TRAVEL INFORMATION

Walls of the Ruler

University of Wales Swansea International Conference: May 22-25, 2006
Department of Classics, Ancient History and Egyptology, and the
Centre for Egyptology and Mediterranean Archaeology (CEMA)
in collaboration with the Callaghan Centre for Conflict Studies

Cost-saving Recommendations:

Advance purchase of supersaver tickets for rail transport.

(1) London – Swansea Travel Tips:

Aside from renting a car, or flying from London to Cardiff (90 minutes from Swansea), travellers may wish to take either a bus or train from Heathrow to Swansea.  One advantage of taking a bus is that it is much less expensive and is generally a direct trip (i.e., single bus) to and from the Swansea central bus station.  An advantage of travelling by rail is that the trip may be a little faster and more comfortable.

National Express (Bus):

For international travellers flying into London (Heathrow or Gatwick Airports), it is possible to get a bus from terminal 3 or 4 directly to Swansea central bus station.  An economy open return ticket may be purchased at any time, for about £40, departing approximately once per hour (travel frequency may vary on Sunday).  Depending upon the time of departure, the bus trip should range from four-and-a-half (4.5) to six (6) hours, with several stops en-route between Heathrow and Swansea. A national express bus ticket office is located outside terminals 3 and 4 (at Heathrow) where tickets may be purchased and information obtained regarding bus departure locations.

 For more details, schedules, and fares, please check www.nationalexpress.com.

Rail/Train tickets:

For international travellers arriving at Heathrow Airport (London), it is also possible to purchase a rail ticket and depart from either the central terminal (terminal 3), or terminal 4.  It should be noted that travellers from Heathrow to Swansea, and return, will transfer trains at Paddington Station.  Depending upon departure days and times, the Heathrow-Swansea train trip may range between four-and-a-half (4.5) to six (6) hours.

(a) (Advance) Super saver return rail tickets: 

Should travellers decide to spend a few days in London prior to departing for Swansea, it is possible to purchase a super saver return rail ticket (about £48) two days in advance from Paddington Station (London) to Swansea and back.  Of note, these tickets include departure time restrictions, such as not being able to depart during peak/rush hour periods (generally 7:00-9:30 am; 3:30-6:30 pm) and use on non-peak travel days (i.e., Sundays to Thursdays).  In other words, travel with such budget tickets is restricted to Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with departures permitted before 7:00 am, after 9:30 am and until 3:30 pm, and after 6:30 pm.  As long as you depart prior to, or after, the peak hours, your travel time may extend through the peak/rush hour period.

 Of interest, a Heathrow-Paddington (central London) rail ticket costs about £4 (one-way) for the regular train (about 60 minutes).  An express train from Heathrow-Paddington (central London) takes about 15 minutes and costs about £15 (one-way).

For more details, schedules, and fares, please check www.nationalrail.co.uk

(b) (Same day) Saver return rail tickets:

Travellers who wish to purchase a saver return ticket (£74), from Heathrow to Swansea, may purchase this on the same day as their departure, but are restricted to travel during non-peak/rush hour periods on any day (Monday through Sunday). In essence, travellers may begin their outward or return journeys at any time before 7:00 am, after 9:30 am and until 3:30 pm, and after 6:30 pm.  As long as you depart prior to, or after, the peak hours, your travel time may extend through the peak/rush hour period.

For more details, schedules, and fares, please check www.nationalrail.co.uk

(c) (Same day) Standard return rail tickets:

Travellers who wish to travel at any time may purchase a standard return ticket (£156).  This ticket has no restrictions.

 For more details, schedules, and fares, please check www.nationalrail.co.uk

(2) Directions to Conference (U.W.S. Campus)

(a) Swansea Train Station / Bus Station to Conference (U.W.S.):

For travellers arriving at either the central train station or the bus station, a taxi may be obtained for about £5 to £6 to the University of Wales Swansea (U.W.S.).  The trip will take about 10 to 15 minutes depending upon traffic.  For travellers wishing to economise, a bus may be obtained from the central bus station to U.W.S. for approximately £1.80 (one-way).  The bus trip will take about 15 minutes, depending on traffic.  Three buses enter the U.W.S. campus (3A; 82A), or go by the main entry (2A).  These buses also display their final destinations, including either Oystermouth or Newton Rd.

Of note, the Heathrow-Swansea bus arrives at the central bus station in Swansea, pulling into a covered roadway that is around the corner from the main bus bays for travel within Swansea.  See Maps.

(b) Travellers by Car to U.W.S. Campus:

For travellers renting a car, or driving a private vehicle to the University of Wales Swansea campus, parking spaces are available (for approximately £1).  These spaces are located in the recreation parking lot (also called "stadium parking"), which lies immediately to the east of the UWS campus along Oystermouth Road (A4067) (see Maps). Please note, no parking is available on campus , but vehicles may drop off delegates outside Fulton House (see Maps).

(c) UW Swansea (website)