14–16 May 2014
University of Pennsylvania
US/Eastern timezone

Practical Information

Getting to Philadelphia

 

Philadelphia is easy to reach by plane to the Philadelphia airport (PHL) which has many international connections with an easy connection to the city (see below).

A second option is the Newark airport (EWR) which has addtional connections including a direct flight from Geneva. There is a one hour train operated by Amtrak ($40-$60) from from EWR to Philadelphia's 30th street station. 

 
Meeting Location

The workshop will be held in the David Rittenhouse Laboratories building of the University of Pennsylvania. The building is located  209 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia PA 19104 (which at the corner of 33rd Street and Walnut Street).
 

Hotels

We have reserved blocks of rooms at two center city hotels, Club Quarters and The Windsor Suites, for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, May 13, 14 and 15. We have reserved a block of ten rooms for Friday, May 16.
 
For both hotels, the cut-off date is April 13.  Since the workshop is being held in the days just prior to Penn’s Commencement and Alumni Weekend, we strongly urge you to make your reservation before that date. That week is an extremely busy time for all Philadelphia hotels.
 

Club Quarters
1628 Chestnut St.
Club Room: $126 plus 15.5% tax per night
Standard Room: $142 plus 15.5% tax per night
There is a $15 dollar per night charge for a second person in a room.

 
Club Quarters Member Services can be reached via phone (+1 203 905 2100) from 7am-11pm Monday to Friday as well as 9am-5pm on Saturday and 10am-6pm on Sunday (Eastern time) or via email at memberservices@clubquarters.com. Please be sure to identify yourself as with the University of Pennsylvania and use the Group Code: UP0513.

 The Windsor Suites
1700 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Studio Suites: $149 plus 15.5% tax per night

 
You may make a reservation by calling +1 215 981 5678 or toll free +1 877 784 8379 and refer to WIT2014.

 

Getting to The University Of Pennsylvania

From the Airport

The Philadelphia International Airport is located in the Southwest section of the city, approximately twenty minutes from the University of Pennsylvania campus. 
Visitors driving from the airport should take I-95 North to the I-676/Center City Philadelphia exit, which is approximately seven miles North of the airport. Follow I-676 West (the Vine Street Expressway) until I-76 East (the Schuylkill Expressway). Follow I-76 East until Exit 346-A (old exit number 40) -- South Street (a left-lane exit). Turn right onto South Street to enter campus.

Convenient train service from the airport to 30th Street Station is available through SEPTA's Airport Express Train (R1) which leaves every half-hour. The fare is $8.00 (subject to change), and the trip takes approximately twenty-five minutes. To get from the train station to our Physics Department, located in the David Rittenhouse Lab at 209 S. 33rd Street (the SE corner of 33rd and Walnut Streets), climb the stairs at the North end of the platform (i.e., near the front of the train). Walk one block to the West and make a right on 33rd Street.

The 30th Street Station is about a fifteen-minute walk or about a $6 cab ride to campus. 
A metered cab ride from the airport to campus generally costs approximately $30, including the tip, and takes approximately 20 minutes.

 

From 30th Street Station

The campus can be reached from 30th Street Station by cab, on SEPTA's Green Line (to either 36th and Sansom Streets or 37th and Spruce Streets) or the Market-Frankford Line (to 34th and Market Streets), or by foot; 30th Street Station is a fifteen-minute walk from the heart of campus.

Driving Directions

From the Northeast via the New Jersey Turnpike South

Use Exit 4. Bear right out of the toll following signs to Philadelphia and Ben Franklin Bridge. After crossing the bridge take I-676 West, to I-76 East, the Schuylkill Expressway. Follow I-76 East to Exit 346-A (old exit number 40) -- South Street (a left-lane exit). Turn right onto South Street to enter campus.


From the West via the Pennsylvania Turnpike

On the PA turnpike, use Exit 326, the Valley Forge Interchange. Take I-76 East for approximately 17 miles until Exit 346A, a left lane exit marked South Street. Turn right onto South Street to enter campus. To find parking, turn right at the 2nd light onto 33rd Street. Take the first left onto Walnut Street, and there will be a lot on the right at 38th and Walnut..

From the North via I-95 South

Use the I-676/Center City Philadelphia Exit. Follow signs to I-676 West, the Vine Street Expressway. Take I-676 West until I-76 East, the Schuylkill Expressway. Follow I-76 East until Exit 346-A (old exit number 40) -- South Street (a left-lane exit). Turn right onto South Street to enter campus.

From the South via I-95 North

Use the I-676/Center City Philadelphia Exit which is approximately 7 miles north of the airport. Follow I-676 West, the Vine Street Expressway, until I-76 East, the Schuylkill Expressway. Follow I-76 East until Exit 346-A (old exit number 40) -- South Street (a left-lane exit). Turn right onto South Street to enter campus.

From the South via I-95 North

Use the I-676/Center City Philadelphia Exit which is approximately 7 miles north of the airport. Follow I-676 West, the Vine Street Expressway, until I-76 East, the Schuylkill Expressway. Follow I-76 East until Exit 346-A (old exit number 40) -- South Street (a left-lane exit). Turn right onto South Street to enter campus.



Philadelphia Public Transportation

Philadelphia's mass transit system is SEPTA, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. SEPTA operates a coordinated system of bus, subway, elevated train, and trolley lines that covers all of Philadelphia and parts of the surrounding counties. Exact change ($2.25) or a token is required. Weekly and monthly SEPTA TransPasses are also available. Tokens are available at all subway stations, and both TransPasses and tokens can be purchased on campus at the Penn Book Store. Fares are subject to change.

Train and Bus Service

Intercity rail service to Philadelphia's 30th Street Station is provided by Amtrak. Frequent service is offered to Northeastern cities including Boston, New York, Baltimore, and Washington.

Parking

There are several parking facilities located on or near campus, as well as metered street parking. Recommended garages and lots: 38th and Walnut Street (please use 38th Street entrance); 34th and Chestnut Street; Penn Tower Hotel (34th and Civic Center Boulevard); Sheraton Hotel (36th and Chestnut Streets); South Street and Convention Avenue; 32nd and Walnut Street; 40th and Walnut Street.

* We've attempted to make this section as accurate as possible, but information may have changed since the page was created. For more information on getting to Penn, visit the University's Facilties page.

Useful maps