Getting here
Getting to Jonesboro: airports, the shuttle and your first day
Jonesboro has no international flights, but Memphis is only 80 miles from campus and A-State runs an airport shuttle at the start of each semester. This page helps you book the right ticket and avoid getting stuck at the airport.
Choose your arrival airport
Wherever you fly from, most itineraries connect once or twice and clear US immigration at a gateway airport — Dallas, Chicago, Houston and San Francisco are common — before the final domestic leg.
| Airport | Distance to campus | Onward to campus | Best when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis (MEM) — recommended | ≈ 80 miles / 1.5 hours | A-State semester shuttle (free, sign up ahead) · Uber/taxi ≈ $120–180 | Almost always; many connections from DFW/ORD/IAH |
| Little Rock (LIT) | ≈ 131 miles / 2 hours | Uber/taxi ≈ $180–250 · rental car | Fares are much cheaper or someone is picking you up |
| Jonesboro (JBR) | In town, 10 minutes | Local taxi | Only Southern Airways flights from Nashville (BNA) or St. Louis (STL) — small aircraft, strict baggage limits |
Uber/taxi fares are estimates at time of writing and can be higher at night or on weekends.
Source: A-State International Programs — Arrival · Jonesboro Municipal Airport · Updated 08/2026
Flights & eSIM
Two services from our travel partner that make the first trip easier: student flight bookings for those departing Vietnam, and a US eSIM that works the moment you land.
Book flights with TripWise.vn
Our flight-booking partner for students departing Vietnam: Hanoi (HAN) / Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) → Memphis (MEM), with arrival times that fit the university shuttle window.
- Student fares
- Baggage support for international students (typically two 23 kg bags)
- Itinerary advice so bags are checked through to Memphis
US eSIM — esim.tripwise.vn
Data the moment you land: call an Uber, open maps and message your family without hunting for a SIM at the airport.
- Install before you leave home, activates automatically in the US
- Covers the first week until you get a long-term SIM in Jonesboro
- Phone must support eSIM (recent iPhone and Android models)
Services are provided by the partner; A-State’s authorized international admissions office charges no fee. Prices and terms are set on the partner’s site.
The A-State shuttle from Memphis
At the start of each semester (about a week before classes), the Office of International Programs runs a shuttle for new international students from Memphis airport straight to the residence halls. It is free but you must sign up in advance by emailing oips@astate.edu with your flight number, arrival time and phone number.
Book a flight that lands in Memphis within the shuttle window (the university emails the schedule after your I-20 is issued). If you arrive outside the window, take Uber/taxi or stay a night at an airport hotel and catch the next shuttle.
Staff or current international students usually ride along — your first chance to meet classmates.
Getting around Jonesboro once you arrive
The GOJO city bus is free with an A-State ID (pilot program through 15 August 2028): five routes and nine campus stops connecting supermarkets, hospitals and the mall.
The international-student grocery shuttle runs Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 4–7 pm and Saturday 10 am–3 pm, stopping at Kroger, Aldi, Walmart and the Asian Food Market.
Uber and Lyft operate in town; bikes are popular on the flat campus, which has dedicated lanes.
From landing to moving in
- 1
Clear immigration at your first US airport
Present your passport, F-1 visa, signed original I-20 and SEVIS receipt. Answer briefly: where you will study and your major. Collect bags and clear customs before your domestic connection.
- 2
Connect to Memphis
Re-check your bags after customs. Allow at least three hours between flights for your first entry.
- 3
Meet the shuttle or book an Uber
The shuttle pickup point is emailed to you. If using Uber, set the destination to "Arkansas State University, 2105 E. Aggie Rd, Jonesboro, AR 72401" and text Residence Life your arrival time.
- 4
Move into your residence hall
Bring your housing confirmation; collect your key/card. Basic bedding can be bought at Walmart on the first grocery shuttle.
- 5
Check in with International Student Services within 1–3 days
Required so the university can report to SEVIS. Bring your passport, I-20 and I-94 (print from cbp.gov). Then get your student ID, open a bank account and buy a SIM.
What to pack — and what to skip
Bring
- Passport + visa, original I-20, SEVIS receipt, admission letter, financial documents (hard copies)
- Original transcripts and diploma with certified translations
- Personal medication with an English prescription
- Four-season clothing: a warm coat for December–February, light clothes for June–August
- Plug adapter (US uses 110V, flat pins)
- Laptop, chargers, some USD cash ($300–500) for the first week
- A few dry seasonings or spice mixes from home — light to carry, hard to find here
Skip
- Bedding and pillows — cheaper at Walmart/Target in week one than excess baggage
- Rice cooker or any 220V appliance
- Textbooks — courses use US editions, usually rented or digital
- Fresh food, meat, seeds — prohibited at the border
Campus map
Arkansas State University — 2105 E. Aggie Rd, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA. The map loads when you scroll to it so the page stays fast.
Frequently asked questions
How should I book my flights?
Whatever route you take, book a single through-ticket rather than separate legs: your bags are then checked through to Memphis and the airline is responsible if a delay makes you miss a connection. Most itineraries clear US immigration at a gateway such as Dallas, Chicago, Houston or San Francisco, then connect on to Memphis.
Can parents travel with me to campus?
Yes, on a B-2 visitor visa. Parents may ride the shuttle if seats remain (ask oips@astate.edu first) or rent a car in Memphis. Hotels near campus cost $90–150 per night.
How early should I arrive before classes?
An F-1 visa allows entry up to 30 days before the start date on your I-20. Arrive five to seven days early to move in, attend international orientation and adjust to the time zone (Jonesboro runs on US Central Time).
What if my flight is delayed and I miss the shuttle?
Email or call OIPS as soon as you know. Fallbacks: Uber/taxi from Memphis (≈ $120–180) or a night at an airport hotel. Keep the Residence Life and ISS phone numbers saved in your phone.
How much luggage can I bring?
Most international carriers allow two 23 kg bags on student or economy fares to the US; confirm with your airline. Southern Airways flights into JBR have very strict baggage limits — another reason to fly into Memphis.
Got your I-20? Let our admissions team walk you through departure
A pre-departure session: booking flights in the shuttle window, the document checklist and emergency contacts in the US.