AGT 2009 - Travel information
Travel
The following two links contain generic information about travel to/from the University of Warwick:
- http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/about/visiting/ and
- http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/international/offerholders/travel/.
When travelling to the University of Warwick, make sure that you're not traveling to Warwick; Warwick is a town a few miles away from the campus (with a beautiful castle, one of the most impressive and frequently visited castles in the UK).
By Plane
For those flying to the UK, we recommend, if possible, flying to Birmingham International Airport (BHX), which is less than half an hour's drive from Coventry, Kenilworth and the University. Typical time for travel from Heathrow Airport is about 2-2.5 hours, and typical travel time from Gatwick Airport is about 3-3.5 hours.
By Train
Generic university information about travelling to the University by train is available at http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/about/visiting/directions/train/.
There are frequent services between Coventry and major cities in the UK (including Birmingham International Airport (BHX); but be aware that Sunday train services are typically very limited). The nearest train station to the University and Coventry, is Coventry station; for travel to Kenilworth we recommend to travel to either Coventry and Leamington Spa.
Coventry Station is about 10 minutes from the campus by taxi and 15 minutes from Kenilworth. There are local bus services between Coventry Station (bus stop is 1 minute walk from the station) and Kenilworth / the University (buses 16/12/X17). The train station in Leamington Spa is about 15-20 minutes from the campus by taxi, and about 10 minutes from Kenilworth by taxi. The local bus services between the train station in Leamington Spa and Kenilworth / the University are buses (16/12/Unibus (U1/U2)).
The UK rail schedule is available at http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/, from which one can find details of train connections between Coventry / Leamington Spa and major airports (including Birmingham airport, and all London airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, etc)).
By Coach
National Express coaches (http://www.nationalexpress.com/) are more convenient if someone wants to go directly from/to the London airports and avoid traffic in London. They minimize the number of changes needed and go to/from Coventry Pool Meadow coach station 24/7. Coventry Pool Meadow coach station is about 10 minutes from the campus and about 15 minutes from Kenilworth by taxi; public transportation (buses 16/12/X17) between Kenilworth / the University and the coach station is also available.
Coaches depart frequently and tickets can be bought from the National Express desk in airports' arrivals halls. If you plan to use this service, it is advisable to book your ticket in advance through the National Express web page, as the coaches can get very full. From central London or Heathrow to Coventry will take approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, or 3 hours and 30 minutes from Gatwick.
Coaches vs. Trains
Compared to coaches, trains from/to London airports require more changes and don't go throughout the night, but may be preferable if someone wants to visit London before/after the workshop.
Travel to/from Birmingham International Airport
Birmingham International Airport (BHX) is the closest major airport to the University, Coventry, and Kenilworth.
For those willing to use public transportation to travel from Birmingham Airport: take a train to Coventry and then take a bus (buses 16/12) to the University of Warwick or a bus (buses 16/12/X17) to Kenilworth. The bus stop is next to the station (1 minute walk). The total price should be less than £6.
Taxis from Birmingham International Airport will take 20-30 minutes and should cost about £30-40. Taxis are available outside the terminal building.