Pre-arrival Information

[PT Home] [Physics Dept]

Finding us

The Particle Theory Group is located on the fourth floor of the Physics & Astronomy Building. The building is on the north-east corner at the intersection of 15th Ave NE and NE Pacific St, and is marked on this campus map. The elevator at the east end of the building will take you directly to the PT Group.

Airline reservations

The University of Washington has access to special contract rates with multiple air carriers covering most common routings to and from Seattle. These contract fares are occasionally preferable to published fares, especially for short weekday trips.

Lodging

Most visitors stay at the University Inn, located at 4140 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105. Their phone number is (206) 632-5055 or 1-800-733-3855. The Inn is within easy walking distance of the Physics & Astronomy building. (Complimentary breakfast included. Check in at 3pm, check out at noon.)

Transportation

It is quite easy to get around Seattle without a car. The Metro Transit operates more than 200 bus routes in Seattle. Buses on routes 74 and 355 stop right in front of the University Inn and run to/from downtown. Fares are $2 to $3 during rush hours. Some buses will also take you through the UW campus.

Sea-Tac International Airport is located 15 miles from the university; driving there normally takes less than a half-hour. A taxi ride to the University costs approximately $50. Alternatively, you can take the Metro Transit express buses 174 or 194 to downtown, and from there any bus to the University District. The fare is $2 to $2.50 during rush hours. Please note that the driver does not carry change on board, therefore, exact change is required. Ask for a free Transfer Ticket, which is good for 90 minutes, when transferring between busses. Shuttle Express provides a 24 hour door-to-door van service to and from the airport. Courtesy phones are available at the airport for Shuttle Express. For reservations call (206) 622-1424 or 1-800-487-RIDE. The cost is about $38 per person plus $8 for every additional passenger. Cash, travelers checks or major credit cards are accepted. To ensure availability back to the airport it is advised to make prior reservations. Rental cars and limousines are also available (limousines charge about as much as a taxi for the U. District). For further information on airport services and operating conditions, please call the Airport Information Line at (206) 431-4444.

Driving directions from Sea-Tac

To reach the Physics & Astronomy Building by car from Sea-Tac Airport, exit the airport and follow the signs to the I-5 freeway. Drive north on I-5 and take the 45th St NE / University of Washington exit. Turn right (eastbound) at the traffic light onto 45th St. and continue until you reach 15th Ave NE, turn right again onto 15th Ave. At the intersection with 40th St NE enter the west gate (Gate 5) on your left hand side. Daily permits for parking on campus cost $12 and will be issued at the gate. You may check Seattle area traffic conditions, which are updated every 5 minutes.

Foreign visitors

Information about US visas and various visa-related issues may be found at http://www.iss.washington.edu/travel-visas.
Last modified: 8/4/2007