Travel

Air | Train | Car

By Air

Sheffield is located near to Manchester, Leeds Bradford and East Midlands airports (all around one hours travel time away).

Manchester Airport is served by many domestic and international carriers, and has a direct rail link to Sheffield that operates both day and night.

London Heathrow and Gatwick airports are approximately 3-4 hours away. Trains to Sheffield run regularly from London St. Pancras station.

For more airport information, visit the UK and Ireland airport guide

Cheap European flights can be booked with budget airlines, such as bmibaby (East Midlands and Manchester), Easyjet (East Midlands and London Gatwick), Jet2 (Leeds Bradford). For example, flights from Barcelona to Leeds Bradford can cost as little as €29 with Jet2

Scheduled flights outside Europe are available through British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, amongst others.

SIGIR visitors may also be interested in attending CIVR 2004 (The International Conference on Image and Video Retrieval), which is being held the week before, on July 21-23, 2004. Ryanair and Aer Lingus offer cheap flights to Manchester from Dublin for as little as 8 euros.

By Train

Timetable information and reservations.

Sheffield is easily accessible by rail from anywhere in the country. Direct services run from within or near to all the major airports listed below:

London Heathrow - Tube to Kings Cross St. Pancras. Direct train from London St. Pancras station to Sheffield station (2.5 hours).

London Gatwick - Train to London Victoria (30 mins). Tube to Kings Cross St. Pancras. Direct train from London St. Pancras station to Sheffield station (2.5 hours).

London Stansted - Direct train from airport to Sheffield (3.5 hours).

Manchester Airport - direct train from airport to Sheffield (1.5 hours).

East Midlands Airport - Short taxi ride to Nottingham and Derby stations. Direct train from Nottingham station to Sheffield station (1 hour). Direct train from Derby station to Sheffield station (0.5 hours).

Leeds Bradford Airport - Half hourly bus link from airport to Leeds station (20-30 mins). Direct train from Leeds station to Sheffield station (1 hour).

Directions from the Train Station to Hotels and Conference Site

Here’s a useful overall Central Sheffield map.

Sheffield Station to Conference venues
1. Take a tram at the station (Malin Bridge - Blue line)
2. Get off the tram at University of Sheffield
3. Walk to Octagon Centre or Arts Tower (5 min)

£1.20 for Station to University (One way)

Sheffield Station to Hotels
Those who stay at Hotel Bristol, Travel Inn, IBIS Hotel, or Novotel:
Walk to hotels (5 to 15 min). City Centre and Main Hotel Area Map

Remaining Hotels

Those who stay at the rest of hotels:
Take a taxi from the station (should not be more than £6).

By Car

Parking is limited around the University campus so visitors should try to make use of public transport where possible. However, unrestricted parking in University owned car parks will be offered to conference attendees on Sunday, July 25th

We recommend that unless you know the city well, when travelling from the north, east and south you should approach Sheffield by the M1 (and M18 if necessary). From the west, use the A57 Snake Pass via Glossop. The recommended main routes to and from the University are indicated on the Central Sheffield map.

From M1, M18: Approach Sheffield on the M1 and leave the motorway at Junction 33, following the City Centre signs along the dual carriageway A630/A57/A61 Parkway, which ends in a large roundabout - Park Square. From here, take the third exit, the A61(S), along Sheaf Street, following the Ring Road signs, and passing the railway station on the left. Remain in the centre lane approaching the Sheaf Square roundabout, and then almost immediately bear right into Shoreham Street, again following signs for the Ring Road. Turn right onto the Ring Road and now follow signs for the University. Continue straight on as far as the third roundabout, the Brook Hill roundabout. Take the first exit for the main Western Bank precinct and the fourth exit for the Applied Science departments in Mappin Street (off Broad Lane).

From the West (A57): Follow the 'City Centre' signs. The route continues to Western Bank, with the University being signposted for the last mile.

Getting Around Sheffield

Most of the conference venues and hotels are within walking distance as well as being accessible by tram. Here are specific directions:

Hotels to Conference venues
Those who stay at Hotel Bristol, Travel Inn, IBIS Hotel, or Novotel:
1. Take a tram at Castle Square (Either Middlewood - Yellow line or
Malin Bridge - Blue line)
2. Get off the tram at University of Sheffield
3. Walk to Octagon Centre or Arts Tower (5 min)

Those who stay at Halifax Hall or Sheffield Marriot Hotel:
A coach service will be available (Timetable will be given in a separate
sheet)

Those who stay at Rutland Hotel:
1. Walk to Octagon Centre or Arts Tower (20 min)
2. Or take a bus (Route 60) and get off at University Students Union
(Glossop Road)
3. Walk to Octagon Centre or Arts Tower (2 min)

Sheffield's Supertram also provides fast and easy access to the University from around the city centre. 

Tram Fees
1. £1.20 for Station to University (One way)
2. £2.40 for One day ticket (called Dayrider)
3. £7.50 for Week ticket (called Megarider)

Tickets can be purchased from a conductor in the tram.

Buses will be provided to take conference attendees to and from University halls of residence accommodation.

The city centre is also accessible by tram or walking from most hotels and conference venues.

Some useful maps

Central Sheffield map.

City Centre and Main Hotel Area Map

Conference Locations and University