GETTING TO TRONDHEIM BY PLANE
Situated in central Norway about 400km/250mi south of the Arctic Circle, Trondheim is easily accessible, irrespective of your choice of transportation.
The airport nearest to Trondheim is Værnes (IATA code: TRD), situated next to Stjørdal about 32km/20mi driving distance. The Flybuss service provides convenient transport to and fro the airport, stopping right in front of the ICAAR venue (Radisson SAS Royal Garden Hotel). Taxis are also available but are punishingly expensive even when shared, and even more so during late evening and night hours, weekends and public holidays.
Trondheim airport Værnes has direct connections twice daily with Amsterdam airport Schiphol (IATA code: AMS), via KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. For those participating in the pre-conference tour, (only) KLM offers an open-jaw connection Amsterdam-Oslo-Trondheim-Amsterdam, each flight taking about 2:20h. FYI, alternative routes/airlines require a flight change in Oslo or Copenhagen and take 5h or more, for the same fare.
Flights can conveniently be booked through ICAAR partner KLM's website, or your local travel agency. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines cooperates with a range of major airlines on all continents, listed on the KLM website www.KLM.com. Inquire with your local airline representative for booking details.
ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT
The railway station is about 700m away from the conference venue. A train ride from Oslo takes 6:30‑9:20h, and may include changing trains. Detailed information can be found at the website of Norske Statsbaner NSB.
Driving from Oslo to Trondheim takes 7h at least, taking the E6 to Hamar and then continuing on Riksvei 3 via Tynset, to rejoin the E6 again at Ulsberg, a 500km/300mi route altogether. Without the shortcut over the Riksvei 3, the trip is some 40-50km longer, adding about 1h driving time. Be informed that speed limits mostly at 80kmh=50mph are very strict, and daytime running lights (DRL's) are obligatory. Fines of any sort are very steep and very non-negotiable. On the other hand, the landscape is very picturesque and often grand, and out of town driving is generally very relaxed.
Finally, Trondheim can be reached by the Hurtigruten coastal express (lit. "Hurry route"), the former mail boat. Alternatively, Trondheim can serve as a starting point for a trip towards the north (roundtrip: 9 days) or south (roundtrip: 3 days). Many add-on options are available (including Spitsbergen); check out the Hurtigruten website for details.
VISA
The following text is excerpted from the website of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration UDI (as per 01 February 2008):
"Foreign nationals who wish to travel to Norway must, as a rule, have a visa. The type of visa you require depends on the purpose of your visit. The conditions for obtaining a visa vary depending on the type of visa."
Further information can be found here, including details on where and how to apply for a visa. The information is available in over twenty languages.
If you need an invitation for your visa application, contact Editor-in-Chief Maarten Broekmans.
DISCLAIMER
The organizers of the 13th ICAAR will under NO circumstances or conditions provide ANY financial warranty for ANY visa applicant!
CUSTOMS
Quota for free import of alcoholic beverages and tobacco, as well as a range of other products are strictly limited. Further details can be found at the Norwegian custom's Tollvesenet website
Nota bene: limited amounts of medication strictly for personal use are allowed.
