Arrive in / at

Arrive

We use the verb arrive with at or in to talk about ‘coming to’, ‘getting to’ or ‘reaching’ a place where a journey ends. If we see the destination as a point, we say arrive at. If we see it as a larger area, we say arrive in:

We arrived at the art gallery just as it was closing. (The gallery is seen as a point.)

Immigrants who arrived in the country after 2005 have to take a special language test. (The country is seen as a larger area.)

Warning: 

We don’t say arrive to a place:

I always arrive at college about half an hour before my classes start.

Not: I always arrive to college …

See also: