Travel and Accommodation
Travel Funds
Please note that there is a one time registration fee of $45 if accepted. This fee is to offset the some of the cost of the conference including lodging and meals. In cases of need, a fee waiver is available. Please contact us at cuwipnyc@gmail.com for more information. Accommodation and food are provided by the host sites. We expect students to receive funding for transport from their respective departments. If you are unsure who to ask in your department, then be sure to reach out to an academic advisor, faculty member you know, or other contacts for guidance on the process. Limited travel funds are available for students who are unable to receive travel funds from their department.
Transportation
Transportation between conference site, hotels, and activity locations will be taken care of by the Local Organizing Committee. Most sites are walkable and if not are accessible via public transportation. There will be volunteer walking groups going from the hotels to/from the sites in the mornings and evenings at specific times (as well as directions below). We will also be providing metrocards for public transportation. There is an interactive map provided that has all the locations mentioned in the details and also individual maps of each campus indicating the building locations for the events.
As in any city please use caution. Parks are closed between dusk and dawn so don’t go in the parks when it is dark. Stay in groups (organized walking groups provided) on the subway, buses, or walking, especially at night.
On Friday all of the conference events will be on Columbia’s campus. We encourage students to go to their hotels first if at all possible to check-in and drop off luggage. The hotels should be able to give you directions to Columbia or there are directions on this website. If you have to come to Columbia directly with your bag please let one of the organizers know. We will walk as a group to the dinner location (Harlem Tavern). After dinner there will be walking/subway groups back to both hotels or a walking group back to Columbia for evening activities. After the evening activities walking/subway groups will return to the hotels for the evening.
On Saturday morning there will be walking groups from both hotels to Barnard. The conference activities are at Barnard on Saturday morning which is right across the street from Columbia. After lunch we will move to CCNY. Transportation between Columbia/Barnard and CCNY on Saturday will be provided with rented buses. After dinner there will be walking/subway groups back to both hotels or groups going to the various activities. After the activities there will be groups going back to both hotels as well.
On Sunday morning there will be walking groups from both hotels to Columbia. Please plan accordingly about your luggage. All conference activities will be at Columbia on Sunday.
Directions for Around the Conference
Maps
Pdf Maps are here
To/from Columbia/Barnard and Hotel Newton (1.3 miles)
- WALK (~25 min): Turn right out of the hotel and walk up Broadway until you reach 116th street then take a right into Columbia campus or a left into Barnard campus.
- SUBWAY (~15 min): Take the 1 train at $2.75/person. Columbia/Barnard stop is at 116th and Broadway and Hotel Newton is 3 stops away at 96th and Broadway.
To/from Columbia/Barnard and Aloft (0.8 miles)
- WALK (~19 min): Exit Aloft and take a left on Frederick Douglass Boulevard. Then take a right on W 123rd St. Then take a left on Amsterdam Ave. Then take a right on W 120th St. Finally take a left on Broadway. Main entrance to Columbia is on the left and Barnard is on the right at 116th St.
- BUS (~13 min): Take the M60 SBS at $2.75/person. The tickets must be bought ahead at the kiosk at the stop using your metrocard. The Columbia/Barnard stop is at 116th and Broadway and the Aloft stop is at W 125th St and St Nicholas Ave going towards Aloft and W 125th St and Frederick Douglass Boulevard going towards Columbia.
From CCNY to Hotel Newton (2.2 miles)
- SUBWAY (~15 min): Take the 1 train at $2.75/person. The CCNY stop is 137th St - City College and is at Broadway and 137th St. Hotel Newton is 5 stops away at 96th and Broadway.
From CCNY to Aloft (0.9 miles)
- WALK (~18 min): Head south on Amsterdam Ave. Then turn left on W 125th St. Then take a slight right onto Hancock and continue on W 124th St. Then turn right on Frederick Douglass Boulevard and Aloft is on the left.
