Check-in

8:45-9:15 in the lobby (1st floor) of the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World, 15 E 84th St, New York, NY 10028.

The conference will be held in the Lecture Hall on the 2nd floor.

Traveling to the USA – ESTA

Before travelling to the US, it is necessary for most nationalities to apply to ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). ESTA is a system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the US without a visa. Approved ESTA applications are valid for two years (or until the passport expires) and allows the traveler multiple entries into the US without having to re-apply. It is recommended that you manage your ESTA application as soon as you know you will be travelling to the US (or at the very latest 72 hours prior to your flight). It is important to print a copy of your approved ESTA application as some airlines require a printout upon check-in.

To apply (or to check an existing application) go to:

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/application.html?execution=e1s1&language=en

Please note that you might have to apply for a visa if you have travelled to Iran, Irak, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia, or Yemen after March 1st, 2011. If your ESTA application is approved despite such travels it is highly recommended to bring documentation as to the purpose(s) of your travels to any of these countries, as this may be necessary to explain upon landing in the US.

NYC Public Transportation

Visit the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) website for detailed information on the NYC Subway, buses, and railroads.

There are no transit zones with escalating fares in NYC. Single ride tickets can be purchased for $3.00 at any MTA vending machine (or paid in exact change on a bus). They are valid on any subway line, bus, or the Staten Island Railway. Alternatively, you can purchase a MetroCard at any MTA vending machine for $1.00 and load it with stored value (min. $5.50), reducing the fare to $2.75. Seven day passes are also available.

AirTrains, which connect JFK and Newark Airports to the regular subway system, cost extra ($5.00) and do not accept funds stored on a regular MetroCard.

The Long Island Rail Road, which runs several trains to the JFK AirTrain, requires separate tickets, ranging from $10.25 (pre-sale) to $16.00 (on-board purchase) during peak hours. (See below for Subway options to JFK).

Transportation from Newark Liberty International Airport

  • Take the AirTrain Newark from any terminal to the station, Newark Liberty International Airport.
  • From there you can catch either the Northeast Corridor train or the North Jersey Coast Line train, both traveling to New York Penn Station (3 stops, 29mins).
  • From Penn Station you can connect to a train to take you to your hotel. For those of you staying at Hotel Newton, you can catch the 2 or 3 trains uptown to the 96th St. Station (3 stops, 9 mins), which will drop you off just across the street from the hotel.
Transit: Newark Airport to Hotel Newton

Transportation from John F. Kennedy International Airport

  • From any terminal, take the AirTrain JFK, red line, to Jamaica Station. From here you have two options:

Subway (less expensive)

  • From Jamaica station, walk about 2 mins to Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Station, and take the E train to 42 St – Port Authority Bus Terminal (11 stops, 35 mins).
  • From there you will have to walk 2 blocks (about 5 mins) to the Times Sq-42 St Subway Station.
  • Many connections are available from here. For those of you staying at Hotel Newton, you can take the 2 or 3 uptown to 96th St. Station, which is directly across from your hotel.
Transit: JFK Airport to Newton Hotel

Long Island Rail Road (more expensive)

  • From Jamaica Station, multiple trains will take you into the city. Trains to Penn Station include the Ronkonkoma train, the Babylon train, the Long Beach train, the City Zone train, and the Port Jefferson train. These trains are not any faster than the E train but tend to be less busy.
  • From Penn Station, you should be able to connect to a train to take you to your hotel. For those staying at Hotel Newton, you can take the 2 or 3 train uptown to 96th St. Station, which is directly across from your hotel.

Getting from Hotel Newton to ISAW

Hotel Newton is located on the West Side of Central Park at Broadway and 95th. If the weather is nice, you may like to enjoy a nice walk across Central Park.

Walking directions: Hotel Newton to ISAW

Alternatively, you can walk south to the corner of 86th and Broadway (or take the 1 train downtown one stop to 86th St. Station) and catch the M86-SBS bus across the park. This bus will drop you almost at ISAW’s front door.

*Note that you cannot take the 2 or 3 trains as they do not stop at 86th St. Station!

Transit directions: Hotel Newton to ISAW

Accommodation

Hotels in New York are generally rather expensive. We recommend the following accommodations:

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