Forum for Germanic Language Studies
16th biennial conference, Newnham College Cambridge
12-13 April 2024
TRAVEL INFORMATION
TRANSPORT TO CAMBRIDGE MAIN TRAIN STATION FROM LONDON AIRPORTS
Stansted airport is nearby (30 miles), with a frequent train from the airport to Cambridge main train station (NOT Cambridge NORTH station) that takes 30 minutes.
Gatwick airport (90 miles) has a train option called Thameslink that is direct to Cambridge main train station, without changes. It is direct and takes about 2 hours. Usually, there is a train every 30 minutes.
London City Airport (60 miles) is fast to get through and is about 90 minutes to Cambridge via Kings Cross main station by train and underground.
Take the DLR from London City Airport to Bank, and then Northern Line from Bank to King’s Cross St. Pancras. From King’s Cross St. Pancras, it’s a short walk to King’s Cross. From there are frequent trains to Cambridge main train station.
Heathrow (70 miles) has the underground train (Piccadilly line) to Kings Cross main station. Then a 50-minute train to Cambridge main train station. In total about 2 hours. Alternatively, take the Elizabeth Line to London Liverpool Street station and from there it is around a 90-minute train journey to Cambridge.
Luton (40 miles): slow by bus/coach to Cambridge (2 hours).
Tip: Trains from London Liverpool Street cost less but take longer to reach Cambridge. You can check train connections as well as rail travel information at https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/. You can also book train tickets on that website. Please note that Advance Tickets are restricted to the time you selected, while (super) off-peak tickets can be used outside the train rush-hour (usually after 9.30am). Anytime Tickets are the most flexible type of tickets (but also the most expensive).
ARRIVING BY COACH
National Express and Flixbus offers buses to Cambridge from different cities and airports.
The stop ‘Cambridge Parkside – City Centre’ is about 1.1 miles away from Newnham College (20–25 minutes of walking or 5–10 minutes by taxi).
Coach travel websites:
https://www.nationalexpress.com/en
ARRIVING BY CAR
If you are planning on driving to Cambridge, we strongly recommend that you use the Park & Ride scheme. Parking in the city centre is limited and several city centre roads have restricted access with penalties for using them.
You can park free of charge at five Park and Ride sites on the outskirts of Cambridge, then travel into the city centre. Return bus journeys into the city centre start from £3. Check the pricing on the Park and Ride website.
The Park and Ride sites areː
· Milton Park and Ride
· Newmarket Road Park and Ride
· Babraham Road Park and Ride
· Trumpington Park and Ride
· Madingley Road Park and Ride
Just tell the Bus Driver that you want to get to the city centre in order to ensure that you get the correct ticket and get off at the correct stop.
Disabled parking is available in the city’s car parks and on some streets. Please check in advance with the Cambridge Tourist Information Centre or visit.
FROM CAMBRIDGE MAIN TRAIN STATION TO NEWNHAM COLLEGE
Take the Bus U (heading towards Eddington) from the Cambridge main train station and get off at Silver Street Bus Station (around 15–20 minutes from Cambridge train station). From there, it is a short walk (3–5 minutes) to Newnham College.
Ticket price: £2 (one way)
ACCOMMODATION
If you would like College accommodation for 3 nights (Thursday to Sunday), please indicate that on the registration form. Alternatively, you can book rooms yourself at several colleges (Fitzwilliam and Clare Hall are very close to the conference venue).
The ‘Visit Cambridge’ website offers an overview of accommodation here: https://www.visitcambridge.org/place-categories/accommodation/ (including college rooms).
We recommend the following hotels and B&Bs (the first two are cheaper than the last two):
ibis Cambridge Central Station
Ashley Hotel
Hotel du Vin
The Gonville Hotel