Airports:

• Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI): BWI airport is the closest airport to the Convention Center.
• Reagan National (DCA) and Dulles Airport (IAD): To get to Baltimore from either DCA or IAD you first need to get to Washington's Union Station. From Dulles, take the Washington Flyer Coach to the West Falls Church Metro (subway) station, then take the Metro to Union Station. From DCA, take the Metro (subway) from DCA to Union Station. From Union Station take the MARC train (weekdays) or Amtrak train (weekends) to Baltimore.

Ground Transportation:

• Taxi service to and from BWI. From BWI, taxis cost approximately $35 one way and up to four people may share a taxi. Taxis take about 20 to 30 minutes each way. If two or more people are traveling together, taxi service cost is generally cheaper than the airport shuttle.
• Shuttle van service from BWI is available from Super Shuttle and The Airport Shuttle.
• Light Rail service from BWI wins the IMS2011 Chairman's recommendation for being both economically and ecologically "low impact". The cost is $1.60 each way. Exit the terminal at the baggage claim level and turn right and walk to the end of the terminal to the light rail stop. Exit the light rail at the Convention Center stop. Hours are 6:00 - 23:00 Monday - Friday, 7:00 - 23:00 Saturday, and 11:00 - 19:00 Sunday. For a map and schedule please access the PDF.
• You can find other ground transportation options through the BWI website.

Automobiles: All the major rental car companies have franchises at BWI. The BWI website ground transportation resource has details. Since everything is so close to the Convention Center, we do not recommend getting a rental car unless you have plans for other activities.

Local Transportation: Well over 90% of IMS2011 attendees will find a short walk the best way to get to anything of interest during their visit to Baltimore. For other rare occassions we suggests taxis, the Light Rail system, the Baltimore Metro (subway), and bus routes. Baltimore transit system maps are available at the Maryland Transit Administration website. You may also want to check out the Getting Around section of the Visit Baltimore website to learn about the Water Taxis that serve Baltimore's Inner Harbor as well as other ways of getting around.

Visas: If you are not a US citizen, you may need a visa for entry into the US. See the Visa Information page for details.

Baltimore Visitor Information: Valuable information for Baltimore visitors wishing to enjoy more than just IMS2011 can be found at these Baltimore Visitor Resources:

• The Baltimore Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau website.
• The City of Baltimore's Visitor Portal website.
• The Baltimore County Conference and Visitor's Bureau website.
• Fodor's Travel Guide to Baltimore website.
• Baltimore Inner Harbor Travel Guide website.
• Baltimore Magazine's "Where to Eat" Guide.
• The Baltimore Sun's Restaurant and Dining Guide.

Emergency Information: In the unlikely chance that you should need emergency assistance, the following information and contact points should be helpful:

• Emergency Procedures (PDF)
  
  
• Baltimore Convention center contact: Kristin Piasecki
  Account Executive
  410-649-7055
  443-220-5940
  
  If not available contact:
  Public Safety Officer
  Public Safety
  410-649-7055
  
  
• Onsite [doctor/nurse/EMT]
  See above information about Public Safety officers.
  
  
• Defibrillator locations:
  AED Machines - We have installed two cabinets containing AED's in the facility. One on the 300 level between room 310 and the 311 corridor and the other location is the 400 level Ballroom Foyer between Ballrooms 1 & 3.
  
  
• Nearest area hospital:
  Mercy Hospital
  301 Saint Paul St
  Baltimore, MD 21202-2147
  (410) 332-1376
  0.6 Miles
  4 minutes
  
  
• Nearest police station:
  601 E Fayette St
  Baltimore, MD 21202-4014
  (410) 396-2525
  local emergencies number:
  911
  local non-emergencies number:
  311 or 443-236-2220
  Option #2 if outside the city
  0.7 Miles
  4 minutes
  


• Nearest fire station:
  401 E Fayette St
  Baltimore, MD 21202
  (410) 396-5684
  local emergencies number:
  911
  local non-emergencies number:
  311 or 443-236-2220
  Option #2 if outside the city
  0.6 Miles
  4 minute
  
  
• Closest area walk-in clinic:
  Eutaw Medical Walk-in Clinic
  2425 Eutaw Pl
  Baltimore, MD 21217-4098
  (410) 728-6900
  
  
• Closest 24-hour pharmacy:
  Rite-Aid Pharmacy
  250 W Chase St
  Baltimore, MD 21201
  (410) 752-4473‎