- BUS (~14 min): Take the M101 bus at $2.75/person. The CCNY stop is Amsterdam Ave and W 138th St. The Aloft stop is W 125th St and Frederick Douglass Boulevard.
From Harlem Tavern to Hotel Newton (1.5 miles)
- SUBWAY (~15 min): Take the 2 train at $2,75/person. The Harlem Tavern stop is at 110th St and Malcolm X Boulevard. Hotel Newton is 2 stops away at 96th and Broadway.
From Harlem Tavern to Aloft (0.4 miles)
- WALK (~7 min): Walk up Frederick Douglass Boulevard and Aloft will be on the right.
In general there are a lot of cabs, UBERs, Lyfts, etc. in NYC so that is always an option if needed. If you are taking a cab from the airport only use yellow cabs or apps like uber or lyft. Do not get into random cars or cabs.
Getting to the hotels from airports and trains:
All of the airports, train stations and bus stations are accessible with public transportation. Instructions will be given below. There are many ways to get from each airport to the hotels but the cheapest and easiest ways are described.
To/from JFK airport and Aloft:
- SUBWAY (~1.5 hours): Take the Airtrain JFK Green line (Howard Beach Train) from your terminal and get off at Howard Beach Station. You will need to purchase a metrocard with Airtrain access ($7.50). Then get on the A train towards Inwood. Get off at 125th St.
- Reverse: Take the A train from the 125th Street Station towards Far Rockaway. Get off at Howard Beach - JFK Airport. Get on the Airtrain JFK Green line (Howard Beach Train) and get off at your terminal.
To/from JFK airport and Hotel Newton:
- SUBWAY (~1.5 hours): Take the Airtrain JFK Red line (Jamaica Station Train) from your terminal and get off at Jamaica Station. You will need to purchase a metrocard with Airtrain access ($7.50). Then get on the E train towards World Trade Center. Get off at Time Square 42nd St and transfer to the uptown 1, 2, or 3 train. Get off at 96th Street.
- Reverse: Take the downtown 1, 2, or 3 train from the 96th Street Station. Get off at Time Square 42nd St and transfer to the E train towards Jamaica Center and get off at Jamaica Station. Get on the Airtrain JFK Red line (Jamaica Station Train) and get off at your terminal.
If you need to go straight to Columbia, follow the directions to get to Hotel Newton but make sure you are in the 1 train from 42nd Street (or transfer to the 1 train from the 2 or 3 train at 96th St) and then get off at 116th St - Columbia University. To go straight from Columbia to JFK get on the downtown 1 train and follow the reverse directions above.
To/from Laguardia airport and Aloft:
- BUS (~45 min): Take the M60 SBS bus from your terminal. You need to buy a metrocard inside and then use your metrocard to get a ticket for the M60 at the kiosk at the bus stop outside the terminal at ground transportation. Get off at 125th St and Frederick Douglass Boulevard.
- Reverse: Take the M60 SBS bus from the 125th St and St. Nicholas Ave station. Get off at your terminal at Laguardia.
To/from Laguardia airport and Hotel Newton:
- BUS (~1 hour): Take the M60 SBS bus from your terminal. You need to buy a metrocard inside and then use your metrocard to get a ticket for the M60 at the kiosk at the bus stop outside the terminal at ground transportation. Get off at 125th St and Malcolm X Boulevard. Take the downtown 2 or 3 subway train from 125th Street Station. Get off at 96th Street Station.
- Reverse: Take the uptown 2 or 3 subway train from 96th Street Station to 125th Street Station. Take the M60 SBS bus from 125th St and Malcolm X Boulevard. Get off at your terminal.
If you need to go straight to Columbia, take the M60 SBS to the 116th and Broadway stop. If you need to go straight to Laguardia from Columbia get on the M60 SBS at 116th and Broadway.
