, unless otherwise posted. Parking permits are not required to park after-hours.
If you have questions about your parking options, please contact us at transportation@stanford.edu or 650.723.9362.
Visit our Parking Enforcement page for more information.
Stanford campus
Main campus commuters have the option of purchasing an ‘A’ or ‘C’ permit. The ‘A’ permit offers more convenient parking throughout the day at a higher cost. The ‘C’ permit is at a lower cost, but convenient ‘C’ parking fills early in the morning, so most commuters should expect to walk further from ‘C’ parking areas. Refer to our map, which outlines parking options on the main campus. ‘C’-SRWC permits are also valid to park in ‘C’ spaces on the main campus. For more information about electric vehicle charging stations and fees, visit our electric vehicle section.
Stanford Redwood City campus
Stanford Redwood City commuters can purchase a ‘C’-SRWC permit. Enforcement hours are Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Please note that Barron Garage is open between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Outside of those weekday hours and on holidays, you’ll need to scan your Stanford ID at the card reader in order to enter. SRWC has also made temporary short-term parking spots available to the Stanford community at no charge.
The ‘C’-SRWC permit provides convenient parking at the lowest rate available at Stanford. Refer to our SRWC map, which outlines parking options at Stanford Redwood City. C’ and ‘A’ permits are also valid to park in ‘C’ spaces at Stanford Redwood City.
For more information about electric vehicle charging stations and fees, visit our electric vehicles section.
If you have questions about your parking options, please contact us at parkingoperations@stanford.edu or 650.723.9362.
Yes, you can request a personalized commute plan with your transit and/or bike options from Stanford Transportation staff. Just fill out our commute or trip planning request form.
Another option is using our do-it-yourself commute planning tool. When you view your results, you can select “schedule explorer” to specify days and times you plan to commute. If you plan to drive to a transit station, enter the transit station as your starting point for better results.
Additionally, we are currently offering one-on-one commute consultations to answer questions you may have about commuting at Stanford. If you are interested in scheduling a 15-minute commute consultation, please sign up here.
While riding on campus, it is important to know and follow the rules of the road for every ride. Visit our webpage to learn about bike safety. Additionally, Stanford’s Department of Public Safety offers free online Bike Safety Classes if you would like to learn how to be a safe rider.
Bike racks and secured bike parking options are available around the Stanford and Stanford Redwood City campus. To learn more visit reserve bike storage.
Unfortunately, thieves are known to target bikes on campus. Make sure you always lock your bike correctly and securely to deter theft.
You can purchase a new or used bike from the Campus Bike Shop at Tresidder Union. Another option is to visit your local bike shop. Please note that these bike shop links are provided as a courtesy, not as a recommendation or endorsement. Stanford Public Safety normally hosts a bike sale for abandoned bikes approximately every quarter. Check their website for updates.
For more information on how to pick the right type of bike for your needs, see Stanford Research Park’s bike buying guide.
Once you purchase a bike, Stanford’s Department of Public Safety recommends registering it online so you have proof the bike belongs to you in case of loss or theft.
Yes, we have a number of vanpools that are currently in operation throughout the Bay Area. Please contact us at commuteclub@stanford.edu or 650.736.9923 to learn more.
At this time you may informally share the cost of commuter permits and expenses. Please visit our Carpools webpage to learn more.
The following transit passes are available for eligible employees.
Caltrain Go Pass
Stanford offers a free Caltrain Go Pass to eligible Stanford commuters. The Go Pass provides unlimited rides between San Francisco and Gilroy. Learn more about the Go Pass.
VTA SmartPass
Stanford offers a free VTA SmartPass to eligible commuters. The SmartPass provides unlimited travel on VTA buses and light rail. Learn more about the SmartPass.
AC Transit EasyPass for East Bay residents
The AC Transit EasyPass offers unlimited travel on all AC Transit routes, both local and transbay, and is valid for the full calendar year, seven days a week. If you live in an eligible ZIP code in the East Bay, you will receive the AC Transit EasyPass (check your ZIP code with our eligibility checker), which enables you to ride the Dumbarton Express. Learn more about the EasyPass.
SamTrans Pass for Stanford Redwood City commuters
Employees working at Stanford Redwood City may also request a SamTrans pass once their worksite address is in our system. Please note that Stanford purchases the SamTrans pass primarily for the purpose of commuting. Since Stanford pays for each pass in full, please request a pass only when you will actually use it to commute.
If you experience difficulties logging in, please try again in 24 hours as it may take up to 24 hours for your information to be added to our system after your start date. If you are still unable to log in, contact us at commuteclub@stanford.edu or 650.736.9923.
