Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, also called the Athens of the North. It is one of the greenest and architecturally most beautiful cities in Northern Europe. Its magnificent architecture shifts from the lofty buildings of its medieval Old Town, as they tumble down the spine of the Royal Mile, to the grace of its Georgian New Town. Above it all, in its towering splendour, stands the Castle. Over 2 million visitors enjoy Edinburgh every year. They come not only for the architecture, but also for a city rich in social, cultural, learning and sporting facilities. Each year the city plays host to internationally renowned events such as the Edinburgh International Arts, Fringe, Film, TV and Science Festivals. But more than just a tourist attraction, with a population of 500,000, it is a thriving commercial and financial centre, the site of the new Scottish Parliament and a gateway to the coastline, hills and open country of the Scottish Highlands.
Edinburgh is served primarily by Edinburgh Airport; Glasgow Airport and Prestwick Airport are feasible alternatives.
Edinburgh Airport is situated 13km to the west of the city. Destinations with direct flights to Edinburgh include Dublin, Paris, Zurich, Amsterdam, Brussels, all London airports and many other UK and European airports.There is now also a daily direct flight to Edinburgh from New York (Continental Airlines, from Newark).
From Edinburgh airport to the city center:
Travel from the airport into Edinburgh by taxi costs approximately £15 - £20, approximate journey time 30 mins (unless in rush-hour).
For a less expensive, and very efficient, option we would suggest
using the frequent Airlink bus from the Airport to the city center, operated by Lothian Region Transport, £3.30 single or £5 return, journey time 30 mins.
Airlink buses run during the following times: http://www.flybybus.com.
From the Airlink bus stop in the city center, you can walk or take
a taxi to your hotel.
For further information:
Glasgow airport is about an hour's drive from Edinburgh, with frequent rail and bus transfers. See the Glasgow airport website for details.
Prestwick Airport, served by Ryanair, is not in Glasgow despite the fact that its official name in Glasgow Prestwick airport. Travel to Edinburgh by rail or bus takes about 2 hours.
For further details please see: http://www.gpia.co.uk This gives you information about bus and train travel to Edinburgh, including special offers on rail travel.
ScotRail: 0345 55 00 33
National Express online
Day and overnight coaches operate regularly between Edinburgh St. Andrew Square bus station and London Victoria Coach Station. The journey takes 8 hours and 30 minutes and costs approximately £25 for a return journey.
National Express Inquiries +44 (0) 141 331 1341
Or see: http://www.nationalexpress.co.uk
Journey time from London, via the M1 and M6 Motorways, is approximately 8 hours.
DFDS Seaways: http://www.dfdsseaways.co.uk
DFDS Seaways sail into Newcastle (2 hours' drive to Edinburgh) from Germany, Sweden and Holland.
North Sea Ferries
North Sea Ferries sail into Hull (5 hours' drive to Edinburgh) from Belgium and Holland. They operate crossings from Belfast and Larne to Stanraer and Troon (1.5 hours drive from Edinburgh). They also operate crossings to Newcastle from Norway and Sweden.
North Sea Ferries +44 (0) 1482 377 177
| Company | Location | |||
| Edinburgh Airport | Edinburgh City Centre | Glasgow Airport | Glasgow City Centre | |
| Avis | +44 (0)131 344 3900 | +44 (0)131 337 6363 | +44 (0)141 842 7599 | +44 (0)141 221 2827 |
| Arnold Clark | N/A | +44 (0) 131 228 4747 | N/A | +44 (0)845 607 4500 |
| Easycar.com | N/A | N/A | online booking only | N/A |
| Europcar | +44 (0)131 333 2588 | +44 (0)131 557 3456 | +44 (0)141 887 0414 | +44 (0)141 248 8788 |
| Hertz | +44 (0)131 333 1019 | +44 (0)870 846 0013 | +44 (0)141 887 2451 | +44 (0)141 248 7736 |
| National Car Rental | +44 (0)870 191 0553 | +44 (0)131 337 8686 | +44 (0)870 191 0551 | +44 (0)141 204 1051 |
British Airways - http://www.ba.com
Continental Airlines -
http://www.continental.com
British Midlands (BMI) - http://www.flybmi.com/
expedia.co.uk - http://www.expedia.co.uk
Cheapflights.co.uk - http://www.cheapflights.co.uk
Easyjet - http://www.easyjet.com/
Lastminute.com - http://www.lastminute.com
Ryan Air - http://www.ryanair.com/
Student Flights - http://www.studentflights.co.uk/
Flightline - http://www.flightline.co.uk/
Just Flights - http://www.justflights.co.uk/
UK Away - http://www.ukaway.co.uk/
The conference venue is in Appleton Tower, in the city centre, and Edinburgh's city centre is compact, so you may find that walking is the best way to get around. Edinburgh does not have an underground or tram system, but it does have a frequent (though erratic) and comprehensive bus service. The main operator within Edinburgh is Lothian Buses. Be warned that LRT buses do not give change! The normal fare for a journey is 80 pence. Return tickets are not issued, but you can buyl a day saver for £2.30 which will allow you to travel unlimited for the entire day. Taxis are also easy to find on most major thoroughfares.
For further information:Parking in Edinburgh Centre is difficult, with no free parking. You will have to go for one of the big car parks or else feed the meter. This is quite expensive. Look for areas marked “Tickets and Regulations” and avoid areas marked “Residents’permit”. Parking violations cost at least £30 and the traffic wardens (“Blue Meanies”) are vigilant!
Parking around Appleton Tower and George Square: There are public parking places or meters, but they are expensive. We recommend you come to this area by either bus or taxi or on foot. There is however a large car park in front of Appleton Tower.
The conference CAV 2005 and the affiliated workshops will be held at Appleton Tower Lecture Theatres in George Square. These lecture theatres are all located from the lobby and concourse level of Appleton Tower. The precise allocation of events-to-rooms is available on the conference program.
Appleton Tower (AT) is highlighted in the following map. It is a grey ~10 storey building and is easily identifiable because it is undeniably one of the ugliest buildings in all of Edinburgh-- a real eyesore (here's a picture). Registration will be held in the Appleton Tower concourse (through the main entrance).
