Hotel & Travel

CISS '09 Hotel and Travel Information

Customs & Visas

Apply now for your Visa!
If you need a travel visa, begin the visa application process now! You need to allow a minimum of 6 weeks processing time. Advance travel planning and early visa application are important, since visa applications are subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past. See links below for more information about Visa and passport requirements for travel to the United States.

U.S. to Add New Visa Requirements; Europe to Follow
Beginning 12 January 2009, visitors to the U.S. from visa-waiver countries, most of which are in Europe, will be required to register online and to be screened and authorized for entry. The European Commission is considering a similar system later for visitors from the U.S. and other countries. The new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) was ordered by the Department of Homeland Security to identify visitors who might be a threat. Authorization is good for two years or until one's current passport expires. The initial registration can take place any time before the first trip to the U.S. after the system goes into effect.

Register Online for entry to the United States

US Department of State Visa information home page: http://travel.state.gov/visa

A Visas Mantis may be required: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2005/42212.htm

Estimated wait times for interview appointment and visa processing: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php

Do you need a Visa? See information for temporary visitors to the United States to find out: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/temp_1305.html

The National Academies Visa information pages: http://national-academies.org/visas

CISS ‘09 Hotel

A block of rooms have been reserved for CISS until February 25, 2009 at the Doubletree Inn at the Colonnade, which is located on the northern border of the Johns Hopkins campus and is within walking distance of the CISS site. Make your reservations directly with them, and mention CISS in order to obtain the special rates. Please make your reservations as early as possible. The rates quoted do not include 13.5% tax.

Make a Reservation

Doubletree Inn at the Colonnade (www.doubletree.com)
4 West University Parkway, Baltimore, MD 21218
Phone: 1-800-222-TREE (1-800-222-8733) or 1-410-235-5400
Fax: 1-410-235-5572
Single rooms are available at $149 plus 13.5% tax until February 25, 2009.
(Mention CISS/JHU to get the quoted rates.) Parking in an underground garage is available.

Other Hotels
For other accommodations near the Homewood Campus (or in other locales if you prefer), please visit the University's referral page, Hotels near JHU.  Most hotels listed have no formal association with CISS but offer Johns Hopkins or Corporate rates. However, 800-operators sometimes are unaware of local special rates, so toll calls may be useful. Additional possibilities of interest are available from the Baltimore site. Please make your reservation directly with the hotel.

CISS ‘09 Site
CISS ‘09 will take place in Hodson Hall, located at the south-west end of the Johns Hopkins campus. The site is walking distance from Doubletree Inn at the Colonnade, which is located near the campus North Gate. Consult the Johns Hopkins University Campus Map for directions. Hodson Hall is Building #17 on that map.

Directions from Baltimore Washington International Airport

Taxi: Fare from BWI Airport is approximately $30.00

Driving:  Leaving BWI on I-195, take Exit 2A, MD Route 295 N (Baltimore-Washington Parkway).  Continue for 6.4 miles, where 295 becomes Russell Street. Drive on Russell Street for 0.9 miles.  Russell Street becomes S. Paca Street.  Drive for 0.8 miles and continue straight on S. Paca Street for a short distance.  Turn left onto McCulloh Street.  Drive for 0.1 miles.  Turn right onto N. Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard.  Drive for 0.2 miles.

Then...

To the Johns Hopkins University campus:
Turn left at Howard Street and proceed about 2 miles. One block past 29th Street, turn left at the traffic island (just before the Baltimore Museum of Art) onto Wyman Park Drive. Pass the Mason Hall brick circle and make the next right into the South garage (#2 on the campus map).  

To conference hotel:

When N. Howard becomes Wyman Park drive, continue for a short distance.  Bear right onto Art Museum Drive.  Continue for 0.2 miles and merge left onto N. Charles Street.  Drive for 0.4 miles and turn Left onto W. University Parkway.  Drive for 0.1 miles to the (Doubletree) Inn at the Colonnade. 

Driving Directions

From I-95 (southbound) or from I-695 (the Baltimore Beltway): Take the beltway toward Towson to exit 25. Take Charles Street south for about 7 miles (when Charles Street splits a block after Loyola College and Cold Spring Lane, take the right fork). After you cross University Parkway, the Homewood campus will be on your right. Continue southbound. Take a right at the second light, which is Art Museum Drive. Just after the Baltimore Museum of Art, bear right at the traffic island onto Wyman Park Drive. Pass the Mason Hall brick circle and make the next right into the South garage (#2 on the campus map).

From I-95 (northbound): Take exit 53 onto I-395 north toward downtown Baltimore, then take the exit to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and follow the directions from Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard below.

From Maryland 295 (the Baltimore-Washington Parkway: Entering Baltimore, the parkway becomes Russell Street. Stay on Russell Street until (with the new M&T Bank Stadium to your right and Oriole Park at Camden Yards looming before you) you reach the right-hand exit marked Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (look carefully for this; the signs are small). This exit will put you very briefly on a service road parallel to Russell Street. Stay to the left and take the ramp marked Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Follow the directions (below) from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

From Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard: Take King Boulevard north until it ends at Howard Street (remain in one of the middle lanes of King Boulevard to avoid a premature forced right or left turn). Turn left at Howard Street and proceed about 2 miles. One block past 29th Street, turn left at the traffic island (just before the Baltimore Museum of Art) onto Wyman Park Drive. Pass the Mason Hall brick circle and make the next right into the South garage (#2 on the campus map).

From the Jones Falls Expressway (I-83) southbound: Take the 28th Street exit and go left on 28th Street. Turn left on North Howard Street. One block past 29th Street, turn left at the traffic island (just before the Baltimore Museum of Art) onto Wyman Park Drive. Pass the Mason Hall brick circle and make the next right into the South garage (#2 on the campus map).

From Baltimore's Penn Station: If you opt to take a taxi from Penn Station to the Homewood campus, the fee should be quite modest. The university is very close to the train station.

Parking:  Attendees whose lodging is in the neighborhood should refrain from bringing cars on campus if possible. Those arriving by air or train should consider using taxis. Those driving from out of town should park in the South Garage (#2 on the campus map) and be sure to obtain an exit voucher each day prior to leaving.  Please note:  Exit vouchers are good for only one free exit per day.