FOSS4G 2011 Travel Hints

This page is to collect various hints for people traveling to Denver for FOSS4G 2011.

Please do not hesitate to add your own hints and info

= Airport Cab Share =

Cab fare to/from the airport is ~$50, and while the Shuttle is cheaper it isn't a direct connection, so consider sharing a cab with someone -- just sign up below and maybe make a new friend....

Tuesday

 * arriving airport 6:45pm, going to the Sheraton -- contact bfischer@houstoneng.com
 * arriving airport 9:25pm, going to the Sheraton -- contact mpg@flaxen.com

City Bus
the AT route from the airport to downtown was $11. All buses stop on the top level transportation center, furthest island from the airport exit.

Super Shuttle
You can also make use of the Super Shuttle ($22 one way or $40 return within 14 days). They drop you off at your hotel. Find the Super Shuttle desk at the Ground Transport(?) signs. The shuttle vans are blue colored. Note: a few people have had less than optimal experiences with them, so your customer satisfaction mileage may vary.

= Cell Phone Roaming =

Prepaid SIM Cards
For those with unlocked cell phones looking for a prepaid SIM card:


 * AT&T has a few very interesting options, either 2$/day for unlimited voice and text, or 0.10$/minute. See http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-plans/pyg-cell-phone-plans.jsp

Canadian Travelers

 * Rogers:
 * http://www.rogers.com/web/Rogers.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=NEW_GCT&_nfls=true&setLanguage=en&sub_template=travelwithyourphone&template=add-ons
 * Bell:
 * Voice:
 * Regular roaming charges for Bell customers roaming in US are 1.45$+tax per minute
 * There are voice roaming packages that can be added to your account for a single month to get lower roaming charges (15$ for 15 minutes voice + 1$/minute extra, 30$ for 50 min. voice + 0.60$ extra) See http://www.bell.ca/shopping/Travel-USA-bundles/RMUSA.details
 * SMS:
 * By default without a SMS package, you get charges of 0.75$ per outgoing SMS and 0.20$ per incoming SMS while roaming
 * If you have a SMS package with free incoming SMS in your local (canadian) package then incoming SMS from Canada are also free while roaming (but outgoing SMS are still 0.75$ a pop)
 * On some corporate packages only, Bell offers a US roaming SMS package (not listed online) at 5$/month that offers 100 outgoing SMS (outgoing to Canada and US) and unlimited incoming SMS while roaming in the US. Outgoing SMS to e.g. Europe are charged at 0.25$/message under this package. Either call or use the "Chat with a rep" option on Bell's site to check what is available to you.
 * Data:
 * No affordable option. Turn data off! ;-)

= Car rentals =

Any hints for good deals?

= Traveling around the city =


 * The conference website has some great info on this topic:
 * Getting to the conference
 * Interactive Map
 * Static Map

Denver B-Cycle
Denver B-Cycle has 24-hour passes available for $6 at a B-Cycle station or you can register online. (If you're spending some extra time in Denver, 7-day passes are $20.) The system has 51 stations and 510 bikes. There are stations within a block or so of the Sheraton (Glenarm Place & 15th St. and Broadway & E. 16th Ave.).

Once you get the pass, there are no further charges for rides of 30 minutes or less. Hop station to station for longer rides. Zoom in just a bit at Jason Sanford's beautiful FOSS4G map to see bike station locations.

Get a B-Cycle app (free) for either iPhone or Android. It tells you in realtime how many bikes are available at a station and how many open docks.

There is a station at Denver Union Station on Wynkoop St. near the Wynkoop Brewery. You could bike your way over and back to the opening night social event.

BYOH - Bring your own helmet. Denver does not require helmets when you ride a bike and B-Cycle doesn't provide them but does recommend that you wear one.

More info at the B-Cycle site along with their map and FAQ.

(From Just van den Broecke) added B-Cycle station locations to GeoCommons: http://geocommons.com/overlays/154716 to load on your handheld GPS like I did.