Travel and accommodation
Amsterdam is one of the great European capital cities. Built around a series of concentric canals, it is justly famed for its architecture, museums, art galleries, public parks, markets and restaurants. On the streets, the bicycle is king, and the city is renowned for being a deeply relaxing place with a liberal attitude to drugs, sex and international conferences.
Both international and local travel are easy. Schiphol-Amsterdam airport is a major International hub airport with excellent bus and rail connections to central Amsterdam. Amsterdam boasts one of the best public transport systems in any European city: there are trams, buses, a metro and trains all of which are relatively cheap, extremely easy to use and run with remarkable frequency. Taxis are easily available but not cheap and it is sometimes easier to get around the city by public transport.
Travel
Schiphol to Central Amsterdam
The best way to get into central Amsterdam from Schiphol Airport is to go by train to Amsterdam Central Station. Schiphol Station is in the airport (Below ‘Schiphol Plaza’) Trains depart every 10 minutes and the trip takes about 15 minutes.
Schiphol to the VU (The Conference Venue)
To travel direct to the VU from Schiphol Airport, take a train from Schiphol station to Zuid/World Trade Center station. Trains depart every 15 minutes. From Station Zuid/WTC, it is a 10 minute walk to the VU.
Central Amsterdam to the VU (The Conference Venue)
There are frequent metro trains and trams to the VU from the Central Station. Metro 51 or tram 5 go directly to the VU. Finding it is easy because the VU has its own tram-stop: ‘Boelelaan/VU’. The trip takes about 15 minutes (by metro) or 25 minutes (by tram). During the day there are trams and metros every 5 to 10 minutes. In the evenings there are fewer connections (every 15 minutes approximately).
Adress
The VU is in the south-east quadrant of Amsterdam. The main address is:
VU University Amsterdam (“the VU”)
De Boelelaan 1105
1081 HV Amsterdam
The Netherlands
More information on travelling to the VU can be found on the VU website
Accommodation in Amsterdam
PLEASE NOTE: There is no suitable conference accommodation at the VU and all accommodation must be booked directly by conference participants themselves
As a major tourist destination, alongside the usual range of branded international hotels, there are hundreds of small and medium-sized hotels throughout Amsterdam and the surrounding area. And there should be something to suit everyone’s budget. There are
numerous web-sites (some are listed below) providing information and leading to on-line booking facilities. Once you have decided on a possible hotel, before booking, it is advisable to check prices on the hotel’s own web-site. Some agencies charge a premium and booking direct with the hotel can sometimes be cheaper. Since the conference is being held during the tourist season, early booking is advisable.
Places to start:
Dutch Tourist Board Web-Page:
http://www.hotels-holland.com/index.htm
The Dutch Reservations Centre
http://www.hotelres.nl/
This is a central marketing organisation which will find hotel rooms across the full range. It also takes options on some hotel rooms and can provide discounted room prices.
Bed and Breakfast Amsterdam
http://www.bedandbreakfast.nl/
Other Useful Web Pages (all in English):
Amsterdam City Web-Page:
http://www.amsterdam.nl/
Tourist Guide to Amsterdam:
http://www.iamsterdam.com/
Stayokay / Vondelpark (cheap accommodation):
http://www.stayokay.com/index.php?pageID=3207&hostelID=356022&language=en
Public Transport in Amsterdam:
http://en.gvb.nl/pages/home.aspx or http://www.simplyamsterdam.nl/transport.htm
VU University:
http://www.vu.nl/en/index.asp
This site also contains some useful information about Amsterdam.
Amsterdam Magazine
http://amsterdam-magazine.com/
