Travel Advice
The 39th International Colloquium on Automata, Languages and Programming (ICALP 2012) and the affiliated workshops will take place on the campus of the University of Warwick, in the building of the Warwick Mathematics Institute (Zeeman Building marked on the map below; see also number 39 on the campus map). We expect most of the participants to use campus accommodation and the travel advice below is for the travel to the campus.
Travel:
The following page contains generic information about travel to/from the University of Warwick:
When travelling to the University of Warwick, make sure that you're not traveling to Warwick; Warwick is a lovely small 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 the University.
Other airports, especially London airports (Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Luton, Stanstead), are less convenient. For example, typical time for travel from Heathrow Airport is about 2-2.5 hours, and typical travel time from Gatwick Airport is about 2.5-3 hours. Please also be aware that there have been recently some reports of very long immigration lines in Heathrow Airport (of over 2 hours).
Travel to/from Birmingham International Airport:
Birmingham International Airport (BHX) is the closest major airport to the University of Warwick (18 miles away).
There are now many international flights to Birmingham and this is by far the most convenient airport. (It is not worth taking an internal flight from Gatwick or Heathrow to Birmingham.)
For those willing to use public transportation to travel from Birmingham Airport: take the shuttle train service between the Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station, take a train to Coventry Railway Station (trains run approximately every half hour during the day; a 20 minute journey) and then take a bus (bus 12) to the University of Warwick. The bus stop is next to the station (1 minute walk). The total price should be less than £6 and total travel time will be around 30-45 minutes.
Taxis from Birmingham International Airport will take 20-30 minutes and should cost about £30-40. Taxis are available outside the terminal building.
Travel to/from Heathrow Airport:
Heathrow Airport is approximately 2.5 hours away.
Take a National Express coach to Coventry, Pool Meadow Bus Station, and from there follow the instruction below (travel by coach). At Heathrow they have pickup points at the Central Bus Station and at the terminal buildings of Terminals 4, 5 and tickets should be purchased from the National Express Desk in your arrival terminal, or from the National Express office in the Central Coach Station at Heathrow; advance booking is available via the internet or on a telephone service 0990-757-747 from 08.00-22.00 but we cannot make reservations on your behalf.
Travel to/from Gatwick Airport:
Gatwick Airport is approximately 2.5-3 hours away. Take a National Express coach to Coventry, Pool Meadow Bus Station, and from there follow the instruction below (travel by coach).
Travel to/from Luton Airport:
Luton Airport is approximately 1.5 hours away; this is a smaller airport with mainly European flights. There is a National Express Coaches service from here to Coventry, with the coach every 1.5-2 hours. 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 hours.
Other airports:
Stanstead Airport is the least convenient of the London airports. To get to Coventry it is necessary to go by train to London and then on to Coventry. We suggest that you do NOT use this airport unless there is absolutely no alternative.
Travel 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 is Coventry station.
Coventry Station is about 10 minutes from the campus by taxi. There are local bus services between Coventry Station (bus stop is 1 minute walk from the station) and the University (bus 12).
The UK rail schedule is available at http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/, from which one can find details of train connections between Coventry and major airports (including Birmingham airport, and all London airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, etc)).
By Coach:
National Express coaches 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 10-20 minutes from the campus by taxi; public transportation (bus 12) between 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 from Gatwick.
Coach vs Train:
For those arriving in one of London airports (Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Luton), we recommend to travel to the campus by coach. 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.
The postal address is:
DIMAP - Computer Science
Computer Science Building
University of Warwick
Coventry CV4 7AL
United Kingdom
For further contact:
Email: icalp2012 at dcs dot warwick dot ac dot uk
Phone: +44 (0) 24 765 73798
Fax: +44 (0) 24 765 73024