Local information
General
The conference will take place at Scandic Ishavshotel which is located in the center of Tromsø (see here for google map). Participation at the conference includes a lunch buffet in the hotel as well as coffee breaks. Remember that Tromsø is above the polar circle on the sea, and the weather in Tromsø in July can vary from sunny summerly, to rainy and stormy, and the temperatures vary between 9° C to 29° C. Therefore, we encourage you to check the forecast before you pack your luggage. We also advise you to have good/waterproof shoes, in particular, for those who want to hike a bit on the mountains. Also note that the sun will not set before the end of the conference, and you will be able to see the midnight sun if the clouds are not hindering the view (click here for a beautiful video showing the phenomena of no sunset in Tromsø).
Accommodation
Most of the hotels in Tromsø are not far away from the conference venue. If you would like to stay in the conference hotel Scandic Ishavshotel you can receive a special ISSAC 2023 discount (1430 NOK per night) by using the booking code BUNI230723 in order to receive the discount the room has to be booked until June 4th, and be cancelled until July 2nd 2023.
Public transport
Buses are probably the most convenient way for you to move during the week. We recommend to download the following two apps:
- Troms Billett (ticket)-app
You can buy your ticket with this app. You only need a tiket for 1 zone – even if you use it from and to the airport. If you plan to take the bus every day (or more than eight times), the best option for you will be to buy a one week ticket. Be careful: if you buy your ticket on the bus, it will be more expensive than if you use the app.
- TromsReise
This is the app to check the bus schedule and plan your travels in Tromsø and the area around. In case you do not want to use the app, you may pay in cash on the bus (which will be more expensive). Alternatively you should also be able to get a one-way ticket (or a 24 hour pass) at the machine by some bus stops or you can buy tickets and a one-week card at, for example, WITO Kiosk (Storgata 68, see here for google map).
From the airport to the city center
It is very likely that you will arrive to Tromsø by plane. (Note that when you arrive from an international flight to Tromsø, you might arrive at the temporary terminal C from where you have a Shuttle to the "real" airport). Once you manage to get out of the airport, the taxis and the hotel bus are close outside the building. However, it will be much cheaper for you to take the local bus, across the street after the parking (approximately 50 meters away from the exit of the airport, see plan). Then you can take any bus (40 or 42) as long as you can read “sentrum” included in the direction. If your hotel is in the city center, then the closest stops should be Wito (bus 40) or Killengreens gate (bus 42). The travel should last between 15 and 20 minutes.
Stuff to do
Aside from the scientific content of the conference, Tromsø has many interesting things to offer, both culturally and with a beautiful nature to explore. For example, just before the conference (July 20-22) an open air music festival will be held on the southern part of the island (see here for details). You can find out more about Tromsø in the summer.