Travel

Passport & Visa

When registering for the conference, simply check the box asking if you need a visa letter. Upon receiving your registration and payments, the meeting organizers will send you a visa letter that is a required document for your visa application. The U.S. State Department Web site includes visa information concerning temporary visitors to the U.S. that may be helpful to you.

Flights

The Pittsburgh International Airport is approximately 20 miles from the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh. The cheapest and most efficient airport transportation is the Port Authority's 28X Airport Flyer. The bus departs every 20 minutes from the airport and reaches Oakland in about 50 minutes. The following companies also offer airport shuttle/limo services:
  • Harper's Transportation - 412.861.3150
  • Amore Limousines - 412.678.3524
  • Super Shuttle

    Additionally, there are always taxis available at the airport.

    Climate and Clothing

    Spring in Pittsburgh can be unpredictable, with high temperatures of up to 70F and lows as low as 35F. Bring lightweight clothing such as long-sleeved shirts or T-shirts, plus one or two jackets and sweaters. April can be very rainy, and there is often a sharp difference in temperature between the day and the night.

    Liability

    The conference organizers cannot accept liability for personal accidents, loss of or damage to private property of participants, students and accompanying persons, either during, or directly arising from RECOMB2014. Participants should make their own arrangements with respect to health and travel insurance.

    Driving Directions

    Google directions to Alumni Hall
    Directions to the Pittsburgh Campus:
    By car from the East - Cars traveling from the east via the PA Turnpike (I-76) should take Exit 57 to I-376 West. From I-376 West take Exit 73B, Oakland, onto Bates Street. Remain in the right lane on Bates Street and proceed across the Boulevard of the Allies. Follow Bates Street until it ends at Bouquet Street and turn left onto Bouquet. Follow Bouquet until the traffic light at Forbes Avenue. At the stop light, turn right onto Forbes Avenue.

    From the West - Cars traveling from the west via the PA Turnpike (I-76) should take Exit 28 and follow I-79 South to I-279 South. (You exit to the left off I-79.) Follow I-279 South to the I-579/Veteran's Bridge exit. Take I-579 to the Oakland/Monroeville exit onto the Boulevard of the Allies. Follow Boulevard of the Allies to Forbes Avenue exit on your right. Merge onto Forbes Avenue which leads right into the Pitt campus.

    From the North - Take I-79 South to I-279 South. (You exit to the left off I-79.) Follow I-279 South to the I-579/Veteran's Bridge exit. Take I-579 to the Oakland/Monroeville exit onto the Boulevard of the Allies. Follow Boulevard of the Allies to Forbes Avenue exit on your right. Merge onto Forbes Avenue which leads right into the Pitt campus.

    From the South - Follow I-79 North to the I-279 North Downtown Pittsburgh exit. Follow I-279 North into the city through the Fort Pitt Tunnels. Stay in the right lane before entering the tunnels. Take the I-376 East Monroeville exit. Follow I-376 East to the Forbes Aveue/Oakland exit. Merge onto Forbes Avenue which leads right into the Pitt campus.

    By bus - Greyhound-Trailways -www.greyhound.com- bus station in Pittsburgh is located at 55 11th Street, downtown within about three miles of Pitt's campus. The campus can be reached by taxi service or by Port Authority Bus lines on Fifth Avenue, several blocks from the station.

    Port Authority Transit Sytem (PAT bus) -www.portauthority.org- is a publicly owned mass transit system operated by Port Authority of Allegheny County. Fares vary within a five-zone system extending in all directions from downtown to the outer suburbs. Base fare is $2.25 and exact change is required. Transfers can be purchased for $1.00, and can be used for one connection in any direction within three hours of the time of purchase. Local buses numbered 71 (A, B, C, or D) or 61 (A, B, C, or D) come into Oakland and may be boarded along Fifth Avenue, downtown. For bus routes and times call 412-442-2000.

    Yellow Cab (412-321-8100) and People's Cab (412-466-8300) provide service to the Oakland area. Fares from downtown are approximately $11-$14.

    By plane - Pittsburgh International Airport is about 20 miles west of Pitt.

    For $3.25 one way, the 28X Airport Flyer runs about every 20 minutes from the airport to Oakland and the University of Pittsburgh. To learn more about this and other forms of ground transportation click here.

    From the airport - Depart the airport and take PA state route 60 toward Pittsburgh. Merge onto US route 22-30 east which will turn into I-279. After going through the Ft. Pitt tunnel, merge right onto I-376 toward Monroeville via exit 6A. After approximately three miles, take the Forbes Ave exit 2A toward Oakland. Forbes Ave will take you into the heart of Oakland and the University of Pittsburgh. Approximate distance and time from the airport: 20 miles/30-40 minutes.

    By train - Amtrak -www.amtrak.com- (1-800-872-7245 in Western PA) has two east-bound trains and two west-bound trains each day. Connections can be made in Chicago and New York. The terminal is located at Liberty and Grant Streets downtown. Transportation to Pitt from downtown can be made by bus or cab.

    Directions to Pittsburgh Airport:

    The Pittsburgh International Airport and Points West-
    Take Fifth Avenue toward downtown Pittsburgh, staying in the second lane from the bus lane. Cross Craft Avenue and exit left following signs for 376 West. Merge onto the Boulevard of the Allies. Continue on the Boulevard of the Allies in the right-hand lane. Follow the signs for I-376 West/Fort Pitt Bridge/Downtown. This lane will bring you to a merge point with I-376 West. Once on I-376 West, get into the second lane from the left. This will be the lane for I-376 West/Airport. Follow the signs for I-376 West onto the Fort Pitt Bridge and through the Fort Pitt Tunnel. Follow I-376 West for several miles. The exit for I-79 North or South will be on your right. To get to the airport, proceed on I-376 South. I-376 will turn into Route 60 North. Continue to follow Route 60 North and the signs to the Airport. You will come to a fork where Route 60 North will lead you directly to the Pittsburgh International Airport exit. Approximate distance and time to airport: 20 miles/30-40 minutes.

    Directions to Pennsylvania Turnpike:

    The Pennsylvania Turnpike and Points East
    Take Fifth Avenue toward Pittsburgh, staying in the left lane (closest to the bus lane). Turn left onto Craft Avenue and get into the left lane. Go straight through the first traffic light, crossing over Forbes Avenue. At the next traffic light, turn left onto the Boulevard of the Allies and stay to the right. Turn right at the second traffic light onto Bates Street and follow the signs for I-376 East/Monroeville. Exit onto I-376 East and follow the signs for the PA Turnpike. Approximate distance and time to PA Turnpike: 8 miles/20 minutes.