Traveling to Antwerp

BY AIR

If you book a flight, you probably will need to choose Brussels International Airport (Zaventem) as your destination. The airport of Antwerp is rather small and there is only a limited amount of airlines that serve it. In case you fly with Ryanair, there is a big chance that Brussels South – Charleroi Airport is your destination. Please scroll down for more information on each airport as well as how to get from the airport to Antwerp.

Brussels International Airport

To Brussels, there are flights from all major European cities as well as from the most important overseas metropoles. Various airlines fly into Brussels airport. From the airport you can travel to Antwerp by taking the train or the airport express bus.

The direct train to Antwerp takes approximately 30 minutes and runs twice an hour. Time schedules and fares can be found on www.belgianrail.be.

The airport express bus runs every hour and reaches the centre of Antwerp in approximately 45 minutes. Read more on the Airport Express website.

Antwerp Airport – Deurne

Antwerp Airport is a small international airport situated in Deurne. Antwerp Airport offers regular flights between Antwerp and several European cities like London, Geneva, Berlin, Barcelona and Milan. Bus routes 51, 52 and 53 from De Lijn provide a regular connection with the railway station Antwerpen-Berchem from where national and international train connections will bring you to your destination. Take tram 9 at Antwerpen-Berchem to go to the city centre. For more info on destinations and flight schedules, visit the Antwerp Airport website.

Brussels South - Charleroi Airport

If you fly with Ryanair, it's possible that you arrive at the airport of Brussels South, near Charleroi. You can travel to Antwerp by train (first take a bus to the Charleroi train station), or by bus shuttle. Easy Shuttle provides a bus service seven times a day. The journey takes approximately 1:15 h. Reservations and more info on www.easyshuttle.be, or on the website of Charleroi airport.

BY TRAIN

Antwerp is easy to reach by train. International railway lines link Brussels and Antwerp to several other major European cities.

The European high-speed train project includes the Thalys, the Eurostar and the Eurotunnel. There are direct rail links with different cities in France, the Netherlands and Germany. Antwerp can be reached from the UK by Eurostar via Brussels.

Antwerp has two main stations: Central Station and Berchem station.

Trains in Belgium Belgium has the most dense rail network in the world. Trains run at regular intervals between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.; later in the evenings only a selection of trains run until about 11 p.m. Trains run less frequently during the weekends. There are first and second class compartments, and a standard return (round-trip) fare is double the price of a single (one-way) fare. Smoking is not allowed. A ticket is only valid for one day. Children under the age of twelve travel for free. Read more on Belgian Rail for detailed information on time schedules, train connections, travel options,...

BY BUS

Eurolines is one of the cheapest ways to come to Antwerp. The Eurolines bus goes to the centre of the city (Van Stralenstraat 8, 2060 Antwerp).

Flixbus offers cheap busses to Paris, Amsterdam, Den Haag, Rotterdam and Utrecht.

BY CAR

All destinations are within easy reach by car. Antwerp itself lies at the crossroads of the E17, E19, E34, and E313 motorways.

The “Tracing Creation” team has selected two of Antwerp’s finest hotels where conference delegates can book a room at reduced rates:

Elzenveld Hotel***

Elzenveld is a charming medieval hotel located in the centre of Antwerp, about a 25-minute walking distance from the conference venue.

Single college room: 69 euro Double college room: 101 euro – single use: 85 euro All rates include breakfast and wifi Excl. city tax 2,39 euro/pp/night

! Reservations should be made directly to the hotel by email and mentioning the reservation code: Tracing Creation

! Please note that the rooms for “Tracing Creation” participants will only be blocked until 1 February 2016. Late reservations or other room types (see hotel website) can only be guaranteed upon availability

http://www.elzenveld.be/en/hotel
info@elzenveld.be
Lange Gasthuisstraat 45 - 2000 Antwerpen T +32 3 202 77 70 - F +32 3 202 77 74

Ramada Plaza****

Ramada Plaza is located right in front of the conference venue and offers all facilities to make your staying in Antwerp as comfortable as possible.

