All ROADS Lead to OTAKON

Transportation within Baltimore FAQ (v8.0 release 2 Mar 2008)

Before you go too far with your planning, let us run some basic ideas and updates past you for your consideration:

• Construction on Russell Street/the north end of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway has been completed; it's now a viable option for those traveling north into Baltimore.
• MARC has just instituted a new late-night pair of trips on the Penn Line between Baltimore and DC, making the possibility of riding in on Thursday or Friday a bit more viable.
• Check the "Ride Central” forum of the Otakon Bulletin Board to look for ride-sharing, bus charter plans, or other possible ways to combine efforts.
• Have a large group, or think you can get one together? Try chartering a bus or van from a far-off town to Baltimore.
• Don’t want to be gouged for parking a car downtown? See here for suggestions on how to park a car and shuttle in on Light Rail, Metro subway, or bus.
• Be aware that a great many interstate highway rest areas in popular/populous areas, particularly those with tourist information offices open during daytime hours, now feature 24-hour wi-fi access. If you have a wi-fi enabled laptop, time permits, and you need to check e-mail or directions en route, schedule a stop! See websites such as http://hotspots.wirelesstrips.com/ for more information.

Note that the public transportation does NOT all run late at night, so those staying at hotels not within walking distance of the BCC may have to use alternate methods of getting back to their rooms at night! (Specifically, the Light Rail last leaves Camden Yards at about a half hour after midnight, about 8:00 pm on Sunday, and the last regular Super Shuttle is done before midnight!)

1. INTRODUCTION and QUICK NOTES:

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"Where the Heck am I NOW?"
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Another One Rides the (Neko?)Bus

2. ARRIVING via GREYHOUND or PETER PAN BUS:

Baltimore has a supposedly “temporary” Greyhound/Peter Pan terminal at the corner of HAINES (going northwest/southeast) and WARNER (going northeast). Unfortunately, it is nowhere near anything else to which any sane person would want to go—it’s actually located next to the city’s garbage incinerator! This stop is NOT to be confused with the “Baltimore Travel Plaza” (a glorified truck stop) on the east side of town

The front doors/gates of the bus terminal face north. The easiest and biggest landmark to see will be the huge Ravens football stadium looming to the north. If you need your bearings, the Baltimore Convention Center is well beyond and to the right (east) of that stadium.

From this bus terminal, there are three options: city transit (MTA) bus, taxi, or walking. (We will disregard roller skates, bicycles, etc.) Actually, make that two—see below.

The MTA operates the Route 27 bus line to directly serve the Greyhound/Peter Pan terminal. You can ride from the bus terminal to the BCC for only $1.60 one-way. The bus stop is outside the bus terminal, marked by a small blue-and-white sign saying “BUS STOP” on the back (you passed it riding the bus into the terminal). Get on a MTA bus (white with either blue or yellow/black trim) with a destination sign “27 Reisterstown Road Plaza”, NOT “Port Covington” (which is to the south; you want to go north). If the bus destination sign should somehow say anything else, ask the driver before boarding if the bus is going north past the Convention Center.

If you are short on time or running late, there is also a taxi stand outside the Greyhound bus station. When you get there and claim your luggage, walk outside. You will see a line of taxis (mostly yellow). Walk up to the one at the front, tell them where you want to go (Convention Center, your specific hotel, your friend's address, whatever) and ask an approximate fare before you get in so you know how deep you're getting into from the start. (Most drivers will err on the side of caution when estimating. A trip during rush hour might cost somewhat more, because the driver may spend a lot of time sitting in traffic.) Then get in and let him do his job.

The average taxi fare from the bus station to the BCC is around $8, according to local taxi drivers. The distance from the Greyhound parking lot to the Pratt Street Lobby doors is 1.3 miles. (This writer drove it in five minutes with many red lights; with all green lights, one might do it in three.) Nearby hotels (Wyndham, Marriott, Hyatt, etc.) will cost you a dollar or three more, depending on distance.

And please be nice and add an extra dollar or two for the driver's tip--maybe two if you have him loading and unloading a lot of luggage. It sounds expensive, but tips are where they really make their living, just like waitresses and pizza delivery guys.

It is strongly suggested that you do NOT attempt to walk from the bus terminal to the Convention Center, and walking to the Light Rail is totally counterproductive. As such, no directions are provided here. Suck it down and take a taxi. Do not think that you can walk that distance. It's certainly possible to walk it, but it involves a long overpass with no walkway. There is a pedestrian route that takes you up and down stairs to a walkway attached to a railroad overpass. It's a couple blocks through a not-very-nice part of town and around/through the Ravens Stadium complex. You WILL get lost. Even Baltimore residents would not walk this route voluntarily, IF they even know of it. DO NOT DO IT unless you're a martial arts god/goddess with a great map. (As it turns out, this writer is in that area frequently for business reasons—and he often has a police radio if he's there for a long time.) And if Baltimore weather is typical for July (hot and muggy), that $1.60 or $6 will be the best you spent.

As suggested at the top of this document, look for fellow otaku with which to share rides.

A last quick tip: if for ANY reason someone either needs to catch a bus from the Baltimore Travel Plaza or accidentally gets off the bus there instead of Haines Street, the MTA #20 bus connects downtown and the Travel Plaza. See the MTA bus section.

