/Office of Global Affairs
International Student Success

Getting Around Stony Brook

This section helps you navigate around Stony Brook University and the surrounding areas.

Campus Mail and Services

Many international students utilize on campus options for receiving and sending mail as well as other services. Learn more below!

Residents have the ability to receive mail on campus. You can find your on campus mailing address in your StarRez (Campus Residences) Portal. It is important to use your correct mailing address, so your package does not get sent to the wrong location. Your mailing address is unique to you and will be different than other students also residing in your same area.

  • During the start of the semester, the mailroom operations experience extremely high demand. Please be patient with packages.
  • Students are not allowed to ship items to their campus address until after that student officially moves in to their housing on campus.
  • Campus Mailrooms are unable to receive packages for individuals not currently residing on campus.
  • Delivery of extremely large items requiring freight or other carrier delivery services such as auto parts or furniture will be refused. 
  • Please note that sometimes vendors will email students directly saying their package was delivered. However, it may still take a few hours to arrive and be sorted into the student's mail. Please be patient.
  • If you are mailing items from campus, you should visit Roth Mailroom to send items.

The FedEx Office Print Service Center provides quick turn-around for a number of services, such as:
  • both black and white and colored printing services
  • large format printing for posters, banners, and sign
  • packing and shipping services and supplies
  • direct mail services
  • "kitting" for presentation pieces
  • summer storage services
Visit the FedEx Office location in the lower level of the Melville Library, room 0320. You can email your order to the SBU FedEx store at usa0116@fedex.com
 

Cars and Driving

International students sometimes choose to purchase a car here in the United States for easier commutes to off-campus locations.

According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), international people are eligible to drive in the state of New York with a valid driver license from another state in the United States or country, as long as it has not expired or been suspended. Please note that these laws can differ by state, so it is always important to review local state laws if you are traveling outside of New York.

While you are not required by New York's DMV to have an International Driving Permit, this permit verifies in several languages that you have a valid driver license. This can be helpful to police offices who may not be able to read your native language when they are confirming your documents. Many international drivers choose to get one to help this process.

For more information on driving in the United States as an international student, visit SBU's Visa and Immigration (VIS) website on applying for a NYS Driver's License.

If a student wants to park on campus, their vehicle must have a valid parking pass from SBU's Mobility and Parking Services (MAPS).

Violators of this policy are obligated to pay any and all parking tickets they incur. The University only recognizes parking permits issued by the official campus Parking Services or official disabled parking permits. All other outside parking permits are invalid in Stony Brook University areas.

For more information on getting student parking passes, please visit the MAPS Student Parking page.

Transportation Options Around Stony Brook

Now that you have arrived to Stony Book, make sure to get out and explore the local era. From the cityscape of Manhattan to the beaches of Montauk, we have it all! You have access to beautiful beaches, culinary delights, world-class museums, and so much more.

Long Island Railroad (LIRR) services towns across the entire Island and into the city. With a LIRR station directly on campus, students have easy access to explore farther.

Before starting your adventure, be sure to download the MTA TrainTime App to see the most up-to-date train schedules, purchase tickets, see changes to services, and more.

Stony Brook University provides weekend bus services to Port Jefferson and the Smith Haven Mall areas to assist students with exploring and with necessary shopping. Stops include stores such as Walmart, Target, and Stop & Shop.

These shuttles are free to students with valid SBU ID cards.

For the most up-to-date schedule of services, visit MAPS SBU Shuttle Website.

Suffolk Transit Connection
The Suffolk Transit Connection is a transportation service provided to current Stony Brook University students who are interested in traveling between SBU and local, off-campus area destinations for food, shopping and recreational activities.

The service is provided through a partnership between Stony Brook University and Suffolk County, and is a sustainable transportation solution. Reduced fares on the Route 51 services are available only to current Stony Brook University students who hold a valid Stony Brook University identification card.

Visit MAPS STC Transportation website for more information. 


Other Suffolk County Bus Services

Suffolk County buses go to a number of areas around Stony Brook. Line 51 services the Stony Brook and Port Jefferson areas. Line 62 services the Smith Haven Mall to Port Jefferson areas.

Visit Suffolk County Transportation website for more information.