Travel

There are so many ways to travel to Glasgow. The area has three major airports nearby that offer multiple flights daily, as well as train service from across the UK. Explore different travel options and directions for getting to the 2026 Ocean Sciences Meeting.

UK Visa Information

There are several countries where citizens must apply for visas before travel to the United Kingdom. Additionally, travelers not requiring visas may need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) .

The most common visa for attending a conference in the UK is the Standard Visitor Visa (Business Route). This visa allows you to: Attend meetings, conferences, seminars, interviews, or other business-related activities. The link above provides general information on the visa, its duration, and limited activities surrounding that can or cannot be conducted in the UK.

If you need to apply for a visa, for the Ocean Sciences Meeting, you will need to provide a letter of invitation from the OSM organizers. Letters of invitation will be automatically generated for OSM attendees. This webpage will be updated with additional information on the timing of letters and how attendees can receive one.

Attendees who will need a visa are encouraged to book registration as soon as it opens to ensure time is available for the visa process.

These resources can help:

Generally, citizens of North America, Central America, most South American countries, European Union, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and several other Pacific Rim and African countries do not need a visa to enter the UK, however an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) may be needed.

Use this tool to see if you will need a visa to enter the UK. This is the most up-to-date visa information.

If you do need a visa to enter the UK, this guide provides information on supporting documents and the visa process.

The visa process generally takes about three weeks. Current wait times are listed here.

Travel Options

Airport

Glasgow Airport (GLA) is the closest airport to the city center, just 10 miles (16 km) to the west. This is the primary airport in Glasgow and offers nonstop flights to over 80 destinations. Visit the Glasgow Airport website for more information on getting into the city.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) is located 32 miles (51 km) from Glasgow. It offers numerous direct flights from Europe and offers service into the city center via train and bus.

Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is located 39 miles (63 km) east of Glasgow and offers flights to more than 150 destinations. Edinburgh is accessible via a direct bus to Glasgow’s Buchanan Bus Station. Visit the Edinburgh Airport transportation page for more information.

Train

There are numerous ways to travel by train to Glasgow. The main train stations are Glasgow Central Station and Glasgow Queen Street Station. You can book tickets on ScotRail, Transpennine Express, and Avanti West Coast.

Ferry

Scotland is accessible by ferry from Belfast and Larne in Northern Ireland. Ferries dock at Cairnryan with bus service to Glasgow city center in just over 2 hours. Ferry service is also available from mainland Europe to Hull and Newcastle. To learn more please visit StenaLine or DFDS websites.

Getting Around Glasgow

Getting around the Glasgow area is easy on public transportation, on foot, or by bike. The subway is the easiest way to get around Glasgow’s city center and west end. Nextbike offers bike sharing (both standard and electric bikes) in Glasgow. Learn more about your options on Visit Glasgow.