Teen Travel Information

Getting to IC

IC 2026 is headed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!

For safety considerations, details on specific hotels and accommodations will be released to delegates and their families in February.  Since we are expecting IC to sell out, please wait to book your travel until you have received confirmation that you are registered for IC 2026. For all requests related to unique travel arrangements, please reach out to the IC Customer Service Team so they can work with you in advance of IC to be as accommodating as possible.

Click here to access the IC 2026 school excusal note.

Arrival

Global Ambassadors Week

For Delegates from Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Australia

Depending on their region, delegates who were chosen to participate in IC Global Ambassadors Week will arrive to Philadelphia on Thursday, February 5th or Sunday, February 8th. Specific travel information and confirmed program dates will be provided by your local BBYO staff.

Please note that teens who are not a part of their country’s delegation but  received entry through the waitlist should be sure to follow the travel guidelines for International Convention (Feb 12-16) that can be found below. All International Delegates should contact Nikki Jenner with questions.

Pre-IC Experiences: February Executives Conference and IC Advance

Open to AZA & BBG Regional Presidents, Canadian Delegates, and Eligible Members of the IC 2026 Steering Team

Arrival on Wednesday, February 11

IC February Executives Conference and IC Advance are pre-IC experiences for Alephs and BBGs to come together to train on best practices, sharpen and learn new skills, finalize their plans for the upcoming year, and gear up for IC 2026.

  • IC February Executives Conference is open to AZA and BBG Council, Regional, and Country Presidents

  • IC Advance is invite-only for eligible members of the IC 2026 Steering Team

Airport Arrival: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

All delegates flying into Philadelphia for Pre=IC Experiences should plan to arrive no later than 4:30 PM EST. Starting at 12:00 PM EST on Wednesday, BBYO staff and IC volunteers will be stationed throughout Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) wearing colorful BBYO vests and holding BBYO signs. Specific information about what delegates should do upon their arrival at the airport will be provided directly to all registered delegates and their families via email a few days ahead of IC.

If your teen books travel to arrive at PHL before 4:00 PM EST and experiences delays causing them to miss the last BBYO shuttle, BBYO will work to ensure there is a transportation plan for your teen to safely arrive at IC. Any teen who books travel to land after 4:30 PM EST will be responsible for arranging their own transportation to the IC hotel.

Please note: Delegates who choose to arrive before 12:00 PM EST will need to wait in the terminal until staff arrive at 12:00 PM EST.

Shuttles will begin to head to the IC hotel by early afternoon on Wednesday. Upon arrival at the hotel, teens will go through the IC check-in process. Hotel rooms may not be ready at the time of a teens’ arrival, but luggage will be safely stored and there will be programming, and cafes available for delegates to enjoy until their room is ready. Shuttles will be on a loop throughout the day and delegates may need to wait in the airport until the shuttle returns. We encourage all delegates to bring a little extra spending money for airport snacks/meals. Please note that dinner on Wednesday, February 11, will be the first meal provided.

Train Arrival: William H. Gray III 30th Street (Amtrak Philadelphia Train Station)

All delegates travelling into William H. Gray III 30th Street Station should plan to arrive no later than 4:30 PM EST. Starting at 10:00 AM EST on Wednesday, BBYO staff and IC volunteers will be stationed throughout the station wearing colorful BBYO vests and holding BBYO signs.

Specific information about what delegates should do upon their arrival at the station will be provided directly to all registered delegates and their families via email a few days ahead of IC.

If your teen books travel to arrive at the Amtrak Station before 4:30 PM EST and experiences delays causing them to miss the last shuttle, BBYO will work to ensure there is a transportation plan for your teen to safely arrive at IC. Any teen who books travel to arrive after 4:30 PM EST will be responsible for arranging their own transportation to the IC hotel.

Please note: Delegates who choose to arrive before 10:00 AM EST will need to wait in the terminal until staff arrive at 10:00 AM EST.

Delegates may arrive at whatever time works best for each family, however, BBYO staff will only be available onsite between 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM EST.

