Accommodation and travel

01 Getting to the conference

Translink is the leading integrated public transport operator of Metro, Glider, Ulsterbus, Goldliner and NI Railways in Northern Ireland. It offers a comprehensive network of bus and rail services throughout Northern Ireland and on cross border routes to Republic of Ireland.

Belfast is easily accessed by sea, with crossings from both Scotland and England. Travel by superfast ferries with journey times from just one hour. The Stena Line Belfast terminal is conveniently located close to the motorway network off junction one of the M2 motorway (Fortwilliam roundabout) offering easy access from Belfast City Centre and the rest of Ireland.

Should you wish to fly to the conference, Belfast International is the principal gateway to Northern Ireland. Situated approximately 17 miles northwest of Belfast City Centre, a regular airport express service with Ulsterbus links the airport with the city centre at the Europa Bus Centre (near the Europa Hotel). The journey time is approximately 30 minutes. You can also use taxi services or Ubers. Alternatively, George Best Belfast City Airport services a wide range of UK and European destinations.

Once you’ve arrived in Belfast, the city is easy to explore on foot. Other options include Frank and Honest Belfast Bikes - the low cost, convenient way to get around with over 50 docking stations and 400 bikes across the city – and public transport. Metro is the main bus service for Belfast, operating throughout the city. Glider G1 is a direct cross-city service between the east and west of the City and G2 serves Titanic Quarter.

Find out more about getting to Belfast, and getting around, including accessibility in the city, on the Visit Belfast website.

02 Visas

If you’re coming to the BISA conference from outside the UK, you might need a visa. Check if this applies to you at www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

Once you have been accepted to present on the conference programme, and you have registered and paid to attend, we can provide you with a letter to confirm this. You will make your request for a visa letter as part of the registration process. We aren’t legally allowed to provide general letters of invite to the conference.

If you are applying for a standard visitor visa (please do not assume this is the correct visa for you – use the link at the top of this section to find out), current government guidance states that the earliest you can apply is three months before travel. Therefore, you will need to register and pay for the conference before obtaining your visa. We will issue a refund to any delegate who is turned down for a visa. Please send proof to office@bisa.ac.uk. 

Requests for visa letters are made as part of your conference registration. This means that all requests should be made by the 12 March 2025 deadline for speaker registration. Unfortunately we are unable to provide visa letters for conference observers.

Please ensure you follow the visa application instructions very closely.

03 Accommodation

Looking for a comfy place to stay? Of course you are! And you’re guaranteed to find it in Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland. From 5-star hotels, hostels, serviced apartments, and camping/caravanning, you're sure to find accommodation in Belfast within your budget. We are working with Reservation Highway who have negotiated preferential rates at a wide range of hotels in close proximity to the conference venues. We have also negotiated preferential rates with the main conference venue – The Europa hotel.

Conference hotel

Should you wish to stay at the main conference hotel, The Europa, we have negotiated a preferential rate of £160 bed and breakfast per room, per night. There is a double occupancy supplement of £20 per room, per night. To book, telephone: +44 (0) 2890 271066 or email res@eur.hastingshotels.com. You will need to quote the block name and unique block ID code.

Block Name: BISA 

Block ID: 564330

A credit card will be required at the time of booking to guarantee the reservation. The full stay amount will be charged upon arrival to the hotel. We have been advised that cancellation will be free up to 12pm the day prior to your arrival, and thereafter you will be charged the full amount for your stay. However please do check your booking confirmation to confirm.

Local hotels – preferential rates for BISA delegates!

We are working with Reservation Highway who have provided a dedicated hotel booking site where you can book your accommodation with preferential rates secured for the conference. All rates include VAT and breakfast, and can be secured with a credit card. Cancellation is free of charge until seven days prior to arrival. Book by 19 May 2025 to secure your rate.

Should you require any assistance with your booking you can contact them by telephoning: +44 (0) 1423 525577 or emailing: admin@reservation-highway.co.uk.

Of course, you are also free to look for alternative places to stay.