General Information

Onsite registration desk
Whilst enrolling in the symposium onsite you will receive your name badge and other symposium material with your reference number, which you can find in the confirmation email. The onsite registration desk at the Marina Congress Center (street address: Katajanokanlaituri 6) will be open [opening hrs will be confirmed later]. The symposium secretariat will be available to assist you during the symposium.

Symposium language
The official symposium language will be English. No simultaneous interpretation will be arranged.

Name badges
Participants should wear the name badge at all symposium events.

Internet connection
Wireless internet connection is available at Marina Congress Center. Access codes are available at the Marina Congress Center information desk.

Non-smoking policy
Smoking will be prohibited at the symposium venue.

Climate and clothing
The average day-time temperature in Finland in May is around 10-20°C (50-70°F). Evenings may be cooler. Fairly warm weather with occasional rain showers is likely. So you might benefit from packing both lighter and warmer clothes and an umbrella!

Helsinki - the congress city
Finland is a member of the European Union and one of the Nordic countries. Helsinki, often called the ”Daughter of the Baltic”, is located within good direct flight connections from most European capitals as well as from many other locations world wide. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is 20 kilometres from the city centre.
Helsinki is a pleasant city for visitors. It offers all necessary services for travellers within a compact area. The hotel used for the symposium is next to the symposium venue and within walking distance or short tram ride away from the city center.

Public transportation
The public transportation system in Helsinki is very convenient, offering buses and local trains as well as tram and subway lines. A single public transportation ticket costs € 2,50. A tourist ticket for one to seven days can also be purchased. More information about public transportation see: http://www.hsl.fi/EN/Pages/default.aspx
For example Journey planner is an easy way to check route and timetable options for public transportation: http://www.reittiopas.fi/en/

Currency and credit cards
The official currency in Finland is Euro (€). Most major credit cards are accepted in hotels and shops. VISA, MasterCard and Eurocard are accepted at the symposium registration desk. Personal or company cheques will not be accepted at the registration desk or shops. Traveller’s cheques can be cashed in banks and exchange bureaus.

Tipping
All restaurant prices and taxi fares include service, but good service in the restaurant can be rewarded with a tip. Tipping is at guest’s discretion in hotels.

Transportation by air
Several airlines provide direct flights to Helsinki from all over Europe as well as from countries outside Europe. For more information on flights please check flights through the websites or contact your local travel agency or one of the airlines providing flights to Helsinki.

Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport has been rated one of the world’s best airports. More information available on the website http://www.finavia.fi/home

Onward connections from Helsinki to St. Petersburg, Tallinn and Stockholm are also excellent.

Airport transportation
Finnair provides regular bus transportation between Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and the City Terminal next to the Railway Station at a cost of approximately € 6. There is also a bus stop behind the Scandic Continental Hotel. Taxis between the Airport and the Helsinki city center cost approximately € 40 (30-40 minutes). Group taxis are also available at the airport (Yellow Line and Airport Taxi, cost approximately € 25 per person). There are also public transportation buses available at the price of € 4 (see also the link from public transportation).
From the airport to Marina Congress Center by public transportation:
From Helsinki Vantaa Airport take buses 415, 451 or 615 to downtown Helsinki. Alight at Helsinki railway station and take tram no 4 from outside Stockmann’s department store. Alight at the 4th stop outside the Scandic Grand Marina hotel. The regional public transportation ticket allows transfer from the public airport bus to tram within an hour.

Transportation by boat
Helsinki is easily reached by high-class ferries from Stockholm, Sweden (overnight by Silja Line and Viking Line) and from Tallinn, Estonia (several lines, duration 1.5 to 3.5 hours).
http://www.tallinksilja.com/en/
http://www.vikingline.fi/index.asp?lang=en