To/from Newark airport to Aloft:
- BUS/SUBWAY (~1 hr 15 min): Take the [Newark Airport Express] (https://www.newarkairportexpress.com/) bus from your terminal. You can buy a ticket on the bus ($16). Get off at Port Authority Bus Terminal (1st stop). You will be at 41st and 8th Avenue so walk to the A train at 42nd St and 8th Avenue. Take the A train toward Inwood and get off at 125th St.
- Reverse: Take the A train at 125th St towards Far Rockaway. Get off at 42 St Time Square and walk to the Newark Airport Express bus at Port Authority bus terminal on 41st and 8th Avenue. You can buy a ticket on the bus ($16). Get off at your terminal.
To/from Newark airport to Hotel Newton:
- BUS/SUBWAY (~1 hr 15 min): Take the Newark Airport Express bus from your terminal. You can buy a ticket on the bus ($16). Get off at Port Authority Bus Terminal (1st stop). You will be at 41st and 8th Avenue so walk to the uptown 1, 2, or 3 train at 42nd St and 8th Avenue. Get off at 96th St.
- Reverse: Take the downtown 1, 2, or 3 train at 96th St. Get off at 42 St Time Square and walk to the Newark Airport Express bus at Port Authority bus terminal on 41st and 8th Avenue. You can buy a ticket on the bus ($16). Get off at your terminal.
If you are going straight to Columbia, take the uptown 1 train after the Newark Airport Express bus and get off at 116th St. If you are going from Columbia to Newark take the downtown 1 train and get off at 42nd St Time Square and walk to the Newark Airport Express bus stop.
To/from Penn Station to Aloft:
- SUBWAY (~20 min): Follow the signs in Penn Station to get to the A subway station. Take the A train towards Inwood and get off at 125th Street.
- Reverse: Take the A train at 125th Street Station towards Far Rockaway. Get off at 34th Street Penn Station and follow the signs for Penn Station.
To/from Penn Station to Hotel Newton:
- SUBWAY (~15 min): Follow the signs in Penn Station to get to the 1, 2, or 3 subway station. Take the uptown 1, 2, or 3 subway and get off at 96th Street.
- Reverse: Take the downtown 1, 2, or 3 subway from 96th and Broadway and get off at 34th Street Penn Station. Follow the signs for Penn Station.
If you need to go straight to/from Penn Station to Columbia use the 116th and Broadway 1 subway station and the 34th Street Penn Station stop.
To/from Grand Central and Aloft:
- SUBWAY (~25 min): Take the 7 train from Grand Central to Time Square 42nd St. Get on the A train going to Inwood and get off at 125th Street Station.
- Reverse: Take the A train from 125th Street Station towards Far Rockaway. Get off at Time Square 42nd Street and transfer to the 7 train. Get off at Grand Central.
To/from Grand Central and Hotel Newton:
- SUBWAY (~20 min): Take the 7 train from Grand Central to Time Square 42nd St. Get on the uptown 1, 2, or 3 train. Get off at 96th St.
- Reverse: Take the downtown 1, 2, or 3 train from 96th St to Time Square 42nd St. Transfer to the 7 train towards Flushing and get off at Grand Central.
If you need to go straight to Columbia, follow the directions to get to Hotel Newton but make sure you are in the 1 train from 42nd Street (or transfer to the 1 train from the 2 or 3 train at 96th St) and then get off at 116th St - Columbia University. To go straight from Columbia to Grand Central get on the downtown 1 train and follow the reverse directions above.
Bus Stations
Most of the bus stops are located in Midtown West which are near many subway stations (see subway map). If going to Hotel Newton look for the uptown 1, 2, or 3 subway station and get off at 96 St. If going to Aloft look for the uptown A, C, or D subway station and get off at 125th St. If going to Columbia look for the uptown 1 subway station and get off at 116th St Columbia University.
Accommodation
You will stay at either the Hotel Newton or Aloft Harlem.
