Visitor Information

Fort Worth is one of America’s "Cowtowns" and lives in the shadow of its wild history as a rip-roaring cowboy town, a place of gunfights and cattle drives -- even though its cultural establishment is superior to that of Dallas and it has seen a downtown rebirth in recent years. In Fort Worth that fellow in the faded jeans and cowboy hat could well be the president of the bank.

Fort Worth is located in north central Texas, 30 miles west of Dallas, and is the third most populous metro area in Texas, behind Houston and Dallas. The four-county Fort Worth Metro Area (Tarrant, Johnson, Parker and Hood Counties) forms the western half of the Dallas-Fort Worth “Metroplex,” which is the largest market in the southern U.S. and ninth largest in the nation.

Fort Worth was established as a frontier army post in 1849. The outpost became a stopping place on the stories Old Chisholm Trail and a shipping point for the great herds of Longhorn cattle being sent to northern markets. Fort Worth is known as the city “Where the West Begins” and today the pioneering spirit remains, but attention has turned to the high-tech and service industries of an emerging western metropolis. Fort Worth offers the very best of Texas.

Getting Here

Fort Worth is located 17.5 miles from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). With almost 1,900 flights daily, DFW Airport serves as a gateway for destinations across the country and around the globe.

There are several ways to get to Fort Worth’s downtown area from DFW Airport: Trinity Railway Express (approximately one hour ride) for about $2.50; a taxi, the Super Shuttle, and the Yellow Checker Shuttle (Airporter). See below for reservation telephone numbers. Passenger pick up is on the Upper Level at each terminal and passenger drop off is on the Lower Level at each terminal upon return to the Airport.

DFW International Airport’s new car rental facility is just south of the Airport’s south toll plazas. The facility consolidates all car rental agencies in one location. From your airline terminal, you will be able to catch the Rental Car bus and be taken directly to the facility.

Transportation Information

Amounts quoted are approximate per person for a one way trip.
 Cab companies may charge for each additional person.

Discount Airport Transportation Web-Tickets

Yellow Checker Shuttle has been chosen as the airport transportation company for the CAARI 2008. By clicking the button below, you have the choice of several transportation options. These include:

Climate

Fort Worth has a moderate climate. Spring and fall are mild, summers are hot (average temperature in July is 95 degrees Fahrenheit) and winters are cool with occasional periods of both warm and cold weather. Thunderstorms occur somewhere in the region an average of 45 days per year. Fort Worth averages 29 inches of rain and 3 inches of snowfall annually.

Visas

The U.S. has updated its visa policies to increase security for our citizens and visitors. Due to increasing delays in securing visas to the United States, prospective international attendees should begin this process as early as possible to ensure approval. Participants who will require a visa to enter the U.S. are encouraged to start the application process at least six months before the conference. For information, visit: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_2665.html.

Citizens from the 27 Visa Waiver Program countries can enter the U.S. for visits less than 90 days without a visa. As of October 26, 2006, all new passports issued by Visa Waiver Program countries must be machine readable, include a digital photo and be e-Passports (includes a computer chip that stores biographic and biometric data). A visa is required for citizens of countries which do not have a Visa Waiver Program.

Obtaining a visa can take several months. We urge foreign participants to review your visa status and find out if you need a U.S. visa or a renewal. If so, you need to plan for an interview at the Embassy or Consulate, which normally includes a quick fingerprint scan.

Upon request, the Conference Assistant (kfsloan@sandia.gov) will send you a letter of ‘invitation to participate’ at the conference. This invitation is meant to help with visa application, but it is not a commitment from the organizers to provide financial support or acceptance of an abstract. Note that CAARI 2008 is registered with the U.S. Department of State. The list of registered meetings is shared with the DoS Visa Services and disseminated to U.S. consulate offices worldwide.

Up-to-date information on the Visa Waiver Program, visa classifications, and wait times is at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/temp_1305.html. Additional information on international visitors attending scientific conferences in the U.S.A. is provided by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences at http://www7.nationalacademies.org/visas/Traveling_to_US.html