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"Where the Heck am I NOW?"
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Otakon Express 999

3. ARRIVING via TRAIN:

All Amtrak and MARC (State of Md. Baltimore/Washington DC commuter trains) Penn Line trains in Baltimore arrive at a place called PENN STATION. From there, you can either take the MTA Light Rail (see below), a bus, or--if you're feeling your oats--you can walk the 1.5 miles due SOUTH. Or you can take a cab from the cabstand at the train station. This will take you directly where you want to go. It will cost about $5-6 to get to the Holiday Inn/Days Inn/Wyndham or the BCC, and that included a tip. (For more on taxis, see the Greyhound/Peter Pan section.)

There is also a separate MARC line (the Camden Line) that goes from DC and other points south directly to the Camden Yards station. This is only a block or two from the Baltimore Convention Center, more accurately just across the parking lot and street. This is NOT an Amtrak station! Camden Station serves weekday-only commuter trains of MARC between Washington Union Station and Baltimore Camden Station, with intermediate stops (Laurel, Dorsey, etc.). This line is not to be confused with the Penn Line, which operates on Amtrak trackage through Baltimore's Penn Station. It can be useful (and very convenient) for a ride to Otakon, but ONLY if you ride in on Thursday or Friday and return on Monday (meaning another night's stay at a hotel or with friends). The fares are quite reasonable, but there are relatively few trains scheduled on the Camden Line, primarily at what we consider "rush hour". Alternately, you could consider riding in to Camden Station to get TO Otakon, then catching a ride home with friends or being picked up on Sunday.

Check www.mtamaryland.com for schedules and fares on both the Camden Line and the Penn Line; go to www.amtrak.com for Amtrak information. Note that ALL Amtrak trains operating on the Northeast Corridor (Washington-Boston) require advance reservations.

As another tip, it may be possible to ride MARC from locations on the Brunswick Line (Rockville/Gaithersburg/Martinsburg/Frederick) to Washington and then ride another train north to Baltimore. This can work if, for example, you want to ride in on Thursday/Friday while parents are working, and you can be picked up Sunday evening.

NOTES TO REMEMBER ON MARC:

1. MARC trains ONLY operates during WEEKDAYS!!!
2. Costs $7.00 one-way to Penn Station (from DC).
3. Costs $7.00 one-way to Penn Station (from DC), less from intermediate stops (Odenton, Laurel, College Park, etc.).
4. MARC Penn Line trains also stop at a station called "West Baltimore"; this is NOT where you get off!!!!! Get off ONLY at Baltimore Penn Station or Camden Station unless you have specific plans such as meeting a friend!

The best option for reaching the BCC area from Penn Station is the LIGHT RAIL (a modern version of old-time streetcars or trolleys). There is a Light Rail station IN Penn Station; watch in the main concourse for the signs--it's downstairs from a side hallway of the main concourse (a rack of bus and transit timetables might actually be easier to spot than the signs themselves). The Light Rail cars departing Penn Station go only one direction--south towards the BCC and BWI Airport—so it's fairly idiot-proof as far as getting from Penn Station to the BCC. The fare is $1.60 one-way (anywhere on the Light Rail, as a matter of fact). Purchase a pass at the vending machine on the platform (exact change may be suggested) and board the Light Rail “Penn Shuttle” car. (You will not have to show that pass to board, but you possibly might be asked by roving transit inspectors to show said pass.) Your Light Rail car will then run up to the Mount Royal station and then south to the aptly convenient Baltimore Convention Center stop. (If you should happen to miss this stop, the Camden Yards Stop is a mere 100-200 yards further down the track, and you can still see the BCC from there--start walking.) The Light Rail, due to badly-timed traffic lights along its route, is not particularly fast through downtown--it's been said that a pedestrian walking a fast clip could beat a Light Rail train down Hanover Street, and this writer has personally done so at least part of the distance. In a worst-case scenario, boarding just after another train has departed and hitting all red lights, it can take over a half-hour to reach the BCC, but it will still be easier than walking, especially with a suitcase or two in steamy or stormy weather.

There are also regular city bus lines (lines 3, 11, 61, and 64) that will take you south on either Maryland Avenue or St. Paul St/Light St (which goes directly to the Inner Harbor -- right next door to the BCC), and come back up other streets. Riders on all four lines should exit at Pratt Street or the nearest convenient stop for the Convention Center (though the precise intersection depends on the line). See the MTA website for timings, fares, and more precise information, and when boarding, ask the bus driver to confirm that he is indeed going downtown. (The Penn Station main entrance faces generally south, or slightly southwest.)

DIRECTIONS for walking from Penn Station to the BCC:
This involves going up and down hills. Perceived size of hills dependent on your exercise and upbringing--not San Francisco or Grand Canyon trails, but not flat either.

