Eastern Mennonite University

Travel Information for SPI Participants

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The Summer Peacebuilding Institute takes place on the campus of Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA. Access driving directions and a campus map for Eastern Mennonite University. Transportation information is provided below for those of you travelling to SPI by methods other than by private car.

Air Travel

For international participants, we suggest flying into Dulles (not Dallas) International Airport (three letter code: IAD), located near Washington, DC, or into one of our regional airports: the Shenandoah Valley Regional airport (SHD) or the Charlottesville Albemarle airport (CHO). For domestic participants, we recommend flying into one of our regional airports (SHD) or (CHO) if possible. SPI can arrange for shuttle service from these three arrival locations (see fees below). While flying into a local airport may mean an additional change of planes and/or a slightly higher airfare, when you add in round-trip transportation from your arrival airport to EMU, it might be the most cost-effective option. Note that there are now many direct or almost direct domestic flights into Charlottesville that should not add much cost or time to your trip.

Alternatively, you might check the cost of flying into Reagan National airport (DCA), Baltimore Washington International airport (BWI) on smaller, less expensive carriers, but be aware that SPI currently offers only very limited transportation from BWI and DCA, at a much higher cost than a pick-up at IAD. If you choose one of these options, you may also want to look into renting a car as the car rental cost for your entire time at SPI may be cheaper than the cost of SPI round-trip transportation services.

Train Travel

AMTRAK provides service to Washington DC, Charlottesville, VA and Staunton, VA. Although the Staunton station is the closest one to EMU/SPI, trains do not arrive in Staunton daily. Please check the AMTRAK website for information about schedules: www.amtrak.com. SPI can arrange transportation for you from the Washington, DC or Charlottesville, VA stations. You can also take a taxi from the Staunton, VA station (see fees below).

Unfortunately, since Harrisonburg is not directly served by any airports, train stations or bus terminals, travelers without their own vehicles, or rental vehicles, are dependent on SPI to provide shuttle service.

SPI Shuttle Service

If you prefer not to wait for the SPI shuttle or if your flight does not arrive at a time that allows you to take a shuttle, you can request a “special” pick-up and be charged the actual cost of a pick-up and not the cheaper shuttle cost. Please note that if your fees are being paid for by an organization, the organization must pre-approve the higher cost of the individual pick-up or you will be personally responsible for the difference in cost.

SPI Individual Pick-up

You must request this discount at registration. Any discount will be applied towards other charges on your overall SPI bill. If you are due a refund, it will be given to you at the end of your stay. Please note that if your organization is paying your travel fees, the refund will be credited to the organization unless they notify SPI in writing (e-mail is fine) that the refund can be given to you personally.

SPI Transportation Cost

We are aware that our transportation costs appear high and we understand the hardship this represents for some of you. If several people are arriving from one organization, we will work with the organization to provide a reasonable price for the entire group. Due to continually rising costs, we have had to restructure the way that we do transport in order to keep rates as low as possible. The new structure and prices for airport and train station pick-ups are listed below, along with other information about each arrival location. To request SPI transportation, please indicate clearly what your needs are on the RESERVATION FORM by April 1, 2010. SPI cannot guarantee transportation for requests made after the April 1 deadline.

Preferred Air Arrival Locations and SPI shuttle fees

Dulles International Airport (travel code IAD)

Dulles International Airport, about 120 miles (2 hours) from the EMU campus, is the largest international airport in the area. The airport is located on the outskirts of the Washington DC metropolitan area so traffic is usually not problematic. From this airport, you can arrange for SPI pick-up or rent a car to use during your stay at SPI. Most major airlines fly into Dulles. See airport website: www.metwashairports.com/Dulles.

Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (travel code SHD)

The Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport is about 18 miles (30 minutes) from the EMU campus. United Airlines flies into this airport, but ONLY from Dulles International Airport (IAD). There are usually two flights per day. See airport website: www.flyshd.com.

Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (travel code CHO)

The Charlottesville Albemarle Airport is about 60 miles (1 hour) from the EMU campus. Airlines serving Charlottesville include Delta, Northwest, United Express and US Airways. There are nonstop flights between CHO and Atlanta, Detroit, Washington Dulles, Philadelphia, Charlotte, and New York’s LaGuardia as well as a few other locations. From this airport, you can arrange for SPI pick-up or rent a car to use during your stay at EMU.

Additional Air Arrival Locations and Fees

SPI will not operate regular shuttles to these locations. SPI transportation from these airports will cost the individual pick-up fee. Discounts for picking up multiple persons at one time apply.

Reagan National Airport, Washington DC (travel code DCA)

About 160 miles (3 hours) from the EMU campus, this airport is less desirable as an entry point because Washington DC traffic conditions mean that significant time may be added to the trip. Please note: the Washington Metro (“subway” or “tube” or “light train”) connects DCA with the Vienna metro station. SPI can offer a cheaper rate if participant is picked up at the Vienna metro station. Information about the Metro can be found at their website: www.wmata.com

Baltimore Washington International Airport, Baltimore, MD (travel code BWI)

Located approximately 180 (3 hours) miles from the EMU campus.

Roanoke Regional Airport, Roanoke, VA (ROA)

Approximately the same distance from EMU as Washington Dulles Airport (IAD).

Richmond International Airport, Richmond, VA (RIC)

Approximately the same distance from EMU as Washington Dulles Airport (IAD).

Train Arrival Locations and fees

Staunton, VA, is the closest train station to EMU, approximately 30 miles (40 minutes) away. Please note that trains do not come to Staunton every day.

Charlottesville, VA, approximately 60 miles (1 hour) from EMU, also has a train station. Two trains per day usually come from Washington, DC to Charlottesville.

Washington, DC, Union Station. Many trains arrive daily at Union Station.

Summary of SPI Transportation fees

One-way rates to or from EMU per person are as follows:

Airports

Train stations