Five days after you are notified that your passes have been loaded, you should be able to use them by tagging on at a Clipper reader. Watch our video to learn how to tag on and off with your Clipper card. EasyPass users: Please note that it may take 9 to 12 business days for the EasyPass to be loaded to your card.
If it has been loaded successfully, it will beep once and you will see the following message “Travel OK / Pass Used / OK to Mar 31 / New Pass Added.” The Go Pass, SmartPass, and EasyPass are valid through Dec. 31 and will automatically renew beyond the date shown. Once your card has been loaded successfully, please make sure to tag on and off for each ride.
If your card does not work, we encourage you to:
If your card still doesn’t work, please contact Clipper at 877.878.8883 to let them know you have trouble tagging on with a 2021 Go Pass.
Yes, but we are unable to add the VTA SmartPass to your Clipper card. If you are an eligible employee, you will need to request a Clipper card through our request form (fill out Option 1) if you wish to receive the VTA SmartPass. The Clipper card we mail to you will be preloaded with the VTA SmartPass, Caltrain Go Pass, and/or AC Transit EasyPass and/or Go Pass to the same card.
If you are an eligible commuter, you can request that we add the Go Pass (fill out Option 2) to your personal Clipper card. Caltrain will add the Go Pass to your card within three to five business days.
The AC Transit EasyPass will also be loaded for eligible employees who reside in the East Bay (check your ZIP code with our eligibility checker), but it may take AC Transit up to 9 to 12 business days to process.
If you are a Stanford Redwood City employee, you can request a SamTrans pass. Please only request when you are or will soon be commuting to Stanford Redwood City. Stanford pays in full each month for SamTrans passes for eligible employees, and they are intended to facilitate commute trips to or from Stanford Redwood City. Please request a SamTrans pass only when you are or will soon be commuting to Stanford Redwood City.
Five days after you are notified that your pass has been loaded, you should be able to use your pass by tagging on at a Clipper reader. Watch our video to learn how to tag on and off with your Clipper card. EasyPass users: Please note that it may take 9 to 12 business days for the EasyPass to be loaded to your card.
If it has been loaded successfully, it will beep once and you will see the following message “Travel OK / Pass Used / OK to Mar 31 / New Pass Added.” The Go Pass, SmartPass, and EasyPass are valid through Dec. 31 and will automatically renew beyond the date shown. Once your card has been loaded successfully, please make sure to tag on and off for each ride.
If your card does not work, we encourage you to:
You can also watch our video to learn how to tag on and off with your Clipper card.
If your card still doesn’t work, please contact Clipper at 877.878.8883 to let them know you have a 2021 Go Pass.
No, we do not provide passes or subsidies for BART, Muni or other transit agencies beyond those listed on our site. However, employees may purchase transit passes (AC Transit, ACE train, BART, Caltrain, Muni, SamTrans) and transit parking using pre-tax dollars through the Edenred Commuter Benefits program. Using pre-tax dollars can help you save up to 40 percent. You will need to log into the Pre-Tax Transit Portal to place your order. Please note that these purchases are non-refundable, so it is important to monitor and manage your orders. For more information please refer to our Pre-Tax Payroll Deduction page.
No, but employees may purchase Caltrain and/or BART parking permits using pre-tax dollars through the Edenred Commuter Benefits program. Using pre-tax dollars can help you save up to 40 percent. Please note that pre-tax purchases are non-refundable. To place your order, log into the Pre-Tax Transit Portal. For more information please refer to our Pre-Tax Payroll Deduction page.
We provide links to Bay Area transit services on our website.
Stanford’s free Marguerite shuttle service takes you around campus and connects with transit, such as Caltrain, and nearby shopping and dining areas. You don’t need to show any badges or passes to ride — simply hop on. You can find maps and schedules for Stanford’s free Marguerite shuttle on our webpage. For real time bus tracking, see our Marguerite live map.
For information about electric vehicle charging at Stanford, visit our electric vehicle charging page.
Stanford campus: Refer to our charging stations map for locations.
Stanford Redwood City: There are charging stations located in Barron Garage and the Bay Parking Lot. Please note that drivers must scan their Stanford ID for access to Barron Garage.
Our charging stations table provides more information on fees and number of spaces per parking structure or lot.
The charging session fees include payment for parking, as well as charging. Fees, which range from $0.50 per hour to $2.00 per hour, vary based on the location on campus. [See charging stations table].
You will be charged a fee during the entire time the car is parked in a charging space, including after the battery is completely charged. Drivers are advised to move their cars as soon as their vehicles are charged. Leaving your car in a charging station prevents other drivers from using it. Please note that if you are parked at a charging station and not plugged in you could receive a citation.
Questions? Contact us at commuteclub@stanford.edu or 650.736.9923.