Travel & Housing
Housing in the Southwestern University dorms will only be available from July 1 through July 8. If your team is arriving before July 1 or staying after July 8, we recommend that you stay in one of the listed hotel properties.
Visa Information and Support
Please consult the US State Department website (https://www.state.gov/visas/) to determine if you will need a visa in order to travel to the United States. Many visitors will be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program. A list of these countries may be found here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html
Visa letters for participants needing these documents will be available. The Academy of Model Aeronautics has a great deal of experience in guiding FAI event participants through the visa process. Those needing a visa letter should request one by contacting their team manager, who may request visa letters through the organizers.
Team Managers: if you need visa letters for your team members, please complete the following Visa Letter Worksheet and send via email to: jduffy@mac.com
Two invitation letters will be issued, from the National Association of Rocketry and the Academy of Model Aeronautics
Air Transportation
Austin’s Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) offers direct flights from all major cities in the United States and also offers convenient direct international service from Toronto, London, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam. Alternatively, participants may choose to fly to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW, 185 miles/300 km away, 3 hours driving time) or Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH, 180 miles/290 km away, 3.5 hours driving time).
Ground Transportation
Texas is big! Teams should take great care to consider their transportation needs carefully, as public transport options are not available for the distances participants will need to cover each day. Depending on the size of their group, teams are encouraged to rent cars, vans, or buses. For those unable to secure rental vehicles, the organizers have arranged for buses to transport a limited number of competitors from the dorms at Southwestern to the flying field at Apache Pass each day. Only 60 participants each day will be able to use this option!
We strongly encourage larger teams to arrange their own local transportation. Smaller teams should consider renting cars or vans, while larger teams may wish to secure coach-style bus transport. Please contact these firms directly, as the organizers are not able to assist with securing rented or contracted car, bus, or van services.
Rental car companies operating out of the Austin airport include:
Van rentals may be an attractive option for small-to-medium sized teams. These companies specialize in larger passenger vans:
Larger teams may wish to consider coach rentals. These services will also provide a driver:
For transportation to and from Austin Bergstrom International Airport for those not renting vehicles, we recommend that teams contact SuperShuttle, and book their airport transfers on their website. The airport code for Austin is AUS, and the address for Southwestern University is: 1001 E. University Ave., Georgetown, TX 78626.
Housing
Southwestern University in Georgetown is the oldest university in Texas, and will serve as the primary housing option for participants.
The primary housing location for competitors, team supporters, and staff will be in comfortable student housing located on the campus of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. The University is located 34 miles (58 km) from the contest venue and 39 miles (63 km) from Austin Bergstrom International Airport.
Fees for seven nights of housing in the dorms (dual occupancy) with breakfast and dinner each day are priced as indicated in the Bulletin. All rooms are paired in suites, with shared bathrooms. Rooms will be available for families that wish to be housed together. Cafeteria-style breakfast and dinner choices will be available for participants who choose this housing option.
Participants who prefer more traditional hotel arrangements will have the opportunity to choose from many options offering a wide range of amenities and prices. Southwestern University will also host the Opening Ceremonies for the Championships, as well as most of the Awards Ceremonies.
Southwestern University is located within walking distance of a very vibrant restaurant, bar, and shopping district. Additional information concerning housing and food service will be published with Bulletin 1 in January, 2023.
