1. Global Education Office
  2. Fulbright Gateway Orientation
  3. Arrival information
Fulbright Gateway Orientation

Arrival information

Arrival Date: Monday, August 12, 2019
Departure Date: Friday, August 16, 2019


Richmond Airport & Shuttle Bus to Hotel (August 12)
Please plan to fly into the Richmond International Airport (RIC), which is located approximately 7.5 miles (12 km) from the VCU academic campus and your Gateway hotel, about a 15-minute car ride.

The VCU shuttle will be available for transportation, free of charge, from the airport to the Graduate Hotel throughout the day on Aug. 12. The first shuttle will depart from the airport at 3 p.m. The last shuttle will depart from the airport at midnight (12 a.m.). If you miss the shuttle and do not want to wait for the next, you can take a taxi or Uber/Lyft to the Graduate Hotel, which will cost around $30-$40. The hotel address is 301 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220.

If you fly into Richmond before 3 p.m on Aug. 12, you can either take a taxi, Uber or Lyft to the hotel, or you can wait for the first shuttle at 3 p.m. If you miss the last shuttle at midnight (12 a.m.), you can take a taxi, Uber or Lyft to the hotel. 


Train/Bus Arrivals
If you are not flying into the Richmond Airport and instead arriving via bus/train, you will need to take a taxi, Uber or Lyft to the hotel. For a taxi, we recommend Napoleon Taxi (www.napoleontaxi.com 804-354-8294). You can also download the Uber or Lyft app to your phone and request a ride that way. The hotel address is: Graduate Hotel, 301 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220.

Program & Hotel Check-In
Elizabeth Hiett from VCU’s Global Education Office will be in the Graduate Hotel lobby between noon - 5:30 p.m. on August 12 to greet you and to hand out program folders, pre-paid VISA cards, and hotel lunch vouchers (vouchers are for those arriving at the hotel before 2 p.m.). Hotel check-in will begin at 4 p.m. and will continue throughout the day/evening. Don’t worry if you get into Richmond late! Your reservation has been made and you will have a room ready for you when you arrive.

If you arrive before hotel check-in at 4 p.m., you are free to explore Richmond. If you arrive at the hotel after 5:30 p.m., you will receive your program folder when you check in at the front desk and your VISA card Tuesday at the orientation.

You do not need to contact the hotel, as your reservation has already been made for you. You will be sharing a room with 1-2 fellow participants of the same gender. Your room and tax charges are covered by the Gateway program. However, you are responsible for any incidental expenses (food you order to your room or at the hotel restaurant/bar, food/drinks you take from the minibar, room damages, etc.) When you check in, the front desk will ask you for a credit card for “incidentals.” They will keep this card on file and any incidental expenses (expenses outside of room/tax) will be charged when you check out.

Optional Dinner (August 12)
Participants who arrive at the hotel before 5:30 p.m. will be given vouchers for VCU’s all-you-can eat cafeteria-style dining center (Market 810) at Shafer Court Dining Center, which is open for dinner until 6:30 p.m. Students can walk on their own to campus, individually or in groups. It is about a 10 minute walk. There is no program for dinner, so participants can stay for as long as they’d like or grab food and go back to rest at the hotel. If you arrive at the hotel after 5:30 p.m. and would like food, you can order directly from the hotel restaurant or ask the front desk for recommendations nearby.