Travel guide

Programme dates for 2024 are 20-23 October. Registration opens on May 15. Join the interest here!

 

 

Flight information

We recommend you fly into Boston Logan International Airport.

By Car

From Logan Airport: Follow signs for I-90 West (Massachusetts Turnpike/Ted Williams Tunnel). Take I-90 West to exit #20 for Brighton/Cambridge. See below.

From west of Boston: Take I-90 East (Massachusetts Turnpike) to exit #18 for Allston/Cambridge. See below.

From north and south of Boston: Take I-93 (North or South) to exit #20 for I-90 West (Massachusetts Turnpike). Take I-90 West to exit #20 for Brighton/Cambridge. See below.

From I-90 (Massachusetts Turnpike) (see above for exit numbers): After the tollbooth, bear right toward Cambridge. Continue through the first set of lights and get in the left lane. Turn left onto Soldiers Field Road just past the second set of lights and before the bridge. Turn left on to Western Avenue at the first stoplight. Enter the campus through the Kresge Way or Batten Way entrances on the right.

By Rapid Transit

Coming by MBTA, take the Red Line to Harvard Square. John F. Kennedy Street runs through the center of Harvard Square. Walk south on John F. Kennedy Street, crossing over the Charles River on the Anderson Bridge. The Harvard Business School is on the left, after the bridge. Take the first entrance leading into the campus.

The #66 bus runs down JFK Street and North Harvard Street between Harvard Square and Western Avenue.

Weather/dress

Weather

The average temperature in the month of September is mild with average highs of 23°C (74°F) and average lows of 18°C (65°F). Temperatures do change quickly; please plan on dressing in layers.

Dress code

The dress code for the daytime meetings at the hotel is smart casual. The meeting rooms are air-conditioned, so a light jacket or layers are suggested for comfort during sessions.

Men’s dress code glossary
  • Business casual: Nice slacks; collared shirts
  • Smart casual: Seasonal sport coat or blazer; slacks or nice jeans; dress shirt, casual button-down shirt, open-collar shirt or polo shirt
Women’s dress code glossary
  • Business casual: Nice slacks or skirt; blouse
  • Smart casual: Dress, skirt, dressy pants or nice jeans; dressy top

*Remember to bring a sweater to the University. The hotel and other venues will be air-conditioned, and it is recommended that you wear some layers in order to be comfortable in the meeting rooms.

About Boston

Country: United States

Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Please check www.timeanddate.com to find the time in your home city.

Etiquette

For etiquette information, please reference:

Language

English is the official language.

Currency

The base currency in the United States is the dollar. The U.S. dollar (sign: $; code: USD), is the official currency of the United States. The dollar is subdivided into 100 cents (singular cent). Banknotes frequently used are $1, $5, $10, $20, $50 and coins frequently used are 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢.

ATMs are widely available; credit cards are accepted at most hotels, stores and restaurants. Many farmers-market stalls and food trucks and some bars are cash only. Most banks have 24-hour ATMs. You can withdraw cash from an ATM using a credit card (service charge applies); check with your bank about fees and immediately applied interest. Though there are exchange bureaus at airports, the best rates are generally in town. You can change money downtown at Currency Exchange International and Bank of America.

For currency converter tools, please visit Oanda.com or XE.com.

Stay connected

The country code for United States is +1. When dialing a U.S. number from abroad, be sure to dial +1 before the area code and number.

The emergency number in Boston is the same in other cities of the United States.

Police, fire or ambulance: 911

Please contact your individual mobile phone service provider for information about international plans. Mobile phones are widely used throughout the United States. Call your service provider before arriving to determine if you should purchase an international roaming plan.

Wi-Fi is available in some public places for free in the US such as coffee shops/ bistros, airports, restaurants, and some hotels. The strength and speed of the signal may vary and you may need to ask for login information.

The electrical current in the United States is 120 volts and 60 hz. In the US the power sockets used are of type A and B. See the following pictures.

Class I and Class II Power Outlets

To ensure the safety of your electronics, you can purchase a wide array of converters and universal adapters online.

Entry requirements and visas

To enter the United States, you’ll need a valid passport. Visa requirements vary by country and purpose of travel. Please check your visa requirements as soon as possible because the process can often be lengthy. Visit USA.gov for instructions and requirements based on your home country and purpose of travel to the United States. There are some travel restrictions for certain countries. You can view your country’s status here.

Health

Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot.

You can find more health and safety recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Zika virus is a risk in the United States. Because Zika infection in a pregnant woman can cause serious birth defects, women who are pregnant should not travel to the United States. All travelers should strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites and sexual exposure to Zika virus during and after the trip.

COVID Health & Safety Protocols

Please review Harvard Business School’s vaccinations, visas, testing and other on campus protocols here. This is updated on a regular basis. There may be some travel restrictions for certain countries.

Dietary restrictions

Please notify us of any dietary restrictions during registration so that your needs are accommodated at the University. To edit any dietary restrictions or input new dietary restrictions, go to the event page and click “Modify registration.” You will be able to edit or enter dietary information and click “Save.” If you suffer from severe food allergies, we encourage you to visit this website and consider purchasing food and travel-translation cards to effectively communicate your needs while traveling.