MIRAI 2.0 R&I Week 2023 
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Practial information and pre-departure guide

Welcome to MIRAI R&I Week 2023!

This guide contains practical information for a pleasant and productive stay in Umeå and Sweden. 

Table of contents

1. Getting from Umeå Airport to the hotels in central Umeå

     a. Airport shuttle

     b. Taxis/Trains

2. Getting from the hotels in central Umeå to the main campus at Umeå University

3. How to purchase local bus tickets

4. Walking distance from the city center

5. R&I Week venue map – Umeå University

     a. Main venues

     b. Digital campus map

     c. Leadership summit/lunch – Nov. 14

     d. Social evening for all – Nov. 15

6. Internet (WiFi) access on the Umeå University campus

     a. Eduroam

     b. Guest login

Airport shuttle

From Umeå Aiport to the city center

You can take the Airport Bus, number 80, operated by Ultra - Umeå's public transport. The #80 bus departs and arrives outside the airport terminal. During peak traffic periods, buses depart every 15 minutes. The trip from Umeå Airport to Umeå city centre takes only 8 minutes.

Depart at the last stop (Vasaplan), which is in the city centre and within short walking distance of all hotels in central Umeå.

Tickets can be purchased with the app Ultra - Umeå lokaltrafik or on tabussen.nu. Tickets are also sold at Ultra's regular service points and in the self service machines located outside Umeå Airport and Vasaplan in Umeå city centre. You can also buy a ticket on the bus using a debit/credit card.

Price: SEK 29 for a one-way ticket. 
https://www.tabussen.nu/ultra/english/airport-bus/
Important! 
If you are staying at Hotel Björken (located adjacent to the Umeå University campus), be aware that the Airport shuttle does not make a stop near the hotel. If you want to get to Hotel Björken quickly, then taxis are the best option.  Otherwise, you can take the airport shuttle to the city center (Vasaplan) and then transfer to the no. 1, 5, 8 or 9 bus and depart at the University Hospital (Umeå universitetssjukhuset).  Your ticket from the airport will be valid for 1 hour for transfers at no additional cost. The hotel is just steps away from the bus stop.

From the city center to Umeå Airport

The following buses depart from Vasaplan to the University Hospital stop adjacent to Hotel Björken that is right beside the Universum building and Aula Nordica on Campus. 
#2 (towards Ersboda handelsområden) at platform O
#5 (towards Strömpilen) at platform F
#8 (towards Tomtebo) at platform E
#9 (towards Carlshöjd) at platform O

Taxis/Trains

Taxis are located just outside to the left when exiting the terminal. We recommend traveling in groups for both economic and environmental reasons. If you need to book a Taxi from the airport to your hotel, it is recommended to book a taxi in advance.

Price: Approximately SEK 275-300 (can vary).

For further information about Taxi companies and pricing, click here.

Trains to Umeå
Railway travel from Stockholm to Umeå takes approximately 6.5 hours. You can take a train directly from Stockholm Arlanda Airport. Umeå C is the station closest to hotels in central Umeå, and Umeå Östra is the station within a short walking distance to campus (close to Hotel Björken).

If you are traveling to Umeå by train on Sunday November 12, make sure to depart at the Umeå C station so you can walk directly to your hotel. If you are staying at Hotel Björken, you should depart at Umeå Östra, which is a short walk to the hotel.

Ticket bookings can be made via the following websites:

Getting from the hotels in central Umeå to the main campus at Umeå University

Bus

The quickest and easiest way to travel is with the local buses (Ultra). Buses depart from the area called Vasaplan.
The following buses go directly to the Universum stop, that is right beside the Universum building and Aula Nordica on campus. 
  • #2 (towards Ersboda handelsområden) at platform O
  • #5 (towards Strömpilen) at platform F
  • #8 (towards Tomtebo) at platform E
  • #9 (towards Carlshöjd) at platform O
Click here for a map of the bus lines at Vasaplan central bus station. The travel time is 10 minutes.

How to purchase bus tickets

The most affordable option is to purchase tickets via the "Ultra - Umeås lokaltrafik" app

Download the app:
Google play
App Store (iOS)

The app is really simple and straightforward once you get going (available in Swedish and English). In  order to pay for your journey using the app, you need to register a payment method. Do as follows if you want to register a payment (credit or debit) card:
1. You register your payment card with the app the first time you purchase a ticket. The following cards are accepted: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and JCB.  
2. Pay for your journey by entering your card’s three-digit CVC code (for payment card transactions) or your pin code (for payment on invoice with no service charge). 
3. Board the bus and show the driver your smartphone display. .

