Transportation

So you're coming to DC for Power Shift 2011, but now you have to get here! Because of the diversity of Power Shift attendees, there are many factors that will play a part in your transportation decisions. In order to minimize the cost and maximize the efficiency of your trip, consider a few things:

• Size of your group
  • Depending on how large your group is, you may be able to rent a bus or a van for the same price as driving individually.
• Transportation once in town
  • Once you arrive in DC it is likely you will not need or want a car. Public transportation to and from the convention center is excellent, but make sure your hotel is near a metro or bus stop. If it is not, plan accordingly.

Resources:

• Getting to Washington, DC
• Ground Transportation
• Groups

Getting to Washington, DC

Local Airports: When booking a flight, Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI), Dulles (IAD), and Reagan National Airport (DCA) are all viable options. BWI is the furthest away, while Dulles is a little closer, and Reagan is the closest. Kayak.com, CheapOtickets.com, and Southwest are all good ways to find inexpensive flights to the area.

Trains: Union Station is just a short metro ride from the site of the conference, and many Amtrak routes run along the East Coast.

Buses: There are many great (and cheap) bus services that can help you get down to Power Shift. If you are coming alone or in a small group, check out Greyhound, MegaBus, and Chinatown Bus for more information.

If your group is large enough it may make sense to charter a bus for the trip. We have contracted a company to help you get the best deals on your trip. Email event.buses4you@yahoo.com with your name, the number of people you are transporting, and your location (or locations). Their job is to make sure you get the best deal, and that you get set up with a reliable and safe bus. Charter buses generally have a 40-60 person capacity, so if your group is large, and you were all going to drive separately, a bus may be the best option. If your group is close to that size but not quite, try to post on the ride board and see if any nearby schools want to join your group. Charter buses are not only efficient, but can also be the most fun way of getting to the conference!

Ride Share: We've set up a ride share board to help fill up cars heading to the conference. If you have a space in your car and want to save some money on gas, post! If you are looking for one or two spaces in a car, check the board.

Ground Transportation

From Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI):
- Take the BWI Express/B30 bus from the ground transportation area, this is direct service to the Greenbelt Metro station. Buses depart every 40 minutes.
- From the Greenbelt Metro take any train and get off at the Mount Vernon Sq/7th St.-Convention Center stop and follow signs toward the Convention Center.

From Dulles International Airport (IAD):
- Purchase a ticket (one-way or round-trip) to West Falls Church Metro station at the Washington Flyer Coach ticket counter located at Arrivals Door #4 in the Main Terminal. Travelers will also board the Coach from this location. The buses depart approximately every 30 minutes but please listen for announcements for exact bus departure times.
- From West Falls Church Metro, get on a train travelling in the direction of New Carrolton, get off at the L’Enfant Plaza station.
- From L’Enfant Plaza, take a Yellow/Green line train heading in the direction of Fort Totten/Greenbelt (both run on the same track). Get off at the Mount Vernon Sq/7th St.-Convention Center stop and follow signs toward the Convention Center.

From Reagan National Airport (DCA):
- From Terminal B and C: Use either of two enclosed pedestrian bridges on the concourse level which connect directly to the Metro station.
- From Terminal A: Exit the terminal to the streetside curb, and board any “Airport Shuttle” bus. At the stops for Parking Garages B and C (bus shelter #3 and bus shelter #5) you may access an enclosed bridge which connects to the Metro station. The signs for the Metro will be clear.
- From the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Metro station, take a train heading in the direction of Fort Totten. Get off at the Mount Vernon Sq/7th St.-Convention Center stop and follow signs toward the Convention Center.

From Union Station in Washington, DC (Amtrak or Bolt Bus):
- Head to the Metro station. Take a train heading in the direction of Shady Grove. Get off at the Gallery Pl./Chinatown station.
- From the Gallery Pl./Chinatown station take a train heading in the direction of Fort Totten. Get off at the Mount Vernon Sq/7th St.-Convention Center stop and follow signs toward the Convention Center.

From Washington, DC Greyhound station:
- Walk to Union Station, about 4 blocks south.
- Head to the Metro station. Take a train heading in the direction of Shady Grove. Get off at the Gallery Pl./Chinatown station.
- From the Gallery Pl./Chinatown station take a train heading in the direction of Fort Totten. Get off at the Mount Vernon Sq/7th St.-Convention Center stop and follow signs toward the Convention Center.

From the MegaBus stop, 10th & H Streets NW:
- Walk one block East on H St.
- Make a Left on 9th St - Follow 3 blocks until you reach the Convention Center
- OR Walk to the Gallery Pl./Chinatown station, about 3 blocks East on H St.
- From the Gallery Pl./Chinatown station take a train heading in the direction of Fort Totten. Get off at the Mount Vernon Sq/7th St.-Convention Center stop and follow signs toward the Convention Center.

Groups

School Vans: A great way to transport groups of people is to borrow the vans at your college. Some schools make you jump through a few hoops in order to take the vans, so act soon if you are thinking about taking advantage of this method.