Which UT shuttle or bus can I take, and when does it run?
UT Shuttles run seven routes, and students ride free with a physical UT ID, as they do on CapMetro buses and MetroRail. There’s no UT Shuttle service November 21–28. Finals service runs December 8–12 and 14, then a reduced winter schedule.
In this guide
Do the shuttles run over Thanksgiving, finals and winter break?
Not every day. The Shuttle Service Level Calendar sets each day’s service, and here’s what it shows through the start of spring classes.
Scroll the table to compare every column.
| Date | Service |
|---|---|
| Nov 21–28, 2026 | No UT Shuttle service |
| Dec 8–12 and 14 | Finals level: every 10–20 minutes, 6:45 a.m.–7 p.m., then about every 40 minutes until 11 p.m.; runs Saturday |
| Sunday, Dec 13 | Sunday level: every 25–50 minutes, 3–10 p.m. |
| Dec 15–18, Dec 21–24, Dec 28–31 and Jan 4–8 | Winter level: about every 35 minutes, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. |
| Dec 19–20, Dec 25–27, Jan 1–3 and Jan 9 | No UT Shuttle service |
| Jan 11, 2027 | Full service returns with spring classes |
From the UT Shuttle Service Level Calendar, checked November 4, 2026. Saturdays outside finals have no UT Shuttle service.
Which UT Shuttle route do I need?
All seven routes stop on main campus. Find the one that serves your street, then check its map on CapMetro’s shuttle route maps.
Scroll the table to compare every column.
| Route | Where it goes |
|---|---|
| 640 Forty Acres | Loops clockwise around campus and East Campus: University Blvd, 21st, Guadalupe, Dean Keeton, San Jacinto, 23rd, Robert Dedman, Manor, Comal, Disch-Falk Field and MLK |
| 642 West Campus | Loops counterclockwise: San Jacinto/23rd, Dean Keeton/Speedway, 27th/Whitis, 26th/Rio Grande, San Gabriel/25th and Guadalupe/21st |
| 656 Intramural Fields | Speedway north of Dean Keeton, 46th, Guadalupe south of 51st, and the Intramural Fields |
| 661 Far West | Woodhollow, North Hills, Hart and Greystone; campus stop at Dean Keeton/Whitis |
| 663 Lake Austin | UT housing at Brackenridge, Gateway and Colorado Apartments, Lake Austin Blvd, and 5th and 6th west of Lamar; campus stop at 21st/Whitis |
| 670 North Riverside | Elmont, Crossing Place and Wickersham north of Riverside; inbound to MLK, San Jacinto and East Mall Fountain |
| 672 Lake Shore | E. Riverside, South Pleasant Valley and Lakeshore Blvd; ends on campus at 23rd and Trinity |
Route descriptions from UT Parking and Transportation Services, checked November 4, 2026.
Do I ride free?
Yes. UT students, faculty and staff ride UT Shuttles free with a valid UT photo ID. The same ID gets you on CapMetro mainline buses, MetroRapid 801 and 803, and MetroRail at no charge.
CapMetro needs the physical card; it doesn’t accept a virtual ID. If you’ve lost yours, our student ID guide covers the replacement.
How often do shuttles run during the semester?
On a regular weekday, buses leave every 10 to 17 minutes on every route from about 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. After 8 p.m. they come every 15 to 30 minutes, and all routes run until midnight.
On Sundays, buses run about every 25 to 50 minutes from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. There’s no UT Shuttle service on regular Saturdays, so use CapMetro’s routes, which UT says mirror many shuttle areas.
How else can I get around campus?
PTS Pickup carts give free rides across central and East Campus, Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wave one down and tell the driver where you’re going. They don’t run on university holidays.
From MetroRail, get off at MLK Station and take Route 465 to campus, or Route 18 along MLK. After dark, Sure Walk and UT Night Rides take you home from campus; our night travel guide has the hours.
What should I check before I ride?
Check the shuttle calendar for the day you’re riding, especially around breaks, and CapMetro’s detour notices for your route. For questions, call UT Shuttle and CapMetro information at 512-474-1200. Lost something on a shuttle? Call 512-389-7454.
Choosing an apartment? Compare the route and walk to class on our housing pages before you sign.
How we got this
Routes, fares, service levels and contacts come from UT Parking and Transportation Services and its Shuttle Service Level Calendar, checked November 4, 2026. The day-by-day schedule is read from that calendar.
CapMetro changes routes and detours during the year. Check the calendar and CapMetro’s notices on the day you ride.
Sources and dates
- UT Parking and Transportation — UT Shuttles, routes and contacts2026-11-04
- UT Shuttle Service Level Calendar2026-11-04
- UT Parking and Transportation — CapMetro, MetroRapid and MetroRail with a UT ID2026-11-04
- UT Parking and Transportation — traveling to campus when shuttles aren’t running2026-11-04
- UT Parking and Transportation — PTS Pickup2026-11-04
- CapMetro — UT Shuttle route maps2026-11-04