1. Leave the main doors. CHARLES ST. is to your right, running somewhat perpendicular to the station.
2. Start heading SOUTH on N. CHARLES ST. (Note that Charles St. is one-way north, so you want to go AGAINST the traffic. On the sidewalk, please.)
3. As you walk SOUTH Note that Charles St. SPLITS around Mt. Vernon Square. Don't get confused and start heading east or west. Just continue in the same direction, and take a gander at the Washington Monument as you go by (erected in 1815, it predates the better-known Washington Monument in D.C.)...
4. N. CHARLES turns into S. CHARLES at Baltimore St. Keep walking (only 3 more blocks!)
5. You should reach the BCC at the southwest corner of Charles and Pratt St. Registration is at the other end (west) of the building at the Pratt St. Lobby.

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"Where the Heck am I NOW?"
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How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the MTA

4. ARRIVING via BWI AIRPORT:

Okay, yeah, officially it’s “Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.” Great guy and all that, but it’s too much of a mouthful. Henceforth, “BWI Airport.”

PLEASE NOTE: We are only advising you on how to get from BWI Airport to the BCC. If you have not flown in the past six years, we strongly advise doing research on airline travel—what to take, what NOT to take, etc. This could become a serious issue in the case of, for example, cosplay costume details or props, or items you might purchase at Otakon (swords, jewelry, etc.).

In addition, if you are staying at a hotel/motel other than downtown Baltimore, you may want to check to see if your hotel has a shuttle that runs from the airport to the hotel. Many, especially in the so-called “BWI Airport District”, do, and it’s also possible that enough of you might be arriving on Thursday to warrant a side trip outside a van’s normal route. Also, you should be able to take a shuttle to the airport, and then ride the Light Rail downtown.

Take the MTA Light Rail (see section 4.1 below) from the BWI AIRPORT station directly to the CONVENTION CENTER station. Or take the airport shuttle (see below). Or a taxi. Note that these options are progressively more expensive and convenient for a single traveler. For groups, you might have to use some of those algebra skills you said you'd never need in real life, though the Light Rail remains the cheapest in all cases.

BWI Airport is a massive, well-equipped airport, complete with lots of food and information options. Throughout the airport, there are maps; if you want a guide, look for a purple-toped brochure titled "Terminal Map and Guide". (Please note--many of the better food/drink selections are off on concourses past security checkpoints; if you like the looks of that beer or pizza or souvenir, get it then and do not assume you can come back and get it later!)

If this is your first time in Maryland, welcome—we suggest a stop at the Maryland Information Center, which is located on the ground level (arrivals level) between Baggage Claims 3-6 and 7-9. They should be able to provide you with answers to any questions you may have, and such things as state highway maps, Baltimore maps, Light Rail timetables, and tourist brochures (especially important if you have people with you with no interest in Otakon, like parents!).

For those who are fascinated with air travel and transportation, there's an Observation Gallery on the upper (departures) level between Concourses B and C. It is highly recommended if time permits.

A Meditation Lounge is available for airport patrons from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm daily on the upper level, next to an elevator between the AirTran counter and the International Terminal. This is available for your prayer, meditation, or other spiritual quiet needs.

TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS from BWI:

4.1 MTA LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM:

All aboard for a fast, easy, and cheap ride to the Convention Center! You use a standard Light Rail pass ($1.60/1-way, or pay $3.20 round trip or $3.50 for a day pass).

STATIONS PENN STATION * (Amtrak, MARC) --- Univ of Baltimore/Mt Royal Cultural Center Center Str LEXINGTON MARKET UNIV CENTER/BALTIMORE STR CONVENTION CENTER/PRATT STR (OTAKON! just W of the BCC) CAMDEN YARDS (Alternate MARC station) Westport Cherry Hill Patapsco Baltimore Highlands Nursery Road North Linthicum Linthicum --- BWI Business District BWI AIRPORT NOTE: There are TWO lines that run through these stops. One of them goes from Cromwell Station to Penn Station (the YELLOW rail). The other one goes from BWI to Hunt Valley (the BLUE rail). Make sure you have the right line! You can transfer between these two lines at any stop between the dashes in the list above. Additional notes Trains depart from BWI northbound an average of every 20 minutes on weekdays, every 30 minutes on weekends. A ride from the airport to the convention center takes about 30 minutes. So you'd want to give yourself about an hour and 5 minutes, just to be safe to get to/from BWI You can buy passes at vending machines near all the LR stops. (You should not need exact change of $1.60, but it's probably best to be prepared.) The BCC stop is directly across the street from the Convention Center (the stop is WEST of the BCC). The BWI stop is on the ground floor of the airport, near the International Arrivals wing (Pier "E") -- it's pretty much in a corner/courtyard-room by itself. If you should be at one of the BWI hotels, then you should be able to take a shuttle to the airport, then ride the Light Rail downtown.

