Travel information


17th EASA Biennial Conference
EASA2022: Transformation, Hope and the Commons
School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics at Queen’s University Belfast
26-29 July, 2022

Getting to the Venue

The conference venue is the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics at Queen’s University Belfast, the GPS coordinates are 54.585512524923274, -5.933244559124735.

You can find an accessibility map of the venue here.

We have put together a detailed overland and oversea travel page here, which will be especially helpful to those preferring low-carbon travel - which EASA highly encourages.

Visit Belfast has a lot of information about the different ways to reach Belfast. We have put together a google map below, which also has the routes to the venue from the train station, and routes from the airport and Dublin.

We refer to useing public transport within Belfast in the 'Tips' section below, but for a comprehensive list of ways to get around Belfast city during your stay, have a look at the Visit Belfast site.

For information on visas see this additional page of information.

About Covid-19 at the venue and in Belfast

Earlier this year, the UK government dropped all Covid-19 related restrictions. This has resulted in the stopping of free lateral flow tests on April 15th, 2022.

We therefore ask you bear the following in mind:

  1. Book travel insurance in case of cancellations related to Covid-19.
  2. At the venue masks are not mandatory, but certainly not discouraged.
  3. If you have symptoms in the days prior to travelling to Belfast, please do a Covid test and if positive, cancel your participation.
  4. If you develop symptoms during the conference days, stay in your hotel room and call NHS 111. This website has some information for visitors in the UK trying to obtain testing or vaccination.

You can use this site to check your symptoms.

Interactive map: Press the side menu button to access different options on the interactive map.

Arriving by Train

The train station, called Lanyon Place, is ~2km away from the conference venue, and directions are given below, from there to the venue:

Walking (~26 minutes)

  • Walk west on East Bridge St/A20 towards Stewart St, continue to follow East Bridge St.
  • Slight left onto East Bridge St/A24, continue to follow A24
  • Turn right onto Donegall Pass
  • Turn left onto Posnett St
  • Turn right to stay on Posnett St
  • Turn left onto Botanic Ave
  • Turn right onto University Square - destination will be on the right

Public Transport (~7 minutes)

  • From Layton Place take the train to Botanic, Stop ID: CL
  • Coming out of Botanic, head south on Botanic Ave toward Cameron St
  • Turn right onto University Square - Destination will be on the right
Arriving by Coach

There are many different coach stations in Belfast depending on the provider you are using, so we suggest you use the venue address (above) on google maps. Refer to the conference Google map to see several stops highlighted in relation to the venue.

Arriving by Ferry

You can take ferries to Belfast from various places, so view our page regarding overland/sea travel for more detailed information. Directions from the Port of Belfast (~5.6km away) to the conference venue are below:

Public Transport (~18 minutes)

  • Take the bus from Dock Street towards Donegall Place, for example the 2c for 6 stops.
  • Walk about 3 min, head south on Donegall Pl toward Donegall Square, turn left onto Donegall Square, slight right onto Donegall Square.
  • Take the bus from Donegall Place East towards Upper Crescent, for example the 8a for 4 stops.
  • Walk south on University Rd/B23 toward Claremont St, turn left onto University Square

Driving (~12 minutes)

  • Take McCaughey Rd, Dufferin Rd and Corry Rd to Nelson St (4 min)
  • Continue on Nelson St. Take A2, Oxford St and A24 to Ormeau Ave (6 min)
  • Turn right onto Ormeau Ave (57 s)
  • Follow A1 and University Rd/B23 to University Square (3 min)
  • Turn left onto University Square - the destination will be on the left
Arriving by Plane

Please be aware that if you are arriving via Dublin airport, you may need a transit visa for Southern Ireland. More information here.

You could fly into Belfast City Airport, Belfast International Airport, or Dublin Airport. Directions from each of these locations, either by car or public transport, are below. As you can see on the Visit Belfast how to get here page, the Translink service operates from both Belfast City Airport and Belfast International Airport.

Belfast City Airport (only ~8km from the venue): click on links below to see the google maps directions.

