With a Trolley station on campus and discounted transit passes, going car-free saves a student real money — here's the honest math.
Airport or trip home? (858) 522-0264SDSU sits on its own Trolley station (Green Line) to Mission Valley and Downtown, and students can buy discounted MTS College Passes. A parking permit is about $207/semester — on top of AAA's ~$11,577/year to own a car. For a lot of Aztecs, transit + the occasional booked ride beats car ownership outright. Call (858) 522-0264 when you need a ride.
Transit handles class, the gym, and Mission Valley. It doesn't handle the airport with luggage, a trip home, a late night out where a safe direct ride matters, or move-in week. Those few trips a year are worth a flat-rate booked car — still a fraction of owning one. EGT's there for them.
Ride the Trolley day to day; book a flat-rate car for the airport and trips home.
Call (858) 522-0264Sources: SDSU Parking & Transportation (permit ~$207/semester, 2026); SDSU MTS; San Diego MTS College Passes; AAA 2025 Your Driving Costs. Verify current rates with SDSU and MTS. Last updated June 2026.