(Click image to see full-size version)

The Light Rail ticket vending machines do give change, but only in the form of coins. If you put in over $1 extra (the machine takes up to $20 bills), you will get the Susan B Anthony and/or Sacagawea dollar coins back instead of bills. To ride Light Rail direct to Baltimore from BWI, follow the blue-and-white signs throughout the airport to "Public Transit" and the Light Rail station, located at the far end of the airport next to Concourse E, the International Terminal (sorry, Southwest passengers, for the long walk!). Proceed through the doors to the railroad platform and turn right; you will see two ticket machines. The fare one-way to Baltimore is $1.60. Insert $1.60 in one of these machines (the machines should accept bills, but in some cases the machines may be only taking change), and follow the instructions for a one-way ticket. Take the ticket and board the Light Rail vehicle. Once it departs, the trip to the Baltimore Convention Center Station should take about 35 minutes

HOURS: Weekdays: 5am-12:00pm Saturdays: 5am-12:00am Sundays/Holidays: 10am-9pm RATES: $1.60 per person, 1-way You can also buy a $3.50 "day pass" that is good for the Light Rail, busses, and subway if you want to go out on the town (or switch transportation mode). BUS RATES: $1.60 per person, 1-way $3.50 "day pass" (see above)

If you plan to ride Light Rail or buses more than once that day (say, to your hotel first, and then back to the BCC), we recommend you purchase a $3.50 Day Pass. It's good on all MTA buses, subway, and light rail all day long; it expires at the end of the night (typically either 3 a.m. the next morning or midnight).

You need not show your ticket or walk through a turnstile to board a Light Rail car/train. However, IF at any time you are approached by ANY uniformed policeman and asked to show your ticket, show them whatever you purchased at the ticket machine or on the bus. This is standard operating procedure on the Light Rail; if you do not have a ticket, you can be fined and/or arrested, and they make certain it's not a pleasant experience. This is the job of MTA Transit Police, whose uniforms will even explicitly say “Fare Inspector”; you should not be asked this by County or City Police. Yes, it is possible that you will not be asked to show that ticket during your Light Rail ride. Don't take that chance.

If you are going directly to Otakon, you want to get off at the Baltimore Convention Center station (surprise!). You should arrive here approximately 30 minutes after leaving BWI. While en route, you will pass over a very long and high bridge over a body of water, a bridge that also passes under Interstate 95. After this bridge, the train will pass through one station next to the Ravens Football Stadium without stopping (this station is only open during football games), then into a station next to the Oriole Park at Camden Yards called Camden Station; this latter station is also a railroad station serving commuter trains. At this point, the BCC will be visible ahead on the train's right; get up and prepare to detrain, taking your luggage with you. A minute later, the train will stop (having pulled forward only several hundred feet) at the Convention Center stop; get off when the doors open. The BCC is that big concrete and glass monstrosity across the street; carefully cross the street to get to it. The Pratt Street Lobby entrance is approximately 120 feet from the stop.

If you wish to go to your hotel, friend's place, or other destination first, please consult with your hotel, your host, or the MTA website at www.mtamaryland.com or calling 410-539-5000 for more information. As an example: if you are staying at the Wyndham, you would be better to get off at the University Center/Baltimore Street stop, the next stop after the BCC stop.

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"Would you like some Pocky, Mr Bickle?"

4.2 AIRPORT SHUTTLE:

There is also a "Super Shuttle" (you've probably seen them at airports before) that runs from the airport to wherever. This, however, is a bit more expensive: $11 one way ($18 round trip) (this is probably out of date). Between 9:00 AM and 2:00 AM, go to the Ground Transportation desk (BWI lower level) and ask for help; otherwise call 888-826-2700 and set up a reservation. You may need to call from your hotel in order to make sure they stop to pick you up for your return: call 888-826-2700 or, better yet, ask your hotel concierge.

The shuttle may also be reserved (at least 24 hours in advance at 1-800-258-3826), with a slightly more complex pricing scheme. This might be necessary if you want to get there outside of the MTA-LR operating hours (especially on Sunday) or don't care for public transportation, but you'll have to do further research yourself.

It is our experience that the shuttles are sometimes delayed. As with any form of transportation, if you have a schedule to keep (like, say, a plane to catch), make sure you allow plenty of extra time to get to your destination. People (ahem) have missed flights due to cutting things too close or unanticipated delays. Smoggy the Boar says: Don't let this happen to you!

4.3 TAXI:

If you decide to spurn the walking/public transportation route and decide you need a taxi, check out http://yp.yahoo.com. Enter your LOCATION as "Baltimore, MD" (or use one of the hotel addresses from the webpage), and then do a search for "taxi" -- you should get about 3 dozen. Estimated prices to/from the hotels are about $20. Also note that this should not change for a group if they all get on/off at the same locations. Most taxis can accommodate three persons in comfort, four if they don’t mind getting close in the back seat; however, factor in luggage in the trunk or on laps as well.

Note that not all of the taxi services will pick you up everywhere! They can drop you off most anywhere, but only airport licensees can pick you up at BWI, and only city licensees can pick you up downtown. Call ahead (or print out the whole list) to make sure you have one that will get you from point A to point B.

4.4 OTHER METHODS OF TRANSPORTATION (i.e. walking, car rental, etc.)

Here are directions from BWI to the BCC in the event that you wish to rent a car or get a ride in that weekend:

1. Follow Airport Exits to Interstate-195 (I-195). You can only go on this road one direction--north.
2. Take Exit 4 to Interstate-95 NORTH (I-95N)... just make sure you get on this road.
3. Travel in I-95N to exit 53, whatever one that leads to Downtown. (you shouldn't be on I-95N for more than 10 minutes)
4. The exit eventually splits, take the left fork (right fork goes to Martin Luther King Blvd.).
5. NOW... at the first traffic light at Conway St., you will see the Baltimore Convention Center ahead and to the right. If you are staying at the Hyatt or Sheraton, we suggest taking at right at the light (hotels will be on left, figure it out from there). If you are staying at other hotels, it is probably best to go straight through the light past the Convention Center to Pratt Street, most of the surrounding hotels will be found in this area.

