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Penn State Altoona
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  • This is Penn State Altoona
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  1. Home
  2. Offices and Divisions
  3. Student Affairs
  4. International Student Services

Transportation and Arrival Information

When making your travel plans, please remember that you should arrive on campus on Sunday, January 8, for the spring 2023 semester. More details will be provided on this site.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued requirements for foreigners traveling to the U.S. by air. Please check out the CDC website for detailed information.

Please be sure your traveling documents—including your passport, I-20, Penn State offer letter, financial documents, etc.—are in your carry-on baggage, not in your checked-in baggage. You need those documents at the U.S. Border Protection in airports.

U.S. Ground Transportation

If your flights will take you to University Park Airport (SEC) in State College or Altoona-Blair Country Airport (AOO) in Blair County, you may get a private taxi from those two locations.

If your flights take you to other airports in Pennsylvania or other states, you must take ground transportation to campus. Amtrak, the U.S. Passenger Rail Services, offers The Pennsylvanian Train to Altoona from New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh. Greyhound, a long-distance bus service, offers buses to Altoona from many locations.

If you will arrive at Altoona Train Station or Altoona Bus Station, you may get a private taxi from those two stations.

Please note that Amtrak Train Stations and Greyhound Bus Stations are not in the airports. You will need to take a subway, taxi, or Uber from the airport to the train or bus terminal.

Travel Suggestion

Consider purchasing a mobile phone SIM card when you arrive in the United States. Alternatively, we recommend you open an international service with your mobile company before you get your U.S. phone number. It will be useful if you need to make or receive phone calls when you are at the airport or station.

Reminder

Students living in on-campus housing can pick up their room keys from the housing office in Port-Sky Café on Sunday, January 8, between 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. No early move-in is allowed.

Students living in off-campus housing need to contact their individual landlords regarding the date they may move into their housing facility.

If you need a letter confirming your participation in the New Student Orientation program for your off-campus landlord (if needed for early move-in), please get in touch with the Office of Student Affairs.

Please address any questions about your arrival at Penn State Altoona to the Office of Student Affairs at 814-949-5219 or [email protected].

International Student Services

  • New International Student Checklist
  • Housing Information
    • Questions to Ask Your Landlord
    • Residence Hall, Room, and Roommate Assignment
    • What to Bring
    • What to Buy After You Arrive
  • Transportation and Arrival Information
    • Private Taxi Service
  • SAFE and AWARE
  • Information Technology
  • English Composition Courses for International Students and English Language Learners
  • Employment in the U.S. for International Students: Advice for Penn State Altoona International Students
  • University Events
  • Staff Directory

International Student Services

Contact us at [email protected]

Penn State Global Links

Penn State Global
Pre-arrival Information

Penn State Altoona Links

Division of Student Affairs
Housing and Food Services (on-campus housing, meal plans, and Lion Cash)
New Student Orientation (NSO)
Academic Advising
Welcome Week
Center for Student and Civic Engagement
Health and Wellness Center
Information Technology
Learning Resources Center
Bursar's Office (tuition payments)

Other Resources

Central Pennsylvania Landlord Association (off-campus housing information)

See Also

  • Student Affairs
  • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State's campuses with Penn State Altoona highlighted

Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • flickr
  • linkedin
Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Welcome from the Chancellor
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • College Leadership
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-Class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Robert L. Smith Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Center for Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • International Student Services
    • Housing
    • Parking
    • Police and Safety
    • Career Services
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
  • Research & Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Community-Based Studies
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
    • Schedule
    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
    • Athletic Training and Sports Physicals
    • Athletics News
    • Camps and Clinics
    • Hall of Fame
  • Stay Connected
    • Faculty and Staff Directory
    • Offices and Divisions
    • Campus Calendar
    • PSUAlert Text Messaging Service
    • COVID-19 Information
    • Penn State Altoona Connect
    • Penn State Student Engagement Network
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3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, Pennsylvania 16601 814-949-5000

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