Location, accommodation & travel information

Venue

The conference will take place at the Kursaal Congress Centre-Auditorium, San Sebastián, Spain.

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

Visit website opens in new tab/window

Accommodation

Donostia - San Sebastián has 64 hotels located less than a 30-minute walk from the Old Town, allowing guests to enjoy a comfortable and accessible experience. In total, there are more than 3,000 rooms in centrally located establishments to suit all budgets, from luxury hotels, to hostels, and self-catering.

Visit the congress bureau website for accommodation options hereopens in new tab/window

Alternatively, use your local hotel app for options, taking note of the conference venue location map below.

Transport

By Air Donostia - San Sebastián has three nearby airports: One just 20 km from the city centre, with connections to Madrid and Barcelona. Bilbao airport is 100 km away and Biarritz at 40 km, with international connections.

By Train

ADIF-RENFE

Donostia - San Sebastián train station or Estación del Norte connects with many cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Paris and Lisbon. The company RENFE offers long-distance and local rail services.

EUSKOTREN Euskotren has a narrow track rail network that runs from east to west: Bilbao-San Sebastián, passing through different coastal towns such as Zarautz, Hendaya and Lasarte.

SNCF The French company SNCF connects Donostia with Paris, from Hendaya train station.

By Car

You can get to Donostia - San Sebastián from the national highway A-1 (Madrid-Irun) and the motorway AP-8, A-63 and AP-15. The city centre has a Low-Emission Zoneopens in new tab/window that limits vehicle traffic.

The “Kursaal” Car Park is open 24 hours, 365 days a year and it has direct access to the Entrance hall of the Congress Centre.

NOTE: Charges will apply.

For more information on transport options visit the congress bureau websiteopens in new tab/window

Visa Information

Always check with your local Spanish consulate well in advance for information on visa requirements as conditions may change.

Visitors from the EU and Schengen countries may not need a visa if a valid passport or residency document is provided.

EES From October 2025, travellers from non-EU or non-Schengen countries must register with the new Entry/Exit Systemopens in new tab/window when arriving in or leaving Spain or any other Schengen territory.

European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) ETIASopens in new tab/window is a new entry requirement for these 30 countriesopens in new tab/window in Europe, which will be mandatory from the last quarter of 2026.

For more information visit https://www.spain.info/en/travel-tips/visa-passport/opens in new tab/window

Contact [email protected]opens in new tab/window to request an invitation letter for visa purposes.

Visit the conference website Do I need a visa to attend the conference, and if so, can the Conference Department help me with my entry visa application? | Conferences Support Centeropens in new tab/window for more information.

Local area and things to do

Nestled on the northwestern border of Spain on the foothills of the Pyrenees and hugging the coastline, Donostia - San Sebastián offers a stunning combination of ancient streets teeming with restaurants; beautiful beaches and mountain scenery.

Roam the pretty streets admiring the architecture and visiting the cafes and bars for Pintxos (small bites) and local wines. Immerse in the traditions of the Basque Country. Visit the beautiful beaches and plan adventures in the mountain regions.

The Kursaal Convention Centre is centrally located for easy access to the old town and beaches, or plan a longer stay and visit some of the many tourist highlights.

Visit San Sebastián Turismoopens in new tab/window for inspiration and detailed information on visitor attractions.

Visit the congress bureauopens in new tab/window website for practical information.

Elsevier Conferences Accessibility Policy

Please access our Accessibility policy and guidelines here

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 19 July 2026.

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 Diamond 2026 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 30 August 2026.

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