4.5 WASHINGTON D.C. AIRPORTS:

If you are flying to Dulles Airport or Reagan National Airport in the Washington D.C. area, you will have a formidable challenge getting to Baltimore. Further information is available at http://www.metwashairports.com

DULLES:

Bluntly speaking, you only have three ways to get to Baltimore from Dulles: rent a car, hire a shuttle van (expensive), or get a ride with someone else. (Once again, we disregard the possible-but-unfeasible walking, bicycling, etc.) A Washington Metrobus connection exists—Route 5A from Dulles to Rosslyn and L’Enfant Plaza Metro stations in D.C.—but it is effectively useless for the Otakon-bound. It takes approximately an hour (and $3) from Dulles to L’Enfant Plaza, and then there’s the Metro ride to Union Station and then MARC or Amtrak to Baltimore. Total elapsed time from Dulles to Otakon: three to four hours.

REAGAN NATIONAL:

Though the fastest way to get to Baltimore from National is still by automobile or shuttle van, there does exist one transit option for the Otakon-bound: Take the Washington Metro from National Airport north into downtown Washington, and change lines to get to Washington Union Station. From there, one can hop either a MARC train (weekdays) or an Amtrak train (weekends) to Baltimore (connection from Baltimore Penn Station to the BCC by Light Rail may be needed).

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"Where the Heck am I NOW?"
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Session 5: Commuter Blues

5. PARK & RIDE:

Note that parking in downtown, even at the hotels, can be rather expensive (most hotels were quoting at least $12-16/day, with some as much as $35/day), so one option would be to parking a car at one of the many remote parking lots along Light Rail or Metro Subway and RIDING into town.

This map (well, diagram) lists all of the Light Rail stops and includes which ones have parking available.

These maps may give you a better idea of where these stops actually are (the above map is just a detail of this).

THIS map gives you a look at the bare-bones basic Metro Subway system. As you can see from this, it is only a good choice if you are approaching from the northwest.

This option works best IF there are only 1-2 persons in the car AND they are willing to leave the car out there for 2-3 days. Also, in theory it is possible for an individual to drive a car/vanload of people to the BCC, then have the driver ditch the car in a remote satellite lot and ride back in. If there's a vanload, you're dealing with $1.60 times the number of passengers each way on the Light Rail/Metro. The Park-and-Ride lots are HEAVILY patrolled by both local police and MTA Transit police. Your vehicle should be safe unless you're practically inviting people to steal thousands of dollars of stuff left in plain sight in the car. (Nevertheless, if you have a choice, pick the car with the alarm system.)

RECOMMENDED P & R LOTS:

Metro Subway:

Owings Mills, Old Court Road, Milford Mill Road. The first two are relatively easy access from the Beltway; a warning that Milford Mill may close early in the evening, like 8 PM; check MTAMaryland.com

Recommended P & R:


1. Cromwell Station: this lot, at the south end of the Light Rail system, is by far the largest P&R lot worth considering for Otakon. It is located north of the junction of Md. 648 and 176, just south of exit 15 of Interstate 97. It is best advised for ¡§locals¡¨ who are comfortable with finding their way to Glen Burnie (say, those from Annapolis, etc.)
2. North Linthicum: easy access to/from Beltway from south, although one SHOULD look closely at the maps first.
   The North Linthicum station is located at the junction of Md. 648 and 170, which is an intersection shaped like a long, skinny "x", with 648 going northwest to southeast and 170 southwest to northeast. The station is to the SOUTHWEST of the intersection, on the "west" side of 170 "south" of the intersection.
   Beltway Exit 6 for 170 is set up ONLY to handle traffic from the west, not the east. If you come down from I-95 or 295 (Baltimore-Washington Parkway), the exit will feed you north on 170 to the Light Rail station, and you can return west on the Inner Loop of the Beltway.
   • If you are coming from the east--Glen Burnie, the Key Bridge, etc.-- the interchange at 170 is inaccessible for you. In that case, take Md. 648 north from Exit 4; go north about 3/4 of a mile to the intersection of 648 and 170, and turn left to go to the park-and-ride lot (approximately 400 feet). There are plenty of blue-and- white "Light Rail" signs directing you along the way
   • „X IF YOU ARE COMING NORTH ON I-97 from Annapolis and the south, PAY ATTENTION: because the interchanges are too close, you will be led NOT onto I-695, but through an interchange that momentarily puts you on the ramp from I-895 to the Inner Loop. When approaching the interchange from I-97 to 695, FOLLOW THE OVERHEAD SIGNS for 648 to Ferndale (one of them is marked "Last Exit Before Toll")!!!! The interchange is VERY counter-intuitive unless you are a traffic engineer. Take the 648 exit, and turn north (right) to the 648/170 intersection, and then turn left.
   • IF NORTH LINTHICUM IS FULL: Go to Md. 648, and turn NORTH, and follow more of those blue-and-white signs. In a VERY short distance is the Nursery Road station on the right (you go under a Light Rail overpass en route).
   • If THAT station is full, you can proceed north again to the Baltimore Highlands station, located about a mile or so to the north, take a right on Vermont or Florida Avenue to get to the station. From there north, the stations have very limited parking and are NOT recommended for park/ride. We would then advise returning south to Cromwell Bridge (see above).
3. LIGHT RAIL FROM THE NORTH: We recommend the Timonium Park & Ride just east of I-83 between Timonium Road and Padonia Road, north of the Beltway. Free parking; follow the blue-and-white "Light Rail" signs to go north or south on Greenspring Drive. The parking lot will be on the east side of Greenspring; a trip downtown costs $1.60 per person and takes approximately 40 minutes. There are other lots to the north and south, but not as easily accessible.
4. OTHER PARK-AND-RIDE OPTIONS: One could consider parking free at a remote station on the MARC Penn Line and riding both the Penn Line to Penn Station and then the Light Rail to the BCC. Stations where this may be feasible include Halethorpe (on the southwest of town near the Beltway) and Martin State Airport (northeast of town outside the Beltway). West Baltimore is NOT an option--if you go there, you might as well park downtown. (Please see previous sections covering Amtrak/MARC before considering this option. Please also note that most MARC stations have horribly congested parking lots during workdays.)

