TRAVEL

How to get to ISHA 2022

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland, which forms part of the United Kingdom (UK). The city is served by three international airports and the largest rail network outside of London.

Getting to Glasgow

Air Travel

Glasgow Airport (code IATA: GLA, code ICAO: EGPF) is Glasgow's main airport and serves most international airlines. It is located 8 miles (13 km) from the city centre. Buses and taxis are available for travel into Glasgow city centre; please see Glasgow Airport website for further details.

Edinburgh Airport (code IATA: EDI, code ICAO: EGPH) is the main airport for the Scottish capital city of Edinburgh and serves most international airlines. It is located 39 miles (63 km) from Glasgow and a direct bus link to Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station is available 24/7 (1 hour journey time, every 30 minutes). Alternatively, incoming passengers can travel into Edinburgh city centre by taxi, bus or tram and then onward to Glasgow by bus or rail. Details can be found on the Edinburgh Airport website.

Rail Travel

Glasgow has two train stations: Glasgow Central serving the South, and Glasgow Queen Street serving Edinburgh and the North. Both stations are located in the centre of the city. 

Rail tickets can be booked via National Rail.

There are daily direct trains to/from London, with journey time being just over 4 hours.

Road Travel

Glasgow is linked to Edinburgh by the M8 motorway and to England via the M74 motorway.

Coach operators run services to Buchanan Bus Station in Glasgow from throughout the UK. A journey planner can be found on the SPT Travel website.

Getting around Glasgow and to/from the venue (Scottish Event Campus - SEC)

Bicycle and Foot

Glasgow is compact city, making it easy to reach most locations within the city centre on foot.

Glasgow’s bicycle hire scheme, OvoBikes, is a green and healthy way for delegates to get around the city. Bikes are available to hire from various locations around the city, including the SEC.

Public Transport

The city has an extensive public transport system. 

The Glasgow Subway provides connections to the city centre from 15 points around the city. The St. Enoch stop is a few minutes' walk from Glasgow Central train station, from where it is a three-minute train ride to the SEC's dedicated train station – Exhibition Centre. There are six trains per hour (approx. every 10 minutes), departing from Platform 17 (low level).

The ScotRail Conference Rover Ticket provides unlimited travel on the rail link between the SEC and Glasgow city centre and is valid for 5 days. It additionally affords 50% off train travel around Scotland, should you wish to explore further during your stay. You can purchase this ticket at any of the stations within the "Conference Zone" in Glasgow upon presentation of your delegate badge or, if you have just arrived, by presenting your registration confirmation and identification. More information can be found on the ScotRail website.

The X19 Stagecoach Bus has a stop on Finnieston Street, a few minutes' walk from the SEC.

Taxi

Taxis in Glasgow are plentiful. There are taxi ranks throughout the city, including at Buchanan Bus Station, at Queen Street and Central train stations and at most large hotels. 

Black cabs can accommodate five or six people. If their yellow light is on, you can flag them down on the street. There are also a number of companies that provide private hire vehicles via phone and app.

A single journey from the city centre to the SEC takes 5-10 minutes and will cost approx. £7 on average.

Car

The SEC is located just off the M8 motorway and there is parking available on site. Leave the M8 at junction 19 and join the westbound Clydeside Expressway (A814). Westbound on the Expressway (A814) take the cut off for the campus. Turn left at traffic lights and take the right lane to access multi-storey parking. Further information on parking can be found on Glasgow City Council website.

Venue Address

Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Exhibition Way, Glasgow, G3 8YW

Venue website: www.sec.co.uk

Information on accessibility can be found on the SEC website. If you have any specific requirements, please indicate these on your registration form.

International Visitors

Planning Your Arrival

For international passengers, we suggest that you try to allow yourself at least a day in which to adjust to the time difference and relax after your flight before ISHA 2022 commences. Glasgow will be on the British Summer Time (BST) time zone during the event.

Entry Requirements and Travel Documents

You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study and other permitted activities for up to 6 months. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa. 

A Standard Visitor visa costs £95 for up to 6 months. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel. If you will be accompanied by any family members, they must also apply for visas. The ISHA 2022 organisers hold no responsibility for visa applications.

ISHA 2022 will offer invitation letters to persons who have registered and paid the complete registration fee. The letter will provide proof of registration and proof of payment. It should be understood that an invitation is intended to help potential participants obtain a visa. It is not a commitment on the part of the ISHA 2022 to provide any financial support. You may request such a letter from the ISHA 2022 Registration Office at registration@ishaconference.com.

You must have a passport or travel document to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.

For more information and to check whether you will require a visa, please visit the UK Government website.

Insurance

It is strongly recommended that delegates take out adequate travel and health insurance prior to commencement of travel. Further information can be obtained from your travel agent. Delegate registration fees do not provide any such insurance coverage. The Organising Committee and the ISHA Conference Office accept no responsibility for any loss in this regard.

Covid-19 Regulations

Please note that Scotland is currently subject to different Covid-19 regulations to the rest of the United Kingdom. For the latest information, please consult the Scottish Government website. The Covid Measures tab of this website covers Covid measures that will be in place at the event itself.

Vaccinations

The UK is a developed country and presents a low health risk. However, the CDC recommends the following vaccinations for all travellers to the UK: Covid-19, Chickenpox, Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis, Flu, Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Polio, Shingles, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles.

Banking, Cards and Currency

Normal bank opening hours in the UK are 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday.

Currency exchanges are located at airports, banks and major hotels, and the currency is Pounds Sterling (GBP), of which there are five different denominations of banknotes: £5, £10, £20, £50, £100. The coin series comprises eight different denominations: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 pence, as well as £1 and £2. The currency is generally stable, but we recommend you check the exchange rate prior to your departure. Please note that some Scottish banks print their own bank notes, which look different to those printed by the Bank of England but have the same legal status.

All major cards are accepted in most locations in Glasgow, including on most buses, and ATMs are plentiful around the city. Contactless is a common form of payment.

Climate

Glasgow has a moderate climate but can be wet and windy in the autumn. Average temperatures in October are between 8° and 12° Celsius (46° and 53° Fahrenheit).

Electricity

The plug type in the UK is type G, which comprises three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. Sockets operate on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Language

The official language of Scotland is English, but the English you encounter may sound slightly different to what you are used to. Scots and Gaelic are minority languages, but you will find Gaelic place names on many rail and road signs.

Tipping

Tipping is not compulsory in Scotland. The most common settings in which a tip is customary are in restaurants (10-15% of the bill; this may be applied automatically for larger groups), in taxis (up to 10%) and in higher-end hotels.

Value Added Tax

The rate of VAT in the UK is 20% and is generally included in all prices.

Some retailers offer tax-free shopping on goods purchased and delivered directly to an address outside of the UK. Please see the UK Government website for more information.

Driving

Please be reminded that vehicles drive on the left in the UK. Some roads, particularly in northern and rural parts of Scotland, are narrow and twisting, and may be single-track only. Please take care when travelling and leave plenty of time for your journey.