Travel
The SWARMS workshop will begin on Wednesday, June 3 at 8:30am. Those arriving late on Monday the 2nd will not miss anything technical. The technical part of the workshop will end about 4:30 pm on Thursday, June 4.
Block Island is about 50 minutes by ferry off the coast of Rhode Island. The island can be reached by air or ferry. The ferry is suggested since flying into the island is a bit costly and only seats about 8 people per trip. Because of limited air and ferry connections, participants should plan to spend the nights of June 2, 3, 4 on the island.
Travel by air:
Participants will fly into TF Green Providence Airport.
T.F. Green Airport referred to as the Providence airport is actually located in Warwick, RI just 45 minutes from Galilee/Point Judith and Newport.
From there, a taxi can transport you to the ferry dock. A taxi ride will cost you roughly $60.00 - $80.00.
You can also reserve a van or car pick up from the TF Green Providence Airport that will transport you to the ferry by making a reservation in advance with the following company:
Little Rest Limousine Service
Telephone: 401-294-1414
Contact: Marie
Email: littlerestlivery@hotmail.com
If you make a reservation via Little Rest Limousine, you can split a van ride with other SWARMS Participants for a cost of $85.00 + tip + $3.00 parking fee. This may be a better alternative than each participant paying an individual $60.00 - $80.00 cab fare.
If a taxi is too costly, please rent a car at the airport and follow these directions:
Directions to Galilee (Ferry):
Northbound route
- On I-95 north take exit 92. Bear RIGHT onto N. Stonington Rd., Route 2. Look for right hand turn for Route 78;
- Once at the end of route 78 take a LEFT onto Route 1 north (Look for the big sign that says Block Island Ferry).
- Travel north on Route 1 about 20 - 25 minutes until the Galilee/Pt. Judith exit which puts you on Route 108.
- Bear RIGHT on 108 south (Pt. Judith Rd) for approximately 3 miles until you reach a right hand exit for Block Island Ferry. The ferry is located in the center of town at the Galilee State Pier.
Southbound route
- On I-95 south take exit 9 (Narragansett exit) to Route 4; stay on Route 4 until you reach Route 1.
- On Route 1 look for Route 108 south and then proceed as above.
Galilee is about two hours from New Haven by car and an hour from Providence Airport. Don't take your car on the ferry! There is ample protected parking right across from the ferry in Galilee.
The best way to get to the island is via the ferry. Your best bet is to take the ferry which leaves from Galilee, R.I. - a small, interesting, commercial fishing town near Pt. Judith.
The Block Island ferry line offers either The Traditional Ferry or The High Speed Ferry Line. The Traditional Ferry Line is a bit slow but considerably larger and quite comfortable than others. The High Speed Ferry will be running as it re-opens Memorial Day Weekend. The High Speed Ferry ride will take approximately 30 minutes. You may take either the High Speed Ferry or the Traditional Ferry both accessible at the same location Block Island Ferry.
The Block Island Ferry trip takes about 50 minutes and arrives at the Island's only town of consequence, Old Harbor. The Spring House is to your left as you leave the ferry - about half a mile. The hotel is high on a hill and is visible from the ferry as you approach the Island. The hotel is white with red trim and has Victorian architecture. You may walk up the hill to the hotel (about a five minute walk) or take a cab.