There are direct flights with Flybe (www.flybe.com) and British Airways (www.britishairways.com) to Sumburgh (LSI) from Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. You can also book indirect flights from a number of regional UK airports but the main ones would be Manchester and London Heathrow.
There are also direct flights with Flybe (www.flybe.com) between Bergen (Norway) and Sumburgh (LSI). These are available on Saturdays and Wednesdays.
You can also take an overnight ferry with Northlink Ferries (www.northlinkferries.co.uk) from Aberdeen. This usually leaves Aberdeen at either 1700 hrs or 1900 hrs and arrives in Lerwick at 0730 hrs the following morning. The return journey usually leaves Lerwick at either 1730 hrs or 1900 hrs arriving in Aberdeen at 0700 hrs (the times of the sailings are dependent upon which day you travel – you will need to confirm this at the time of booking). You can book exclusive use cabins, shared cabins or a reclining chair.
For most people travelling from overseas, it is not always easy or convenient getting to Shetland in one day. If you stay overnight in Aberdeen we would recommend staying at the Thistle Hotel at Aberdeen Airport (www.thistle.com) if booked well in advance, it usually has reasonably priced rooms on room only basis that you can then add your breakfast onto if you wish.
If you are travelling via Glasgow we would recommend either the Holiday Inn Express or the Holiday Inn at Glasgow Airport (www.hiexpress.com).
If travelling via Edinburgh we would recommend either the Hilton Hotel (www.hilton.com) or Quality Hotel (www.qualityhoteledinburgh.com).
If you are flying to Shetland, you will arrive in Sumburgh – 25 miles from the capital town of Lerwick where you will be staying and where the Congress will be based. There are regular buses to Lerwick, or taxis are available for hire at approximately £40 per trip. There is also car hire available at the airport but this would need to be booked in advance. Bus timetables are available at
http://www.leaskstravel.co.uk/bus-timetables/sumburgh.shtmland details of car hire firms are available at www.shetland.org.
Another useful publication available online is The Shetland Visitor 2013. This can be accessed through The Shetland Times’ website (www.shetlandtimes.co.uk) and then click on the link to The Shetland Visitor. This gives comprehensive information about Shetland.