United Cab has been driving Michiana since May 2006. We are licensed by the City of South Bend, commercially insured, and authorized to pick up at South Bend International Airport. The student rate has been part of our standard rate card for years, not a promotion with an expiry date.
What the $5 student rate covers
The student fare applies to rides within South Bend for enrolled Notre Dame students. The most common trips it gets used for are the ones the campus shuttle does not run late enough to cover:
- Campus to University Park Mall and back
- Dorm to downtown South Bend for dinner or the Morris Performing Arts Center
- Late-night rides home from Eddy Street Commons or downtown bars
- Grocery runs to Martin's or Meijer, with luggage room for the bags
- Doctor, dentist and hospital appointments off campus
- Cross-town trips into Mishawaka and Granger
Airport trips are priced separately because they are much longer drives. Those rates are below.
Notre Dame student fares compared to standard fares
| Trip | Notre Dame student | Standard fare |
|---|---|---|
| Any local ride within South Bend | $5 per person | $15 minimum |
| Campus to University Park Mall | $5 per person | $15 minimum |
| South Bend International Airport (SBN) to campus | $20 for one, $12 each for two or more | $20 for one, $12 each for two or more |
| Amtrak or South Shore station | $20 for one, $12 each for two or more | $20 for one, $12 each for two or more |
| South Bend to O'Hare (ORD) or Midway (MDW) | $350 plus $25 per extra passenger | $350 plus $25 per extra passenger |
| Children under 12 with a paying adult | Free | Free |
The full list, including Elkhart and Plymouth transfers and hourly wait time, is on our taxi rates page.
Getting to South Bend International Airport from campus
South Bend International Airport is about six miles west of the Notre Dame campus, and the drive takes 12 to 15 minutes in normal traffic. Our airport shuttle charges $20 for a single passenger between SBN and campus, or $12 each once there are two or more of you, so a pair of roommates flying home for break pays $24 total.
Book ahead during the two weeks that matter most: move-in in August, and the exodus before Thanksgiving and winter break. Those are the days when every car in the city is already spoken for. We take reservations around the clock through the online booking form.
Cab from South Bend to O'Hare and Midway
Plenty of Notre Dame students fly through Chicago rather than SBN. The direct car service is $350 for one passenger plus $25 for each additional rider. Split four ways that is $106 each, door to terminal, with no transfers and no bags to drag across Chicago.
Allow two hours of driving. Longer in Friday afternoon traffic on the Skyway, and longer again in winter.
Mind the time zone. South Bend runs on Eastern time, Chicago on Central. You gain an hour heading west and lose one coming back, which catches out a surprising number of returning students in January.
The South Shore Line is cheaper if the schedule fits. If you are travelling with three other people, luggage, or a 6am departure, the car usually wins.
We also serve Elkhart Municipal, Fort Wayne International and Indianapolis International.
Notre Dame game day taxi service
Home football Saturdays turn South Bend into a different city. Parking near the stadium sells out, traffic on Angela and Edison stops moving by late morning, and rideshare surge pricing during the postgame rush is predictable and steep.
Our fare does not surge. The $5 student rate holds on game day and standard fares stay standard. What changes is availability, so book your game day ride in advance rather than calling at the final whistle alongside 80,000 other people. For tailgates, alumni groups and parents' weekend parties we can arrange multiple pickups from a single booking, so call and talk to a dispatcher rather than using the form.
Looking for a taxi near you in South Bend
When you search for a taxi near you at midnight and the app shows a 40-minute wait, calling a local dispatcher is often faster. United Cab answers the phone around the clock, every day of the year, at 574-233-9599. Our drivers are licensed, background-checked, and know the difference between the Main Building and the Main Circle without needing turn-by-turn directions.
We cover South Bend, Notre Dame, Mishawaka, Granger, Elkhart, Goshen, Niles and the surrounding Michiana region, plus Indiana Dunes day trips. A full list of what we do is on the taxi services page.
How to book
Call 574-233-9599. Fastest option, day or night, and you speak to a person. Tap to call.
Reserve online. Best for airport runs and anything scheduled in advance. Booking form.
Send a message. For group bookings, corporate accounts and standing weekly rides. Contact us.
Payment is cash or card. Every vehicle carries a terminal that takes Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, chip and contactless.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a taxi cost for Notre Dame students?
A flat $5 per person for rides within South Bend. It is charged per student, so a group of four pays $20 total. Bring your Notre Dame ID.
Does the $5 rate change on game days or late at night?
No. The student fare is flat and never surges. It is $5 at 2am, $5 during finals, and $5 on football Saturdays.
How much is a taxi from South Bend Airport to Notre Dame?
$20 for one passenger, or $12 each when two or more of you travel together. The drive is 12 to 15 minutes.
How much is a cab from South Bend to O'Hare?
$350 for one passenger, plus $25 per additional passenger. Midway is the same price. Allow about two hours of driving, and remember the time zone change.
Can I book a South Bend taxi in advance?
Yes, around the clock, through the online reservation form or by phone. Book early for August move-in, break departures and home football weekends.
Do children ride free?
Children under 12 ride free with a paying parent or guardian.
Are your drivers licensed and insured?
Yes. Every driver is licensed by the State of Indiana, background-checked, and covered by commercial liability insurance. United Cab is on the City of South Bend's licensed taxi company list and is authorized to operate at South Bend International Airport. More about us is on our company page.
What if I am not a Notre Dame student?
Standard fares apply: $3 flag drop plus $3 per mile, with a $15 local minimum. See the full rate card, or read more about taxi service in South Bend.
Contact United Cab South Bend
United Cab South Bend, LLC2107 S. Michigan Street, South Bend, IN 46613
Phone: 574-233-9599
Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year