You can also choose to pay with "Klarna" invoice (over 18s only) if you have a Swedish personal identity number and with Swish. 
You can choose English or Swedish in the app. The best option is to select the “Rabattkort” option to purchase 6 or 10 trips.  You will most likely take the bus twice a day Monday through Thursday, so we recommend 10 trips for SEK 230 adult/vuxen which is slightly less expensive than 8 single trips. A single trip (Enkelbiljet) costs SEK 29.

In ticket machines

You can also buy your journey in ticket machines at Vasaplan (Umeå Centre) and Umeå Airport
On the bus
On the bus, cash is NOT accepted. For security reasons, you may only pay for your journey using a payment/credit card, via the app, or with your bus pass, not by cash. The following overseas cards are accepted on board: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and JCB. 

At the travel information center (Reseinfo center) at Vasaplan
You can also purchase tickets in person at Reseinfo Vasaplan at Skolgatan 65 A. They are open Monday-Friday, 8:00-18:00. They can also assist you with any questions you may have about bus lines, tickets, etc.

Note: Only single tickets may be purchased on board. The cost is SEK 39 for a single ride if you purchase on board. (Note that is is SEK 29 per ride if you purchase via the app, ticket machine, or the information center.

Walking distance from the city center

If you prefer some fresh air and exercise, you can walk from your hotel to the main campus at Umeå University. It is about 2.5 km in distance and takes about 30 minutes. If the walking paths are icy, please be very careful.

We recommend that you walk in gruops. The directions are rather simple and you can search for “Universum, 907 36 Umeå” in Google Maps and select the walking directions.
Example: Walking directions from Scandic Plaza to Universum

 

Main venues

#14 Universum Registration, Welcome Reception, Coffee breaks
#12 Behavioral Sciences Building (Beteendevetarhuset)
#15 Aula Nordica: Opening Ceremony, Closing Ceremony
#18 Aula Biologica: GA (General Assembly meeting)
#19 Natural Sciences Building (Naturvetarhuset) 

R&I Week Venue Map - Umeå University

Download the Campus Map (PDF)
View the digital map of the campus online at: https://link.mazemap.com/al7quMa7
Type the name of the location on campus, i.e. Rotundan, and it will display exactly where it is located on campus.
For easy access on your mobile phone, download the MazeMap indoor navigation app of Campus Umeå.
Google play
Apple app store

Leadership summit and Leadership Lunch 


Tuesday, November 14 – Elite Hotel Mimer (invite only)
Address:
Kungsgatan 75
Find on Google maps

Social Evening

Wednesday, November 15 at 19.00 
At Rex Umeå
The entrance can be found in side facing the square. 
Read more about this social event here!
Address: 
Rådhustorget 1
Find on Google maps

Internet (WiFi) access
on the Umeå University campus

There are two wireless LANs available when on the Umeå University campus:

1. Eduroam

If you are affiliated with one of the participating universities, you should have access to Eduroam. 

Please obtain and confirm the expiration date of your eduroam account at your institution prior to your visit and make sure it is valid during MIRAI 2.0 R&I Week. In addition, we recommend making sure Eduroam is installed on all devices that you will be using during the conference (laptops, mobile smart phones, tablets).

2. Wireless guest network at Umeå University (Umu wlan)

We will prepare an option for those who do not have an eduroam account. At the conference venues, we will provide you with login details to access the service.
Login instructions:

  1. Make sure Wi-Fi is running on your computer, smartphone or tablet.
  2. Select the network (SSID) UmU wlan.
  3. Start a web browser and you will get to a login page. If the login page does not come up, write http://administrationsverktyg.umu.se/Netlogon
  4. Logga in (Log in). 

NOTE!If your computer goes into sleep mode, then you will be logged out.
Turn off proxy setting if it is on.

 

Getting from the main campus at Umeå University to the hotels in central Umeå.

The following buses go directly from the Universum stop on Campus Umeå to central Umeå (Vasaplan). Make sure you are on the side that has a large wooden construction (see the photo below) when you wait for your bus.
#2 (towards Söderslätts handelsområden via Vasaplan)
#5 (towards V. Ersboda via Vasaplan)
#8 (towards Ö. Ersboda via Vasaplan)
#9 (towards Röbäck via Vasaplan)
For those staying at Hotel Björken, it is a very short walk (350 m) from the Universum building.
Walking directions via Google maps

Other

Coat Check

All R&I week participants will be able to check in their coats and bags in the Aula Nordica entrance on the ground level Free of charge during the following times:
  • Monday        9:30-19:30
  • Tuesday        8:30-17:30
  • Wednesday  8:00-17:00
  • Thursday       8:30-14:00

Weather

The average temperature in Umeå typically ranges from -6°C to +1°C so remember pack a warm jacket, hat, scarf, and gloves. Snowfall is possible in mid-November so wear shoes with a decent grip and tread.

