Please click on “Map of ITS2010 locations” on the left panel of the ITS2010 website for an interactive map of the Carnegie Mellon University campus and surrounding area, including airport, conference hotels, and  local attractions.

Travelling from the Pittsburgh International Airport to the Conference Hotels

 

Transportion options, from costliest to cheapest (and “greenest”):

1.      Car rental.  Car rental is available at the airport, baggage claim level.  However, if you want to rent a car, it would be best to reserve one in advance.  Parking is expensive, so we do not recommend renting a car unless you plan to drive a lot.

 

2.      Taxicab.  Taxis line up outside of the airport’s lower level, where baggage claim is located.  After you claim your luggage, look for the “Taxi” signs above the exit door.  A taxi to/from the Oakland hotels costs about $55 (one way).  It takes about 35 minutes, depending on traffic.

If you need to call a taxi any time during your visit, one company is Yellow Cab:    412-321-8100, 24 hours, 7 days a week.

3.      Super Shuttle.  After you claim your luggage, proceed to the SuperShuttle customer service counter located on the baggage claim level behind the escalators by Door 4.  Super Shuttle service to/from the Oakland hotels costs about $23 (one way).  You can also reserve a shuttle in advance: 1-800-bluevan (800-258-3826), 24 hours, or book online: www.supershuttle.com.

 

4.      Bus.  The Port Authority Transit’s (PAT) 28x “Airport Flyer” is by far the most economical and greenest option, but it is also the least convenient if you have heavy luggage or the weather is bad.  It costs $2.75 each way, and takes about an hour to/from Oakland, where Carnegie Mellon University is located.  It stops near, but not directly in front of all of the conference hotels.  Airport Flyer service from the airport runs from 5:20am through 11:50pm daily, about every half hour.  You can print out a schedule at:  http://www.portauthority.org/PAAC/apps/pdfs/28X.pdf. 

 

After you claim your luggage, proceed to the center exit door that is labeled “Taxis.” When you are outside, look for a signpost that marks the queue for the PAT 28x, Airport Flyer and wait there for the next one.   There is a pick-up about every half hour.

 

Note that some buses automatically call out stop names as they approach each stop.  If the one that you are on doesn’t announce stops, ask the bus driver to tell you when you are at the stop for your hotel (or for campus housing), as specified below.

 

If you are staying in campus housing, take the bus to the Forbes Ave. past Morewood Ave. bus stop.  It is the last stop (the bus will return to the airport from there).  Walk towards the closest traffic light, located at the intersection of  Morewood Ave. and Forbes Ave.  Cross Forbes Ave. and follow the signs that say “Housing Check-in Donner House.”  Register at Donner House and you will be directed to the nearby Resnick and West Wing residence halls. 

 

If you are staying at the Wyndham Garden Hotel—University Place, take the bus to the Fifth Ave. and McKee Place bus stop.  Turn right onto McKee Place and walk one block towards Forbes Ave.  Cross Forbes Ave.  The hotel is on your right: 3454 Forbes Ave. 

 

If you are staying at the Holiday Inn Pittsburgh at University Center, take the bus to the South Bellefield Ave. at Fifth Ave. bus stop.    Cross Fifth Ave.  Turn left and walk 2-3 short blocks in the direction of traffic (Fifth Ave. is a one-way street.)  Turn right onto Tennyson St. or Lytton Ave.  The Holiday Inn is in the middle of the block, between Lytton Ave. and Tennyson St. 

 

Travelling from the Conference Hotels to the Pittsburgh International Airport

 

See information about taxi and Super Shuttle service to and from the airport in the preceding section.

Returning to the airport by bus (the 28X, Airport Flyer) is similar to taking the bus to Oakland, but the stops are different unless you are staying at campus housing.  The fare is the same ($2.75).  You can print out a schedule at: http://www.portauthority.org/PAAC/apps/pdfs/28X.pdf or ask for a copy at the information desk located on the first floor of the University Center.

 

If you are staying in campus housing, take the Forbes Ave. past Morewood Ave. bus stop.

 

If you are staying at the Wyndham Garden Hotel—University Place, take the bus at the Fifth Ave. opposite Atwood St. bus stop. 

 

If you are staying at the Holiday Inn Pittsburgh at University Center, take the bus at the Fifth Ave. at Tennyson Ave. stop, located less than a block from the hotel.

 

Getting from the Conference Hotels to University Center—where most conference events will take place

Bus schedules for the Oakland routes referenced below can be found at: http://www.portauthority.org/PAAC/Schedules/tabid/166/Default.aspx.  Click on the Oakland Service link and print out the schedules for the 61A, 61B, and 61C buses.  There is also a kiosk containing PAT bus schedules on the first floor of University Center, towards the Forbes Ave. end of the building.

 

If you are staying at campus housing, you’re practically there!  Just follow the signs to University Center.

If you are staying at the Wyndham Garden Hotel—University Place, you can either walk or take a bus to campus and follow the signs to University Center.  The distance is approximately 1 mile.  To walk, simply exit the hotel and continue east on Forbes Ave  until you reach the intersection of Forbes Ave. and Morewood Ave.   Or you can take any 61A, 61B, or 61C bus at the McKee Place bus stop, located at the intersection of McKee Pl. and Forbes Ave. Get off at the Morewood Ave. stop.  At this intersection is a set of steps that goes up to the main part of campus.  Follow the signs to University Center. 

 

If you are staying at the Holiday Inn Pittsburgh at University Center, the distance to campus is approximately .7 miles.  Walking is the best way to get there, because the closest bus stop is only a short distance from campus.  Exit the hotel and walk to Fifth Ave.  Cross Fifth Ave., turn left, and walk to S. Bellefield Ave.   Turn right at the intersection of S. Bellefield Ave. and Fifth Ave.  Walk one block on S. Bellefield to the intersection of S. Bellefield Ave. and Forbes Ave.  Cross Forbes Ave., turn left and walk to the intersection of Forbes Ave. and Morewood Ave.   At this intersecton is a set of steps that goes up to the main part of campus.  Follow the signs to University Center. 

 

Getting Around By Bus

 

Visit the Port Authority of Allegheny County website for hand schedules, trip planning, fare info., etc.:  http://www.portauthority.org/paac/default.aspx

One-way fares within Oakland (e.g., from the Wyndham Gardens hotel to campus) and between Oakland and downtown Pittsburgh cost $2.00.  When you get on the bus, you can purchase a “transfer” for the return trip for $.75.  Just ask the driver for a transfer.  Transfers must be used within 3 hours.

If you want to avoid paying cash to ride the bus, you can purchase a booklet that contains 10 PAT bus tickets at the Information Desk located on the first floor of University Center.  The cost of the booklet is $20, so it doesn’t save you money; it just saves you from having to fumble with money once you are on the bus.  These passes can only be used within Zone 1, which includes Oakland and downtown Pittsburgh.  You can not use them to return to the airport.