Congress

Travel

Kalamazoo sign at the train station

Air Travel

Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport is served by Northwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Airlines. Detroit and Minneapolis (Northwest), Chicago (United and American), and Cincinnati and Atlanta (Delta) are the major hubs offering air connections.

Some Congress attendees find it convenient to fly to Grand Rapids, South Bend, Detroit, or Chicago and rent a car. Driving time from Gerald R. Ford International Airport (Grand Rapids) and from South Bend Regional Airport is less than two hours. Driving time from Detroit Metro Airport is about two-and-a-half hours, from O’Hare (Chicago) at least three hours. Kalamazoo (Eastern Time) is always one hour ahead of Chicago (Central Time). DTW Transportation Services (1-866-389-8294) offers taxis from Detroit Metro Airport to Kalamazoo (advance reservation required).

Ground Transportation from the Airport

Image of Congress attendees preparing to board a Medieval Institute shuttle busMedieval Institute chartered buses meet all incoming flights at Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport on Wednesday–Friday of each Congress and transport passengers to registration. More limited shuttle service is offered to and from the airport on Saturday. On Sunday, bus transportation is provided from Congress registration to the Kalamazoo airport.

The Radisson Plaza Hotel, Holiday Inn–West and Hawthorn Suites provide shuttle service to and from the airport, which will be the most convenient option for Congress attendees staying at those hotels.

Taxi service is also available at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport.

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Train Travel

Image of an Amtrak locomotiveAmtrak trains (Chicago-Detroit-Pontiac and Chicago-East Lansing-Port Huron routes) serve Kalamazoo daily.

Taxi service is available at the Kalamazoo train station, and the Kalamazoo Metro Transit bus #16 stops near Congress registration (fare: $1.35).

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Driving to WMU

Kalamazoo is located at the crossroads of Interstate-94 and US Route 131 in Southwest Michigan, a two-and-a-half hour drive from Chicago or Detroit.

Online and Printable Maps

Click here for online and printable maps of the WMU campus and the surrounding area.

Map of the Kalamazoo area

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Parking

Parking is available in Goldsworth Valley I, II, III parking lots and at selected other parking lots on campus. Parking permits are available at registration. Permits cost $10.00 in 2008. Do not park in prohibited areas. Individuals parking in these areas will have their cars towed at their expense.

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Photographs:

  • The Kalamazoo sign at the train station
  • Congress attendees preparing to board a Medieval Institute shuttle bus
  • An Amtrak locomotive
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The Medieval Institute
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5432 USA
(269) 387-8745 | (269) 387-8750 Fax
medieval-institute@wmich.edu