Visiting PPPL

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory is located at Princeton University's Forrestal Campus approximately three miles north of the University's main campus.

PPPL Area Map (Google)
PPPL Map (Princeton University)

Entrance Procedures for PPPL

Prior notification of visitors to PPPL is required.

Information for researchers who are users and collaborators on our experiments can be found on our Users and Collaborators webpage.

PPPL Security retains the right to inspect all vehicles and personal property before entering or leaving the site.

All visitors must provide the following information to their host before their visit: name, email, address, citizenship, date and place of birth and name of PPPL host.

Foreign nationals (non-U.S. citizens) are required to fill out this form at least five days in advance of their visit.

Real ID Compliance

Before entering the Lab campus, all visitors aged 18 and over are required to present REAL-ID compliant documentation.

REAL ID-compliant documentation includes:

Enhanced driver’s licenses and identification cards (EDL/EID)
U.S. passport
U.S. passport card
Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12, referred to as HSPD-12, personal identity verification card
U.S. Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, Free and Secure Trade)
U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
Permanent resident card
Border crossing card
An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized tribal nation/Indian tribe, including enhanced tribal cards
Foreign government-issued passport
Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
Transportation worker identification credential
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (Form I-766)
U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
Veteran Health Identification Card

Important Information Regarding Computer Use for Visitors

PPPL provides internet access for visitors who bring a personal computer and wish to check e-mail or browse the web while on-site. Visitors who need internet access are required to register their computer upon initial network connection to PPPL's wired or wireless guest network, and all registering computers must meet limited set of configuration requirements. These precautions are in place both for the protection of the PPPL network, and for the protection of our visitors accessing a US government network:

All guest computers must have antivirus software installed and running.
The antivirus signature in use must not be more than two weeks old.
For Microsoft Windows computers, critical patches older than 30 days must be installed.

Visitor's computers are automatically scanned during network registration to determine compliance with these requirements. If the scan detects non-compliance, the visitor is presented with a web page detailing why the scan failed, and instructions to correct the issue. Limited access to the internet in order to download and install the necessary updates is permitted after a failed scan. In most cases, the required configuration changes are simple and should take just a few minutes. PPPL helpdesk staff are available for additional assistance if necessary. Once the changes have been made, the computer is re-scanned automatically and granted access to the PPPL guest network.

PPPL Guest Network Access Instructions

Eduroam

PPPL is a participant in eduroam (short for education roaming), a secure, world-wide roaming internet access service developed for the international research and education community.

Eduroam Instructions

Please see our privacy policy for further information.

How to get here

Driving Directions

View PPPL Area Map

From the NORTH / NYC
Take the New Jersey Turnpike south to Exit 9 (New Brunswick). After the toll booths, take the first right turn onto the ramp for Route 18 north. Soon after you enter Route 18, take the left side of a fork in the road, staying in the right lane. Immediately bear right for an exit to US Route 1 south/Trenton. Drive south on Route 1 to the Scudders Mill Road exit (about 15 miles). Follow the ramp and turn left at the first traffic light onto Campus Drive. Follow Campus Drive to the end and turn right. You will then come to the entrance of PPPL. Stay in the left lane and stop at the Security Guard booth to present I.D. and gain clearance.

From the WEST
Driving east on Interstate 78 into New Jersey, exit onto southbound Interstate 287 (toward Somerville). Follow signs for Routes 202/206 south. Go south on 202 for a short distance and then follow signs to 206 south, which will take you around a traffic circle. Go south on 206 for about 15 miles to Ewing Street. Turn left onto Ewing, through one traffic light and bear left. Ewing then becomes Harrison Street. Take Harrison all the way through the town of Princeton to US Route 1. Turn left onto Route 1 northbound.

Travel approximately two miles north on Route 1 to the Scudders Mill Road exit. Follow the ramp and turn left at the first traffic light onto Campus Drive. Follow Campus Drive to the end and turn right. You will then come to the entrance of PPPL. Stay in the left lane and stop at the Security Guard booth to present I.D. and gain clearance.

