Conference Secretariat
Faculty of Chemistry
University of the Basque Country
  phone:
fax:
+34 943 018194
+34 943 015270
 
Manuel de Lardizabal 3
20018 Donostia-San Sebastián (Spain)
   

Costs
The ECTN will cover accommodation costs for up to 4 nights, lunches on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and dinner on Friday evening, for all ECTN working group members and one person from all ECTN partners who have no working group members.

The ECTN will not reimburse any travel costs or other expenses except in exceptional circumstances. It is suggested that participants should request travel costs from their university Socrates Institutional Contract (organisation of student mobility) if possible. The plenary meeting is an excellent opportunity to discuss student exchanges.

If you have any doubts about financing, please do not hesitate to contact Tony Smith.

Language
The official language of the conference will be English.
No simultaneous translation will be provided.

Passport and Visas
All non-residents of the EU are required to have a valid passport.
Participants should check regarding visa requirements for travel to Spain. Applications should be made to the nearest Spanish Embassy or Consulate as soon as possible. Citizens of member states of the European Union and the USA do not need visas.

Travelling to Donostia-San Sebastián
Donostia-San Sebastián can be reached

by plane

via San Sebastian airport, located 20 Km away from Donostia-San Sebastián. This is a domestic airport with several daily flights to and from Madrid and Barcelona.
Access to San Sebastian center:
IPARBUS company Tel:+34 943.49.18.01 www.iparbus.com. Departs from the airport to San Sebastian (Pio XII Square) and viceversa, 20 min. after every flight arrival. From Pio XII Square you may take a taxi (€ 6) or bus #27 (€ 1) to the University area. Costa Vasca Hotel residents should get off at the Hotel bus stop. For the remaining Hotels the bus stop is named "Antiguoko Anbulatorioa" (see appropriated coloured dots in the bus #27 line map).

via Bilbao airport, about 10 Km from Bilbao center.
Bilbao airport is linked with the city center by "Bizkaibus" Company. Buses depart from the airport every hour (tickets in the bus) and go to Bilbao bus station "TERMIBUS". In about 10-15 min. commuting coaches from "PESA Co." depart from this bus station and go directly to PIO XII Square in San Sebastian (2 h. in total). Tickets to San Sebastian are sold in PESA offices in TERMIBUS (have a look on the timetables). From Pio XII Square you may take a taxi (€ 6) or bus #27 (€ 1) to the University area. Costa Vasca Hotel residents should get off at the Hotel bus stop. For the remaining Hotels the bus stop is named "Antiguoko Anbulatorioa" (see appropriated coloured dots in the bus #27 line map).
Airlines operating in Bilbao airport: Aer Lingus, Air Berlin, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, Easyjet, Iberia, Hapag Lloyd Express, Lufthansa, Portugalia, SN Brussels Airlines, Spanair, Vueling

via Biarritz airport, about 50 Km from Donostia-San Sebastian.
Access to San Sebastian:
The connections between Biarritz airport and San Sebastian are rather complicated!. It is recommended that travellers get taxi by grouping themselves to make it less expensive. Price of the taxi (€ 85).

By bus

By train

Upon arrival at the airport, take a taxi to the railway station of Biarritz and then take a train to Hendaye. There, take a local train (subway train known as the "Topo") of the "Eusko Tren" Co. Services to San Sebastian run every half and hour and the journey takes about 40 min. Upon arrival to the terminus station, we recommend that you take a taxi to your hotel (distances in San Sebastian are short and the price will not exceed € 10).

Airlines operating in Biarritz airport: Air France, AIR LITORAL, REGIONAL Airlines, RYANAIR

by TGV train from Paris
Train station Paris-Montparnasse-Donostia/San Sebastián (800 km).
The TGV connection between Paris and San Sebastian can be very useful in terms of price-specially if the ticket is bought one month in advance- and timing!. When you exit the train in Hendaye station you should take a local train (subway train known as the "Topo") of the "Eusko Tren" Co. Services to San Sebastian run every half and hour and the journey takes about 40 min. Upon arrival to the terminus station, we recommend that you take a taxi to your hotel (distances in San Sebastian are short and the price will not exceed € 10).

Accommodation
The following hotels have been reserved:
Hotel Costa Vasca
Hotel San Sebastián
Hotel Codina
Hotel NH Aranzazu
Hotels will be booked for all participants by the organizing committee. You will be informed about details of your accommodation in due time.

Climate
Weather in April during the daytime is usually warm (14–18°C), however weather can vary often so there is the possibility of showers. Thus, a raincoat and an umbrella might be appropriate.