Executive King: 89 euro Deluxe King: 74 euro Deluxe Twin: 89 euro All rates include breakfast and wifi Excl. city tax 2,39 euro/pp/night

! Reservations should be made directly to the hotel by email and mentioning the reservation code: Tracing Creation

! Please note that the rooms for “Tracing Creation” participants will only be blocked until 1 February 2016. Late reservations or other room types (see hotel website) can only be guaranteed upon availability

www.ramadaplazaantwerp.com
reservations@ramadaplaza-antwerp.com
Desguinlei 94 - 2018 Antwerpen T +32 3 244 82 53 – F +32 3 216 47 12

Other possibilities

If you prefer to stay in another hotel, you can check out the following options:

Crown Plaza Hotel**** Located at a 10-minute walking distance from conference venue deSingel. Standard single and double room: 118,80 euro Superior single and double room: 127,80 euro Deluxe single and double room: 141,00 euro These rates might vary according to the number of nights. Breakfast not included (can be added for app. 14,00 euro) Excl. city tax 2,39 euro/pp/night Free wifi and free access to indoor swimming pool and wellness center

www.antwerp.crowneplaza.com
reservations@cpantwerp.com
Gerard Le Grellelaan 10 – 2020 Antwerpen T +32 3 259 75 00 – F +32 3 216 02 96

Hotel Firean**** Located at a 11-minute walking distance from conference venue deSingel. Rates start from 155 euro per night. Breakfast not included (can be added for app. 16,00 euro) Free wifi, TV, access to terrace, patio and waking service Excl. city tax 2,39 euro/pp/night

www.hotelfirean.com
info@hotelfiran.com
Karel Oomstraat 6 - 2018 Antwerp T +32 3 237 02 60 - F +32 3 238 11 68

Hotel Julien**** Located in the historic centre of Antwerp. Rates start from 200 euro per night. Breakfast not included (can be added for app. 16,00 euro) Excl. city tax 2,39 euro/pp/night

www.hotel-julien.com
info@hotel-julien.com
Korte Nieuwstraat 24 - 2000 Antwerp T +32 3 229 06 00 - F +32 3 233 35 70

Hotel Matelote*** Located in the historic centre of Antwerp. Rates start from 100 euro per night. Breakfast not included (can be added for app. 12,00 euro) Excl. city tax 2,39 euro/pp/night

www.hotel-matelote.be
info@matelote.be
Haarstraat 11a - 2000 Antwerp T +32 3 201 88 00

Hotel Prinse**** Located in the centre of Antwerp, close to the university. Rates start from 115 euro per night (single room) and 140 euro per night (double room) Breakfast included Excl. city tax 2,39 euro/pp/night

www.hotelprinse.be
hotel_prinse@skynet.be
Keizerstraat 63 - 2000 Antwerp T +32 3 226 40 50 - F +32 3 225 11 48

For people who prefer bed & breakfasts over hotels, here are a few suggestions:

B&B Rosier10 Located in the centre of Antwerp. Rates start from 120 euro (2 persons); discount +2nights and single use Breakfast included. Excl. city tax 2,39 euro/pp/night

www.rosier10.be
info@rosier10.be
Rosier 10 - 2000 Antwerpo T +32 489 27 99 99

Baron Located in the centre of Antwerp, close to the Central Station. Rates around 100 euro per night (2 persons) Breakfast included. Excl. city tax 2,39 euro/pp/night

www.debaron.be
info@debaron.be
Osystraat 17 - 2060 Antwerp T +32 476 53 49 19

B&B Quatre20cinq Located at a 11-minute walking distance from conference venue deSingel. Rates start from 90 euro per night (2 persons) Breakfast included. Excl. city tax 2,39 euro/pp/night

www.quatre20cinq.be
quatre20cinq@gmail.com
Terlinckstraat 85 - 2600 Antwerp T +32 479 20 99 17

There is also a general website for all registered bed & breakfasts in Antwerp. Here you can check availability, rates, and pictures.

Public transport

In the province and the city of Antwerp transport is organised by the public transport company De Lijn.

