When Kevin Su bought a skateboard over the summer, he wasn't hoping to learn ollies or kickflips: he only wanted to get to class more quickly.

The Carnegie Mellon University sophomore pictured himself waking up at 9:25 a.m. and arriving on time to his 9:30 a.m. class, which would have been impossible with his former pedestrian method of transportation.

Time wasn't the only concern. A skateboard looked like an economical choice. But after falling many times trying to learn, he's decided a skateboard isn't practical. Now he's riding a bicycle.

Students are increasingly looking for cost-effective ways for getting around, not only for getting to class but also for activities like grocery shopping, commuting to a job or just exploring the city.

Transportation can be a budget drainer if there's no thought-out plan.

According to the College Board, students on average spend $807 to $1,401 a year on transportation, depending on the type of college. Commuter students spend the most.

That covers the cost of two trips home for a residential college and daily driving for commuters, but not all of the transportation needs students might have.

"I think there is a tendency to overlook transportation costs, but it's definitely something you should research before you apply and go to schools," said David Soto, the director of content development for the Princeton Review.

One of the most expensive methods of college transportation is the car.

Sara Gaul, a Duquesne University senior, has had a car on campus for more than two years even though the academic year cost of a garage parking pass is $661. As a sophomore, she paid the full price and lived on campus. The next year she again paid the full price, this time commuting from Brentwood. This year she lives on the South Side and pays half the price, sharing the pass with a friend.

But for Miss Gaul, the prospect of relying on the bus system or riding a bike was even worse, so she has been forking out the fee, as well as spending around $300 each year on car maintenance.

Bus transportation can be a bargain, particularly at schools such as CMU and Pitt, which have agreements with Port Authority to allow their students to ride Port Authority buses for free.

Duquesne does not offer free Port Authority bus service but runs its own shuttle on Friday and Saturday evenings to take students to places such as the Waterfront, Squirrel Hill and South Side.

To minimize costs, Miss Gaul said, "I just try to stay on campus as much as possible."

Though staying on campus or commuting solely by foot might render transportation costs nonexistent, that's not an option for some students.

University of Pittsburgh senior Chris Pugliesi said he didn't have a choice but to buy a car when he got a full-time engineering internship last semester at PennDOT in Bridgeville.

He spent $500 on gas that semester, plus $20 for the annual parking permit on the street where his Oakland apartment is located.

"It's a major cost, but it's worth it," he said.

Joey Costa, a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh, also depends on two automobiles to commute to class from his home in Squirrel Hill.

"I honestly just hate buses. I like having control over where I'm going, and I like exploring," he said.

The flip side to the freedom and convenience, however, is cost.

He said he spends $2 to $5 each day on parking meters -- plus $16 for parking tickets every so often -- and $80 to $100 on gas monthly. Luckily, his father pays for insurance.

Students often face higher car insurance premiums because those under the age of 25 are considered to have a higher risk for accidents.

Many car insurance companies will allow some students to stay on their parents' car insurance policy as a secondary driver, which can save money on insurance premiums.

Some offer discounts for situations such as a student living too far from home to use the family car regularly; a student who lives close to campus and has low-mileage; and students with good grades.

Given the cost of buying, maintaining and parking a car, though, more students are opting for other methods of transportation.

A Princeton Review survey found a campus trend away from cars and toward alternatives -- such as bike and car sharing programs, van pools, buses and subways -- to alleviate problems with campus parking, congestion and pollution.

"Schools today are doing really innovative things in terms of transportation," Mr. Soto said. "This new generation of college-bound students is more attuned to environmental issues, and the demand is there."

Growing demand for easier, cheaper and greener transportation means more than 100 schools nationwide now participate in Zipcar. It's a car-sharing program that offers fuel-efficient automobile rental to its members, billable by the hour or day.

For students who live closer to campus and don't need a car, a bicycle may be a good option. Though it requires an upfront investment for the cost of the bike, helmet, lock and any other accessories, maintenance costs are low.

Gregory Bartolomei, a junior at the University of Pittsburgh, said he uses his bicycle nearly everyday to get around Oakland except when it's cold. Then he walks.

"It gives me a lot more freedom than driving, especially with the one-way streets and traffic, and I don't have to worry about parking."

Mr. Su in recent weeks turned to a bicycle and uses the bus for longer trips to the Waterfront. He found bus waits too long and didn't consider a car because of the expense.

With student parking permits at CMU costing as much as $1,296 a year, by the end of four years, Mr. Su said, "You've probably paid more for parking than you paid for your car."

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