From the SOUTH
If you are coming from southern New Jersey, we recommend that you take Interstate 295 north (instead of the New Jersey Turnpike). Take Exit 67 to US Route 1 north. Travel about five miles north on Route 1 to the the Scudders Mill Road exit. Follow the ramp and turn left at the first traffic light onto Campus Drive. Follow Campus Drive to the end and turn right. You will then come to the entrance of PPPL. Stay in the left lane and stop at the Security Guard booth to present I.D. and gain clearance.

From the EAST
Take Interstate 195 west (toward Trenton) to the exit for Interstate 295 north. Drive seven miles to the exit for US Route 1 north (exit 67). Travel about five miles north on Route 1to the the Scudders Mill Road exit. Follow the ramp and turn left at the first traffic light onto Campus Drive. Follow Campus Drive to the end and turn right. You will then come to the entrance of PPPL. Stay in the left lane and stop at the Security Guard booth to present I.D. and gain clearance.

From the PHILADELPHIA AREA
Take Interstate 95 north into New Jersey. Take Exit 67 to US Route 1 north. Travel about five miles north on Route 1 to the the Scudders Mill Road exit. Follow the ramp and turn left at the first traffic light onto Campus Drive. Follow Campus Drive to the end and turn right. You will then come to the entrance of PPPL. Stay in the left lane and stop at the Security Guard booth to present I.D. and gain clearance.

Visitor Parking

PPPL's Visitor Parking lot is on the right, just after entering the campus from the Security Booth. Ample parking is available. Buses may unload at the front circle to the left, then proceed to the visitors' parking lot, parking in the rear area of the lot, or as directed by the Security Guard.

Shuttle Services

Princeton University’s TigerTransit transportation system operates on a fixed route schedule, providing safe, convenient and reliable transportation throughout the Princeton campus and surrounding community.

The TigerTransit transportation system offers stops at academic and administrative buildings; faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate student housing; Nassau Street; and the Forrestal Campus and Princeton Plasma Physics Lab.

To support the Sustainability and Campus Plans, the TigerTransit fleet is low-floor, fully accessible, run on B20 biodiesel fuel and have bike racks.

For information on TigerTransit timetables, routes and services, visit:

Princeton University TigerTransit webpage.

Train Travel

New Jersey Transit

Amtrak

Amtrak and New Jersey Transit both operate train service via the Northeast Corridor rail line with stops at Princeton Junction station. PPPL/Forrestal campus is approximately 5 miles north of Princeton Junction train station. There is a taxi line at Princeton Junction, and a shuttle train (the Dinky) to Princeton University main campus.

For additional information on transportation to and from Princeton Junction, see also:

TigerTransit and On-Demand Service

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority:
SEPTA regional rail (215-580-7800)

Travelers to and from central Philadelphia have two options:

1. NJ Transit Northeast Corridor line train (southbound) to Trenton Station / switch to the SEPTA R7 train to Philadelphia.
2. From the West Trenton Station (I-95 south, exit 2, Bear Tavern Road south) take the SEPTA R3 train to Philadelphia.

Princeton Area Airports

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), 40 miles north
Via NJ Transit rail (800-772-2222):
Take the Northeast Corridor line (northbound) from Princeton Junction station to Newark Liberty International Airport station. Transfer to the AirTrain monorail to terminals.

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL),55 miles south

Via SEPTA regional rail (215 580-7800):
Take the Northeast Corridor line from Princeton Junction (southbound)

JFK International

Via NJ Transit rail(800-772-2222):
Take the Northeast Corridor line (northbound) from Princeton Junction station to NY Penn Station. From NY Penn follow Directions for AirTrain from NY Penn Station

Airport Ground Transportation

Olympic Airporter (800-822-9797)
Commercial van service to and from airports with stops at several hotels close to PPPL on US Rt. 1 and in Princeton.
Princeton University discount portal