LIGO-MIT Visitor's Info Page

Useful information for visitors to LIGO-MIT

Getting to Boston

Nearest airport: Boston's Logan International Airport (airport code BOS)
An airport alternative: Providence, RI (airport code PVD). If you plan to rent a car anyways, PVD may offer cheaper airfares, especially for last minute travelers. PVD is 60 miles from Cambridge.
Consider seriously bus/train connections if you are in neighboring states.

Getting to LIGO-MIT in Cambridge

The street address of the main LIGO building at MIT is:

185 Albany Str
Cambridge, MA 02139
USA
phone # (++1) 617 253 4824
fax # (++1) 617 253 7014

The MIT building number for this street address is NW22. Building doors are ALWAYS locked in both buildings. Enter through the south door (on Albany Str) of NW22 by following instructions there (there is a campus phone and LIGO phone directory posted- you will have to call someone to open the door for you).
A clickable map of the campus is available here.
If you are driving and you are reading this page, then you almost certainly have access to any of the maps archives on the internet. Logon to your preferred one and figure out how to drive to us (I often use Google maps). What you probably won't find on the internet maps is the almost non-stop construction happening around MIT, including roadwork that may result to delays if you are driving. Parking at LIGO-MIT is BY PERMIT ONLY. There is metered parking on the street infront. Have enough quarters with you. Two hours limit IS ENFORCED. If you need an MIT daily parking permit contact Marie Woods or myself IN ADVANCE.
If you are not driving yourself then consider the following:
- Use the "T": Reasonable and reliable service by Boston's Transportation Authority. IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED IF YOU CARRY HEAVY LUGGAGE. If you are arriving from Boston's airport, take the airport (free) shuttle ( blue bus, I think number 22) to the "T" station. Take the blue line (inbound). Exit to Government Center and either walk to the red line or take the green line (one stop) to the Park Str stop. On Park str stop take the red line (outbound). Exit on Kendall Square/MIT stop. There is a 10 minutes walk from there to the LIGO-MIT building. Make sure you check a map before you start walking toward what you think you know where LIGO-MIT building is. You may get lost easily (you have been warned.) The nearest "T" stops to LIGO-MIT are:
  - Kendall Square/MIT stop on the red line. You will need to walk for 10 minutes from the "T" stop to the LIGO-MIT building.
  - Hynes Convention Center/I.C.A. stop on the green line. You will need to walk for 15 minutes on the MIT bridge over Charles River or take bus #1 that stops right outside the "T" exit (on Massachusetts Ave). Ask the driver for the Albany Str stop.
- Take a taxi: anywhere within a 5-10 miles from the city you can easily grab a taxi and pay anywhere from $20-40 for a ride to LIGO-MIT. Taxis are outside most terminals in Boston's airport and cost around $30 for a ride to LIGO-MIT. Expect a 15-45 minutes drive, depending on traffic. If you get upset easily or have had bad taxi experiences before, don't give them a try in Boston- it can only go worse.
- I am not aware of any serious shuttle service to/from Boston's airport.

Moving around Boston/Cambridge

IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED THAT A RENTAL CAR BE USED
Boston downtown area as well as Cambridge's Harvard square are not car-friendly. Prepare for slow traffic and expensive parking ($5-10 per hour 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Check out Transportation Authority's web page if you need to move alot around the cities. Highly recommended is the 3 days and/or weekly passes that allow you unlimited train/bus use in the Boston metro area.

Where to stay

Hotels prices in Boston may vary a lot during the year. Availability is very limited on holiday weekends and you'd better arrange in advance. Last minute travelers do risk of not finding a place in their preferred place but they may also get exceptionally discounted prices in luxury hotels if they are lucky. In general, please try to reserve a place yourself. If for any reason this is not easy for you, please let Marie Woods or myself know that you need help in that.

Le Meridien (formerly the University Park Hotel at MIT)

Right behind the LIGO building
Ask for the MIT or government rate (whichever is cheaper). AAA rate may also be competitive.

The Kendall Hotel

Right in front of the Kendall/MIT red line T stop. A 10 minute walk from LIGO-MIT.
Ask for the MIT or government rate (whichever is cheaper). AAA rate may also be competitive.

Irving House

We (LIGO-MIT) have been using it traditionally for our guests
Located at Harvard Square, a 20-25 minute walk to LIGO-MIT
Easily accessible by public transportation to/from the airport and to/from LIGO-MIT
Ask for the LIGO-MIT/university rate

Royal Sonesta

a 20 min walk from the LIGO Lab- this is the hotel where GWDAW took place in 2007
Ask for the MIT or government rate (whichever is cheaper). AAA rate may also be competitive. Usually it is the cheaper among all the nearby hotels.

Best Western Terrance Inn

Located in Brighton - ~5 miles from LIGO-MIT
Accessible by public transportation (green line)
Ask for the MIT/university rate
Very good value if you have a car- typically the lowest rate hotel when all the rest are sold out