Logistics & Travel

Travel Authorizations

Travel Authorizations, also called Travel Orders, come from the Permanent Change of Station division in the Bureau of Administration (A/GO/PST/PCS). (The office was formerly GTM/EX/IDSD).

Once your appointment travel orders are authorized, your assigned PCS Analyst will contact you directly.

Travel Authorizations will usually not be prepared more than 30 days in advance of the scheduled arrival time in Washington, D.C. When interacting with your PCS Analyst, and others in the Department, remember to be kind and have patience. The PCS Analysts are dealing with hundreds of clients at a time.

Navigate here to hear a recorded presentation from the relevant office. We also discuss travel orders and best practices for getting to Washington during our pre-orientation webinars.

Travel Arrangements

You and your authorized family members (as documented on your Travel Authorization) will be permitted to travel to Washington, D.C. using airline tickets based on special “city-pair” (contract) fares available only to U.S. government employees who are traveling on official orders. Once you have your Travel Authorization from your PCS Analyst, contact CWTSato at 866-654-5593 to make your reservations. If you prefer to drive a personal vehicle (POV) to Washington, D.C., talk with your PCS Analyst to obtain a Travel Authorization that enables you to claim per diem (based on driving 360 miles a day) and the General Services Administration (GSA) set rate for mileage. You can be reimbursed for driving up to the cost of your authorized airfare. In all but a few cases, you will be allowed to ship a POV to your post of assignment. Shipment of a POV can be authorized from either your point of hire or from Washington, D.C.

Reading Your Appointment Travel Message

The Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Analysts in PERT/IDSD (International Domestic Support Division) have put together a recorded presentation to explain your Appointment Travel Authorization.

Please download the New Hire Seminar slideshow here and turn on your audio to hear the voiceover recorded in the file.

In the presentation they cover helpful topics such as:

Who is IDSD and What Do They Do?
- - Talent Acquisition (PERT/TAC), formerly known as HR/REE vs. IDSD
Travel Guidelines
Your Appointment Orders
Adding Training to Your Orders after Orientation
Travel and Personal Effects
Cost - Construct: What is it and What does it mean?
Helpful Contacts

Moves & Packouts

Your primary source for information relative to moves and pack-out is the Office of Transportation Management. To arrange your pack-out, please contact the Transportation Operations team at:

Telephone: 202-472-8480/8481, or toll free at 800-424-2947

Email: TransportationQuery@state.gov

Special Information for Diplomatic Security (DS) Agents

During Orientation, DS agents are under Bureau of Personnel and Training (PERT) orders and therefore PERT allowances. As soon as Orientation ends, agents switch to DS domestic orders. During this time on DS orders, agents’ family members do not get allowances/lodging/per diem. DS recommends family members stay in the agent’s hiring location, then move to the assigned Field Office location with the agent. Family members should not expect to accompany their spouses to training locations, and any interim travel/moves will be at personal expense. Read more about the training timeline for DS agents and planning ahead here.

**The information on this site is provided to assist new hires only and it does not constitute official policies nor procedures. Refer to the offices mentioned above for official statements regarding travel or logistical arrangements.**

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