Travel information

Transportation by air
l Several airlines provide direct flights to Helsinki (Helsinki-Vantaa Airport) from all over Europe as well as from countries outside Europe.
 l Connecting flights from Helsinki to Tampere are operated by Finnair (www.finnair.com), which belongs to the OneWorld Alliance.
 l SAS flies directly to Tampere (www.flysas.com) from Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo. SAS is part of Star Alliance.
 l Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) flies directly to Tampere from Bremen, Dublin, Frankfurt (Hahn), London (Stansted), Milan (Orio al Serio) and Riga.

Airport transportation
 There is a regular bus transportation available between the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and Tampere (about 180 km and 2 hours) at a cost of approximately 25 €. More detailed information will be added here.

FESPB 2008 charter busses will operate on Sunday, 17 August from the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to Tampere and on Friday, 22 August after the congress from Tampere to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (fee 30 € one way, please make reservation in advance on the registration form or by e-mail to fespb2008@congrex.fi).

There is also a bus connection between Tampere-Pirkkala Airport and Tampere (about 20 km and 20 minutes).

Transportation by boat
 Helsinki and Turku are easily reached by high-class ferries from Stockholm, Sweden (overnight by Tallink Silja www.tallinksilja.com and Viking Line www.vikingline.fi). Ferries and boats operate daily between Helsinki and Tallinn, Estonia (several lines, duration 1.5 to 3.5 hours). You can then continue e.g. by train to Tampere.

Transportation by train
 There are frequent train connections between Helsinki and Tampere (about 180 km, less than 2 hours), and Turku and Tampere (about 160 km, about 2 hours). Please see www.vr.fi for more information on trains.

Letter of invitation
 Upon request, the congress organisers will be pleased to send a personal letter of invitation to enable participants to obtain supporting funds or visas for attending the congress. These invitation letters cannot be considered as an offer of financial support by the organisers.

Visa and passports
 EC citizens need only their national identification papers. Carrying passport is, however, recommended for EC citizens. Citizens from most other countries will need a valid travel passport. They are encouraged to contact their local Finnish embassy or consulate to enquire about the necessity of visa application.

Liability
 By registering into the congress and/or by participating in the exhibition joined to the congress, participants and exhibitors agree that neither the organising committee nor the congress secretariat assume any responsibility for damage or injuries to persons or property during the congress. Participants and exhibitors are adviced to organise their own health, travel and personal insurances.
 

 Travel documents 

Passport and visa 
 Finland is a member of the Schengen agreement and visas are not required for citizens of the EU countries, citizens of the Nordic countries and citizens of countries on the list of visa-free states, providing they possess other valid travel documents (most often passport). Visa and other travel document requirements for different nationalities can be found here: Visa requirements. Citizens of all the other countries should contact the nearest Finnish embassy for further information. Participants requiring a visa for entry to Finland are strongly advised to make an application in their home country at least three months before the intended date of travel.
Participants who wish to visit Russia and then intend to return home via Finland should apply for a double entry Finnish visa. Further information can be found on the Ministry for Foreign Affairs homepage.

Letter of invitation
The organizing committee will be pleased to send a letter of invitation to any individual requesting one. It should be understood that an invitation is intended to help potential participants raise travel funds or obtain a visa. It is not a commitment on the part of the congress to provide any financial support.