Accommodation in Glasgow
Accommodation Booking Now Open
We have secured preferential rates through the Glasgow Convention Bureau at several hotels in Glasgow for the duration of the Second Africa–Europe Clusters of Research Excellence Conference.
Accommodation will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
The booking service remains open until 4th May 2026. Book now to avoid disappointment and secure your discounted rate!
When your room has been successfully booked, you will receive an immediate confirmation by email. Breakfast is included unless otherwise stated.
For the best variety, availability and rates, we encourage you to book by 24th April.
Transportation in Glasgow
Airports
Travel to Scotland is convenient and well-connected, with several major airports offering easy access to Glasgow.
The closest and most practical option is Glasgow International Airport (GLA), located just 15–20 minutes from the city centre and served by frequent domestic and international flights.
Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK), around 45 minutes away, provides additional European connections.
Edinburgh Airport (EDI), Scotland’s busiest global hub, is also a strong alternative, approximately one hour from Glasgow by direct bus or train.
Whichever route you choose, reliable transport links make travelling to Glasgow straightforward and efficient.
Getting to Glasgow City Centre
The Glasgow Airport Express (Service 500) runs every 10 minutes and takes around 15 minutes to reach the city centre. Taxis and ride-hail services are available directly outside arrivals, and the journey typically takes 15–20 minutes. Car hire is also available at the terminal.
Getting around Glasgow
Glasgow has an excellent public transport network. The Subway is the fastest way to travel between key areas, operating on an easy circular route. Buses run extensively across the city, while trains connect central Glasgow to surrounding neighbourhoods and nearby towns. The city is also walkable in many core areas, and cycling is supported through bike-share schemes and dedicated paths.
Getting to the University of Glasgow
To travel from Glasgow city centre to the University of Glasgow in the West End, the fastest option is the Glasgow Subway. From Buchanan Street or St Enoch stations, take the Outer Circle to Hillhead Station, which is just a two-minute walk from the University’s main campus and the heart of Byres Road.
Alternatively, several bus routes run frequently from the city centre to the West End. The most convenient are the First Bus services 4, 4A, 6, 6A, 8, and 16, all of which stop near University Avenue or Byres Road. Buses depart from various central locations, including Hope Street and Union Street, offering a direct, straightforward journey to campus.
Taxis
Glasgow Taxis are available at taxi ranks around the city centre (including Queen Street Station, Central Station, Buchanan Bus Station, and major hotels), or by phone. They accept cards or cash and can easily accommodate larger groups and luggage.
Uber also operates throughout Glasgow, with generally quick pick-up times in the city centre and West End.
The Visit Glasgow website has further information on getting to and around Glasgow.
Visa information and guidance
For delegates from outside the EU
Key tips for completing your visa application
Once you have completed the registration process to attend the Summit, you should start to prepare for your visa application.
Timing
Apply up to three months in advance. For this conference, it is recommended that you submit your application in March. It normally takes around three weeks to process your application (but it may take longer), so make sure you apply as early as possible.
Gather documents:
- Valid passport (6+ months validity).
- Your invitation letter from the conference organiser
- Proof of funds (bank statements, payslips).
- Proof of ties to home country (employment letter, property deeds).
- Travel/accommodation details (itinerary, hotel info)
- Signed cover letter explaining your purpose.
- If your organisation is covering your expenses, a headed letter from your home institution confirming that all costs associated with the visit are covered by your institution.
- If you will receive funds from family, you should submit a statement from that family member confirming.
Complete the online form
For a UK conference visa, apply online for a Standard Visitor Visa – details here https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/apply-standard-visitor-visa
Make sure you fill in the form correctly, ensuring that all responses are in line with the questions asked and sufficient information is provided.
Clearly state that your application is for a visit associated with a specific research project/group and state the nature of the funding that supports your visit.
Where expenses and accommodation are to be covered, where possible, include evidence of pre-booked hotels, return flight tickets and travel insurance, etc.
Where possible, provide evidence of any strong links to the Home Country, which will give assurance to the immigration official that the individual will be returning. Examples of this could be:
- Family links – a spouse (include marriage certificate)/children (include birth certificates) who are residing in the home country, to which they will be returning.
- Evidence of property ownership/a mortgage within the Home Country (include paperwork in the application)
- Evidence of a return flight ticket
When supplying financial information, ensure that the bank statements showing salary deposits corroborate the supplied payslips.
Avoid the use of acronyms – remember that Home Office staff are not research specialists. They are unlikely to be familiar with funding schemes, conferences and disciplines, so you should explain what things are and why they are relevant/important.
Please note: Complete as accurately and with as much detail as possible, ensuring no gaps or discrepancies between details and documents. For example, the amounts you say you receive in pay and funding from other sources should match up with the information on the bank statements you provide, and an explanation for all deposits in the bank statements should be provided.
If you say you will receive funds from family, you should submit a statement from that family member confirming that. All information provided must be evidenced, and you must assume that a mistake will be viewed as intentional dishonesty. A Standard Visitor visa costs £127 for up to six months.
Once you have completed your online application, you will be redirected to book a biometric appointment. Please then email your Global Web Form (GWF) number to Mary Ryan at Mary.Ryan@glasgow.ac.uk.
For EU nationals
EU nationals may be required to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), as opposed to a visa.
Please review the up-to-date governmental guidance on when an ETA is required and follow the steps to apply. Once you have completed your application, please email your 16-digit ETA reference number to Mary Ryan at Mary.Ryan@glasgow.ac.uk.
What's On in Glasgow
Sunday Activities In Glasgow
Arriving on Sunday, 14 June, Glasgow has plenty of great cultural things to do on a Sunday, from visiting Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum or the Gallery of Modern Art to exploring history at Glasgow Cathedral and the St Mungo Museum. You can enjoy a relaxed walk through the Botanic Gardens, Kelvingrove Park, or Glasgow Green, and take in exhibitions at places like the Hunterian or the Riverside Museum. Many museums are free and open on Sundays, making it easy to mix art, history and a scenic stroll for a laid-back day in the city. Further information can be found on the Visit Glasgow webpage.
FIFA World Cup 2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin on 11 June, with Scotland playing its first World Cup game in 30 years at 2am (BST) on 14 June. Local bars will open late to accommodate viewing of the game, which will be shown on BBC One.
Restaurants & Bars
Glasgow has a vibrant food scene ranging from award-winning fine dining to relaxed neighbourhood restaurants. The West End and city centre are known for excellent Scottish produce, international cuisine, and lively pubs and cocktail bars. Ashton Lane, Finnieston, and Merchant City are key areas for dining and nightlife.
Group Bookings
If you are planning to organise a Group/Cluster dinner while in Glasgow during the conference, there are plenty of options around the city. Here is a list of recommended restaurants from our Convention Bureau. You can also find other options via the Visit Glasgow webpage.
Arts & Culture
The city is famous for its museums, galleries, live music, and architecture. Highlights include the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Riverside Museum, Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), the Royal Concert Hall, and the SEC Armadillo. Many museums are free to enter, and Glasgow’s cultural calendar features year-round festivals, concerts, theatre, and exhibitions.
Shopping
Glasgow is one of the UK’s top shopping destinations. Buchanan Street, Princes Square, and the St Enoch Centre offer major brands, while the West End, Merchant City, and Finnieston have independent boutiques, artisan shops, and vintage stores.
Parks & Outdoor Spaces
Known as the “Dear Green Place”, Glasgow has more than 90 parks and gardens. Visitors enjoy Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Pollok Country Park, and Glasgow Green—perfect for walks, picnics, and exploring historic landmarks.