The Utrecht railway station is the central hub for Dutch rail transport, with more than 1000 departures per day. In addition to regional and national traffic, it handles plenty of international traffic. Utrecht is close to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (40 km distance from the city center), which can be reached in 30 minutes by train. This makes travel by both plane and train very convenient.

International train services to/from Utrecht

The regular ICE train between Frankfurt/Cologne/Dusseldorf and Amsterdam makes a stop at Utrecht Central railway station. There is also a daily service to/from Basel in Switzerland. In addition, all the night train “sleeper” services to/from Amsterdam (Basel/Zurich/Munich/Berlin/Copenhagen/Prague/Warsaw) make a stop in Utrecht.

For detailed European train routes, schedules, and ticket booking tips, see Seat61.com. Train ticket availability and booking windows vary by operator, so planning ahead is recommended.

Check with your institution if there is funding available to cover additional train costs or apply for the green travel grant.

Here are some quick tips for planning your trip:

• Use Seat61.com to find all connections, ticket booking info, and travel recommendations in one place.
• Allow extra time for transfers to avoid missing connections due to minor delays.
• Consider first-class tickets for a bit more comfort and space, often worth the small extra cost.
• Review your travel policy for rules on reimbursement and booking procedures.

Transportation to Utrecht from the Dutch Airports

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Utrecht can be reached by public transport in about 30 minutes. Intercity service from Amsterdam Airport to Utrecht Central Station (Utrecht Centraal), which will take approximately 30 minutes. Tickets can be bought at the ticket machine with a credit card at Schiphol or online, via this link.
Taxi transfer to/from Schiphol Airport will cost you around € 55 – 70.

Eindhoven Airport
Utrecht can be reached by public transport in about 1,5 hours. Take the bus from Eindhoven Airport to Eindhoven Central station (bus 400 or 401). From Eindhoven railway station, please take the intercity train to Utrecht Central Station (Utrecht Centraal), which will take approximately 50 minutes.

Rotterdam The Hague Airport
Utrecht can be reached by public transport in about 75 minutes. Take the bus from Rotterdam The Hague Airport to Rotterdam Central Station (bus 33). From Rotterdam Central Station, please take the intercity train to Utrecht Central Station (Utrecht Centraal), which will take approximately 45 minutes.

By car

Utrecht is a central motorway hub surrounded by the following roads – the A2, the major north-south artery linking Amsterdam to Maastricht; the A12 linking Arnhem and Den Haag; the A27 which connects Almere to Breda; and the A28 which goes to Groningen via Amersfoort and Zwolle. We recommend to use Google Maps to plan your route in the Netherlands.

Public transportation within Utrecht

The conference venue is at Utrecht Science Park, tram/bus stop ‘Heidelberglaan’. The U-OV Express tram 22 of the Utrecht light rail system connects the Science Park to Utrecht Central railway station. There are also bus services connecting the city center to Utrecht Science Park (line 27/28). With OVpay, you can check in and out on public transport using your bank card, credit card, or smartphone. You can also buy an e-ticket in the 9292 app. It’s valid for your entire journey on all public transport, including transfers. Please click here to plan your journey. If you are travelling by tram or bus, don’t forget to use the stop buttons, or else the driver may pass through your stop.

Public bikes

Dutch people love to cycle, so you will probably see full cycling lanes during your time here. When crossing a street, always be aware of cyclists passing by. You can also rent a public bike yourself at one of the many bike rentals in Utrecht. This can be a fun way to explore the city and enjoy the Dutch biking infrastructure. But be aware: Dutch bikers can go very fast, and some spots and crossings in Utrecht are known to be challenging to navigate on a bike, especially around the Utrecht central station.