Travel options for the 2024 Gathering, held June 30 – July 6 at Haverford College in Haverford, Pennsylvania.

When to Arrive

The first Gathering event is dinner on Sunday, June 30. Any Friends who wish to are welcome to arrive Saturday, June 29 (additional charges will apply.) Some Friends will arrive Friday, June 28 to participate in pre-Gathering events or to serve in particular volunteer roles.

Before you finalize your travel plans consider reasons to arrive early.

  • Attend a pre-Gathering event
  • Attend the mandatory training for Junior Gathering staff (starts Saturday 6pm for group coordinators, Sunday at 10am for all other staff) OR the mandatory training for High School staff (starts Saturday 9AM)
  • Explore the region around Philadephia (Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania)

Not all clusters may be available when you select early housing. Friday night housing is available only for pre-Gathering attenders and invited volunteers.

Travel Options

Car

Haverford College is located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, about 11 miles from Center City Philadelphia and about 29 miles from Wilmington, Delaware. View driving directions to Haverford College. An email will be sent about a week before the Gathering with details on where to arrive on campus for Check-In.

Carpools

Whether you are looking for or can offer a ride to Haverford, Pennsylvania, you can indicate your interest in carpooling when you register for the Gathering. You’ll receive an email from FGC to tell you how to contact other carpoolers, or you may follow these instructions.

Airplane

The closest major airport is the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), ~20 miles/45 minutes by car from campus. The amount of travel time varies by time and day. We suggest allowing at least one hour between the airport and campus by car.

We highly recommend purchasing a refundable ticket or travel insurance, as all participants must have a negative COVID test before arriving at the Gathering.

Airport transit

SuperShuttle Express will give Gathering attenders a 5% discount. Use can enter KHC6Y in the discount code field, or use this link to make a reservation.

Other options:

A train runs from the airport to Center City (30th Street Station) every half-hour, with a connecting train (Paoli-Thorndale Line) to the Haverford train station. A ticket from the airport to Haverford Station costs about $13. See SEPTA’s trip planner for more information.

There is also an option on the Gathering registration form to sign up for carpooling (offer or request a ride, or to share a rental car).

We ask all passengers and drivers to wear masks during transport to limit COVID exposure leading up to the Gathering.

Amtrak Train

For the train to Gathering, the closest station is the 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. From there you can take public transportation, or sign up for carpooling on the Gathering registration form (offer or request a ride, or to share a rental car). We ask all passengers and drivers to wear masks during transport to limit COVID exposure leading up to the the Gathering.

We highly recommend purchasing a refundable ticket or travel insurance, as all participants must have a negative COVID test before arriving at the Gathering.

Luggage limitations. We recommend reading Amtrak Carry-on Baggage and Amtrak Special Items (scroll down to Baby Items) or contacting Amtrak if you have questions about luggage limitations.

Amtrak Transport

Amtrak (800-USA-RAIL) has frequent service to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station. At 30th Street Station you can transfer to a direct commuter train to Haverford on the area’s mass transit provider, SEPTA. Take the (Paoli/Thorndale line) to the Haverford station, which is about a 10 minute walk from campus. The Norristown High Speed Line stops about three-quarters of a mile from campus.

Not all Paoli/Thorndale trains stop at the Haverford station, so be sure to check with the conductor or septa.org before boarding.

Did you know Amtrack offers group ticket sales?

Share Fares provides a group discount of up to 60% off tickets for 8 passengers traveling together on the same reservation. Here’s how the discount works:

  • Passenger 1 – full price (or lowest available fare)
  • Groups of 2 – full price (or lowest available fare)
  • Groups of 3 – 17% off all tickets
  • Groups of 4 – 30% off all tickets
  • Groups of 5 – 39% off all tickets
  • Groups of 6 – 47% off all tickets
  • Groups of 7 – 54% off all tickets
  • Groups of 8 – 60% off all tickets 

Go to the Amtrack Sharefares website for more information.

From other Philadelphia stations
From Philadelphia’s Market East Station (11th and Market Streets), Penn Center/Suburban Station (16th Street and J.F.K. Boulevard), or Amtrak’s 30th Street Station (30th and Market Streets), board SEPTA’s Paoli/Thorndale line, which runs from 6:15 a.m. until 12:15 a.m. on weekdays and from 7:15 a.m. until 12:15 a.m. on weekends.

Public Transportation

SEPTA, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, operates commuter rail lines, buses, subways, elevated trains and trolleys throughout the Philadelphia region.

Bus

Several bus companies provide bus service to Philadelphia. Megabus and Bolt stop near the 30th Street Station. Greyhound, Peter Pan, and other companies stop further into Center City. From there you can take public transportation to the college, or arrange a car ride.

Travel Grant Opportunities

The following grants may be able to offer assistance with covering travel costs for Gathering attenders. See the “More Financial Aid Info” page for details:

  • The Bayard Rustin Fund: for Friends of Color (apply at link)
  • Western travel grant: for Western Friends 35 and under, as well as parents of children 18 and under (apply when you register)
  • Philadelphia Yearly Meeting grant: for young adults age 18-35 from the PhlYM area (apply when you register)

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