International Flight Access
Glasgow Is Scotland’s Most Accessible City
- 3 airports within 1 hour of the city with Glasgow Airport being just 15 minutes from the city
- Direct flights from over 165 destinations
- Several direct flights from North America
- Daily Emirates flight from Dubai – excellent connection for Asia, Africa and Australasia
- Well connected with main international hubs – London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Madrid
3 international airport connections to Glasgow
- 15 minutes
- Shuttle bus – 24/7, every 15 minutes, $14
- Taxi – $27-40 to city centre
- Priority security lane from $9
- 55 minutes
- Shuttle bus – 24/7, every 30 minutes. $20
- Train – every 15 minutes from Edinburgh Haymarket station, $22
- Taxi – approx. $80
- 45 minutes
- Trains – every 30 minutes, $14.50
- Taxi – approx. $80
Rail Travel & Getting Around the City
Easy to Reach
With excellent transport links into the city from across the UK and beyond, it’s quick and easy for your ICM participants to get to Glasgow.
London – Glasgow
- 43 direct trains per day from London to Glasgow Central with average journey time from London just 4.5 hours
- A daily sleeper service
European rail connection
Eurostar is an international high-speed railway service connecting London (St Pancras station) to European destinations. Eurostar is a sustainable option with up to 80% less carbon dioxide emissions than flying.
Approximate journey times are:
- London to Paris – 2 hours 12 minutes
- London to Brussels – 2 hours 1 minute
- London to Lille – 1 hour 22 minutes
Scotland’s rail hub
Glasgow Central
- serving the South
- within easy walking distance of many of the city’s hotels
- two stops from the SEC (3 minutes journey time)
Glasgow Queen Street
- serving Edinburgh and the North
Conference Rover Ticket
- 50% off rail travel within Scotland with the Conference Rover train ticket, costing $6.50 for 5 days or $13 for 10 days
Compact City
Cycling
Glasgow’s cycle hire scheme offers cost-effective, eco-friendly, and healthy transportation options for participants, with regular and e-bikes available for hire at over 100 locations throughout the city.
Walking
Getting around Glasgow on foot is really simple. Participants can easily walk from their hotel to the conference centre or any social venues.
Public transport
Glasgow has an efficient public transport system, including Scotland’s only subway network. The SEC is just 2 stops from Central Station, and participants can enjoy discounted train travel.
Taxis
Taxis in Glasgow are cost-effective, with a 5-10 minute journey taking participants between the city centre and SEC.
Discover Scotland
Attending a conference in Glasgow presents an excellent opportunity for participants to discover the magic of Scotland, where history, culture, and natural beauty blend seamlessly. Explore ancient castles, vibrant cities, and breathtaking landscapes from the Highlands to the serene lochs.
Stunning natural landscapes
From the breathtaking Highlands and serene lochs to the rugged coastlines and picturesque islands, Scotland’s natural beauty is unparalleled. Destinations like the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, and the Cairngorms National Park offer spectacular scenery and outdoor adventures.
Rich history
Scotland is steeped in history, with ancient castles, historic battlefields, and world-class museums that offer a glimpse into its storied past. Cities like Edinburgh and Stirling provide a deep dive into the nation’s heritage with landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile.
Outdoor activities
For the adventurous, Scotland offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, golfing, fishing, and water sports. Iconic routes like the West Highland Way or golfing at St. Andrews provide memorable experiences for active travellers.
Golf, whisky, lochs and mountains…
- Known as the ‘home of golf’, with over 550 golf courses.
- Home to over 150 malt and grain distilleries, Scotland has the greatest concentration of whisky production in the world.
- Over 280 Munros to climb in Scotland (mountains over 914m) with the highest point in Scotland, Ben Nevis, standing at 1,345 meters (4,411 feet) tall.
- Scotland boasts more castles per square mile than any other country, with over 250 castles to explore. Edinburgh and Stirling castles are just a 45-minute journey by public transport from Glasgow.
- With more than 6,000 lochs (lakes), Scotland is home to the UK mainland’s largest freshwater lake, Loch Lomond (only 30 minutes by train from Glasgow).
Social Programme
We want ICM 2030 to be a week that wins over mathematicians’ minds and hearts. Our social activities are designed with a communal spirit in mind, to do more than bringing people together in one space but to get them talking and building communities that outlast the time spent in Scotland.
We present below the ICM Glasgow week from the perspective of a typical participant:
Welcome Reception
Join a bagpipe procession leading participants over the Millennium footbridge. The destination is the Glasgow Science Centre for the Welcome Reception, a futuristic titanium-clad structure resembling a gigantic ship’s hull, where an evening reception hosted by the City of Glasgow awaits. As the sun sets, enjoy fantastic views over the Clyde river.
Free Day
Group trip to Loch Lomond in the Highlands. Experience the wild and rugged side of Scotland, so close and yet completely different from the hustle and bustle of Glasgow. Alternatively, take the 1h15m ferry to the Isle of Arran and see wild seals basking in the sun, or catch a train to the sandy beaches of the Ayrshire coast with its golf courses and towering castles. Or catch the train to Edinburgh, the Athens of the North, with its historic castle and inspiring cityscape, less than one hour away.
Opening Night
After the Opening Ceremony, mingle for welcome drinks under the spectacular glass roof of the Scottish Event Campus, home of ICM 2030. Try a pint of the local Tennent’s beer or a non-alcoholic glass of Irn Bru, Scotland’s other national drink, all the while chatting with old friends or finally getting to know the face behind the latest arXiv preprint.
Ceilidhs
One of three Ceilidh nights (kay-lee = traditional Gaelic folk music and communal dance) at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, in the park by the same name. Inclusiveness is one of the hallmarks of Ceilidh, so no prior experience is required! Get swept away and laugh and dance through the night in Glasgow’s most beautiful Victorian building, in an experience unique to Scotland.
Convention Centre
Neighbourhood
Finnieston, the neighbourhood that surrounds the Scottish Event Campus, has been voted the “hippest place to live in the UK” by The Times. It’s buzzing with bars, restaurants, independent shops and galleries – all on the doorstep of your conference!
Participants can visit a range of restaurants, from Michelin starred to casual street food dining. Whisky enthusiasts will love our traditional bars with a rich selection of malts and live Scottish music.
Experience the spirit of Glasgow at Clydeside Distillery, where history meets innovation in every dram.
Explore Glasgow’s rich maritime heritage at the Riverside Museum, where captivating exhibits and interactive displays bring history to life.
Unwind after conference days and enjoy Glasgow’s vibrant waterfront along the river’s landscaped walking and cycling route.
