Seminars:
PLEN has negotiated a reduced rate for seminar housing at a local hotel for an additional fee. Go to the page for the program you’re interested in and click on housing for more housing information. If you choose to use PLEN Housing, you will have at least one roommate. PLEN is unable to secure housing for individuals who are not attending the seminar.
If you do not wish to have a roommate, you will need to book your hotel accommodations on your own. You may want to consider hotel locations in the Arlington/Crystal City, Virginia area, as these are close to Washington National Airport and also tend to be more affordable. If you choose to book your accommodations, it is extremely important that the hotel is located close to a Metro Station, as we will be using the Metro to travel throughout the city during the seminar.
Directions to Carlyle Suites Hotel
1731 New Hampshire Avenue, NW (1-866-HOTEL-DC)
By Metro:
At the Dupont Circle Metro Station on the Red Line, take the Q Street North exit. At the top of the escalator, turn right and walk along Q Street across Connecticut Avenue. Continue one and a half more blocks to New Hampshire Avenue. Cross New Hampshire Avenue and turn left. Continue on New Hampshire about two and a half more blocks; the hotel is on the right.
Click below for a map of the Washington Subway system (the “Metro”)
By Train:
Arrive at Union Station. A cab to the hotel should cost approximately $8-11 for a single person. Or take the Metro from Union Station (Red Line) in the direction of Shady Grove. Go 5 stops to the Dupont Circle Station. Follow Metro directions above.
By Bus:
The Greyhound/Trailways Stations are at the corner of 1st and L Streets, NE. A cab to the hotel should cost approximately $8-11 for a single person. You could also walk about three blocks south on 1st Street to Union Station and take the Metro from there. If you are arriving in the evening, we recommend taking a cab from the bus station.
By Car:
From the North:
Take 95 South to 495 North/West (Capital Beltway) in the direction of Silver Spring. From 495, take the exit for 185/Connecticut Avenue South. Take Connecticut Avenue all the way into the city for about 7 miles. Approximately 1 mile after you pass the zoo on your left and pass over a bridge, Connecticut Ave. will divide and the middle lanes will go into a tunnel under Dupont Circle. Stay to the right and don’t go into the tunnel. The next intersection will be Q Street, turn left on Q Street and go one and a half blocks to New Hampshire Avenue. Turn left on New Hampshire Ave. Continue about 2 and a half more blocks; the hotel is on the right.
From the South:
Take 95 North to 395 North. From 395, take the 14th Street Bridge across the Potomac River and onto Route 1 (14th Street). Take 14th Street for about 1 mile (25 blocks) to R Street. Turn left on R Street. Continue for about 4 blocks to New Hampshire Avenue. Turn right on New Hampshire; hotel is on the right about half a block up.
By Plane:
From Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA):
A cab to the hotel will cost approximately $12-16 for a single person. You can also take the Metro. Take the Yellow Line in the direction of Mt. Vernon Square for 5 stops to the Gallery Place/Chinatown Station. Transfer to the Red Line in the direction of Shady Grove for 3 stops to the Dupont Circle Station. Follow Metro directions above.
From Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD):
Take the Washington Flyer Coach Bus. For more information, call the Washington Flyer at 1-888-WASHFLY. You can take the bus ($8 one-way or $14 round-trip) to the West Falls Church Metro Station on the Orange Line. The bus leaves every 30 minutes between 7:45 a.m. and 10:15 p.m. on the weekends/holidays and every 30 minutes between 5:45 a.m. and 10:15 p.m. on weekdays. From West Falls Church, take the Orange Line Metro in the direction of New Carrollton to the Metro Center Station. At Metro Center, transfer to the Red Line in the direction of Shady Grove. Go 2 stops to the Dupont Circle Metro Station. Follow Metro directions below. Visit the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority website for more details about the Washington Flyer and other methods of transportation.
From Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI):
Take the free shuttle from the airport to the BWI Rail Station (410-672-6169), where you can take Amtrak trains to Union Station (which connects to the Metro system) in DC. From Union Station, a cab will cost approximately $8-11 for a single person, or follow the Metro directions above. Amtrak trains cost about $25 each way; reservations may be needed. OR take the BWI Express Metro Bus from the airport to the Greenbelt Metro Station. The bus runs every 40 minutes and costs $2 each way. From the Greenbelt Metro Station on the Green Line, take the Metro in the direction of Branch Avenue 10 stops to the Gallery Place/Chinatown Station. Transfer to the Red Line in the direction of Shady Grove. Take the Red Line 3 stops to the Dupont Circle Metro Station. Follow Metro directions above. Click Here for more information about ground transportation options from BWI.
Internship semesters:
PLEN identifies housing options for participants in the internship semester and allows each participant to choose her own housing. Options:
Stay at a local school:
During the summer, D.C. area schools often rent out their dorm rooms to interns.
Look into the following local universities:
Georgetown University Law School
Sublet an apartment:
D.C. residents who plan to be away for a semester will often sublet their apartment to one or more individuals. Look for postings on Craigslist, Washington Post, other local newspapers, or search online for short-term housing.
Stay in an airbnb:
AirBnB allows you to book unique, affordable accommodations in cities around the world, including, Washington, DC.
Stay in a hostel:
Hostels are an affordable, convenient alternative to staying in a hotel.