Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach
Travel guide for Indian students — Daytona Beach, United States. Nearest international gateway: MCO (Orlando).
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Daytona Beach campus is the world's leading aviation and aerospace university, drawing international students into aeronautical and aerospace engineering, flight, air traffic management and related fields. The campus sits beside Daytona Beach International Airport on Florida's Atlantic coast.
Daytona Beach International (DAB) is literally adjacent to campus, but it's a small regional airport. For international arrivals from India, Orlando International (MCO), about 80 miles / 1 hr 15 min south, is the practical gateway, reached by shuttle, coach or a connecting flight into DAB.
Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach campus is the global hub for aviation and aerospace education, with a strong international cohort. Its location next to a regional airport is a nice touch, but most international students route through Orlando.
Two airports - which to use
Daytona Beach International (DAB) is adjacent to campus and ideal if you can get a connecting flight there. Most international students from India fly into Orlando International (MCO), ~80 miles / 1 hr 15 min south - the practical big gateway - then take a Groome Transportation shuttle or coach to Daytona Beach.
Getting around Daytona
Volusia County's Votran public buses serve the campus, bus stations, beaches and shopping areas. Amtrak's nearest regular station is DeLand (~30 miles); Greyhound also serves the area. Taxis and rideshare operate 24/7.
When to book flights
Compare a connecting flight into DAB against flying into MCO plus a shuttle. Book 6-10 weeks ahead of intake; compare carriers from your nearest metro above.
Visiting your child at Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach? Fly into Orlando International (MCO), ~80 miles south and the practical gateway, then shuttle to Daytona; the adjacent DAB airport works if you can connect there. Plan the US visitor visa well ahead.
Getting from MCO to campus
Visitor visa for parents
Indian parents need a B1/B2 visitor visa. First-time interview waits are long and vary sharply by consulate, so city choice matters - you may book at ANY US consulate in India, not just your home city.
- Plan 8-12 months ahead, especially for graduation - graduations do NOT qualify for emergency/expedited appointments.
- You can book at any consulate in India; many families fly to Chennai to save months versus Mumbai or Delhi.
- The dropbox (interview waiver) window shrank from 48 to 12 months in 2025 - most parents with older expired visas now need a full interview.
- Visitor stays are up to 6 months per visit, set by the officer at entry on the I-94.
Just admitted to Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach? Most Indian students enter on an F-1 academic visa (DS-160 fee $185 + SEVIS I-901 fee $350). J-1 is for exchange programs (SEVIS $220), M-1 for vocational study. Spouses/children come on F-2/J-2/M-2 dependent visas. You can enter the US up to 30 days before your program start date. For Fall 2026, Indian F-1 applicants must interview at one of five US consulates in India. Most India flights arrive at Orlando (MCO), ~80 miles south.
Arrival checklist
- Book your international flight into Orlando International (MCO), the practical gateway; or a connecting flight into adjacent DAB.
- From MCO, pre-book a Groome Transportation shuttle or coach to Daytona Beach (~1 hr 15 min).
- Once on campus, use Votran buses for local travel.
- Confirm student baggage allowance with your airline.
- Carry your I-20, SEVIS receipt and financial documents in hand luggage for US immigration.
Daytona Beach, home to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is a mid-priced Florida coastal city - about $1,200-1,750 a month all-in sharing and cooking. Florida has no state income tax, and Orlando's larger Indian community is about an hour away.
Monthly cost of living in Daytona Beach (a student estimate)
That's roughly $14,000-21,000 a year for living costs, on top of tuition.
Finding accommodation
Embry-Riddle students share apartments near the Daytona Beach campus (by the airport); the city is car-oriented.
- Votran buses serve Volusia County; a car helps.
- The campus sits by Daytona Beach International Airport.
- Orlando (~1 hr) is the nearest big city and Indian-grocery hub.
Working part-time
On an F-1 visa you can work on-campus up to 20 hours/week during term (full-time in breaks). Off-campus work needs authorization - CPT during study, OPT after (up to 12 months, +24 for STEM degrees). You cannot freelance or work off-campus without approval.
Safety & student support
Daytona Beach and its Embry-Riddle campus areas are generally safe by US standards; use normal awareness at night.
- Embry-Riddle runs a security escort, safety app and (often) campus shuttles - save the campus safety number.
- The campus and main student areas are busy and well-populated.
- Use normal awareness in beach/tourist areas at night; plan around summer heat and storms.
Indian community & food
Daytona Beach has a small Indian community; the larger desi scene is in Orlando, about an hour away.
Indian grocery stores
- A few Indian/Asian grocers in the Daytona area carry spices and staples.
- Mainstream Publix stores have a basic international aisle.
- Orlando (~1 hr) has large Indian supermarkets for a bulk run.
Student community
- Embry-Riddle's international student groups run cultural events.
- Orlando-area temples and associations serve the broader region.
- A few Indian restaurants in Daytona Beach, with many more in Orlando.
Cost & living figures for Daytona Beach last verified Jun 2026. Figures are estimates and change over time.
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