New Student Guide | Airport Transportation and Housing at Lehigh University

Prepared by HYP Global, this guide is designed for incoming graduate students at Lehigh University. It outlines the main airport options, transportation routes, and on-campus and off-campus housing choices available at the time of the original article.

Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, within the Lehigh Valley region. Selecting a suitable arrival airport, arranging transportation in advance, and securing affordable housing are important steps toward a smooth start to graduate study.

Note: This article preserves the transportation, pricing, housing, and service information available during the original publication period. Details may have changed since then.

Airports and Transportation

Major Airports Near Lehigh University

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) | Recommended option

EWR is approximately a one-hour drive from Lehigh University. It offered multiple direct flights from China and ground transportation connections to Bethlehem, making it the most convenient airport for both arranged pickup and independent travel.

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) | Second option

JFK is approximately two to three hours from campus by car. As one of the largest international aviation hubs in the United States, it offered a wide selection of direct international flights. However, it was farther from campus and required multiple bus transfers.

Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE/KABE) | Closest airport

ABE is approximately seven miles from Lehigh University and around a 10-minute drive from campus. However, it did not offer direct flights from China, so students needed to transfer through another U.S. airport. For this reason, it was not generally recommended as the first-choice destination for students traveling to the United States for the first time.

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

PHL is approximately a one-hour drive from Lehigh University. Although the distance was reasonable, direct flights from China were limited, making it a less cost-effective option overall.

Transportation to Campus

Option One: Lehigh CSSA Airport Pickup

Around one month before the beginning of each academic year, Lehigh University typically worked with the Lehigh University Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) to arrange group airport pickup services for incoming Chinese students.

The pickup location was generally Newark Liberty International Airport. Students were advised to follow the official Lehigh CSSA WeChat account for updated registration procedures and schedules.

Option Two: Trans-Bridge Lines from EWR

Traveling from EWR to Lehigh University by Trans-Bridge Lines was one of the most convenient independent transportation options.

Students could purchase a Trans-Bridge Lines ticket to Bethlehem after leaving the airport terminal. At the time, tickets were generally purchased on-site rather than in advance online. Credit cards and cash were accepted, and a one-way ticket cost approximately $30.

After arriving at the Bethlehem Transportation Center, students could take an Uber or Lyft to campus. The final journey took approximately 10 minutes.

Option Three: Trans-Bridge Lines from JFK

After collecting their luggage at JFK, students could proceed to the NYC Airport counter at the Ground Transportation Welcome Center—or make an online reservation—to purchase a ticket to the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) in Manhattan.

After arriving at PABT, students could purchase a Trans-Bridge Lines ticket to Bethlehem. The total transportation cost was approximately $50.

This route offered fewer scheduled departures. When using a slower service, the complete journey could take four to five hours. Students were strongly advised to check the official Trans-Bridge Lines timetable before departure.

On-Campus Graduate Housing

Lehigh University generally emailed admitted graduate students housing information and application links around mid-May.

Graduate students were not required to live on campus. Because the number of available rooms was limited, campus housing assignments were determined through a lottery.

Traditional graduate housing options included:

• Saucon Village

• Packer House

• 230 West Packer

Housing information and applications were available through the Lehigh University graduate housing website.

Southside Commons

Southside Commons was a higher-end residential community affiliated with Lehigh University. It was jointly developed and managed by Lehigh University and Greystar, a major U.S. residential development and property management company.

Located near the intersection of Brodhead Avenue and West Packer Avenue, the community was approximately a five-minute walk from campus. Nearby commercial areas and cafés were also around five minutes away on foot.

Available floor plans ranged from studios to four-bedroom apartments, with rents starting at approximately $1,029 per month. Additional information was available through the official Southside Commons website.

Off-Campus Housing

Students who did not receive an on-campus housing assignment—or who preferred a more independent living environment—could consider renting off campus.

Before signing a lease, students were advised to confirm whether the rent included utilities such as water, electricity, internet, and heating. They should also check whether the property had air conditioning, as summers in Bethlehem could be hot and humid.

Shared Houses

Off-campus houses were generally shared by three to five students.

The total monthly rent for an entire house ranged from approximately $900 to $2,500. After splitting the rent among roommates, the average cost was around $300 to $500 per person per month, making shared houses one of the more affordable options.

Campus Hill was one of the more popular property management platforms among Chinese students at Lehigh. It managed more than 100 privately owned houses near the university, offering centrally managed properties in convenient locations with relatively complete facilities.

At the time of the original article, Campus Hill also offered Chinese-language services and allowed students to pay rent in Chinese yuan. Students could contact the company through its official website.

Apartment Communities

Compared with shared houses, apartment communities generally offered more professional management and a more comfortable residential experience.

The average shared cost was approximately $500 to $900 per person per month. Students were advised to submit applications directly through the leasing office on each apartment community’s official website.

Brighton Court

Brighton Court was located in downtown Bethlehem, offering convenient access to transportation and daily services.

The property was approximately 3.2 kilometers from Lehigh University’s College of Business—around five minutes by car or 20 minutes on foot.

Available floor plans ranged from one-bedroom to three-bedroom apartments. Units featured renovated kitchens, private laundry facilities, and wireless internet. Basic water, heating, and electricity costs were included in the rent.

Reference rents started at approximately $1,100 per month. Additional information was available through the Brighton Court website.

Woodmont Mews

Woodmont Mews was located northwest of the College of Business. It was a resort-style luxury apartment community near downtown Bethlehem and approximately a 10-minute drive from campus.

Available floor plans ranged from one-bedroom to two-bedroom apartments. Units featured approximately nine-foot ceilings, private oversized balconies or patios, and high-end appliances.

Reference rents started at approximately $1,420 per month. Additional information was available through the Woodmont Mews website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Lehigh University graduate students apply for on-campus housing? What are the chances of receiving an assignment?

Yes. Graduate students could apply for university housing such as Saucon Village and Packer House, as well as the affiliated Southside Commons apartments.

Applications generally opened around mid-May. Because availability was limited, Lehigh University used a lottery to determine housing assignments.

Which airport is the most convenient for traveling to Lehigh University?

Newark Liberty International Airport was the recommended first choice. It offered multiple direct flights from China, and students could take a Trans-Bridge Lines bus from the airport to Bethlehem. The drive between EWR and campus was approximately one hour.

How could students travel from EWR to the Lehigh campus?

Students could purchase a Trans-Bridge Lines ticket to Bethlehem after leaving the airport terminal. A one-way ticket cost approximately $30.

After arriving at the Bethlehem Transportation Center, students could take an Uber or Lyft to Lehigh University. The final journey took approximately 10 minutes.