One last park-and-ride thought: If you have friends, business associates, or the like in Baltimore, you might consider the possibility of parking your car at a friend¡¦s house/garage and riding a bus or taxi downtown. This writer has had friends park their cars or trucks on the street outside his Baltimore rowhouse and then hop a bus to a BCC convention for the week or weekend. You might also try the parking lot of a willing business. Be SURE that all parties are amicable and that someone can watch the car; don¡¦t just put the car in a shopping center parking lot and leave it for several days¡Xyou may be towed or burglarized.

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6. DRIVING TO OTAKON

We assume if you're reading this section, you 1) can drive or have a driver, and 2) can find your way to Baltimore, the BCC, and your accommodations. If you can't, attending Otakon is the least of your worries, Ryoga.

However, we want to offer a few useful tips about driving on a "roadtrip".

Gas Prices: Averaging about $2.90 a gallon as of Feb. 10th. As a rule, gasoline prices in the region hover at around the “national average” mentioned in news media reports nationally. The further from Interstate 95 you go, the cheaper it gets. (Frederick, Md. and Pennsylvania, for example, routinely have slightly cheaper gas--but not dramatically cheap enough to risk running dry.)

LOCAL RUSH HOURS: The “Baltington-Washingmore” area is one of the nation’s most congested highway zones for rush hours. You are guaranteed to hit heavy traffic on the “Beltways” around Baltimore (I-695) and Washington (I-495) between the hours of 6:30 AM and 9:30 AM and 3-7 PM weekdays, although historically rush hours on summer Fridays tend to be a bit lighter.

The following areas are guaranteed heavy traffic with average speeds well below 50 MPH: MORNINGS: Outer Loop I-695 from I-95 northeast of town to southbound I-83; I-795 inbound/southeast; Outer Loop I-695 from I-795 south all the way to I-95. EVENINGS: Inner Loop from I-95 southwest of town north to I-795 or I-83 south, and Towson to I-95. BOTH RUSH HOURS: I-95 Fort McHenry Tunnel both ways; and the entire Washington DC area. ALSO, be careful approaching the Beltway from the West on Interstate 70; backups frequently stretch several miles and are the site of almost-daily fender-benders as fast cars brake for the sudden line-up of almost-stopped cars ahead of them during morning and afternoon rush hours.

TRAFFIC REPORTS ON THE RADIOS: The following are recommended radio stations for traffic reports in their areas:

• BALTIMORE: WBAL 1090AM every 10 minutes "on the 5's" 6-9AM and 3-6 PM and on the hour and half-hour 9AM-3PM pm; also WCBM 680AM and WYPR 88.1 FM during rush hours.
• WASHINGTON, DC: WTOP 103.9/103.5FM/820 AM every ten minutes on the :08 all day and night
• PHILADELPHIA: KYW 1060AM every ten minutes all day and night

Listening to traffic radio can be like listening to a cryptic code, if you’re not used to knowing the local highways. If you are not intimately familiar with the local roads, use traffic radio primarily to listen for major highway closures or traffic jams/backups. One example: “the JFX” refers to the Jones Falls Expressway, or I-83 between the Beltway and downtown.

INTERSTATE 95 ADVICE/TIPS:
A useful website for those driving Interstate 95 any distance is www.i95coalition.org . Click on the “Travel Information” section on the upper right.

If you are driving north from the D.C. area or further south, be aware of the following: There are no tolls in your way, other than if you happen to take the Dulles Toll Road from west of Washington. Between Washington and Baltimore, there are three major roads: I-95 is four lanes in each direction and usually very crowded. Maryland 295, the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, is two narrower lanes each way, and in generally rougher condition albeit more scenic. U.S. 1 is a local road between the two, going through all the towns, traffic lights, and commercial areas. We do NOT advise Route 1 unless you're looking for food, motel space, sundries, or gas.

