Initial Publication Date: January 19, 2018

Travel and Accommodations

Jump to: Lodging | Meals | Getting Around Lawrence

Travel by Air

Kansas City International Airport, located about an hour from Lawrence, is the closest commercial airport to the University of Kansas. It handles flights to different hubs like Memphis, San Francisco, Cleveland, and Houston, as well as connections to international destinations.

Information about ground transportation to and from the airport can be found on the Kansas City International Airport Ground Transportation website. Group shuttles are available, though many require prior reservations.

Travel by Train or Bus

Amtrak provides one daily service to Lawrence via the Southwest Chief route. Westbound trains traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles stop in Lawrence just before midnight. Eastbound trains arrive to Lawrence in the early morning. The Lawrence Amtrak station is located at 413 E. 7th St. There is no bus stop directly at the station, however the 7th & New Hampshire bus stop is just a few minutes walk away.

Travel by Car

Directions to Lawrence involve easy access to the city from US-59 via Interstate 70 and K-10 W via Interstate 35.

Visit KU Parking and Transit for information on parking at KU, including parking regulations, parking tickets, and visitor and event parking. Parking Services offers free parking during the summer in the green lots. The closest green lots are lot #72 and lot #110. Please refer to the Rendezvous map for reference.

For questions about parking you can contact parking services directly at kupark@ku.edu or (785) 864-7275. For accessibility questions related to parking, please visit the ADA/Accessibility and Medical Permits page.

Lodging Options

The University of Kansas Housing Services

A block of newly constructed dorm rooms are available through KU Housing Services. Housing services is able to only provide the following options for reserving in the dorms:

July 14 (Saturday night add on)
July 18-19 (2 nights)
July 15-17 (3 nights)
July 15-20 (5 nights)

Cost is $65 per night and includes all linens and free parking for dorm guests. Rooms are located in Self Residence Hall a short .5 mile walk to the Earth, Energy, and the Environment Center. Please note that these are 2 bedroom suites (private bedrooms) with shared baths. If you would like to request a suite roommate please fill out the this quick survey.

The dorm online reservation system closed as of June 28. . Questions or need to change your reservation, contact KU Housing at 785-864-5823.

Please review KU's Housing Policies for additional information. KU Housing Policies (Acrobat (PDF) 6.7MB Feb7 18)

The Oread

A block of rooms is being held for conference participants at The Oread Hotel, located just at the northeast end of the University of Kansas campus (0.8 miles away). To reserve a room for yourself within this hotel block, please call (785) 843-1200 and refer to the group name "Earth Educators' Rendezvous." Book your room well in advance—after June 14, 2018, any unreserved rooms that remain within this block will be released. Guest check-in time is 4:00 pm; let the hotel know if you will need other arrangements for early arrival. Rates are Sunday-Thursday: $125, Friday and Saturday $159-$209 before taxes.

The Hampton Inn Lawrence

A block of rooms is being held for conference participants at The Hampton Inn Lawrence, located just north of the University of Kansas (1.7 miles away). To reserve a room for yourself within this hotel block, please visit the booking link. Book your room well in advance—after June 15, 2018, any unreserved rooms that remain within this block will be released. Guest check-in time is 3:00 pm; let the hotel know if you will need other arrangements for early arrival. Rates are $129 before taxes. Includes complimentary breakfast. It is recommended that you either have a vehicle or take advantage of local transportation if you opt to stay at this hotel (it is a 1.7 mile walk).

The University Inn (formerly the Best Western Lawrence)

A block of rooms is being held for conference participants at the University Inn, located just south of the University of Kansas (1.5 miles away). Guest are able to book rooms by calling the hotel directly at 785 843 9100. Inform the hotel you are part of the Earth Educators' Rendezvous group block. Book your room well in advance—after June 23, 2018, any unreserved rooms that remain within this block will be released. Guest check-in time is 3:00pm; let the hotel know if you will need other arrangements for early arrival. Rates are $89 before taxes. Includes complimentary breakfast. It is recommended that you either have a vehicle or take advantage of local transportation if you opt to stay at this hotel (it is a 1.5 mile walk).

Other Options

You are also welcome to arrange lodging for yourself at other venues. For additional lodging options, visit where to stay in Lawrence.

Meals

The University of Kansas campus and surrounding area are filled with a wide range of cuisine at an affordable price. Check out the EER Dining in Lawrence page, Food & Drink of Downtown Lawrence page, Open Table, or the Lawrence Menus page for more information. There are also a number of dining options available in the KU Student Union if you want to grab a quick bite to eat or meet with colleagues and friends.

Getting Around Lawrence

Considered one of the most beautiful in the nation, KU's central campus occupies 1,000 acres on and around historic Mount Oread in Lawrence. Ten of KU's 13 schools are based here, as are internationally recognized research centers and laboratories. The central part of Lawrence, consisting of the downtown, the KU campus, and the student-filled neighborhoods in-between, is easily walkable. The Lawrence Visitor Information Center offers brochures for self-guided walking tours of the city.

Unlike in larger cities, expect to call a taxi should you wish for one to pick you up; they may not be readily available where you are located. Three popular taxi services include:

Jayhawk Taxi, (785) 843-8294

GTS (Ground Transportation Services), (785) 842-8294 (closed)

Lawrence Taxi, (785) 304-6748

The KU campus also has an integrated system of buses available. The fare is only $1 and will get you one transfer, or you can pay $2.75 for a day pass. Buses run Monday through Saturday, with reduced schedules on Saturday. You may also hear the city bus service referred to as "the T". For more information and to view routes, visit KU on Wheels or Lawrence Transit.

Helpful maps and websites:

Special Accommodation Requests

The Earth Educators' Rendezvous is committed to providing universal access to our programming and supporting special accommodation requests to the best of our ability. Please check the box on the registration form if you would like a member of the Rendezvous/SERC staff to follow up with you to assist with accommodations that support your needs (e.g. accessible parking space, alternative formats, lactation room). Please note that we will do our best to accommodate your needs, but cannot guarantee we will be able to. Regardless, advanced notice is necessary.

Lawrence

Lawrence, a community of about 90,000, is located in the forested hills of eastern Kansas and bordered by the Kansas and Wakarusa Rivers. Lawrence began as a center of Kansas politics, however its economy soon diversified into industries including agriculture, manufacturing, and ultimately education, beginning with the founding of the University of Kansas in 1866, and later Haskell Indian Nations University in 1884.

Lawrence lies on the southern edge of the Dissected Till Plains, bordering the Osage Plains to the south. The Haskell-Baker Wetlands is an extensive open space located in the southern part of the city that features wetlands, native plants, and hiking and biking trails. Lawrence has 54 parks which include community and neighborhood parks, trails, and nature preserves. A new, multi-use trail system called the Lawrence Loop encircles the city and, when fully completed, will create a 22-mile paved recreational trail, a green transportation network, and multiple opportunities for environmental restoration.

Lawrence is located just over an hour away from the Konza Prairie Biological Station, a 3,487-hectare (8,616 acre, 13.5 sq mi) preserve of native tallgrass prairie in northeastern Kansas. The Konza Prairie is located within the largest remaining area of unplowed tallgrass prairie in North America, the Flint Hills.

During the warmest month of July, average temperatures in Lawrence range from 88/68 (28/17).