Travel & Accommodation

CUWiP Travel Support

We aim to make CUWiP accessible to everyone. All meals and accommodation during the conference are organized and the costs are met by CUWiP. You do not need to book or arrange accommodation on Friday or Saturday night. Travel to the conference is usually paid for by your home department. In cases where your own department, or other sources, can not cover the cost, there are funds available to provide support travel to CUWiP so no one has to miss out on CUWiP for financial reasons. In order to access those funds, please email cuwip2024upenn@gmail.com to request travel support before [enter cut-off date here].

Travel costs will typically be reimbursed after the conference. Before you book a plane ticket, or any other travel ticket costing more than $100, you must first email the cost and itinerary to cuwip2024upenn@gmail.com to receive advance permission prior to incurring the cost. Significant costs which are not pre-approved may not be reimbursed.

Location

University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The conference will be held in David Rittenhouse Laboratory (DRL), located at 209 S 33rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

The location of DRL can be found on the interactive map here, or on the map at the bottom of the page circled in red.

Directions by Car

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.

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.

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. Fares are $2.50 cash, and $2.00 with a registered Septa card. Weekly and monthly SEPTA passes are also available. Septa cards can be purchased on campus at the Penn Book Store. Other card kiosk locations can be found on this website, and cards can be registered online for easier card reloading and slightly cheaper fares here.

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 line, which leaves every half-hour. The fare is $6.75 (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, $5 cab ride, or $2 trolley ride to campus.
A metered cab ride from the airport to campus generally costs approximately $30, including the tip, and takes approximately 20 minutes.

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.

Intercity bus service is provided by Greyhound and Trailway bus lines from the terminal at 1001 Filbert Street, behind The Gallery shopping center. The Penn campus can be reached from the bus station on SEPTA’s Trolley Line (to either 36th and Sansom Streets or 37th and Spruce Streets) or Market-Frankford Line (to 34th and Market Streets).

Accommodation

Participants will be staying at the Warwick Hotel in Rittenhouse Square (220 S 17th St), a 25 minute walk from David Rittenhouse Laboratory, or a $2, 12 minute bus ride using Septa bus 21 or 42 (with cash or Septa card). Directions from the hotel to DRL are here. Students will be assigned two to a room. Participants can choose their roommate, and are assigned a roommate otherwise. If you need to make alternative hotel arrangements, please email us at cuwip2024upenn@gmail.com.

Meals are provided by the conference. We will request dietary restriction information on the registration form. If you believe your dietary needs are unusual, please contact us at cuwip2024upenn@gmail.com and we will work to accommodate you.