From the North, BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING: There are TOLLS collected at the following Maryland locations (All of the following toll facilities are participants in the EZPass transponder toll system, which uses a device you put in your car to automatically record toll passage and deduct it from your account. If you have access to an EZPass account/transponder, use it):

• The Delaware/Maryland state line ($3 per car). If you examine the maps, there is a detour available around that toll if you're REALLY pinching pennies. (Okay, okay--get off at 896 North, go north to Rt. 4 and turn left, go a mile or so to the T intersection and turn left again, and go down Md. 279 to rejoin I-95. It adds about ten minutes to your trip.)
• The Susquehanna River Bridges (I-95 and Rt. 40). This toll is collected NORTHBOUND/EASTBOUND (i.e., heading away from Baltimore) ONLY; it is $5. Southbound/westbound zips through free; remember to come home from Otakon with that $5 in addition to your gas money!!!
• The Fort McHenry Tunnel on I-95, the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel on I-895, and the Francis Scott Key Bridge on I-695 at the Baltimore Harbor ($2 per car each way).

If you are driving through Delaware from the north, take I-495 around Wilmington as opposed to I-95 through Wilmington. It's faster and safer, and the signs tell you to.

We see no reason for any Otakon traveler to use I-895 in Maryland at all, except in VERY special circumstances such as driving south from Philadelphia and picking up a friend at BWI Airport before going to Otakon. Stay off of it. Even if you do find a reason to travel it, be aware that I-895 is generally regarded as one long speed trap, because it's wide, flat, sparsely traveled, and conducive to doing 80-90 mph when it has a speed limit of 55.

REST AREAS

• On I-95: Chesapeake House, midway between the Delaware border and the Susquehanna River; Maryland House, about midway between the river and Baltimore; and an unnamed pair of stops near Laurel midway between Baltimore and Washington. The first two feature almost shopping-mall-like services and food courts, including a tourist information bureau open 8AM-5PM daily. The latter offers only basic restrooms and vending machines, plus a tourist information office open 9AM-5PM. Free WiFi is available 24 hours a day.
• On I-83: Sadly, there are NO rest areas on I-83 in Maryland in either direction. You have been warned. (There is one northbound just north of the state line in Pennsylvania.)
• On I-70/I-68: There are a couple rest areas to be had along I-70, the closest to Baltimore being west of the Frederick area. The tourist-info offices are located at the rest areas to the east of Hancock (where I-70 joins with I-68 after entering Md. from Penna.) and the I-68 rest area at Sideling Hill, the huge mountain cut to the west of Hancock. As with the others tourist offices, they are open 9AM-5PM daily.
• On US 301/US 50: There are tourist info bureaus and rest stops on U.S. 301 between the Bay Bridge and the Delaware/Maryland line and on U.S. 50 and 13 on the Delmarva Peninsula.

GENERAL TIPS FOR ROAD TRIPS:

If you have never taken a long road trip with a group besides your family before, I STRONGLY advise you to take the following advice, gleamed from 25+ years of driving solo and in groups:

1. PACK SNACKS/DRINKS IN EXCESS so you don't have to stop as often. Pack a cooler and gallon jugs of water/iced tea/punch, and make at least SOME of the snacks/drinks healthy--apples, carrot sticks, raisins, juice, trail mix, etc.
2. CONSIDER ANY DIETARY OR MEDICAL NEEDS IN ADVANCE. Is anyone a vegetarian? Then don't stop for BBQ or burgers every time. Does anyone get carsick? Pack the right pills. Do you want the windows open or the AC on? How cold? Anyone have allergies?
3. TAKE BREAKS when you stop for gas to stretch, get out, move about, and get the blood circulating.
4. IF SLEEPING IN THE CAR, while riding(not in Baltimore, please), pack a small pillow to go under the small of your lower back for lumbar support. Your back will thank you for it later. (And don't sleep while driving, please.)
5. CHECK THE CAR OVER THOROUGHLY--air in the tires, oil, fluids, etc. PURCHASE OIL, etc. IN ADVANCE from an auto parts store or Mal-Wart, L-Mart, Bullseye, etc. You'll save money doing it that way rather than paying twice that price at the gas station.
6. ESTABLISH RULES ABOUT THE DRIVING SITUATIONS. It doesn't matter what the rules are, make them. Random examples/suggestions:
   • The car's driver/owner gets to decide what plays on the radio/CD player. Or you take turns. It doesn't matter what the rules are; just make them before you start.
   • The driver gets to decide when and where to stop for fuel/snacks. (Nothing is more annoying than the passenger that whines to stop for a soda every hour--I almost left that ex-friend behind in North Carolina about ten years ago!)
   • In case of any disputes, the parent/driver/car owner decides for the group.
   • etc...
7. DECIDE WHO PAYS FOR WHAT. A typical arrangement is that the owner of the car/van gets the gas/oil paid for by the rest of the passengers ("You fly, we buy"). It's really the fairest system, as the car gets the wear and tear.
8. BE KIND TO THE DRIVER(S). Driving long distances for a whole day is actually quite stressful and exhausting. Split driving duties if possible. Leave the driver alone more than you want to. Under NO circumstances whatsoever--except maybe heading to a funeral--should any one driver try to drive more than 15 hours in a day.
9. HAVE AN EMERGENCY PLAN: a credit card from a parent, a cell phone, a sleeping bag, a roadside emergency kit, etc. are almost must-haves for groups traveling long distances. Take it from a guy whose car died for good in another state while full of valuables. Take it from a guy whose car hydroplaned off a highway in rural Pennsylvania, went down an embankment 200 feet backwards, and might still be there if he hadn't been darned lucky. In some circumstances, such as driving across several states, packing a tent and sleeping bags is not out of the question; never count on being able to find a motel room. (One major event--a sporting event, a festival, etc.--can book every available room in a 50- or 100-mile radius--and Otakon is fast approaching that scale, sadly!)
10. DON'T SPEED. It sounds lame, but you lose more time with a badly-timed food stop than you gain with the increase in speed from 70 to 80 mph. And you reduce your attention by the police. On average, a driver will gain more time driving EFFICIENTLY than he will driving fast. Limit the stops, keep moving, and plan to miss rush hours if distance covered is a criteria.

