Getting there and around
How to get to Utrecht
Utrecht is easy to reach as it is centrally situated in The Netherlands and lies at the hub of the Dutch motorway and railway networks. Utrecht also offers air travelers good road and rail connections.
Utrecht is easy to reach as it is centrally situated in The Netherlands and lies at the hub of the Dutch motorway and railway networks. Utrecht also offers air travelers good road and rail connections.
For an interactive map of all the different locations, visit: http://www.uu.nl/maps
The easiest and fastest way to get to Utrecht from Schiphol Airport is by train. The Intercity train for Utrecht Central Station leaves every half hour and the ride is approximately thirty minutes. A one-way ticket (price rate 2008) costs € 7,40 (second-class) or € 12.60 (first-class). The reduction ticket price is only available to travelers with a NS off-peak discount card. Please be advised that, in the Netherlands, return tickets are valid for one day only. You can buy your train ticket at the NS yellow ticket vending machines near the platforms at Schipol plaza. Accepted forms of payment are cash card, smart card, or coins. Tickets are also available from the ticket offices, which are situated close to the red/white-checked cube at Schiphol Plaza. There is a € 0,50 fee added to your ticket cost.
ATTENTION: Please be aware of pick pockets. Do not leave your luggage unattended. Keep your bags closed and look after your things.
By Taxi
If you phone the Utrecht Taxi Centrale (UTC) in advance (+31 30 230 0400) a taxi will be waiting for you when you arrive at the airport. Report to the Schiphol Transfer Assistance (STA) desk, open 24-hours a day, at Schiphol Plaza to meet your driver. The cost is approximately € 55. If you call UTC from Schiphol Airport, then you will have to wait approximately 40 minutes for a taxi. Only take taxis at the designated taxi-area. Do not accept taxi offers inside the airport. Registered taxis have a blue plate number. Look for the driver's pass on the dashboard and a pricelist visible inside and outside.
If you phone the Utrecht Taxi Centrale (UTC) in advance (+31 30 230 0400) a taxi will be waiting for you when you arrive at the airport. Report to the Schiphol Transfer Assistance (STA) desk, open 24-hours a day, at Schiphol Plaza to meet your driver. The cost is approximately € 55. If you call UTC from Schiphol Airport, then you will have to wait approximately 40 minutes for a taxi. Only take taxis at the designated taxi-area. Do not accept taxi offers inside the airport. Registered taxis have a blue plate number. Look for the driver's pass on the dashboard and a pricelist visible inside and outside.
How to get around in Utrecht
By Bus and Tram
Both buses and trams operate within Utrecht. To use them you will need to purchase a "strippenkaart". This is a zone-card that should be stamped every time you get on a bus or tram. For travel within the centre of Utrecht (one zone) you will need to stamp 2 strips. From the centre to the university campus, De Uithof (two zones), you will need to stamp 3 strips. You can either stamp it yourself or have the driver stamp it for you. A card with 15 strips costs € 6,90 (price rate 2008). Strippenkaarts are available from tourists offices, post offices, supermarkets, tobacco shops and corner shops. If you are caught by the controller without a strippenkaart, you have to pay a spot fine, plus the cost of your ticket.
By Bus and Tram
Both buses and trams operate within Utrecht. To use them you will need to purchase a "strippenkaart". This is a zone-card that should be stamped every time you get on a bus or tram. For travel within the centre of Utrecht (one zone) you will need to stamp 2 strips. From the centre to the university campus, De Uithof (two zones), you will need to stamp 3 strips. You can either stamp it yourself or have the driver stamp it for you. A card with 15 strips costs € 6,90 (price rate 2008). Strippenkaarts are available from tourists offices, post offices, supermarkets, tobacco shops and corner shops. If you are caught by the controller without a strippenkaart, you have to pay a spot fine, plus the cost of your ticket.
Multi-day passes are available at the conference and cost approximately €10,-. You can buy the passes at the registration desk during the conference.
By Bike
You can also rent bikes from several different shops throughout Utrecht. If you are biking when it is dark, you are required by law to have a working headlight and taillight. Bike trails are marked by "fietsroute" signs.
Laag Catharjine (Dutch, google map)
How to get to the conference site
Most direct bus route from the Central Station
- From Utrecht Central Station take bus 12 or 12s in the direction of 'De Uithof/AZU'
- Get off the bus at bus stop called 'Centrumgebouw-Zuid'
- Across the street you will see the 'Willem C. van Unnikgebouw' (you can recognize this 15-story building by the seal of the University on it’s roof)
- Through the main entrance of the 'Willem C. van Unnikgebouw' you walk to the main entrance of the 'Educatorium'
Most scenic route through the city
- From the Central Station or the city centre take bus 11 in the direction of 'De Uithof/WKZ'
- Get off the bus at bus stop called 'Heidelberglaan'
- Cross the street and walk about 100 meters back in the direction that you came
- At your right you will see the 'Willem C. van Unnikgebouw'
- Through the main entrance of the 'Willem C. van Unnikgebouw' you walk to the main entrance of the 'Educatorium'
By Car
From junction "Rijnsweerd" follow the signs to Amersfoort/Zeist
Take exit "De Bilt/De Uithof
At the stop sign, turn left and drive south on "Universiteitsweg"
The second road to the right is Leuvenlaan. Please park in the car park on your left-hand side in front of the Marinus Ruppert Building (entrance at the far end). The first half hour is free, then the parking rate is 0,50€ per hour (price rate 2008).
From junction "Rijnsweerd" follow the signs to Amersfoort/Zeist
Take exit "De Bilt/De Uithof
At the stop sign, turn left and drive south on "Universiteitsweg"
The second road to the right is Leuvenlaan. Please park in the car park on your left-hand side in front of the Marinus Ruppert Building (entrance at the far end). The first half hour is free, then the parking rate is 0,50€ per hour (price rate 2008).
Getting to Amsterdam and The Hague
From Utrecht is it very easy to travel to Amsterdam and the Hague. The most efficient way if going by train. For more information we refer to the following website: www.ns.nl
From Utrecht is it very easy to travel to Amsterdam and the Hague. The most efficient way if going by train. For more information we refer to the following website: www.ns.nl
