2014 Hotel & Transportation Information
Official Conference Hotel
Stay just a few blocks from the University Club and take advantage of the special conference room rate ($139/night) available at the 2014 Creative Nonfiction Conference's official hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn.
This offer is available only until April 23rd.
Hilton Garden Inn
$139/night ($179/night if reserved after April 23)
0.3 miles to conference
3454 Forbes Avenue, 15213
412-683-2040
Other Conference Area Hotels
We recommend staying in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, home to our conference venue and offical conference hotel, the University of Pittsburgh, The Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, and Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Other hotels are available in downtown Pittsburgh, but will require a taxi or bus ride (approx. 15 min. by taxi and 30 min. by bus) to reach the confernce venue. The hotels listed below are all in the Oakland area.
Wyndham Pittsburgh University Center
$269/night
0.2 miles to conference
100 Lytton Ave., 15213
1-855-239-9399
Website
Quality Inn University Center
$99/night
0.8 miles to conference
3401 Boulevard of the Allies, 15213
412-683-6100
Website
Hampton Inn University Center
$199/night
0.8 miles to conference
3315 Hamlet St., 15213
1-855-238-1591
Website
Residence Inn by Marriot Pittsburgh University
$159/night
0.8 miles to conference
3896 Bigelow Blvd., 15213
1-866-925-4159
Website
Rates do not include 14% hotel tax. As always, you may find lower rates on sites such as hotels.com, Room Key, Priceline, Expedia, or Kayak, or for non-refundable reservations.
Transportation
There are four ways to get from Pittsburgh International Airport to the conference venue and/or downtown hotels.
The Greyhound, Amtrak, and MegaBus stations are all located in downtown Pittsburgh; you will need a taxi or a second bus to reach the conference venue.
Cabs – Cabs can be found at the airport. The cost to reach Oakland (the conference area) is approximately $50/one way. The cost to reach downtown Pittsburgh is approximately $40/one way. There are no tolls or additional fees except for tips.
SuperShuttle – SuperShuttle can be scheduled in advance for faster service or booked at the baggage claim area of the Pittsburgh International Airport, in the rental car area, behind the elevators by Door 4. Service to Oakland/conference area is $27/one way. Service to downtown Pittsburgh is $24/one way.
(800) BLUE-VAN (800-258-3826)
Website
Email
Bus – Pittsburgh Port Authority Transportation (PAT) provides bus service to and from the airport on the 28X bus. Busses leave the airport every 30 minutes and take 66 minutes to reach Oakland/conference area and about 55 minutes to reach downtown Pittsburgh. Busses leave from outside the baggage claim area and cost $3.75 one way. This must be paid in cash with exact change, or with a Connect Card, which can be purchased from a machine at the airport landside terminal near Door 6. The link below will take you to a pdf version of the 28x schedule–please note the separate Sunday schedule. The closest stop to the conference venue is Forbes Ave. at McKee Pl., directly in front of the hotel.
Car Rental – The Pittsburgh airport has several car rental counters. The link below provides phone numbers for available providers.
Website
General transportation within the city
Busses and cabs are the only public transportation options in Pittsburgh. There is a limited light rail system that goes throughout downtown and to select locations in the city, but it does not serve most major destinations. More information can be found at http://www.portauthority.org/paac/default.aspx.
The best option for finding bus schedules is Google Maps. Bus fare is $2.50 each way. This must be paid in cash or with a Connect Card (available at the airport) and no change is available on the busses or at the bus stop. Schedules are not posted at the bus stops. Attendees should note that unless you are leaving from the airport or a hotel, cabs in Pittsburgh must be scheduled in advance and cannot be hailed on the street. Cab service is provided by Yellow Cab: 412-321-8100.
Parking
Parking is available at many garages throughout Oakland. The most affordable and closet to the conference venue is the Soldiers and Sailors garage, 4215 5th Avenue (Bigelow Blvd. between 5th Ave. and O'Hara St.). This is directly across the street from the University Club. Prices are $5 for 24 hours on Saturday, Sunday, and Memorial Day, and $5 after 4 pm on Friday.