Shuttles will begin to head to the IC hotel by early afternoon on Wednesday. Upon arrival at the hotel, teens will go through the IC check-in process. Hotel rooms may not be ready at the time of a teens’ arrival, but luggage will be safely stored and there will be programming, and cafes available for delegates to enjoy until their room is ready. Shuttles will be on a loop throughout the day and delegates may need to wait in the airport until the shuttle returns. We encourage all delegates to bring a little extra spending money for airport snacks/meals. Please note that dinner on Wednesday, February 11, will be the first meal provided.

Summary of Train Station Timeline:

  • 10:00 AM EST – Staff arrive at Amtrak Staton

  • 11:30 AM EST – First shuttle departs to the hotel

  • 4:30 PM EST –   Arrival train deadline

  • 5:30 PM EST –   Last shuttle departs to the hotel

Hotel Drop-Off (Arrival by Car)

If teens are being dropped off at the IC hotel, they should plan on arriving between 1:30 PM EST and 4:30 PM EST. Delegates may not drive themselves to IC.

International Convention

For All BBYO Members

Arrival on Thursday, February 12

Airport Arrival: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

All delegates flying into Philadelphia should plan to arrive no later than 4:30 PM EST. Starting at 10:00 AM EST on Thursday, BBYO staff and IC volunteers will be stationed throughout Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) wearing colorful BBYO vests and holding BBYO signs.

Specific information about what delegates should do upon their arrival at the airport will be provided directly to all registered delegates and their families via email a few days ahead of IC.

The first shuttle from the Philadelphia Airport to the IC hotel will depart at 11:30 AM EST.

The last shuttle from the Philadelphia Airport to the IC hotel will depart at 5:30 PM EST.

If your teen books travel to arrive before 4:30 PM EST and experiences delays causing them to miss the last shuttle, BBYO will work to ensure there is a transportation plan for your teen to safely arrive at IC. Any teen who books travel to land after 4:30 PM EST will be responsible for arranging their own transportation to the IC hotel.

BBYO strongly advises against arriving after 4:30 PM as teens are likely to miss dinner, the start of IC Opening Ceremonies and may have issues getting to the hotel safely.  

Delegates who choose to arrive before 10:00 AM EST will need to wait in the terminal until staff arrive at 10:00 AM EST.

Please be advised, if your teen is flying as an unaccompanied minor, they must arrive between 10:00 AM and 4:30 PM.  

Shuttles will begin to head over to the IC hotel by mid-morning on all arrival days. Upon arrival at the hotel, teens will go through the IC check-in process. Hotel rooms may not be ready at the time of a teens’ arrival, but luggage will be safely stored and there will be programming, restaurants, and cafes available for delegates to enjoy until their room is ready.

Shuttles will be on a loop throughout the day and delegates may need to wait in the airport until the shuttle returns. We encourage all delegates to bring a little extra spending money for airport snacks/meals. Please note that dinner on Thursday, February 12, will be the first meal provided.

Summary of Airport Timeline:

  • 10:00 AM EST – Staff arrive

  • 11:00 AM EST – First shuttle departs to the hotel

  • 4:30 PM EST –   Arrival flight deadline

  • 5:30 PM EST –   Last shuttle departs to the hotel

Train Arrival: William H. Gray III 30th Street (Amtrak Philadelphia Train Station)

All delegates traveling into the Philadelphia Amtrak station should plan to arrive no later than 4:30 PM EST. Starting at 10:00 AM EST on Thursday, BBYO staff and IC volunteers will be stationed throughout William H. Gray III 30th Street station wearing colorful BBYO vests and holding BBYO signs.

Specific information about what delegates should do upon their arrival at the station will be provided directly to all registered delegates and their families via email a few days ahead of IC.

  • The first shuttle to the IC hotel will depart at 11:30 AM EST

  • The last shuttle to the IC hotel will depart at 5:30 PM EST.

If your teen books travel to arrive before 4:30 PM EST and experiences delays causing them to miss the last shuttle, BBYO will work to ensure there is a transportation plan for your teen to safely arrive at IC. Any teen who books travel to arrive after 4:30 PM EST will be responsible for arranging their own transportation to the IC hotel.

BBYO strongly advises against arriving after 4:30 PM as teens are likely to miss dinner, the start of IC Opening Ceremonies and may have issues getting to the hotel safely.  

Delegates who choose to arrive before 10:00 AM EST will need to wait in the terminal until staff arrive at 10:00 AM EST.

