<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>I'm planning a one-day visit to SCU this Saturday since the fares to fly out are really reasonable.l I'm flying into SJC and read that SCU is frequented by a free service shuttle from the airport.. what's that all about/how can I get to that? We (Mom and I) won't be renting a car (she is too scared to drive the California roads by herself!) so we're thinking of doing that shuttle, if we can figure it out, or taking a taxi to there and back to the airport (anyone know the cost?).</p>
<p>Our flight comes in the morning and we will have to be back at the airport at around 5. Since we have relatively no planned mode of transportation, I have no clue what my mom and I are to do after the tour (hopefully I can still schedule one)- I anticipate the tour ending an hour or so later, and that leaves a whole day on campus. Any advice to those who have gone out/have not taken their own mode of transportation?</p>
<p>Taking the free bus is really easy. My son and I did it when we visited SCU last spring. </p>
<p>Just walk out of the airport terminal and over to the marked bus stop. You want to take the VTA (Valley Transportation Authority) "Airport Flyer #10" route. It runs every 10-15 minutes on weekdays; I think the frequency on Saturday is every 15 -20 minutes. It takes about 15 minutes to get from the airport to the Santa Clara Transit Center (the Caltrains station), which is where you get off the bus. (Most of that time is spent driving around the airport through the employee and long-term parking lots.) The transit center is literally right across the street from the main entrance to SCU, so you can’t miss it.</p>
<p>If this is your first trip to SCU, you should attend the info session as well as take the campus tour. The info session has a panel discussion with students and includes time for Q&A. My son and I also ate in the dining hall and dropped by the recreation center. (He just said he was a prospective student and they let us walk around and talk to staff.) Unfortunately, there won’t be any faculty around on Saturday, but there will certainly be students hanging out on campus. We found SCU students to be very friendly and willing to answer our questions.</p>
<p>There is a transit station right across the street from SCU. There are a couple of cool malls where you can spend some time if you are trying to eat some up before your flight out. They are close to eachother one is outdoor and the better of the two but I can't remember the name. I suggest contacting the admissions office with your questions. I am sure they can send you bus schedules and other information...like the name of the best mall.</p>