Students walk through an outdoor corridor near program headquarters. An up close look at Stanford’s architecture — a mix of Romanesque, Byzantine and modern elements — is a highlight of a campus stay. Photo by Ellen Austin/NBTB.
Preparing for your stay
Please click here for a comprehensive visitor’s guide to the Stanford University campus and facilities, including an interactive search tool with directions from your starting point to campus destinations.
Early Check-Ins
Students who wish to arrive on Saturday, June 22, before our program begins, are welcome — please just ask for an early check-in. The cost is $100, including dinner and an evening activity. Due to advance booking, this cost is non-refundable. Please see our Payment page for details on how to request and pay for early check-in.
For parents or chaperones, we can recommend several affordable alternatives near campus, including the Best Western Riviera, the Stanford Terrace Inn and The Cardinal Hotel.
Arriving by Air
Stanford is near three major airports: San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) and Oakland International Airport (OAK). Mineta is a 20-minute ride from Stanford without traffic, SFO is about 35 minutes away, and Oakland is a 50-minute drive from campus.
Ground transport from the airport — domestic arrivals
NBTB does not provide transportation from the airport on arrival, but taxis and shuttles are available at each airport. Be sure you give your driver the exact address of our dorm, as the Stanford campus is quite large. (This information will be in your registration packet, which you will receive in advance.) Each airport offers its own shuttle service. One well-used option is Supershuttle, which charges $26 each way for a round trip ride from SFO. Driving time will be increased on shuttles depending on the number of travelers and stops.
Ground transport from the airport — international arrivals
NBTB will meet and transport students arriving from international destinations upon request. Students will need to pay a transportation fee. Please contact us if your student requires this service.
Ground transport to the airport — domestic and international departures
At the end of our eight-day program, we will arrange for shuttle service to all Bay Area airports for departure. Students can reserve a space and pay when they arrive at camp. For departures, we hire a group van service, so the cost is typically $10 per student.
Visas for overseas students
Newsroom by the Bay does not require a student visa for students arriving from outside the U.S., but U.S. Customs and Border Protection might, depending on the point of origin.
As of December 2011, the U.S. government was offering a Visa Waiver Program for students from 36 countries (see list below), but students from these countries still must apply and receive approval from the Electronic Service for Travel Authorization prior to arriving at Stanford.
If a student’s country of residence is not on this list, the student will require a regular B2 tourist visa. NBTB is not able to support applications for student visas.
The countries participating in the waiver program include:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium , Brunei , Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany , Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg , Monaco , Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Malta, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Driving Directions
From Highway 101 North & South: Exit onto Embarcadero Road and travel west, following the signs directing you to Stanford University. About three miles after you exit the freeway, Embarcadero Road becomes Galvez Street as you cross El Camino Real. Stay in the left lane and continue past the stadium. The entrance to the Visitor Center Lot is on the left just beyond Nelson Road.
From Highway 280 North & South: Exit onto Sand Hill Road and follow the signs for Stanford University. Heading east, drive approximately 3 miles to the Stanford Shopping Center. Turn right onto Arboretum Road (Nordstrom is on your right). Stay on Arboretum until it ends, then turn right onto Galvez Street. Move to the left lane and continue past the stadium. The entrance to the Visitor Center Lot is on the left just beyond Nelson Road.
Parking
The Visitor Center Lot (L-95 on the campus map) is located on Galvez Street between Nelson Road & Campus Drive, near the Stanford Stadium. If the Visitor Center Lot is full (possible in the afternoon), purchase a permit at the Visitor Center Lot and drive to the Varsity Lot at the end of Nelson Road, behind the stadium.* Permits are required in both lots. If you park in the Varsity Lot, you must first purchase a permit at the Visitor Center Lot.
Upon entering the Visitor Center Lot, turn right. The parking permit vending machine is located near the Stanford Athletics Store. Purchase a parking permit and display on your dashboard. The vending machine accepts credit cards, bills, or coins. You should allow at least three hours. Parking is free after 4 p.m. Please note that the parking lots are monitored regularly and violations are expensive.
Park only in spaces designated “P” or “E”. (Do not park in spaces with only a “C” sign.) “E” parking is located at the left end of the lot, along Nelson Road across from the stadium.
The Visitor Center is located at 295 Galvez Street at Campus Drive, adjacent to the parking lot and Athletics Store.
*If the Visitor Center Lot is full, overflow parking is available in the Varsity Lot, behind the stadium at the end of Nelson Road. (See 12-E on the campus map.) Park only in spaces designated “P” or “E” and be sure to display your permit, which can be purchased only at the Visitor Center Lot. (Permits are valid at the meters, even beyond the 2-hour time limit.)
