Travel Info

Getting to and from the NIH Main Campus and the Natcher Center: The Natcher Conference Center (Building 45) is on the main campus of the NIH in Bethesda, MD. It is strongly encouraged that you take the Metro or hotel shuttle to campus. For the metro, re-usable SmarTrip cards can be purchased at any station. Information on the Metro transit system, including fares, schedules, and estimated travel times from other stops, can be found at http://www.wmata.com/. Driving is strongly discouraged, but limited parking is available on campus for $12/day at the Gateway Entrance visitors parking garage.

Please allow adequate time to get to the NIH main campus and to get through security (allow 30 minutes for security). You will need to obtain a visitors badge, so please bring a government-issued photo ID.

There is only one Metro line (RED) at both the Bethesda Metro where the Hyatt Regency Bethesda is, and the Medical Center Metro where the NIH visitor center is. From the Hyatt at the Bethesda Metro station, take the metro ONE (1) stop towards either Grosvenor or Shady Grove (both trains on the same platform in the same direction), NOT towards Glenmont or Silver Spring. Get off at the Medical Center Metro station only one stop away.

Once you obtain your visitor's badge, proceed to your left, up the stairs or elevator to the upper level exit of the Visitor’s Center. Once outside, follow the signs down the hill to the Natcher Conference Center (Building 45). The curved, glass building should be straight ahead with the entrance at the end of the walkway.

Click here for an NIH Map with both Gateway Center and Natcher marked

Hotel Information

We recommend one of the following hotels

Doubletree by Hilton - walking distance to campus

Hyatt Regency Bethesda - immediately above Bethesda metro station, one stop from NIH

Bethesda Marriott - free shuttle to NIH every half hour