Antwerp has a dense public transportation network. Buses and trams are available to take you to many different parts of the city. The following rates apply when you take a tram or bus: - A single ticket within the city, bought on the tram or bus will cost you 3 euro. - It allows you to use public transportation (buses and trams) for one hour.
- If you buy the ticket in advance, it will cost you only 1,80 euro. - A Lijn card is a pass with 10 journeys and costs 14 euro (trip price: 1,40 euro) - A day pass costs 5 euro; a three day pass 10 euro; a five day pass 15 euro (all in presale). If you buy theses passes on a bus or a tram, the price goes up to 7 euroo; 12 euro; 18 euro.

For more information about trams, buses, and rates, see De Lijn Website.

By bike

Cycling and walking are amongst the most popular ways of getting around in Antwerp.

Antwerp is a bike-friendly city. The distances are not too large, the bike lanes are flat and with the right gear, you can cycle all year round.

Velo is Antwerp's metropolitan bike system: you can pick up and drop off bicycles at various points whenever you like. The small bicycles have three speeds, anti-skid pedals and thick tires, so it’s easier to avoid the tram tracks. In order to ride Velo you have to register beforehand on the Velo website. There you can buy a week or a day pass. Users of a day or week pass receive a user code and password. With these codes you can immediately take a bike at any available station. The maximum time limit per trip is four hours.

Fietshaven is located under Antwerp Central Station. Renting rates start from 13 euro (1 day) to 42 euro (7 days). In order to rent a bike, you need to leave a valid passport as guarantee.

Taxis

In general, taxis are quite expensive. You have to pay a standard rate which is 2.48 euros between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and 4.34 euros between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m + a specific amount (1.04 euros) for each kilometre travelled. You can find taxis at various locations around Antwerp (the Central Station, Rooseveltplaats, Groenplaats,...).

Some telephone numbers of taxi companies in Antwerp ATM +32 3 216 01 60 STAR TAXI +32 3 216 16 16 ANTWERP TAXI +32 3 238 38 38

Car

In Belgium, traffic moves on the right-hand side of the road. Unless otherwise indicated, the speed limit is 120 km/h on motorways, 90 km/h on other roads and 50 km/h in built-up areas. Around schools and in some residential areas, there is a speed limit of 30 km/h. Drinking and driving is a serious offence in Belgium. In order to drive a car in Belgium, you must have a Belgian driving licence or a licence recognized by the Belgian law. The minimum age to drive a car is 18, and for renting a car it is 21. Insurance including unlimited third party liability, is obligatory. Finding parking space in Antwerp can be difficult and expensive.

University of Antwerp

Pre-conference / PhD Forum

Prinsstraat 13 2000 Antwerp

The University of Antwerp is a 15-minute walk from Central Station. Exact location will be announced.

deSingel – International Arts Campus

Conference

Desguinlei 25 2018 Antwerp

About

deSingel is an arts site for theatre, dance, music and architecture, meant for a broad art-loving audience. It is both a place for the contemporary, critical and interdisciplinary canon and for artistic creation, and new trends and insights. Its intention is to bring (aspiring) performing artists and audiences together in a climate of critical reflection and pioneering creativity on the basis of a challenging international programme in a variety of arts. The large building provides space not only for presentation, but also for production and openness.

How to get there

Public Transport FROM THE CENTRAL STATION - Tram 2, heading for Hoboken, or tram 6, heading for Olympiade, get off at deSingel - Bus 17, heading for UZA, get off at Desguinlei FROM GROENPLAATS - Tram 9, heading for Eksterlaar, or tram 15, heading for Boechout, change at Diamant or Plantijn, then tram 2, heading for Hoboken, get off at deSingel - Bus 22, heading for UZA, get off at Desguinlei FROM ANTWERPEN ZUID STATION - 15 minutes' walk Desguinlei

By bike Large bicycle-racks near the main entrance and Grand Café Velo bicycle hub as from autumn 2013

By car deSingel is located alongside Antwerp's ring motorway: - coming from Ghent: take Exit 5 / Wilrijk,follow signposts to deSingel. - coming from Breda/Hasselt: take Exit 4 / Berchem, turn right at the traffic lights, left at the next set of lights, follow signs to Singel-Zuid, deSingel is located at the third set of lights - coming from Brussels via the E19: take Exit 5a / Antwerpen-Centrum, Berchem, Singel, turn left at the traffic lights, follow the signs to Singel-Zuid, deSingel is located at the second set of lights.