Travel
The 61st International Congress on Medieval Studies takes place in a hybrid format Thursday, May 14, through Saturday, May 16, 2026. The Congress includes traditional in-person sessions, virtual sessions via our online platform and some hybrid sessions that make it possible for speakers to present and audiences to attend both in-person and online.
Kalamazoo is located at the crossroads of Interstate-94 and US Route 131 in southwest Michigan, a two-and-a-half hour drive from Chicago and Detroit.
Important Addresses
- Western Michigan University: 1903 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
- Valley 2 main (accessible) entrance: 147 Valley 2 Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
- Western Heights (Hall Archer Pickard): 1925 Ring Road North, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Air
Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO) is served by Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. Detroit and Minneapolis (Delta) and Chicago (American) are the major hubs offering air connections. Rental car companies at AZO include Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National.
Some Congress attendees find it convenient to fly to Grand Rapids, South Bend, Detroit or Chicago and rent a car. Driving time from Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR, Grand Rapids) and from South Bend Regional Airport (SBN) is less than two hours. Driving time from Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) is about two and a half hours, from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) at least three hours. Kalamazoo (Eastern Time) is always one hour ahead of Chicago (Central Time).
Ground Transportation from the Airport
Medieval Institute buses meet all incoming flights at Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport on Wednesday and Thursday and transport passengers to Congress housing. On Sunday, bus transportation to the airport is provided from 4 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. There are no Friday or Saturday airport shuttles.
The Radisson Plaza Hotel and the Delta by Marriott provide shuttle service to and from the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport.
Affordable Limousine offers transportation service from Detroit Metro Airport (6 Passenger SUV $550, 14 Passenger SUV $750) to Kalamazoo and from Gerald R. Ford International Airport (6 Passenger SUV $250, 14 Passenger Transit Van $450) to Kalamazoo. To schedule a ride, please call the main office line (1-616-299-1812), Monday–Saturday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. EST or email @email. Reservations are suggested 24 hours in advance for either route, but last minute requests may be accommodated, depending availability.
For more ground transportation options from the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO), visit the AZO website.
Train and Bus
Amtrak trains (Chicago–Detroit–Pontiac and Chicago–East Lansing–Port Huron routes), as well as Greyhound and Indian Trails buses, serve Kalamazoo daily, arriving at the Kalamazoo Downtown Transportation Center.
Wednesday through Sunday (see the Shuttles page for times of operation), Medieval Institute shuttle buses travel between the Student Center on the Western Michigan University campus and downtown Kalamazoo, stopping between the Radisson Plaza Hotel and Hilton Garden Inn (a two-block walk on Rose Street from the transportation center, 0.2 miles or roughly five minutes).
Car
Kalamazoo is located at the crossroads of Interstate-94 and US Route 131 in Southwest Michigan, a two-and-a-half hour drive from Chicago or Detroit.
Driving from I-94 to Campus:
Take exit 74B onto US-131 north. Travel 2.8 miles on US-131 to exit 36 (Stadium Drive). Take Stadium Drive east (right) 2.2 miles to Howard Street. Turn left onto Howard Street and travel one mile to Goldsworth Valley Drive. Turn right onto Goldsworth Valley Drive into the WMU campus, then left on Ring Road North towards the Goldsworth Valley complexes (Valley 2); continue on Ring Road North (right at the stop, then curving to the left) to the right-turn (another stop) to Western Heights.
Parking
Parking for Congress attendees is included with registration and available in selected parking lots near Congress venues on campus. The closest parking to the Student Center is behind Sangren Hall and is accessible from the Western Heights lot. Please do not park at meters or in prohibited areas.
