Location, accommodation & travel information
The conference will take place at the Kursaal Congress Centre-Auditorium, San Sebastián, Spain.
Zurriola beach, Mount Urgull and the Kursaal Congress Centre
The Kursaal, facing the Bay of Biscay, is located near the border with France, 100 kilometres from Bilbao. The city is 19 kilometres from the Hondarribia Airport, 49 from the Biarritz Airport, 122 from Vitoria, and 93 from Pamplona.
Address:
Centro Kursaal Elkargunea Zurriola Hiribidea, 1 20002 Donostia - San Sebastián, Spain
Accommodation
As San Sebastian is a popular tourist destination we would recommend booking early to avoid disappointment, to ensure availability.
Accommodation can be booked here opens in new tab/window
Alternatively, further suggestions can be found here opens in new tab/window
WARNING - SCAM ALERT: Exhibitor Housing Services (EHS) & Exhibitor Housing Management (EHM), Traveller Point (TP) and Travel Hosting Team (THT)
Elsevier has been made aware that third-party companies are targeting Elsevier conference speakers and attendees with a fraudulent travel and hotel booking scheme.
The companies are calling/emailing conference attendees, using email addresses which appear very similar to official Elsevier email addresses, and claiming to be the “official” housing bureau and/or authorized by Elsevier to book hotel/travel accommodations for the conference. This is entirely false and should anyone contact you, please do not provide them with any of your details, but refer this to Elsevier. If you are in any doubt about an email regarding the conference, please check this with a member of the organising team via: [email protected] opens in new tab/window
Visa information
Spain is one of 26 member countries of the Schengen Convention, under which 22 EU countries (all but Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the UK) plus Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland have abolished checks at common borders.
The visa situation for entering Spain is as follows:
Citizens or residents of EU & Schengen countries - No visa required.
Citizens or residents of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand & the USA - No visa required for tourist visits not exceeding 90 days per 6-month period.
Other countries - Check with a Spanish embassy or consulate – a comprehensive list of countries whose passport holders will require a visa can be found here opens in new tab/window.
Please note visas will take at least between 2-4 weeks to be issued. Participants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure they receive their visa in time.
Visa letters
If you require an official letter to accompany your VISA application please contact [email protected] opens in new tab/window at the conference office and include the following information:
Full name (as on passport)
Date of birth
Gender
Nationality
Passport number
Abstract number/title (if applicable)
Travel information
Transport
By air
San Sebastián has 3 airports (2 international) within just over 100 km of the city.
Only 20 kilometers from the city centre, San Sebastián Airport has connections to the major Spanish cities; Madrid and Barcelona.
Bilbao Airport, with connections to all Europe, is 105km from the city, and Biarritz
Airport, served by French and international low-cost companies, 47km.
By train
The train station in the centre of San Sebastián, the Estación del Norte, offers connections to numerous Spanish cities including Madrid and Barcelona, and to international destinations such as Paris and Lisbon.
Please see this website for further travel information opens in new tab/window
Accessibility
Elsevier Conferences Accessibility Policy
Please access our Accessibility policy and guidelines here opens in new tab/window
How to contact us to discuss any accessibility requirements
Please contact us at [email protected] opens in new tab/window to discuss any requirements or questions. The conference organizer will contact you directly to discuss further.
Please let us have the details of any specific requirements by 4 May 2025.
Conference Venue
Is there disabled parking?
The PARKIA Car Park, with capacity for up to 300 cars, is open 24 hours, 365 days a year and it has direct access to the Entrance Hall of the Congress Centre. The car park provides 6 parking spaces for disabled guests.
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Yes, our main entrances have 2 contiguous doors open inwards (double leaf-door). Clear passage width: more than 80cm (31.50 inches) each. Our registration desk has also a lowered counter for maximum comfort.
Are there accessible elevators close to the conference rooms?
Yes, accessible elevators are available to access all areas: meeting rooms 1-9 and Banquet Hall. Chamber Hall and Room 10 are located at street level. There is also a lift in Auditorium to access upper levels. Elevator door is 80cm wide (31.50 inches).
Are there accessible restrooms near the conference rooms?
Yes, accessible toilets are available in all floor levels:
Generic toilet with two folding bars. Space for lateral and frontal transfers: more than 80cm (31.50 inches).
Bathroom sink without pedestal to allow frontal access.
Self-closing bathroom sink faucet.
Meeting Rooms
All the conference rooms for Colloids 2025 are located on the same floor, which can be reached from the registration area both by escalators and lifts. Please find attached the floor plans for the meeting room area.
Further Information
Kursaal is certified with the GLOBAL ACCESSIBILITY 2007 UNE 170001-2:2001 certification, crediting the accessibility to the building as well as the services provided for disabled people. Please find attached the document “Accessibility in Kursaal Congress Centre”.
Catering. On request we can arrange for early access to the catering space/assistance with the collection of catering. Please contact us at [email protected] opens in new tab/window
Please contact us at[email protected] opens in new tab/window if you would like to have an orientation tour of the venue on 15 June 2025.
Conference Hotel
There are 4 accessible bedrooms at the hotel. Please email the Meliá Sitges directly to book an accessible room [email protected] opens in new tab/window
How to reach the venue and hotel
In the city
Donostia / San Sebastián is a city made for walking. Getting around on foot is easy and there is access to multiple public transport options that connect different parts of the city.
Locals are used to moving around on foot, bike and public transport. Did you know that over 32 million trips are made on San Sebastián’s public transport annually, a figure that grows year after year? The city also has 77 kilometres of bike lanes and the walking distances between the major attractions are within a radius of about 15-20 minutes over flat terrain.
How to get around - San Sebastian Tourism (sansebastianturismoa.eus) opens in new tab/window
between the airport and venue
San Sebastián airport is located 20 km from the city AND can be reached by either by public transport or taxi.
Plane - San Sebastian Tourism accessible to all (sansebastianturismoa.eus) opens in new tab/window
Accessibility for all at the airport:
The pedestrian route between the taxi rank, the bus stop and the car park is accessible to wheelchair users.
The car park has 6 spaces reserved for people with reduced mobility. Size: 3m x 4,50m.
For more information: The car park has 6 spaces reserved for people with reduced mobility. Size: 3m x 4,50m.
For further information: Plane - San Sebastian Tourism accessible to all (sansebastianturismoa.eus) opens in new tab/window
between hotel and venue
Kursaal can be reached on foot by most of the hotels in the city. As stated before, Donostia / San Sebastián is a city made for walking. Getting around on foot is easy and there is access to multiple public transport options that connect different parts of the city.
How to get around - San Sebastian Tourism (sansebastianturismoa.eus) opens in new tab/window
between hotel and dinner venue
Provide a contact email address at the venue for assistance in booking transfers/taxis that can meet accessible requirements
San Sebastian has a large, modern fleet of taxis that operate 24 hours a day. Rates are metered and official. Unlike in other cities, taxis in San Sebastian do not stop on the street, so it is best to go to a taxi rank or call.
For more information about taxi companies, buses and coaches please check:
Transport - San Sebastian Tourism (sansebastianturismoa.eus) opens in new tab/window
Local area
San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque) is a medium-sized cosmopolitan city (186,700 inhabitants). It is renowned for its cuisine, award-winning urban beaches and Parisian-inspired architecture. The city is well prepared to welcome demanding visitors who want it all: high-quality services, unique spaces, memorable experiences and a full range of cultural and leisure opportunities.
Panoramic view of San Sebastian
The church in the old town of San Sebastian, Spain.