IADR/AADOCR/CADR General Session & Exhibition

Travel Information

• Airport

  San Diego International Airport (SAN)
  Harbor Island Drive
  San Diego, CA 92101
  (619) 400-2400

  Visit Website

• International Travel

  Travel documents are required to enter the United States. If you are a citizen of a country participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you must meet the eligibility requirements to travel to the U.S. under the program. You will also need authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before beginning your trip. 

  Learn about the VWP and ESTA and if your country participates in the program. 

  Before traveling, be sure to contact your local U.S. embassy or consulate to determine what your country’s specific requirements are.

• Obtain a Visa Letter

  Registered attendees may request a general visa letter of invitation at the time of registration. Visa letters will be issued only for registered attendees.

  Requesting a Visa Letter During Registration

  Attendees can request a visa letter during the online registration process by selecting one of two options: 

  • Attendee requiring visa letter, or 
  • Student requiring visa letter (only for student attendees). 

  Once payment is completed, the visa letter will be sent automatically via email. There will be a link on the top of the page to retrieve the PDF version of the letter. 

  A visa letter with a wet signature can be requested during the online registration process. The letter will be sent via regular mail within 2 business days to the mailing address listed on your account. There is no tracking number for this service. It may take up to 10 business days or longer to receive the mail, depending on the local postal service. 

  An express shipping visa letter is available for an additional fee and can be added to the registration during the online process. The letter will be sent within 2 business days, but it may take 3-5 days for the letter to arrive depending on the location and local situation. If you have already completed the online registration and did not request a wet signature, or would like to pay for an express shipping, please email @email. Please make sure the mailing address on your IADR account is up-to-date. Express Shipping for visa letter is not refundable.

• Safety & Security

  As with any major city, it is important to remain vigilant in San Diego. Be sure to:

  • Travel in groups and avoid walking alone on unlit streets at night. 
  • Pay attention when walking and using your smart phone as these devices are commonly the target of thieves. 
  • Do not leave your purse, backpack, or briefcase unattended, especially not on the back of your chair. 
  • Do not carry your passport to the convention center or restaurants. Lock your passport in your guest room safe. 
  • Be on the lookout for pickpocketing. Don't bring every credit card and move it to your front pocket or/and wear a cross-body bag rather than a shoulder strap to keep your purse in front of you. 
  • Do not display large amounts of cash in public places. 
  • Remove your name badge when leaving your hotel or the Convention Center. 
  • Ensure that your hotel room door is always closed and locked. 
  • If you need assistance while in San Diego, dial 911 to speak to the police.

• Public Transportation

  In addition to the regular rideshare options (Uber, Lyft, etc.), there are several public transportation options in San Diego both in and around the city center.

  Light Rail (Trolley): Four main lines—Blue, Orange, Green, and Copper—serve about 62 stations across roughly 65 miles, plus the heritage Silver Line that loops downtown on holidays.

  Buses: Operates around 97 routes, including local fixed-route buses, Nine Rapid (bus rapid transit) lines, and paratransit (MTS Access).

  Connectivity: MTS also regulates and coordinates with freight rail, taxis, jitneys, and other services.

  Fares & Payment
  
  PRONTO system: A reloadable, contactless fare medium introduced in 2021—use a physical card or mobile app. It works across MTS and NCTD modes, supports fare capping (“Best Fare”), and is valid for everything from buses and trolleys to Sprinter and Coaster.

  Pricing:

  • One-way adult fare: $2.50 (two-hour transfers included when using PRONTO)
  • Reduced fare: $1.25
  • Rapid Express/Premium: $5.00 (adult); $2.50 reduced.

  PRONTO card: $2 purchase fee. Load a minimum of $3 online or $5 at a retail outlet.

  Fare capping: Once your day's rides hit the cost of a Day Pass, you're capped—no extra charges.

  Tap-to-pay: Launched in mid-2024, MTS also accepts contactless credit/debit cards and phones—easier than dealing with apps or cards, with plans for future fare capping.

  Trolley Operation & Service Facts

  Operating hours: Generally 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily, with extra or reduced runs outside those hours. No rail service between 2 a.m.–4 a.m., when freight trains run instead. 

  Frequency: Every ~15 minutes; some segments, like part of the Blue Line, run every 7.5 minutes during busy times.

  Night shuttle: Since January 2025, there’s bus route 910 “Overnight Express” filling in for the Blue Line between midnight and 5 a.m.