Visitor FAQ

You may want to check the general FAQ Local link

also. There is also a `sheet with lots of local information`_.

Time and place of the conference

When will the conference take place exactly?

We want to start on March, Friday, 27th, 2009 in the afternoon and will end on March, Sunday 29rd, 2009 at noon. More exact information is contained in the program Local link .

Where will the conference take place?

The conference will take place at the University of Manchester.

The University of Manchester on Google Maps
Overview map of the University of Manchester (we are in the Oxford Road area)
Address
University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
United Kingdom

What do the room names mean?

When you check the rooms in the program_ you'll find names for the rooms consisting of the building and the room number inside that building. These are the buildings:

University Place
This is building 37 on the map.
Arthur Lewis Building
This is building 36 on the map.
Humanities Bridgeford Building
This is building 35 on the map.
It is also a placemark on the conference map.

On Friday we have rooms in the University Place and may be the Arthur Lewis Building. On Saturday and Sunday we have rooms in the Humanities Bridgeford Building.

What is Manchester Piccadilly?

Manchester Piccadilly station Remote link is a central transport hub in Manchester where lots of trains and busses arrive and depart. The University of Manchester is close to Manchester Piccadilly and thus easy to reach.

In this sheet we explain most routes by going from or to Manchester Piccadilly.

Manchester Piccadilly is also a placemark on the conference map Remote link .

How do I get to University of Manchester?

The University of Manchester is close to Manchester Piccadilly, where regular trains link to all areas of the UK. Please check the University's maps and travel Remote link page for detailed information.

Are there prerequisites for going to UK?

For general information please refer to the UK Border Agency` Remote link . Depending on where you come from you may need a visa to enter UK. Please note that it can take some time to receive a visa. You may also want or need to contact the British embassy in your country.

How do I get to Manchester best?

What about (cheap) flights?

Manchester airport Remote link is the destination of many cheap airlines (such as Ryanair, Easyjet) so it is probably easy to find a cheap flight. In addition you can fly to Liverpool or Birmingham which are quite close.

Manchester
If you fly to Manchester airport, there are frequent direct train service that will take you to Manchester Piccadilly (20 minutes train ride). Please check http://www.trainline.co.uk for timetable and fare.
You can also take bus 43 (takes about 1 hour).
Estimated taxi fare: 25.00 GBP (one way).
Liverpool
If you fly to Liverpool, you can take bus 700 or `Terravision bus`_ to Manchester Sackville Street (about one hour bus ride).
If you fly to Liverpool, you can take bus Arriva Bus 700 which takes about 75 minutes and costs 6 GBP for a single ticket (10 GBP for a return ticket).
Or you use Terravision bus which will take about 50 minutes and costs 6 GBP for a single ticket (8 GBP for a return ticket).
Estimated taxi fare from Liverpool airport to Manchester City Centre: 40.00 GBP (one way).
Birmingham
If you fly to Birmingham, you can take train to Manchester Piccadilly (about 2 hour train ride).

Opodo Remote link is one of the best sites for cheap flights. There is also Cheap flights which lists cheap flights to the UK. Expedia is another site for cheap flights.

Any directions from the airport to Manchester Piccadilly?

Please see the question "What about (cheap) flights?" for this information.

Any option to travel from the COMMUNIA meeting in London to Manchester?

If you attended the COMMUNIA meeting in London just before the 4th Oekonux Conference you may want to visit http://www.worknets.org/wiki.cgi?FromLondonToManchester Remote link to check for others who want to do the same.

Where to stay in Manchester?

What accommodation would you recommend?

We recommend the Etap hotel Remote link in Manchester (directions, reservation). It is a cheap standard hotel. Some speakers are also hosted by this hotel so this will be a nice place to meet them during breakfast. It is also a placemark on the conference map.

The hotel sells rooms per night which can be occupied by up to three persons. To save money you may choose to share a room with another conference participant. We set up a Wiki page Remote link to organize sharing of rooms.

To go to Etap hotel, take metro from Manchester Piccadilly (direction to Eccles Remote link ) to Exchange Quay or Salford Quays. The hotel is within 100m of Salford Quays metro stop. Fare: Single 2.00 GBP, Return: 2.20 GBP.

You may also consider Manchester Youth Hostel. However, this is probably more suitable for groups.

Will there be some cheap/free mass accommodation?

Unless someone is ready to organize it including finding an appropriate place for mass accommodation there will unfortunately be no mass accommodation. Sorry.

Further important details about attending the conference

Is there a conference fee?

Contrary to many other conferences we don't require a conference fee, but we would appreciate if you would contribute to the funding of the conference with some amount (default value: 20EUR/GBP/US$).

In any case, however, please register yourself by using the registration form Local link . We need that to get an organizational overview.

What about registration?

Please, please, register for the conference. Right now we have no idea how many people will come and you help us very much if you register using the registration form at http://www.oekonux-conference.org/registration.html Remote link .

There is no deadline for registration but if you register as soon as possible then we can plan better.

Any pre- or post-conference meetings?

On Thursday, 26th we will meet at `Dimitri's`_ at 20:00 for a pre-conference dinner.

On Sunday, 29th we will meet at `Dimitri's`_ at 14:00 for a post-conference lunch.

Adress:

Dimitri's Remote link is also a placemark on the conference map.

What about food?

On Saturday we will offer an option to have Subway sandwiches for on-site lunch. Apart from that there will be no food on-site.

What about Internet access?

We do not know exactly yet whether and where there is Internet access.

Here is a wifi community map Remote link containing free and paid wifi hot spots.

What about a get-together / party?

Sorry but we were not able to organize a general get-together. However, we will tour Rusholme_ on Saturday evening. Locals say this would be a good choice anyway :-) .

May I have all that on paper and up-to-date?

The conference office will provide a visitor package with much information.

More local information

Any local attractions in Manchester?

Sure. Take your choice from

What about public transport?

Please refer to GMPTE Remote link for information on this topic.

Any places to dine?

Manchester offers a wide range of cuisine at various prices. There are plenty restaurants/cafes/pubs/convenience stores/supermarkets on Oxford Road and in the city centre that would suffice the diverse needs of visitors.

Oxford Road Area

Rusholme

Plenty of curry houses (mainly Indian/Pakistani restaurants and take-away) in Rusholme Remote link (the Curry Mile)

Red Chilli
Tai-Wu
Felicini Pizza & Pasta
Plus Plenty of take-away and fast food restaurants

More information

Many pubs offer food all day long. E.g., Varsity, Waterhouse,

For more information and dining in the city centre, please visit the restaurant guide Remote link or restaurantsofmanchester.com.

How will the weather be?

The weather in Manchester in March is still chilly. It's strongly suggested to keep an umbrella at all times. Daytime average temperature is around 8 Celsius, evening temperature around 2 Celsius. You may want to check the weather information Remote link .