GETTING TO DOWNTOWN PROVIDENCE
From TF Green Airport and Logan International Airport
TF Green Airport (PVD): PVD is only a 15-minute drive to downtown Providence and taxis are easy to obtain at the airport (~$40). Alternatively, travelers can take an MBTA train from the airport into downtown Providence’s train station (~$3) or RIPTA (Rhode Island Public Transit Authority) #1, #14, or #20 into downtown Providence’s Kennedy Plaza ($2 cash, exact change).
Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS): BOS is 50 miles to Providence. Taxi service is ~ $165. More economical options are the Peter Pan Bus Line (~$15) with 10 daily departures leaving directly from BOS to Providence. The bus has two stops in Providence and passengers should get off at the second of the two stops, Kennedy Plaza (downtown), not Providence Terminal.
Buses
Greyhound, MegaBus and Peter Pan Bus Line all offer bus service to downtown Providence from various points in the Northeast (prices vary).
Rail
Amtrak offers Acela Express and Northeast Regional service to Providence, RI from a variety of cities, including Boston, New Haven, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, DC.
Please note: it is standard to add a 15-20% tip when paying for taxi rides and most local taxis only accept cash.
GETTING TO AND FROM CAMPUS FROM DOWNTOWN PROVIDENCE
The conference will be held on the main campus in Alumnae Hall, 194 Meeting Street, Providence, RI 02912. Getting to and from campus from downtown Providence is easy! You have four choices:
Walking Directions
Walk the beautiful 20 minutes between downtown and campus (but please note this walk contains a large uphill when walking from downtown to campus).
Taxi Service
Taxi fare is ~$8 from downtown Providence to the main campus.
Checker Cab (401) 273-2222
Corporate Transportation (401) 231-2228
Dominican Cab & Central Cab (401) 421-3787
Ocean State Taxi (401) 521-4201
Royal Taxi LLC (401) 441-9390
Sugar Daddy Taxi (401) 400-7261
USA Taxi (401) 516-3177
*Uber is also available in Providence and provides an excellent alternative to taxis.
Bus Service
RIPTA (Rhode Island Public Transit Authority): RIPTA has numerous buses running every 5-10 minutes between Kennedy Plaza (the downtown bus terminal close to all the conference hotels) and the Tunnel & Thayer stop (which drops you off in the heart of campus). It’s only a 5-minute ride! The bus fare is $2 and exact change is required in order to pay onboard. Kennedy Plaza has a ticket window in their Passenger Terminal as well as Ticket Vending Machines should you need to purchase tickets with a credit card prior to boarding. You can also purchase 1-day passes ($6) and 7-day passes ($23) at the Passenger Terminal. Seniors may receive a discount with valid ID and children under 5 ride free.
The following buses go between Kennedy Plaza and Tunnel & Thayer:
#1*, #35, #40, #49, #78, #92
*Note: bus #1 also provides direct transportation between Tunnel & Thayer and TF Green Airport and may be useful on the last day of the conference if you plan to bring your luggage to campus. Additionally, buses #1, #14 and #20 provide service from Kennedy Plaza to TF Green Airport.
As bus schedules may change, we recommend checking the RIPTA (Rhode Island Public Transit Authority) schedule for the most updated information upon your arrival. Google Maps is a great way to plan your RIPTA travel as well.
Driving Directions
Drive the 7 minutes to campus in your car. Brown has a visitor lot (Lot 68 Upper, Power Street Parking Garage) at 111 Power Street (entrance at corner of Power/Thayer Streets) that charges $3 dollars per hour or $15 dollars for the whole day. The lot is serviced by two Pay and Display parking pay stations that accept credit cards and US bills (but do not give change). On street parking is available via 2 hour metered parking. If you choose to use street parking without meters, please pay attention to posted signage. Street parking can be difficult to find at times.