Visiting the University of Maryland
Air Travel
The University is served by three major airports. All have transportation to the College Park area.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) provides regular shuttle service to the College Park area or a convenient drive by car.
Reagan National Airport is not only an easy car ride from College Park, it is also located right on the green Metrorail line. Passengers can take public transportation directly to College Park.
Dulles International Airport is 26 miles from downtown Washington in Chantilly, Virginia. It has numerous ground transportation options allowing travelers to get to the University of Maryland.
Parking in the Visitor Lot:
Parking is available at $3 per hour. The lot is automated and does not make change. Credit cards are accepted.
Pay stations accept $1, $5 and $10 bills only -- nothing higher.
Visitors paying by credit card can add time (if needed) via telephone. (Anyone paying by cash must go back out to the pay station to add time.)
Choose "5+ hours" if you anticipate being here longer than half a day. There is a maximum daily rate of $15 dollars, but ONLY if the visitors select "5+ hours at the pay station when they arrive. If the visitor selects, say, "2 hours", and then goes back to add time, he/she will be charged the $3 per hour rate x however many hours he/she stays (e.g. if he/she is at UMD 7 hours x $3 = $21 for parking).
Accommodations
There are numerous hotels around the campus offering a variety of options. College Park does not have a large supply of premium hotels. We are providing several local options but this does not imply our endorsement of either the chain or the specific local facility.
The Inn and Conference Center is located on campus and managed by Marriott. Reservations are recommended.
Courtyard by Marriott in Greenbelt, Maryland
Driving Directions
From Baltimore:
Take I-95 South to the Capital Beltway (I-495) and follow signs to College Park, US Route 1 South. Proceed approximately two miles south on US Route 1 to the University's Campus Drive entrance. Turn right onto Campus Drive and immediately make another right turn onto Paint Branch Drive. Go straight, and at the second stop sign make a left and then an immediate right into the visitor parking area. After exiting your vehicle, enter the Kim Engineering Building (immediately before the visitor parking lot on Paint Branch Drive). Events are typically held in this building or the AV Williams Building, directly across Paint Branch Drive.
