How to get to the show & options for accommodation
How to get to the show & options for accommodation
IF you fancy a day or two scouring the halls of the Hanover Messe for the latest in farm machinery developments, better check out accommodation availability first.
Agritechnica is a big show and even a city the size of Hanover becomes pretty much booked up, particularly during the early half of the week.
Try UK-based travel specialists for guidance, or contact local bureaux (see panel) for advice on hotels. If you plan to drive, taking bed and breakfast in a rural inn or farm on the outskirts is an alternative (and rather attractive) alternative.
Ferries cross the North Sea to Hamburg, which is less than a two-hour drive from Hanover, from Harwich and Newcastle but both involve near 24-hour crossings, especially once loading times are taken into account.
The Dutch coast is a little closer, so P&O North Sea can whisk travellers to Rotterdam in 3.5 hours, while the Stena HSS twin-hulled high-speed craft can do the run to Hook of Holland (a little south of Amsterdam) in just under four hours.
After that, driving to Hanover should take about 4.5 hours, according to the AA European Routes Service which, for a modest fee, can provide directions.
Flying will be the favoured means of reaching Hanover for speed, although the choice of flights is pretty limited. British Airways has most, flying direct from Heathrow and Manchester, but also indirect from Birmingham and Glasgow.
British Midland and Lufthansa introduced more frequent services to Hanover earlier this year and the UK airline also has indirect flights from East Midlands airport.
Frequent transfer buses between Hanover airport and the show ground make flying a pretty safe bet for those nervous of tackling public transport in a foreign land!
Agritechnica information
• Venue
Exhibition Centre, Hanover, Germany.
• Dates and entrance charges
7-8 Nov: Press and trade. Entry DM100 (£33) for season ticket. 9-13 Nov: Public days. Entry DM30 (£10) for day ticket.
• Travel
Air: British Airways direct flights to Hanover from London Heathrow and Manchester; indirect from Birmingham and Glasgow. British Midland and Lufthansa fly direct from London Heathrow, and British Midland indirect from East Midlands.
Road: By ferry from Harwich (approximately 21 hours from last check-in) or Newcastle (22-25 hours) with Scandinavian Seaways to Hamburg, then 99 miles (1.5 hours) to Hanover.
From Newcastle to Ijmuiden near Amsterdam (16 hours) with Scandinavian Seaways, or Stena Line from Harwich to Hook of Holland (five hours), then 250 and 275 miles respectively by road (4.5 hours) to Hanover.
From Hull to Rotterdam (4 hours) with P&O North Sea Ferries, then 280 miles (4.5 hours) by road to Hanover.
Rail: Ferry operators have details (and special fares) of connecting rail services.
• Accommodation
Contact Agricultural Travel Bureau (01636-705612; fax 01636-707600) or Hanover Tourismus Centre (0049-5118 113500; fax: 0049-5118 113541) for hotels, Expo-Service Bed & Breakfast (0049-5132 825595; fax: 0049-5132 825596 for farms and rural inns. Hanover Tourist Information has offices at the central station, airport and exhibition centre for on-the-spot accommodation bookings.
For full show details and late accommodation availability, visit website: www.agritechnica.com