Travel Information

Plan Your Visit

Situated along the Mississippi River in the heart of the American Midwest, St. Louis is a dynamic city known for its rich cultural blend. It serves as a key gateway between the eastern and western U.S.. St. Louis is home to about 300,000 residents, with a metropolitan area of nearly 2.8 million people. The city is proudly diverse, with vibrant communities, world-class museums, live music traditions, and a deep love for sports and food.

Time Zone (St. Louis): Central Daylight Time (CDT), UTC -5.

Currency: U.S. Dollar (USD, Card payments are widely accepted).

Emergency Number: 911.

Electricity & Power: 120 volts, 60 Hz, Type A (two flat parallel blades) and Type B (two flat parallel blades with a grounding pin).

St. Louis experiences hot and humid summer weather with occasional summer thunderstorms or passing showers especially in the afternoon and evening.

Daytime temperatures: 80-96 °F (28-35 °C).

Evening lows: 68-81 °F (20-27 °C).

In St. Louis, MetroLink and MetroBus are the two convenient and affordable public transportation systems.

MetroLink: MetroLink is the light rail system that connects much of the St. Louis metropolitan area, including downtown, the airport (STL), and Washington University. MetroLink is widely used by students and faculty. Stations and trains are monitored, but it’s best to travel in groups after dark. Forest Park–DeBaliviere Station will be the primary transfer station during your stay.

Eastbound from Forest Park–DeBaliviere Station: Red Line and Blue Line both go toward downtown and the Gateway Arch.

Westbound from Forest Park–DeBaliviere Station: Red Line goes to the airport (STL) while Blue Line goes to Washington University.

On Blue Line, University City–Big Bend Station is the closest to the Danforth Campus, and Skinker Station is on the eastern edge of campus.

Fare: $2.50 one-way. Purchase tickets at vending machines at each station (cash and card accepted).


MetroBus: MetroBus provides access to areas not served by MetroLink, with several routes stopping near or on Washington University’s campus. Route 1 (Gold) and Route 2 (Red) are the two major routes to consider.

Fare: $1.00 one-way. Exact Change (bus drivers do not give change).


Biking & Scooters: Bike racks are available across campus. Bird and Lime scooters can be rented via mobile apps.

Taxis & Ride-Sharing: Uber and Lyft are widely available in St. Louis. Taxis can be scheduled in advance.

Arrival at St. Louis

St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is the primary airport serving the St. Louis metropolitan area. Conveniently located just 11 miles (18 km) northwest of downtown, the airport is easily accessible via Interstate 70 (I-70) and offers a wide range of domestic and international flight options.

Domestic nonstop services (include but not limited to)
East Coast: New York (JFK, LGA, EWR), Boston (BOS), Washington, D.C. (IAD).
South: Atlanta (ATL), Charlotte (CLT), Miami (MIA), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Dallas (DFW), Houston (IAH).
Midwest: Chicago (ORD), Detroit (DTW).
West: Denver (DEN), Phoenix (PHX), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA).

International nonstop services
Canada: Toronto (YYZ), Montréal (YUL).
Europe: Frankfurt, Germany (FRA).


From the airport, Washington University’s Danforth Campus is approximately 20 minutes away by car and 40 minutes away by MetroLink.

Ground transportation options

MetroLink: Every 20 minutes from 5am to 1am. Ticket machines at the station accept cash and card. ($2.50 one way)
1. From terminal 1, exit Door 1 at the ticketing Level. From terminal 2, exit Door 12 through the parking garage.
2. Take the Red Line eastbound to Forest Park-DeBaliviere Station.
3. Transfer to Blue Line westbound to University City–Big Bend Station.

Ride-share services: Uber and Lyft operate from designated pickup zones at the airport. ($30-40 approximately)
Rental cars and taxis: Available at the airport.

Washington University’s Danforth Campus (1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63130) is located just west of the City of St. Louis, in the suburb of University City. The campus is easily accessible from major interstate highways and is well-connected for drivers coming from across the region.

Driving Directions

Via Interstate 64 (I-64):
1. Take I-64/US-40 toward St. Louis.
2. Exit at Skinker Blvd (Exit 34B).
3. Turn right onto Skinker Blvd. (The campus will be on your left after approximately 0.5 miles)

Via Interstate 70 (I-70):
1. Take I-70 toward St. Louis.
2. Merge onto I-170 South.
3. Exit onto Forest Park Parkway and continue east.
4. Turn left onto Skinker Blvd. (The campus will be on your right)

Via Interstate 44 (I-44):
1.Take I-44 toward St. Louis.
2. Merge onto I-170 North.
3. Exit onto Forest Park Parkway and continue east.
4. Turn left onto Skinker Blvd. (The campus will be on your right)


Designated parking for the summer symposium will be available on or near the Danforth Campus.

Parking Information TBA

St. Louis is served by several national and regional intercity bus lines. All major intercity buses arrive at the Gateway Multimodal Transportation Center, located in downtown St. Louis. This is the city’s central train and bus terminal. There are multiple daily arrivals from Chicago, Dallas, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Little Rock, Memphis, Nashville, and more.


From the Gateway Multimodal Transportation Center, Washington University’s Danforth Campus is approximately 20–25 minutes away by ground transportation.

Ground transportation options

MetroLink: Every 20 minutes from 4:30am to 12am. Ticket machines at the station accept cash and card. ($2.50 one way)
1. Civic Center Station is right next to the Gateway Center.
2. Take Blue Line westbound to University City-Big Bend Station.

Ride-share services: Uber and Lyft operate at the Gateway Center. ($20-30 approximately)
Rental cars and taxis: Available near the Gateway Center.

Life is like a train track, full of possibilities and directions. Each stop is a choice, a chance to begin again. Amtrak serves St. Louis via the Gateway Multimodal Transportation Center, located in downtown St. Louis. This is the city’s central train and bus terminal.

Amtrak routes services include
Missouri River Runner: Twice a day arriving from Kansas City.
Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner: Four times a day arriving from Chicago.
Texas Eagle: Once a day arriving from Chicago and another direction from San Antonio (with connections to Los Angeles).


From the Gateway Multimodal Transportation Center, Washington University’s Danforth Campus is approximately 20–25 minutes away by ground transportation.

Ground transportation options

MetroLink: Every 20 minutes from 4:30am to 12am. Ticket machines at the station accept cash and card. ($2.50 one way)
1. Civic Center Station is right next to the Gateway Center.
2. Take Blue Line westbound to University City-Big Bend Station.

Ride-share services: Uber and Lyft operate at the Gateway Center. ($20-30 approximately)
Rental cars and taxis: Available near the Gateway Center.

Venue & Accommodation

TBA

Washington University in St. Louis – Danforth Campus

1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63130

Contact: ssra48stlouis@gmail.com