Public Transport (~15 minutes)

  • Take the train from Portadown Train Station towards Botanic, for about 10 minutes or 3 stops.
  • Coming out of Botanic, head south on Botanic Ave toward Cameron St
  • Turn right onto University Square - Destination will be on the right

The Translink Airport Express 600 bus service runs between the airport and Belfast City Centre.

Driving (~17 minutes)

  • Get on Sydenham By-Pass/A2 (4 min)
  • Continue on A2 to Oxford St (5 min)
  • Follow Oxford St to East Bridge St (1 min)
  • Follow A24 to UniTranslink Airport Express 600 bus serviceversity St (2 min)
  • Continue on University St. Drive to University Square

Belfast International Airport (~30 minute drive from city centre): click on links below to see the google maps directions.

Public Transport (~1 hour)

  • Take the Intercity bus 300a Belfast for about 45 min or 7 stops to Europa Buscentre.
  • Walk from Europa Bus centre for about 3 min: Head north toward Glengall St, turn right onto Glengall St, turn right onto Great Victoria St.
  • Take the bus from Great Northern Mall, for example 7b for about 4 stops to College Green.
  • Walk west on College Park toward Botanic Ave, turn right onto Botanic Ave, turn left onto University Square.

The Translink Airport Express 300 bus service runs between the airport and Belfast City Centre.

Driving (~30-50 minutes)

  • Get on M2 from A57, Antrim Rd/A6 and Ballyclare Rd/A57 (14 min)
  • Follow M2 to Middlepath St in Belfast. Take exit 1 from M3 (11 min)
  • Take Bridge End, Oxford St, A24 and University St to University Square (10 min)

Dublin Airport is further away. Bear in mind that if you need a visa to enter the UK for the conference, coming through Dublin may mean applying for a transit visa, more information is available here. Click on links below to see the google maps direction.

Public Transport (~2 hours 27 minutes)
You can take the X1 from the airport straight to Europa Buscentre.

  • Take the X1 from Dublin Airport T1 Zone 14 for about 2 hours, for 4 stops to Europa Buscentre.
  • Walk from Europa Bus centre for about 3 min: Head north toward Glengall St, turn right onto Glengall St, turn right onto Great Victoria St.
  • Take the bus from Great Northern Mall, for example 7b for about 4 stops to College Green.
  • Walk west on College Park toward Botanic Ave, turn right onto Botanic Ave, turn left onto University Square.

Driving (~2 hours 10 minutes)

  • Get on M1 from Corballis Rd S (6 min)
  • Continue to Newry, Mourne and Down (49 min)
  • Get on M1 in Lisburn and Castlereagh from A1 (33 min)
  • Continue on M1 to Belfast. Take the exit towards City Centre from A12 (9 min)
  • Continue on Grosvenor Rd/B38. Take B503 to University Square (6 min)

About Belfast

What is so unique about Belfast is its size. A vibrant capital, with so much to see and do – but packed into a small, walkable city so you can explore the best of Belfast whether you have half a day or a long weekend in the city. It is the second-largest city in Ireland boasting, among many things, 3000 acres of parks, being the birthplace of the RMS Titanic and being the host of lots of cultural events. Visit Belfast is a great resource for finding activities, eateries and even accommodation options. The City Guides provide a wealth of information on things to do and inspirations for Belfast and beyond, including a map of the city. We also recommend the Things to See and Do page on the Meet in Belfast site, for some great advice catered for conference delegates!

Getting around Belfast is easy by foot, as there is a lot to do in the city centre, but there are also good connections if you want to explore further afield.

Things to do

There are lots of things to do in Belfast, from city tours to gin tasting, we recommend you have a look at Visit Belfast and explore the possibilities there. If you have access to a car, why not look at this list of things to do within a 30 minute drive from Belfast. Meet in Belfast has a great What’s On page, which we recommend you explore before and during the conference, as it is updated regularly.

City tours
There are lots of tours available in the city and out, including Belfast Hidden tours which offers a wonderful experience of the city, including a pub experience; Belfast Bred to sample food and drink, included in the price; Belfast traditional music trail, and so much more. For something different, why not try one of the Game of Thrones tours in and outside of the city, such as this one which includes a trip to the Giant’s Causeway.

