Information for IMPS 2009 International Delegates
Getting to the UK: Air travelers from international destinations will normally arrive at one of the two major London Airports (Heathrow or Gatwick). Travellers can commute to Cambridge either directly by Coach, Taxi or Hire Car, or via London by Rail. Travellers from Europe may also arrive at these airports, but are more likely to make use of the budget flights from European Cities (E.g. Easyjet or Ryanair) that arrive at Stanstead or Luton, both within one hours drive from Cambridge. 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 , scroll right to the bottom of the page, and fill in the details required (Choose 'traveler', 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 forcast for the week of 20th to 24th July 2009. As the day approaches you are advised to check with the meteorological office, which supplies, 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.