International visitors:

The closest airports to Cambridge are Stansted Airport, and Luton Airport, from where there are frequent flights to and from most cities in Europe.  However, almost all intercontinental flights fly to and from either Heathrow Airport or Gatwick Airport. There are also fast rail services from Brussels and Paris (Gare du Nord), both of which have numerous train connections with the rest of Europe. The ‘Eurostar’ arrives at London St Pancras station, which is adjacent to King’s Cross station from where there is a frequent and speedy rail service to Cambridge.

Visa requirements: The UK Border Agency provides an interactive website that will enable you to quickly find out whether you will need a visa for your visit. If it is only a short stay the requirements are often minimal, but it depends on where you are coming from. Generally, visitors from Europe and the USA will not require a visa, but please don't take our word for it! Visit http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/doineedvisa/   and fill in the details required (Choose 'Visit', and state your nationality and country of residence). You will then be told whether or not a visa is required, and if so, the necessary steps for you to obtain one. Please note that it is our policy NOT to supply an invitation letter to unpaid or unregistered delegates as it is NOT required and does NOT assist in the visa application process. Upon payment of registration, the delegate will receive a confirmation letter of acceptance of registration and receipt of payment.

Weather: No-one visits the UK without thinking about the weather, which is basically unpredictable, depending on whether it chooses to arrive from the north, south, east or west. However, the Cambridge area has the lowest average rainfall of anywhere in the British Isles.

The seasonal norms for Cambridge in July are:

• maximum temperature 23ºC
• minimum temperature 12ºC
• mean temperature 18ºC
• rainfall 47 mm
• number of days with >1mm rainfall 7.6
• hours of sunshine 200.

Click here to see the current forecast for the East of England including Cambridge, with rainfall radar, interactive charts, predictions, satellite views, and of course, advice on how to cope with climate change.

Currency: The UK currency is the British pound (GBP or the 'pound sterling') symbolized by '£'. Neither US dollars nor Euros are legal currency as cash in the UK. However the UK pound is fully convertible, and there are myriad cash machines in Cambridge that function with the standard international credit cards (e.g. Visa or MasterCard). The exchange rate against the dollar and Euro fluctuates, but not widely (at the time of writing). For up-to-date exchange rates against your own currency see XE's universal currency converter.

Travelling from an airport to Cambridge

by taxi:If booked in advance, one-way airport taxi runs will cost in the region of £45 from/to Stansted Airport, £59 from/to Luton Airport, £99 from/to Heathrow Airport, and £120 from/to Gatwick Airport. If you have not booked in advance there are taxi booths at all airports where they will give you a price for the journey. You are very strongly advised not to get a metered taxi to Cambridge from the taxi ranks at the airport as this would be much more expensive (these ranks are primarily for those intending to travel on to different parts of London).  If there are more than 4 in your party, modern, comfortable 16-seater mini-coaches can also be booked in advance at the cost of £120 from Stansted, £210 from Heathrow (+ £25 for parking, inbound only), and £270 from Gatwick (+ £20 for parking, inbound only).

Taxi: www.panthertaxis.co.uk  tel.: +44 (0)1223 715715   email: info@panthertaxis.co.uk

Minibus: www.myhillsminibuses.com tel.: +44 (0)1223 840363   email: myhills.minibuses@ntlworld.com

by bus: National Express runs a regular bus service between the Airports and Cambridge. Click here for more details and a journey planner. For one person this is a cheaper but much slower option than taxis. The more people in your party, the more likely it is that taxis will be the cheaper option. Signposts at all airports will direct you to the airport bus station and there are usually ample information desks.

by train and tube (London Underground): While there is a direct (although rather infrequent) train from Stansted Airport to Cambridge, there are no direct trains to Cambridge from Heathrow or Gatwick airports, so all journeys involve a change. If you are coming from Heathrow Airport there is a regular tube train (London Underground Piccadilly Line) from the airport to Kings Cross Station in London, from where you can catch a train to Cambridge (see below). Note that the fast (not underground) train from Heathrow to London goes to Paddington Station, not King's Cross, and would therefore involve a further tube journey between Paddington and King's Cross on the rather slow London Underground Circle Line. If you are coming from Gatwick Airport there is a regular fast train to Victoria Station in London, from where you would need to catch the tube (London Underground Victoria Line) to King's Cross Station before travelling on to Cambridge by train (see below). There is no efficient train connection between Luton Airport and Cambridge.

Travelling to Cambridge from London by train

There is a regular rail service between London Kings Cross and Cambridge. The fast trains from Kings Cross take 47 minutes and run every half hour at a quarter too and a quarter past the hour. There is also a good (but not so fast) service from London Liverpool Street. Click here for London Cambridge train timetables.

If you are planning to arrive in London from Europe by Eurostar, note that the Eurostar Terminal in London (St Pancras Station) is conveniently situated next to King's Cross Station (about a 50 metres walk).

Getting about in or around Cambridge

by taxi: The Cambridge railway station is less than one mile from Downing College. 

by bus: The Number 1 Bus from outside the railway station will take you to Bridge Street, very close to Downing College. The fare is less than £2.00. The buses from the airports mostly arrive at the Cambridge City Bus Station in Drummer Street, about a 10 minute walk from the Colleges. A network of buses travel around Cambridge from Drummer Street and, if you don't want to walk or use a taxi, can be a good way of getting about. There are bus stops around the city.

on foot: The University of Cambridge is in the centre of the city, and once you get to Downing College most places you are likely to want to go to are within walking distance.

Travelling to Cambridge by car: There is no parking at the venue or any nearby street parking. Car parks in the centre of Cambridge can be very expensive.  If you do travel by by car you are recommended to use the AA Route Planner.  Try to avoid driving through the City Centre: much of it is pedestrianised, traffic can be heavy and the one-way system is confusing.