Getting to Iowa City
Iowa City is situated along the Iowa River, just south of Interstate 80. If you're driving (or walking or pedaling or riding), you can't miss us. If you're parachuting, look for the gold dome at the center of town, and mind the spike.
The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, about twenty miles north of Iowa City. This is the nearest airport to Iowa City and the one most travelers use. A comprehensive list of ground transportation options between the Eastern Iowa Airport and Iowa City can be found at flyCID.com.
The Quad Cities International Airport (MLI) is located in Moline, Illinois, approximately 65 miles from Iowa City. Though not as close as the airport in Cedar Rapids, flights into Moline can be a value.
There is no train service to Iowa City.
For more information about traveling to Iowa City, visit Air & Car Travel page on the Think Iowa City website.
Getting around Iowa City
Most downtown hotels are located within a ten-minute walk of Festival classrooms on the University of Iowa campus. Rideshare services and taxis are also available in town.
If you'd like to use public transit, Iowa City is currently running a two-year pilot program that makes riding on Iowa City buses free for everyone through July 2025.
Eligible participants might qualify to use the Bionic Bus, The University of Iowa’s paratransit service for persons with disabilities. Please reach out to the Bionic Bus at (319) 335-7595 or bionic-bus@uiowa.edu to learn more about this demand-response, curb-to-curb service.
Summer in Iowa City
While the week is intense, we hope you’ll take time to step away from the page and experience the energy and ambiance of our community.
Where to Stay
Think Iowa City is a terrific resource guide for all things Iowa City and the neighboring communities of Coralville and North Liberty, including accomodations. Click STAY for more information.
If you're looking for a traveling companion to Iowa City, or for someone to share housing costs with while you're here, join the Iowa Summer Writing Festival Hovel on Facebook and post your specifics. This is the Festival's participant-run travel and housing forum.
Special rates for Festival participants
The following properties offer special rates to Festival participants. To receive these rates, indicate that you are participating in the Iowa Summer Writing Festival when you make your reservation. There may be weeks in which our block of rooms fills up quickly. We strongly encourage you to make your reservations early.
Iowa City properties (within walking distance of Festival classrooms/venues)
Element Iowa City (Marriott)
Graduate Iowa City
A limited number of rooms have been reserved at Graduate Iowa City on the pedestrian mall downtown. Rates are $109 plus tax per night. Rooms include complimentary internet access. Overnight parking is included. To reserve, use these booking links:
June - https://book.passkey.com/e/50999393
July - https://book.passkey.com/e/50999400
Or call (319) 337-4058. Indicate that you are participating in the Iowa Summer Writing Festival. These rooms will be held until May 15 for Festival workshops in June. These rooms will be held until June 13 for Festival workshops in July.
Take a virtual tour of The Graduate.
Hilton Garden Inn
Discover downtown Iowa City from the Hilton Garden Inn, two blocks from the University of Iowa and the Old Capitol Museum. Rates are $109 a night plus tax. Enjoy made-to-order breakfast in our Garden Grille in the lobby, and brunch, dinner, or cocktails at the Vue, our rooftop restaurant with the best view of Downtown Iowa City. Relax with a dip in our indoor salt-water pool and hot tub or get your work-out on in our fitness center. Stay connected with work and family in our business center. If you need anything at all to make your stay even better, don't hesitate to reach out to one of our accommodating staff members. We look forward to hosting you soon!
Guests are welcome to use the following links, then edit the stay dates and book their room(s): For June 14 - June 28 (or enter the group code Link 92C). For July 12 - July 27 or enter the group code Link 93J. You can also call the front desk at 319.248.6100 and ask to book under the Iowa Summer Writing festival block!
Hotel Chauncey, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Located in downtown Iowa City, on the 5th through the 8th floor of the Chauncey building, the Hotel Chauncey is a modern boutique hotel with views overlooking Iowa City. Each room is equipped with a full kitchen with cutlery & utensils. Discounted rates are $99 per night plus tax. Paid parking is available.
June Booking Link (select your dates) for Hotel Chauncey: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/cidchup-90f-0043d387-e720-4ce9-8311-d11077a27123/
July Booking Link (select your dates) for Hotel Chauncey: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/cidchup-90g-0a9ab90c-248d-465f-a938-1013808420dc/
Hotel Vetro, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
A small block of rooms is available at Hotel Vetro downtown, steps from the Iowa City Public Library. Discounted rates are $99 per night plus tax for one King with kitchenette or two Queens with kitchenette. Paid parking is available.
June Booking Link (select your dates) for Hotel Vetro: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/cidveup-90m-edf7c740-9226-430f-8e39-d4933f93055c/
July Booking Link (select your dates) for Hotel Vetro: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/cidveup-90l-f817a4dc-3263-41ef-b5b4-0a047339fd4d/
Hyatt Place
Hyatt Place Iowa City Downtown offers a rate of $99 per night plus tax ($112.37 after taxes and fees). Free Parking for 1 vehicle Sun-Thurs; based on availability* $9/night Parking Fri-Sat (City parking for $7.50/day-$1/hr). Free daily hot Breakfast Buffet (Mon-Fri 6:30-9:30 AM & Sat-Sun 7-10 AM). Spacious room with desk, mini-fridge, sofa and HDTV with Chromecast. 24/7 Gym. Business Center. Heated indoor Pool overlooking Downtown Iowa City. Free Wi-fi throughout the hotel. 24-hour cancellation. 4-8 min. walk to UI campus. To reserve, use the QR Code or call 319-569-2780 and mention the 2025 Corporate Rate/University of Iowa VIP/IC Business Travel Rate.This rate will be available until three weeks prior to the beginning of each session. Click above booking link > Click BOOK NOW > Enter stay dates > Click BOOK NOW > Scroll down to view available room types to reserve.
OR Hyatt.com > Special Rates> CORP CODE: CR114845.
The Brown Street Inn
The Brown Street Inn is a historic B&B in Iowa City’s Northside Neighborhood, a short walk from downtown Iowa City and Writer’s Festival activities. The Inn has three rooms that each have a queen bed and one room with a king bed. They will offer a discounted rate of $125/night for the queen rooms and $140/night for the King room. This rate includes daily breakfast, fresh cookies every afternoon, towel service every 3 days and on request, and full room service on Saturdays or after 5 days, on request. Each room has a bathroom en suite, with walk in showers in the queen rooms and a soaking tub/shower in the Green Room (the king bedroom). Guests will have full access to all the common areas, including living room, music room and front porch. We encourage interested parties to look at our website www.brownstreetinn.com. The Brown Street Inn phone is 319-338-0435 and the best email for making reservation inquiries is info@brownstreetinn.com.
Iowa House (CLOSED)
Coralville properties (a short car or ride service to campus)
Heartland Inn
Centrally located on the Coralville/Iowa City divide.