Getting to the IMPS 2009 Conference in Cambridge
By Air:. 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.
Travelling from 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. Signports 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 meters walk).
Getting about in or around Cambridge
by taxi: The Cambridge railway station is approximately one mile (a 10-minute drive) from St. John’s and Sidney Sussex Colleges The journey will cost approximately £7 by taxi.
by bus: The Number 1 Bus from outside the railway station will take you to Bridge Street, very close to both St John's and Sidney Sussex Colleges. 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 St John's most places you are likely to want to go to are within walking distance (unless you've booked into a hotel or guest house outside the central area).
Travelling to Cambridge by Car: You are recommended to use the AA Route Planner. St John's College has parking facilities for conference delegates at a fee of £5.00 per day. To arrive at the car park follow the instructions below. These instructions may not appear to take the shortest route, but it is one that is easy to describe and simple to follow. Try to avoid driving through the City Centre: much of it is pedestrianised, traffic can be heavy and the one-way system is confusing.
From the North and North West: Approach via the eastbound A14 and the A1307 Huntingdon Road. About 2 miles from the A14/M11 junction, the road passes a old petrol station (currently a car wash) on the left at a set of traffic lights, and goes down Castle Hill to a second set of traffic lights. Turn right here into Northampton Street, and then left into Queens' Road at a mini-roundabout. The car park entrance is a small gate on the right after about 100 metres, opposite the Queens Road pedestrian gate into the College.
From the East: Take the westbound A14 to its junction with the B1049 Histon Road and follow it towards Cambridge. At a set of traffic lights by an old garage (currently a car wash) (about 1 1/2 miles from the A14) turn right then immediately left. Follow the road down Castle Hill to a second set of traffic lights. Turn right here into Northampton Street, and then left into Queens' Road at a mini-roundabout. The car park entrance is a small gate on the right after about 100 metres, opposite the Queens Road pedestrian gate into the College.
From the South: Take the M11 to junction 13. Turn right onto the A1303 Madingley Road. At a mini-roundabout after about 1 1/2 miles turn right into Queens' Road. The car park entrance is a small gate on the right after about 100 metres, opposite the Queens Road pedestrian gate into the College.
From the West: Take the A428 to its junction with the A1303 for Cambridge. Pass the junction with the M11 and then, at a mini-roundabout after about 1 1/2 miles, turn right into Queens' Road. The car park entrance is a small gate on the right after about 100 metres, opposite the Queens Road pedestrian gate into the College.
From the car park, cross Queens' Road and either enter the College by the Queens Road Gates, or walk back along Queens Road and Northampton Street to enter the College via the Cripps entrance and enquire at the Cripps Porter's Lodge.