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Getting There

GETTING THERE

The University of Warwick is situated in the centre of England (a region known as the Midlands). It is midway between Coventry and Kenilworth approximately 5 km away from each. It is 28 km south of Birmingham, and 160 km north of London. Some local towns are Leamington Spa (15 km away), Warwick (18 km away) and Stratford-on-Avon (31 km away). When planning your journey to the University, remember the nearest town is COVENTRY, which is about 5km from the campus. (You should NOT go to the town of Warwick which is 15 km away).

TRAVEL BY CAR

Travelling to the University by car?

JOURNEYS FROM AIRPORTS

Birmingham Airport is the most suitable international airport being 30 km (less than 30 mins taxi ride) from the University. There are many international flights to Birmingham (it is not worth taking an internal flight from Gatwick or Heathrow to Birmingham). There is a free shuttle train service between the Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station called Raillink which connects the airport with the train station Birmingham International. Here you take a train to Coventry Railway Station (trains run approximately every half hour during the day; a 15-minute journey; costing £1.80). The timetable can be checked at http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/   Alternatively, a taxi from Birmingham Airport to the University of Warwick will cost approximately £20.00. Then please see section below on Arrival in Coventry. Coventry Airport is a small airport that receives flights from 15 European destinations. On arrival take a taxi to the University (15 minutes away). Nottingham East Midlands Airport serves over 80 destinations, 1 hour by road from the University Campus. If you decide to fly into one London's two main airports: Heathrow Airport is approximately 2.5 hours away. Gatwick Airport is approximately 3.5 hours away. You can travel to Coventry from these airports by coach or by train. Coach is easiest.

COACH SERVICE FROM HEATHROW OR GATWICK

The easiest way to travel from Heathrow or Gatwick Airports is to take a National Express coach direct from the airport to Pool Meadow Bus Station in the centre of Coventry. Coaches depart frequently and tickets can be purchased from the Travel Centre at the Heathrow Central Bus Station (which is next to Terminals 1,2, and 3) or from the Bus and Coach Information Desk in Terminal 1, 3 and 4 arrivals. Advanced booking is available using their website; then please see section below on Arrival in Coventry. A single ticket from Heathrow costs £27.00 and a return ticket costs £35.00; from Gatwick a single ticket costs £31.00 and a return ticket costs approximately £41.00. Manchester Airport is approximately 3 hours away; there is a coach service operated by National Express Coaches (book on the website, cost for a return ticket is £22.00). It is also possible to come by rail but this involves going by train from the airport to central Manchester, and then by train to Coventry, changing at Birmingham. There are European flights to and from Manchester and some intercontinental flights. Luton Airport is approximately one hour 45 minutes away; this is a small airport with mainly European flights. There is a National Express coach service from here to Coventry, with about 12 departures daily. A return ticket costs £21.00. If the coach is not available then it will be necessary to go by train via London to Coventry and this makes the journey time around 3.5 hours. Stansted Airport is the least convenient of the airports. To get to Coventry it is necessary to go by train to either London or to Birmingham and then on to Coventry. We suggest that you do NOT use this airport unless there is absolutely no alternative.

RAIL TRAVEL

Please note that the nearest rail station for the University is Coventry. Coventry Station is easily reached from London (Euston Railway Station, see below). The journey takes about one hour. The price of an 'open' return ticket (no restrictions on when you can travel) is £52.50. However you can get "saver" tickets which have restrictions on when you can travel (generally they won't let you travel during peak periods morning and late afternoon) for £35.70. The Birmingham (New Street) and Leicester railway stations both run regular and frequent services direct to Coventry. The railway station that serves Birmingham Airport is called Birmingham International and takes only 15 minutes. From Coventry Station, there are frequent local bus services to the University. The cheapest rail journey from London is from London Marylebone Station on Chiltern Railways. Trains run from Marylebone to Leamington Spa every 30 minutes (the final destination is Birmingham). Journey time is 2 hours and the cost of an open return ticket is £44.50 while a saver return is £16.40. Personally, I like this train journey as Marylebone is a very quiet station and the journey itself goes through some nice countryside. However you will then need to get a bus – called the U1 'Unibus' - from the main street in Leamington Spa (a street called 'The Parade' if you want to look it up on Google map) to the University, which takes 20 minutes. Buses leave every 30 minutes. They are painted bright pink and so are not hard to find! You can find details about travelling from Leamington and other towns at the University website. Detailed rail travel information and timetables can be found at National Rail Enquiries.

MORE INFORMATION ON JOURNEYS FROM CENTRAL LONDON

There are trains every half hour throughout the day from London Euston Station to Coventry. There is a less frequent service from Marylebone Station to Leamington Spa. For train timetables see National Rail. If you arrive in London and need to cross the city you may have to use a London Underground train (the "Tube"). The Tube network is extensive and journeys are not too expensive but be prepared to walk quite a long way from the ticket office to reach the platforms, which may be difficult with lots of luggage. There are direct lines from Waterloo (Northern Line) and Victoria (Victoria line) stations to Euston but it may be necessary to change trains on some other journeys. The Heathrow Express is a fast train that runs from Heathrow Airport to Paddington Station in central London. It takes 15 minutes, and costs about £15 one way trip, you can buy tickets online, from machines at the platform using cash or credit card or on the train. From Paddington you take the Tube to Euston. Gatwick Express is a fast train (30 minutes) that runs from Gatwick Airport to London Victoria Station.

GENERAL TRAVEL FROM OTHER PLACES IN THE UK

By rail see National Rail. By coach see National Express.

RAIL TRAVEL FROM EUROPE

Visitors from Europe may want to come in to London by the Eurostar rail service. The service has recently been upgraded and trains now go into the wonderful London St Pancras station, from where it's just one stop on the underground to Euston station. The journey time from Paris to St Pancras is 2 hours 15 minutes, and from Brussels it is 1 hour 50 minutes.

ARRIVING IN COVENTRY

You will arrive in Coventry at the Railway Station or Pool Meadow Bus Station from where it is only a short bus or taxi ride to the University. We suggest that you take a taxi as this is by far the simplest way to arrive here and is reasonably priced. There will always be taxis waiting at the Railway Station. The chances are that you will arrive with other SIPers and so you will be able to share. The taxi fare is £10 – 12 from either the railway or coach station. If you have a large amount of luggage the taxi fare may be more expensive. If there is no taxi waiting, then a good taxi company is Allens - telephone Coventry +44 (0)24 7655 5555. The bus fare from Coventry Railway Station on the number 12 bus (the timetable is found at here) is £1.30 (exact fare only, no change is given). For further information see the Travel Coventry website.

WHEN YOU LEAVE THE CONFERENCE

When leaving the campus at the end of the conference we suggest you take a taxi to the railway station or bus station. There is a taxi rank just outside the Rootes Social Building on the campus (the building where you will register when you arrive for the conference). We will make sure that there are plenty of taxis available for delegates leaving the conference and one of us will be on hand to help you.