Daylight

The sun rises at approximately 8:00 and sets at 14:45 during the R&I week.  By 15:30 it will be very dark outside. Many cyclists and pedestrians wear reflexes to ensure better visibility.

Drinking Water

Tap water in Umeå is very safe to drink. It’s not only tasty but also very clean. You can drink water from the sink in hotels, in restaurants, or even at the airport.

Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)

If the solar activity is high and there is little cloud coverage over Umeå, you may have an opportunity to see the Northern Lights. However, it is difficult to see them in the city centre. Lake Nydala (Nydalasjön) is one of the best places to experience the Northern Lights.
For an aurora forecast, go to this website and click the Europe map.  A kp index of 3 or higher is what you want.

Shopping in the city center

There is a wide variety of shops in the city center. Here, fashion, beauty, interior design and design are mixed with second hand and locally produced crafts. If you are arriving on Sunday, November 12th, please note that most shops close at 4:00 pm or 5:00 pm on Sundays.  The two largest shopping galleries, Utopia and MVG, are open during 10:00 am – 19.00 Monday through Friday.
Read more here.

Voltage and plug type

The standard voltage used throughout Sweden and Europe is 230 volts (50Hz). The electrical plug standard is Type C and Type F with 2 round prongs. Participants from Japan whose electrical devices operate on a different system will need to bring an adaptor.

Travel and Health Insurance

Please make sure to arrange your own health and/or travel insurance before you come to Sweden. Umeå University does not provide insurance to the participants and cannot cover associated costs (should they arise) during your stay.

Domestic and International Phone Calls in Sweden

Domestic calls in Sweden for those from abroad
Make sure to add +46 or 0046 before the number.
Ex. 070 123 45 67 (mobile phone no.), dial 00 46 70 123 45 67 or +46 70 123 45 67
Ex. 090 987 65 43 (Office phone no.), dial 00 46 90 987 65 43 or +46 90 987 65 43
To make international calls
  1. Dial the international dialing access code (00).
  2. Dial the country code of the country you are calling, for example 81 for Japan or 44 for the United Kingdom.
  3. If the number starts with a 0, drop the 0 and dial everything else.
Ex. To call a Japan number (123) 456-7890, dial 00+81+123-456-7890.
Helpful tip: Turn off data roaming on your mobile phone if you are visiting from Japan to avoid unnecessary mobile roaming charges (4G/5G). You will have access to the internet on campus via the university Wifi and in your hotel with the hotel Wifi. WhatsApp, LINE and other messaging apps are good options if you want to make free calls.

Contact your home university about the best recommendations if you will be using a workplace mobile phone during your stay in Sweden.

Sweden: a (mostly) cashless society

You will not need to exchange currency to Swedish kronor prior to your trip. Most merchants and restaurants now only accept credit cards or mobile payments (Apple Pay and Google Pay). Most terminals in stores are supporting the use of paying with contactless cards.
Major credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard (some restrictions may apply to American Express) are widely accepted throughout Sweden at banks, hotels, stores, restaurants, taxis, car rental companies, and for air and rail tickets.
For those wondering how much it will cost to use your card abroad, it all depends on the agreement you have with your card supplier. Most credit cards will charge you a fee for using a cash machine abroad, but since it varies between companies, contact your card provider to know the rate for sure.
Please note:
In order to pay or withdraw cash with your credit card it requires that you have a card with chip and PIN (Personal Identification Number). The older magnetic-stripe cards won’t work.

Photography and filming

Please note that the MIRAI staff may take photos and videos of your sessions, workshops and other parts of the program. If you prefer not to appear in any of the photos or videos, please let our staff know in advance by writing to: miraiconference2023@umu.se

Emergency contacts

Police
Call 112 for urgent help from the police.
Call 114 14 for other matters that are not urgent such as providing information or reporting crimes that are not ongoing.

Fire, Ambulance and other medical emergencies
Call 112
Healthcare advice 
Call 1177 for non-urgent healthcare issues. Operators answer your questions about illness or healthcare, and provide information about where you can find the nearest clinic.
Umeå University security number
Call  +46 90-786 76 00if you need a security guard, if you see unauthorised people in the premises or if you feel uncomfortable for your safety on campus.

We look forward to welcoming you soon!