Sightseeing
Titanic Belfast is the world's largest Titanic visitor experience and a must-see on any visit to Belfast and Northern Ireland. Explore further and have a look for the Glass of Thrones stained glass windows, explore the city for its famous street art, take a walk up to Belfast City Hall, explore the MAC cultural hub. There is so much to see, have a look here for more options in and around Belfast.

City of music
Belfast was awarded the title of UNESCO City of Music in 2021, with so much to see and get involved with, it’s easy to see why. See the Visit Belfast What’s On site to see upcoming gigs and performances that might be happening during the conference, it’s worth attending a performance or two while you’re there. Delve into Belfast’s musical heritage with a trip to the EastSide Visitor Centre, just a short distance from the home of Van Morrison, where you will find a wealth of information about his life and links to the city. Have a look here for more options, music genres, and ways to enjoy the City of Music.

Green spaces
Belfast is one of the top cities in the UK for green attractions, it has thousands of acres of beautiful parkland. Belfast is ranked in the Top 20 global sustainable destinations, some of the top places to visit include: the Botanic Gardens, established since 1828 and recognised with the Green Flag award, is a good place to get a bit of fresh air if in need of a break from the conference!

Museums
Belfast has lots of great museums to explore in the city centre. To start with, Titanic Belfast seems like an obvious choice: located beside the Titanic Slipways, the Harland & Wolff Drawing Offices and Hamilton Graving Dock – the very place where Titanic was designed, built and launched. You could also step back in time and experience what life was like in Ulster over 100 years ago at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Cultra, a little way from Belfast city centre.

To do with the family & kids
Colin Glen Forest Park has a variety of activities for adults and children, including Ireland’s only Gruffalo Trail, only 5 minutes from Belfast city centre. Here you will find activities for anyone aged 5 years and up, including archery, high-ropes and laser tag. There are more activities in the city, including the CS Lewis Square and a Derry Girls Tour. We encourage you to explore Visit Belfast for more things to do with the family.

Eating & Drinking

We list here places to eat and drink, including pubs and gin tasting! If you want to see more, however, have a look at the Foodie Guide to Belfast: the city offers a great variety of options, that is simply too much to fit all in here!

Restaurants & Eateries

Jospers Steakhouse & The Linen Bar serves only the finest quality foods, featuring Northern Ireland reared prime-aged beef, fresh fish and seafood, hand-picked produce and delicious appetisers. It also has a vegan & vegetarian menu.

Coco provides great food, fine wine and fantastic service in the heart of Belfast City Centre.

Deanes EIPIC - this Michelin starred restaurant serves the very best of local ingredients, cooked to the highest of standards. Has good vegetarian options.

James St is the coming together of two of Belfast’s best restaurants, James Street South Restaurant and The Bar and Grill at James St. The new offering is the best of the Bar and Grill's menu with a few light touches to the fine cooking of James Street South.

Actons offers traditional Northern Irish cuisine and all day dining in the heart of the Linen quarter. The menu is for everyone including vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options. A family run restaurant established over fifty years ago, Actons offers a warm and friendly welcome to their modern and vibrant restaurant.

EDŌ brings you a relaxed dining experience with tapas style sharing dishes, robust meat and fish dishes and charcoal oven cooked steaks. Has good vegan & vegetarian options.

Howard Street Restaurant creates tasty dishes using the best of Northern Irish ingredients served alongside a captivating range of wines, beers and cocktails.

Mourne Seafood Bar is the place to go if you enjoy fresh local seafood at an affordable price.

Muddlers Club is hidden away in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter, and produces simple but elegant dishes in a cool atmosphere.

Coppi, right in the heart of the buzzing Cathedral Quarter, is Belfast's first cichetti bacari restaurant inspired by those found in Venice. Has good vegan & vegetarian options.

Buba is an exciting restaurant, bringing the tastes and rich cultural mix of the Eastern Mediterranean to Belfast’s buzzing Cathedral Quarter.

SHU Restaurant Open since October 2000, SHU - the ancient Egyptian god of atmosphere - is set in a fine Victorian terrace on Belfast's stylish Lisburn Road.

Little Wing Pizzeria serves yummy, traditional Naples style pizzas made with fresh ingredients and cooked using time honoured methods, perfect for families.