Please be advised, if your teen is traveling as an unaccompanied minor on the train, they must arrive between 10:00 AM and 4:30 PM.

Shuttles will begin to head to the IC hotel by mid-morning on all arrival days. Upon arrival at the hotel, teens will go through the IC check-in process. Hotel rooms may not be ready at the time of a teens’ arrival, but luggage will be safely stored and there will be programming, restaurants, and cafes available for delegates to enjoy until their room is ready.

Shuttles will be on a loop throughout the day and delegates may need to wait in the airport until the shuttle returns. We encourage all delegates to bring a little extra spending money for airport snacks/meals. Please note that dinner on Thursday, February 12, will be the first meal provided.

Summary of Train Station Timeline:

  • 10:00 AM EST – Staff arrive

  • 11:30 AM EST – First shuttle departs to the hotel

  • 4:30 PM EST –   Arrival deadline

  • 5:30 PM EST –   Last shuttle departs to the hotel

Hotel Drop-Off (Arrival by Car or Bus)

If teens are being dropped off at the IC hotel, they should plan on arriving between 1:30 PM EST and 4:30 PM EST. Delegates may not drive themselves to IC.

Departure

All delegates will depart IC on Monday, February 16, 2026.

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

All delegates leaving via the airport should plan to book flights out of Philadelphia after 9:30 AM EST and before 4:00 PM EST. The first BBYO shuttle to the airport will depart the hotel at 6:30 AM EST. The last airport shuttle from the IC hotel will depart at 12:30 PM EST.

Please be advised, if your teen is flying as an unaccompanied minor, they must depart between 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM.

BBYO will not have staff at the airport after 4:00 PM EST.

William H. Gray III 30th Street (Amtrak Philadelphia Train Station)

All delegates leaving via Amtrak should plan to book train out of Philadelphia after 8:00 AM EST and before 2:00 PM EST. The first BBYO shuttle to the train station will depart the hotel at 6:30 AM EST. The last shuttle from the IC hotel will depart for the train station at 12:30 PM EST.

Please be advised, if your teen is traveling as an unaccompanied minor, please read the Amtrack policies thoroughly and they must depart between 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

BBYO will not have staff at the train station after 2:00 PM EST.

Hotel Pick-Up (Departure by Car)

If teens are being picked up from the hotel, please plan to depart between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM  EST. Delegates may not drive themselves home from IC.

Additional Travel Information

Travel Insurance

BBYO has partnered with a licensed travel insurance agent to offer travel insurance. They provide a cost-effective solution for student groups with important benefits like trip cancellation, trip interruption, missed connection, trip delay and baggage delay. Families should strongly consider purchasing travel insurance to protect their investment and plan for the unexpected. Families may also opt to purchase travel insurance through a provider of their choosing.

Information on specific insurance plans, costs, and purchasing varies according to the following situations.

Insurance for USA Resident Teens

  • If your projected trip cost will be under $10,000, please use this link to purchase a travel insurance policy.

  • Optional “Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR)coverage and the pre-existing conditions waiver are ONLY available if the policy is purchased on/before your final trip payment and no more than 60 days prior to departure.

  • If your projected trip cost will be over $10,000, you will need to purchase an individual travel insurance policy and the CFAR supplement will only be available within 21 days of your initial trip payment.

Insurance for Worldwide Teens

  • If you are a resident of Canada, purchase an individual plan here. Residents of the Province of Quebec are not eligible for this insurance plan.

  • If you are a resident of any other country, purchase an individual plan here. Residents of the Province of Quebec are not eligible for this insurance plan.

Airline Discounts  ✈️

  • Air Canada: To receive a 5% discount off standard published fares for North Americans and 10% discount for standard published fares for international flights, please use the code YEATDMB1 when searching for your flight.

  • United: To receive a 5%-10% discount off standard published for both domestic and international flights, please use the code ZMC6930037 when searching for your flight. Discounts do not apply to basic economy.

  • Delta: To receive a 5%-10% discount off standard published for both domestic and international flights, please use the code NMVZ7 when searching for your flight.

  • If you are a large group (typically 10 or more) traveling on the same flight, we recommend you call your airline and ask for a group fare. Check the following options for group fare possibilities:

  • Alaskan

  • American Airlines

  • JetBlue

  • Southwest

  • Spirit

  • Frontier

  • United