general information
Important dates:
Call for abstracts starts: 1 February 2016
Early registration starts: March 2016
Financial aid applications deadline: 30 April 2016
Early registration deadline: 30 June 2016
Abstract submission deadline: 15 June 2016
Manuscript submission deadline: 15 August -1 September 2016
Harjattula - the conference venue
Harjattula is a conference centre located on the Kakskerta island, surrounded by beautiful nature, golf greens and the sea. Also accommodation has been reserved for the participants at Harjattula. The drive from the city centre of Turku to Harjattula takes about 20 minutes. Address: Harjattulantie 80.
Turku - the conference city
Turku, in the Southwest corner of Finland, is the oldest city and the first capital of the country. Today it is the capital of its region, the Southwest Finland. Turku is often said to be the only West European town in Finland as all medieval European towns have four things in common: a river for transport, a cathedral for religious power, a castle that represents the secular power and last but not least - a market place for acts of commerce. Turku has them all! Please visit the Turku tourist office Turku Touring website for more information.
Map of Turku
Please find here the map of the Turku city center. The most important stations are marked on this map.
Travelling
Turku has an international airport and it is easy to reach by air via Helsinki, Stockholm, Riga or Gdansk. From Turku airport, there is a regular bus to Turku city centre (distance approx. 8 km), bus line nro 1 which runs about every 20 minutes.
If you fly to Helsinki, from Helsinki-Vantaa airport there is a shuttle bus to Turku (2.5 hours, departures every hour). Another option is to take the new Ring Rail Line from the airport to Helsinki, to Pasila station, and change in Pasila to a train to Turku. At day-time, the Ring Rail Line trains between the airport and Helsinki run at ten-minute intervals at peak hours and the trip takes 22 minutes. Trains to Turku depart about every hour (between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.). The trip to Turku from the Helsinki-Pasila station takes about 2 hours.
From Stockholm you may choose to travel to Turku on a ferry through one of the most beautiful archipelagos in the world. Daily connections between Stockholm and Turku are operated by Silja Line and Viking Line. The ferry takes about 10 hrs. For more information about Turku and travel connections, please visit the Turku Touring website.
Other transport links
- Finnair
Airline information and timetables - SAS
Airline information and timetables - Air Baltic
Airline information and timetables - Wizz Air
Airline information and timetables
- Viking Line
Ferryboat connections from Stockholm - Tallink Silja
Ferryboat connections from Stockholm - The Finnish Rail
Timetables, train connections - Expressbus
Finnish long-distance buses
Local public transportation
If you fly to Turku, there is a regular bus from the Turku airport to city centre Market Square (distance approx. 8 km), bus line nro 1 which runs about every 20 minutes. Tickets à 3 eur can be bought from the driver (cash, preferably coins).
To get from Turku city center to Harjattula, take the bus number 15 (direction "Kakskerta") and get off at bus stop 1762 "Kaislahdentie". The bus travel takes about 30 minutes. More information about the local bus routes http://www.foli.fi/en.
Here you can see the timetable for bus number 15 between the Market Square and Harjattula. All local buses stop at the Market Square, so there are a lot of bus stops. Bus number 15 to Harjattula departs from bus stop "T4" and when coming from Harjattula, it stops at the bus stop "T3" . Please see here the map for bus stops at the Market Square. (Please see here a bigger map of Turku. )
Taxi from city center to Harjattula cost about 40 euros, from airport to Harjattula about 50 euros.
The Organizers will try to assist with transportation from Turku airport or the bus station in special cases, e.g. late arrival and groups. We kindly ask participants to inform us about the day and time of their arrival (please send e-mail to congress-office@utu.fi). Unfortunately we cannot guarantee to arrange transportation for all participants.
Taxi
Tel. +358 2 10041
Taxis are generally easy to get. There are several taxi stands in the city centre, one on the market square. For a taxi ride from Turku Airport to the city centre you may expect a fare between 25-35 euros. After 8 p.m. there is a small additional charge.
Weather in Turku
Please visit the Finnish Meteorological Institute's website for updated news on weather in Finland. You can also get a 5-day forecast of the local weather in Turku.
Languages
Turku is a bilingual city, official languages being Finnish and Swedish. In addition, you may expect that most people (particularly younger people) have at least basic knowledge of English.
Currency
The Finnish currency unit is the Euro. You can exchange foreign currency and traveller's cheques in the Forex currency exchange company (address: Eerikinkatu 13, by the Market Place). Banks are open from 10.00 to 16.30 on weekdays and closed on Saturdays and Sundays. There are numerous cash machines (ATMs) open around the clock and accepting all major credit cards. Major credit cards, in particular Visa, Eurocard and Mastercard are widely accepted almost everywhere (in hotels, restaurants, shops, taxis, cafeterias, bars, etc.).
Voltage
The electric current in Finland is 230V, 50Hz. Plugs are two-pin continental size.
Insurance
Please note that the conference participants are not covered by any insurance (travel, medical, accident or liability) taken by the Conference Organisers. The Conference Organisers cannot accept liability for any loss or damage suffered by any participant or accompanying person or other person during travel to and from the congress or during the conference. Participants are advised to consider purchasing their own travel insurance and to extend their personal policy to cover personal possessions.
Cancellation
In the event that the conference is cancelled by the Conference Organisers, or cannot take place for any reason outside the control of the Conference Organisers, the registration fee shall be refunded in full. The liability of the Conference Organiser shall be limited to that refund.