Getting here
Getting to New York City is rather straightforward. It is a major transportation hub. Travel by rail is probably the easiest for most attendees. Everything is connected via the subway, and you won’t have to worry about parking, which can be completely awful in January if there is some snow piled up.
The conference will take place in Upper Manhattan on each campus, all of which are on the 1 line. Detailed maps will come soon.
By Train
New York City has two main rail stations in Midtown: Grand Central Terminal (on the east side) and Penn Station (on the west side). Each is also served by numerous bus and subway lines. Grand Central is served by Metro-North Railroad, which goes to NYC suburbs in New York and Connecticut. Penn Station is served by the following: Long Island Rail Road, a commuter railroad serving Long Island; Amtrak, the US national passenger railroad, serving many points throughout the country; and NJ Transit, a commuter line serving points in New Jersey. You’ll arrive in NY at either Grand Central, or Penn Station:
Grand Central Terminal
Park Avenue and East 42nd Street (between Lexington and Vanderbilt Avenues)
Grand Central is the main terminal for Metro-North Railroad services. Subway lines here include the 4, 5, 6, 7 and S (shuttle between Grand Central and Times Square). For MTA bus details, visit tripplanner.mta.info.
Penn Station
Seventh to Eighth Avenues, between West 31st and West 33rd Streets Penn Station is the main terminal for Long Island Rail Road, and a terminal for Amtrak and NJ Transit. Subway lines here include the 1, 2, 3, A, C and E. For MTA bus details, visit tripplanner.mta.info.
Rail Services
Amtrak
Amtrak is the national passenger railroad of the United States. New York City’s Penn Station is their busiest station in the nation, serving hundreds of thousands of passengers each year. The company offers numerous packages and deals, including special passes allowing international visitors to make multiple stops throughout the country.
800-872-7245, 212-630-6400
Long Island Rail Road (LIRR)
The LIRR commuter railroad operates out of Penn Station and serves 124 stations in Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan, transporting some 81 million customers each year. Destinations include the Belmont Park racetrack, Citi Field, Jones Beach, the Hamptons and Montauk.
718-217-5477
Metro-North Railroad
The second-largest commuter train line in the United States, Metro-North operates out of Grand Central Terminal. The historic roots of the operation go back to 1832, when the enterprise was known as the New York & Harlem Railroad, a horsecar line in Lower Manhattan. Today, with 775 miles of track, Metro-North goes to 121 stations (in seven New York State counties—Dutchess, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Bronx and New York (Manhattan)—and Connecticut’s New Haven and Fairfield counties).
212-532-4900, 877-690-5114
NJ Transit
NJ transit features 12 lines in three divisions (Hoboken, Newark and the Atlantic City Rail Line) with frequent service throughout New Jersey (Atlantic City and the Jersey Shore are popular stops) and New York (Rockland and Orange counties)—and, of course, into and out of New York City via Penn Station. For schedules and fares, visit the NJ Transit website.
973-275-5555, TTY 800-772-2287
PATH (Port Authority Trans Hudson)
The PATH provides rapid transit between several stops in New York City, along with locations in Newark, Harrison, Jersey City and Hoboken in New Jersey. Air travelers can connect to the PATH from Newark Liberty International Airport. The service operates from the Penn Station in Newark (not the same as Manhattan’s Penn Station) to Lower and Midtown Manhattan. The PATH’s 33rd Street station (on Sixth Avenue, in Herald Square) in Manhattan is one avenue from Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road and NJ Transit trains at Penn Station.
800-234-PATH
By Bus
There are a number of affordable, convenient bus lines that travel to New York City from around the United States. These include BoltBus, Megabus and Greyhound.
By Car
Use Google Maps for driving directions to New York City. Also, make sure you know where to park: you may want to use an app like SpotHero to find and compare parking spots and locations.
By Air
We expect that most attendees will travel by train, bus or car. If you are traveling by air and your travel cost is not covered by your department, your airfare must be approved by the conference organizers before you book your travel.