CHARTER A BUS OR VAN

If you find that you have a lot of friends or new friends that are going to Otakon from a particular geographical area (say, New York City, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, northern New Jersey, or Richmond), you might find that it is possible to charter a bus from your area to go to Otakon! It sounds ridiculous, but some anime clubs have already done so—at least three charter buses appeared at Otakon in 2006. For a fare not much more (and possibly a lot less) than a bus or Amtrak fare from your chosen point, you can enjoy a comfortable bus ride straight from your point of origin (say, a shopping center parking lot, a school, or bus terminal) directly to the Baltimore Convention Center on Thursday or Friday morning, and a comfortable ride back on Sunday! Most charter buses hold 45 people; the critical break-even point financially seems to be about 30-35. If you think you can find a group of 40 willing people to pay $20-30 in advance, you might want to call bus companies and see what happens!

If you don’t have quite enough people to warrant a bus, you might be able to rent a van. Large passenger vans are capable of carrying up to eighteen passengers, although luggage may cut into that figure. Some bus companies will direct you to companies that hire vans complete with driver, an arrangement similar to a small charter bus. Car rental companies also rent vans on occasion, but you provide the gas and driver.

In addition, if you know for a fact that you are staying at a hotel in the suburbs and a lot of other people are as well, you might consult with your hotel’s manager to arrange for a group ride to Otakon in a van or bus. In 2006, one hotel in Columbia, Md. provided a tour bus to and from Otakon each day of the convention. It’s best to confirm you have a “critical mass” too big for a car—say, ten or fifteen. At worst, the hotel will give you the number of a local taxi. At best, they’ll do all the work for you. Expect to pay a price per person for this “luxury”—perhaps $5-10 round trip—but it’s still cheaper than the parking fees or gas!

BICYCLING

Idiotically preposterous if you don’t live in the downtown Baltimore area; only modestly preposterous if you do. If you are even reading this, we don’t need to tell you much except for one thing: you will NOT be permitted to bring your bicycle into the BCC, and there are a somewhat limited number of things to which you can secure/lock your bicycle outside the BCC—trees, lamp posts, etc.—and some of those run the risk of having a bicycle cut off and impounded if it is judged to be impeding the flow of pedestrian traffic. Oh, and wear your helmet.

If you are staying with friends at a downtown hotel, most hotels will make accommodations for your bicycle (such as locking it in a back storage room) if you are a paying guest. Ask your hotel for information.

GOT A BOAT?

Another option under the right circumstances: If your family or friend’s family (or you) happen to own a boat capable of allowing passengers to sleep aboard, Baltimore has a multitude of marinas in the downtown Inner Harbor area and off to the east. This actually may be a feasible option IF you have access to the boat AND can pay the dockage fees.

The closest marina to Otakon is the Baltimore Inner Harbor Marina Center, http://www.baltimoreinnerharbormarinecenter.com/ . Rates for transients for the weekend are $2.50/ft. of boat size for Fri/Sat/Sun, $2.00/ft. Mon-Thurs., if space is available. Other marinas are located in the Canton area southeast of downtown. If you actually have access to a boat, you probably know how to find dockage.

GOT YOUR OWN PLANE?

Hey, we’re just making sure we cover all the possibilities. (^_^) If you have a private aircraft, we recommend Martin State Airport, about ten miles east of downtown Baltimore in Middle River. http://www.martinstateairport.com There’s also the Essex Skypark, on a remote peninsula southeast of Baltimore, and Baltimore Airpark along I-95 near Perry Hall northeast of Baltimore. Small aircraft may also use part of BWI Airport; from there, you have the above-detailed transit and car rental options.

SKATEBOARDS/ROLLER SKATES?

No, we’re not seriously advocating this as a transportation alternative. This is just an excuse for us to remind you that you may NOT use skateboards, skates, or “Heelys” in the Baltimore Convention Center. It’s the BCC’s rules, not ours. In fact, we most strongly advise not even bringing them at all, even if it’s part of your character’s appearance for a cosplay sketch.

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The original All Roads Lead to Otakon was long hosted and maintained by George E. Hagen, he has graciously allowed us to capitalize on the hard work and move it into Otakon's main site, to be maintained by Otakon staffers and we're grateful.