Congress
- The Congress is sponsored by the WMU Medieval Institute
Travel
- Air Travel
- Train Travel
- Driving to WMU
- Parking
- Online and Printable Maps of WMU
- Discover Kalamazoo's Guide to Transportation
Air Travel
Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO) is served by Delta/Northwest Airlines, American Airlines, and Direct Air. Detroit and Minneapolis (Delta/Northwest) and Chicago (American) 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
Medieval Institute buses meet all incoming flights at Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and transport passengers to Congress registration (Eldridge-Fox lobby, Valley III). More limited shuttle service is offered to and from the airport on Saturday. On Sunday, bus transportation to the airport is provided from 4:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., departing from Valley III. On Monday, there are four bus trips to the airport (at 4:30, 5:45, 7:00, and 8:15 a.m.). Those who would like to take advantage of Monday shuttle bus service to the airport must sign up in advance at the Medieval Institute table in the Eldridge-Fox lobby.
The Radisson Plaza Hotel and Holiday Inn–West 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.
Train Travel
Amtrak 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 (no Sunday service). On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and on Sunday until midday, Medieval Institute shuttle buses travel between Congress locations and the Radisson Plaza Hotel, a three-block walk on Rose Street from the train station.
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.
Parking
Parking for Congress attendees 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 2009. Please do not park in prohibited areas.
Photographs:
- Congress attendees preparing to board a Medieval Institute shuttle bus
- An Amtrak locomotive