Ryan's Bar & Restaurant Known for the NI farm quality assured steaks, traditional Irish Boxtys and of course their famous chicken wings, it is family friendly and excellent value for money.

Home Restaurant Feel good food served in a well-established, award-winning restaurant in the heart of the city centre. It is family friendly, and includes vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options.

Shed Bistro offers the perfect dining experience for an informal, funky lunch or the ultimate dinner bistro experience. Has good vegetarian options.

Pubs & Bars

Duke of York is nestled along a narrow cobbled alleyway in the historic Half Bap area, and offers a traditional Belfast welcome, craic and music.

Dirty Onion and Yardbird is Belfast's oldest building, with real Irish music and craic seven nights a week.

John Hewitt is a unique venue in the heart of Belfast's Cathedral Quarter, and guarantees a very warm Belfast welcome.

Robinsons Bar hosts five venues under one roof, and is one of Belfast's oldest and biggest bars.

Morning Star is one of Belfast’s most historic and picturesque pubs dating back to 1810 and run by the McAlister family since 1989, most recently crowned RAI Best Gastro Pub 2019.

Errigle Inn features five bars, roof gardens, a beer garden and live televised sporting games. Serves fabulous food and drink.

Rademon Estate Distillery - Shortcross Gin Rademon Estate in Co. Down is one of the oldest historic estates in Ireland, a haven in a unique setting and the home of Shortcross Gin.

The Belfast Gin and Spirits School offers an opportunity to see the first spirit to be distilled in Belfast in the 21st century first hand. Immerse yourself in unique experiential learning.

Belfast Artisan Gin School Make your own gin while you enjoy some craic and a few tipples. Belfast Artisan Gin School is a fun experience where you make, bottle, label, name and seal your own full-size bottle of Gin.

The Thirsty Goat Bar and Beer Garden is the newest arrival in Belfast’s trendy Cathedral Quarter. They boast the best of Belfast, offering locals and visitors a warm welcome in their quirky surroundings.

The Harp Bar is a proper public house for the discerning drinker, selling crisps, dulse, coffees, independent draught beers and extensive whiskies and at all times “Belfast Craic” with a huge heart.

Childcare

You may very well need childcare for the duration of the conference or on some days of it, whatever your needs, we recommend Lullaby Childcare. Lullaby has a fantastic team of Maternity Nurses, Night Nannies, Babysitters, Temporary Nannies and Sleep Consultants. They operate 24/7 so should be able to help you at any point during the conference period: we suggest you get in touch in advance as with everything else, as the conference is during peak tourism season.

Tips

Currency

Belfast is in the UK, so rather than Euros € (EUR), you will be using Pounds £ (GBP). However, if you travelled via Dublin and forgot to exchange the currency, most businesses will offer an exchange rate for either currency if you don’t have the right one with you.

Getting around the city centre

Belfast is a small city, so walking is easy and often the most enjoyable way to get around. The Metro bus services run throughout the day, with major pick-up points at either side of City Hall, Central Belfast. Taxis are cheap, modern and extremely safe – one of the best ways to get around at night.

Plug Sockets

Remember to pack adaptors, Belfast uses the same wall sockets as the rest of the United Kingdom, so you will need a British three-prong adapter (if you have US/European three-prong bear in mind it is a different shape) if you have devices that use other plugs.

Using public transport

The Metro buses are the most common and you will recognise them because they are pink, both double and single deckers. You can pay in cash to the driver directly, but try to have, if not exact change, almost exact. These are operated by Translink, and the website has a good journey-planner. Alternatively, you can download the app, and use that to plan your journey.

Some options for tickets include:

  • Metro City Zone: £2.10
  • Metro Daylink (for unlimited day travel): £3 off-peak / £3.50 peak
  • Metro Weekly Travel Smartcards: £15

There are also Glider services for travelling around Belfast, which are also operated by Translink, so you can use the same website to plan your route. They are trackless trams that have ticket machines on the platforms. The timetables can also be found here.

It’s not too costly

Belfast is one of the cheapest cities in the UK. You will find that you don’t need to budget too much money to have a good time during the conference period.

Useful links