Travel

Getting to East Lansing

We highly recommend that you fly into Capital Region International Airport (LAN).  There are regular direct flights from Detroit via Delta Airlines, from Chicago on United Airlines, and from Washington DC via American Airlines. The LAN airport is VERY small and easy to navigate. 99% of the time, an MSU faculty or staff member will meet you at the airport, but in the very rare case that can’t be arranged, it is easy to take a taxi or an uber to Owen Hall on MSU campus. The drive from the airport takes about 20 minutes.

If you fly into Detroit (DTW), we will NOT be able to meet you at the airport. There is a bus called the Michigan Flyer, which comes from the DTW airport to downtown East Lansing. The Michigan Flyer website has the directions for how to make the reservations and how to find the bus. They have many buses throughout the day and evening. If you arrive too late in the evening, you will not be able to take the bus. In this case, we CANNOT provide alternate transportation for you and you would have to secure a local hotel until the first Michigan Flyer the next day. You could also take a taxi from Detroit (DTW) to East Lansing, but that would be VERY expensive.

Send your arrival itinerary to the MSU FLTA Supervisor as soon as you receive it.

When to Arrive

You need to arrive anytime on August 11, 2025. Check your itinerary and make sure you have enough time between connecting flights to account for delays. It is better to have long waits in connecting airports than missing a connecting flight and having to figure out a new flight. If you miss a flight, talk to the airlines right away. They are the ones who will fix things for you–they will get you on another flight, and if necessary arrange meal voucher and/or hotel vouchers if the delay was the airline’s fault. Then email, WhatsApp, or send a Facebook message to the MSU FLTA Supervisor (Emily) with your new arrival information.

General Advice

  • Overseas travel can be very overwhelming and exhausting–be patient, flexible, and adventurous.  Even a bad delay, a missed flight, or lost luggage will be a great story you will laugh about after it’s all over.
  • Check the website of the airline(s) you will be flying. Double check the rules about what you can bring on the plane, weight limits, size requirements, etc.
  • Dress in layers–planes can be very hot and stuffy on the ground before take-off, but very cold while flying.
  • Slip on shoes are easier going through the various security checkpoints.
  • Delays are common–bring some packaged snacks, something to read, a journal to write in, etc. to pass the time.
  • Checked luggage can be lost. Find an official there at the airport to immediately report it and fill out the appropriate forms. Lost luggage is usually found and delivered in a day or two.
  • Read the signs in the airports, but also don’t be afraid to ask for help.
  • Remember we will do everything we can to have someone meet you at the airport in Lansing. If you are late, we can adjust, but if you arrive early, we won’t know. Make sure you have the supervisor’s phone number so you can call/message with schedule changes. 

Tips to Help Reduce Jet Lag

Jet lag happens when we cross more than one time zone quickly—our bodies don’t have time to adjust to the new schedule.  While it’s only 2 pm in Michigan, and there are many more hours of work, your body thinks it’s 10pm and bedtime. It’s also hard to handle because it happens during the orientation to the new place when you need to learn a lot of new information. Jet lag does happen—we can’t completely avoid it, but here are some tips to (hopefully) reduce the effects.

Pre-Departure

  • Wear two watches for two days to a week before you leave so you can start to mentally prepare. Set one watch to your time and one watch Michigan time.
  • Be well rested before you get on the plane—don’t try to exhaust yourself and then “catch up” on the plane.

In-Flight

  • Drink a lot of water! (WATER — not tea, juice, coffee, soda, or alcohol). 
  • Your feet tend to swell on long flights, so don’t wear tight shoes or high heels—and take off your shoes and lift your feet up if possible.
  • Wear loose-fitting clothing that breathes.
  • Try to sleep as much as possible on the plane—especially if it is nighttime at your destination. Use earplugs, a blindfold, blanket, neck rest — whatever it takes.
  • Don’t use sleeping pills: These can cause more problems!
  • Get up to stretch, wash your face, brush your teeth, walk the aisles, or just stand for several minutes.

Arrival

  • If possible, as soon as you arrive, spend at least an hour in the sunlight before going to sleep.
  • Try as much as possible to follow the new time zone schedule. This should help you adjust more quickly.
  • If you need to stay awake to help you get on local time, eat peanuts, eggs, meats and other high-protein or fatty foods. If you need to fall asleep, eat carbs like pasta or bread.