Here’s what you need to know about traveling to our summer sites: 


Visa information for non-U.S. citizens   

International participants in CTY programs are defined as non-U.S. citizens or non-U.S. permanent residents not already in the U.S. with an immigration status that permits participation in our program. International participants will typically need to obtain a B-1/B-2 visa or use the Visa Waiver (ESTA) program to attend CTY in-person courses. 


CTY does not provide immigration sponsorship and is unable to assist with the process of obtaining travel documentation. If you have questions, we recommend contacting the U.S. Consulate or working with a travel agent in your area. Learn more.


Shuttle services for students traveling without an adult 
All CTY sites offer shuttle service from specific area airports and/or train stations to the site. Available times and logistics vary between sites, so please review the shuttle information in your site information packet before booking your child’s transportation.

To purchase shuttle service for your child to their summer site:

  • Log in to MyCTY
  • Click “Special Requests” in the left menu and find the shuttle service that corresponds to your summer site location and term Click “Add to Cart”
  • In your cart, under the “Options” column, click “Add/Remove Members” and select the student for which you would like to purchase the shuttle service
  • Click “Checkout” and proceed with payment

Shuttle service costs $156 (one way or round trip) and may only be used by students traveling alone. Since the shuttle service is operated by CTY site staff and not a professional company, late requests can create logistical hardships for the site office. For this reason, the charge for shuttle service increases to $260 for requests made on or after June 1. We encourage you to make travel plans and shuttle service requests as early as possible. On arrival day, a staff member wearing a CTY t-shirt will wait for students outside of their gates’ security checkpoints, unless otherwise directed by airline or airport policies. The staff member will greet participants, help them with their luggage, and ride with them to the site. More detailed information about traveling to site is included in the site information available in MyCTY once a participant is enrolled in a class.


Arranging a carpool for day sites

We will provide information later in the spring about options for contacting other families about setting up carpools at day sites.


Arriving at a residential site a day early or departing a day late

We grant permission for participants to arrive one day early or depart one day late only in the most extenuating circumstances. Additionally, no participant attending term B or a site that runs only one term may depart late. In all cases, the permission of the site’s program manager is required. When available, there is an additional charge of $156 for this service.


If you have difficulty arranging transportation for your child, or questions about arrival or departure, please email the site’s program manager to discuss your situation before you confirm reservations or purchase nonrefundable tickets. The program manager’s contact information is listed in the site information packet.  


Staying on campus between summer residential terms

We recommend that participants spend the weekend between terms with family or friends in the area, if possible. If your child is attending a residential program and needs to stay with us, however, we will provide a room, meals, and supervision for a fee of $156 per night. Contact the site’s program manager to request this service. The program manager’s contact information is listed in your child’s site information packet.  


Arranging housing for your family during your child’s in-person course

Your participant site information includes a list of resources to help families in their search for extended accommodations in the area. The packet is available via MyCTY after a participant has been assigned to a summer course. CTY does not have housing for families of participants attending our day programs.