Travel Planning

Getting to Pullman

Please reference our Travel Guide to plan your trip to campus early. The guide includes details for air and ground transportation, as well as local hotels and recommendations of what to explore. Accommodations in Pullman fill quickly around move-in dates and large events, such as Family Weekend.

Please be aware of any weather conditions and increased travel times while en route to Pullman. Visit the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Travel Alerts website for updates to inform your travel plans.

On Campus & Around Town

Parking Permits

Complimentary parking permit information will be emailed to you the morning of your orientation session. The driver of any vehicle parking on campus must register their license plate the morning of orientation – no need to print a pass! Please contact WSU Transportation Services if you have any questions: 509-335-PARK (7275) or transportation@wsu.edu.

If you are arriving to campus early, parking permits are required on weekdays in all parking lots. Parking garages require payment at the kiosk or through the mobile parking app seven days a week.

Recommendations

The Brelsford WSU Visitor Center is a one-stop resource for all the information you’ll need about navigating campus and the town of Pullman. Looking for something on campus? Reference the Pullman campus map.

Student Lodging & What to Pack

Make sure to have with you:

  • Identification card/photo ID
  • WSU ID number and network ID
  • Documentation of any credit by exam (AP, IB, Cambridge, CLEP)
  • Transcripts for any college-level coursework in-progress or completed (unofficial is ok). Contact the Transfer Center at transfer@wsu.edu or call 509-335-8704 if you have any questions.

Students registered for Spring, Fall, and Week of Welcome (WOW) New Coug Orientation sessions will move into their housing accommodations for the semester before checking-in for orientation. Please plan accordingly and arrive to campus with your belongings for the semester.

Students are encouraged to bring the following items to their orientation session:

  • Comfortable and weather-appropriate walking shoes
  • Weather appropriate attire and outerwear
  • Small backpack for your daily items
  • Your CougarCard (student ID)
  • Something for taking notes
  • Spending money
  • Cell phone charger
  • Refillable water bottle

Students attending summer orientation will be housed in one of our residence halls. You will be provided with bed sheets, a blanket, pillow, pillowcase, towels, and washcloths. The key is to pack light for your overnight stay. Here is a short list of items to consider bringing to orientation:

  • Comfortable and weather-appropriate walking shoes
  • Weather appropriate clothing and pajamas
  • Small backpack for your daily items
  • You are encouraged to bring a bigger towel
  • Basic toiletries (i.e. toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hair dryer etc)
  • Gym/Swimming attire
  • Spending money
  • Cell phone charger
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Any medication you normally take (if applicable)

Please check the weather forecast for Pullman, WA a couple of days before your session so you can pack accordingly. 

Meals

On-campus meals are provided to students during orientation programs in the WSU Dining Halls. Coffee, light refreshments, and pastries will be available for everyone during check-in on Day 1.

  • Day 1: lunch, dinner
  • Day 2: breakfast, lunch

If your or one of guests have dietary restrictions, please confirm or update them in your registration.

For Families & Supporters

On-site Family and Supporter orientation programming is not offered during Spring (in January) or Fall (in August) New Coug Orientation.

Lodging: Lodging is not offered for guests at New Coug Orientation. For local accommodations please check out our Travel Guide.

Meals: Coffee, light refreshments, and pastries will be available at check-in. Day 1 lunch and dinner and Day 2 breakfast and lunch will be provided for registered guests.

What to Pack: We recommend bringing the following items with you if you are attending family and supporter orientation:

  • A small backpack for informational materials you pickup and your personal items.
  • Comfortable and weather-appropriate walking shoes. We will do a lot of walking.
  • A refillable water bottle and snacks.
  • Extra spending cash/money for the bookstore, ice cream, etc.