Getting Here

If you can bring your car, please do! The venues this year are spread out and, unfortunately, not close to public transit. You'll have a much easier time getting around if you have a car.

Driving

Get detailed directions from your host before you set out. Avoid arriving or departing during rush hour. Estimated drive times:

Philly: 2.5 hours
NYC: 4-5 hours
Pittsburgh: 4-5 hours
Raleigh/Durham: 4 hours
Rochester: 7.5 hours
Boston: 8 hours

Flying

The DC area is served by three airports. Most online engines will search for fares at all three if you enter the airport code WAS. Click the airport name below and scroll down for public transit info.

National (DCA)

Closest to town.
Has Metro station.
Often more expensive.

Ground transportation options when you arrive at Ronald Reagon National Airport.

If you come into National and ride Metro to your destination, check the Metro map.

Dulles (IAD)

Out in Virgina, bus shuttles to Metro or downtown.

Ground transportation options when you arrive at Dulles Airport.

For Dulles International Airport, the best and least expensive shuttle service is from the Washington Flyer Coach

Travels from Dulles Airport to West Falls Church Metro.
Cost is $8 one way or $14 round trip.
The Washington Flyer Coach will take you non-stop to Metro's West Falls Church Station, where you can connect to the DC Metro system or arrange for a host to pick you up.
The service claims to provide "first-rate travel at economy prices. You'll ride on comfortable, climate-controlled coaches . . . " to and from Washington Dulles International Airport and the West Falls Church Metro Station.
It may take as long as two hours or more to arrive at your final destination. Please plan accordingly.

Buying shuttle tickets at Dulles: tickets can be purchased at the Washington Flyer Coach Ground Transportation Centers located on the lower level in the Main Terminal at Dulles (East and West ends of the building), or at the ticket booth located at location 2D on the lower level roadway.

Shuttle Service to and from Dulles International Airport.

If you take a shuttle to the Metro, check the Metro map.

Baltimore-Washington (BWI)

Closer to Baltimore.
Commuter train to Union Station.
Often the cheapest.

Ways to get from the Airport to your destination:

Metro Bus to Greenbelt Metro Station - $2!
Super Shuttle
MARC Trains
Airport Shuttle
Car Rentals

Train

Amtrak service to and from NYC is speedy but pricey. Other train journeys are longer and pricier. You'll probably want to come into Union Station, which is very nice and centrally located. Check the tables on Amtrak's site, and transit from Union Station to other DC locations on the Metro map.

Bus

The bus is cheaper than the train, and travel times are comparable. However, the bus station here in DC is slightly seedy...you might not want to arrive alone, especially at night.

A good alternative is the Chinatown buses. They are incredibly inexpensive and have good pick up and drop off locations. This Chinatown Bus Search Engine will help you schedule. When taking the Chinatown buses, it is important to be flexible. They may not depart or arrive as advertised and may change the schedule on the fly. Talk to others who have taken a Chinatown bus for the skinny on the more reputable ones.