Buddhist Practice and Community in Higher Education

Through the generous support of the Hemera Foundation, we are able to offer travel reimbursement for all attendees. We will offer up to $700 for people traveling from the Mountain or Pacific Time Zones, $400 for people flying in from the Central Time Zone and Eastern Time Zone, and up to $100 for those arriving by train or car from neighboring states. However, if you require additional support, please feel welcome to inquire, we may be able to provide additional support for people whose travel requires it on a case-by-case basis. We will not be able to reimburse international travel, lodging or meals. Students attending the gathering will also receive a $200 stipend as an appreciation. Please plan to save receipts to submit in accordance with Dharma Gates Policy

  • 1. Authorized Expenses for Program Travel

    1.1. Modes of Transportation

    ■ Economy airfare

    ■ Train or bus travel

    ■ Public transit

    ■ Mileage for personal vehicle use at $0.67/mile

    ■ Parking and tolls related to program travel

    ■ Taxi or ride-sharing services e.g., Lyft

    ■ Baggage fees for a single piece of luggage

    ■ Other travel-related expenses if pre-approved

    2. Non-reimbursable Expenses

    2.1. The following are generally not reimbursable:

    ■ Personal travel not directly related to the program

    ■ Upgrades (e.g., business or first-class airfare)

    ■ Expenses incurred for companions or family members

    3. Mileage

    3.1. If driving a personal vehicle, mileage may be reimbursed at $0.67. The roundtrip mileage

    reimbursement must be less than the roundtrip cost by other modes of transportation or

    reasonably necessary.

    3.2. Please record the date, starting location, destination, purpose of trip, and total miles

    driven.

    4. Submitting Expenses

    4.1. Please email copies of receipts to Operations; team@dharma-gates.org; within 30 days

    following the program. Include the Mileage Log if claiming mileage.

Getting to the Hudson Valley from NYC Airports

From JFK Airport

To Metro-North (Poughkeepsie)

Follow signs for AirTrain. Take AirTrain to Jamaica Station

At Jamaica, transfer to LIRR toward Grand Central Madison (Do not take a subway unless necessary—LIRR is much faster.)

At Grand Central Madison, follow signs to Grand Central Terminal / Metro-North. This is about a 10–15 minute indoor walk/escalator transfer.

Board a Hudson Line train to Poughkeepsie. Travel time: about 1 hr 50 min–2 hrs. Total airport-to-Poughkeepsie: ~3–4 hours. AirTrain → LIRR is the smoothest JFK-to-Manhattan route.

To Amtrak (Rhinecliff)

Take AirTrain to Jamaica Station

Take LIRR to Penn Station (or Grand Central, then subway/taxi to Penn, but direct to Penn is easier)

Walk to Moynihan Train Hall. Follow Amtrak signs

Board Amtrak to Rhinecliff. Travel time from NYC: about 1 hr 40 min–2 hrs

From LaGuardia (LGA)

LaGuardia has no train station, so you’ll first take a bus.

To Metro-North (Poughkeepsie)

Take the free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus. This connects terminals to subway/LIRR access points.

Transfer to subway or LIRR toward Grand Central. Fastest common route: Q70 → Jackson Heights then subway to Grand Central (or Q70 → LIRR depending on terminal/time)

At Grand Central Terminal, board the Metro-North Hudson Line to Poughkeepsie. Total travel time: 3–4 hours

To Amtrak (Rhinecliff)

Take Q70 bus

Transfer toward Penn Station / Moynihan Train Hall (subway, taxi, or LIRR depending on preference)

Board Amtrak to Rhinecliff. Total travel time: 3–4 hours

From Newark Airport (EWR)

Newark is the easiest airport for Amtrak.

To Amtrak (Rhinecliff) — Recommended

Follow signs for AirTrain / Newark Airport Rail Link. Take AirTrain to Newark Airport Rail Station

Take NJ Transit to New York Penn Station

Walk into Moynihan Train Hall

Board Amtrak to Rhinecliff. Total travel time: about 3–3.5 hours

To Metro-North (Poughkeepsie)

Take AirTrain to Newark Airport Rail Station

NJ Transit to New York Penn

Subway or taxi to Grand Central Terminal

Metro-North Hudson Line to Poughkeepsie

Which should you choose?

Flying into JFK or LGA:
Usually easiest: Metro-North to Poughkeepsie

Flying into Newark:
Usually easiest: Amtrak to Rhinecliff