Baltimore Washington International (BWI). BWI is about 10 miles south of Baltimore Inner Harbor. It is served by most major airlines. A cab from the airport to the city should cost around $20.

There are two other major airports at the vicinity of Washington DC: Washington National and Dulles airport. I recommend not to use them for the purpose of comming to IC-DCS97. It is expensive, complicated, and time consuming to get to Baltimore from these airports. (I think that the easiest way is to take a shuttle to BWI, and continue from there).

Baltimore Union Station is served by Amtrak. A cab from the train station to the hotel (or Inner Harbor) should cost around $10

From the South: Use I-95 north, exit to Baltimore Inner Harbor using I-395. After the freeway ends, take a right to Pratt street. The hotel will be to your right after a few blocks.

From the North: Use I-95 south, take the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) west. From the beltway, take I-83 south. Proceed on I-83 south until the end of the Freeway (about 15 minutes). Continue strait two lights and then take a right at Lombard street. Continue on Lombard until you see the hotel to your left. (about 3 blocks).

From the North (alternative): Use I-83 South. at the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) I-83 South merges with the Beltway. Take I-695 west (to continue on I-83 south). After 2 miles, I-83 splits from I-695. Take I-83 south until the end of the Freeway. Continue strait two lights and then take a right at Lombard street. Continue on Lombard until you see the hotel to your left. (about 3 blocks).

There are many other hotels. However, prices are extremely high at this time of the year, and I beleive that it will be hard to find a cheaper deal in the immediate vicinity of the conference.

The only cheap alternative I could find in the area is the Quality Inn Inner Harbor which goes for about $70 a day. The name, though, is misleading because this hotel resides outside the Inner Harbor, and outside a reasonable walking distance.
Phone: 410-727-3400
Fax: 410-547-0586

Perhaps a better option will be to stay outside the Inner Harbor. Two reasonable alternative:

• Doubletree Inn at the Colonnade: 4 West University Parkway, Baltimore. Phone: 410-235-5400, 1-800-222-TREE
  Fax: 410-235-5572
  
• Cross Keys Inn: 5100 Falls Road, Baltimore. Phone: 410-532-6900
  Fax: 410-532-2403