Travel

This page contains links to information that may be useful if you are planning to attend Akademy 2008. If you know of any other information or websites that would be useful for those attendees travelling to Belgium please let us know.

Accommodation

There are 2 hostels available, Youth hostel Zandpoort in Mechelen and "Domein Roosendael" in Sint-Katelijne-Waver. Both are easy to reach though Roosendael is less serviced by public transport and is probably a better choice for people who come by car.

Mechelen is just a short distance from the De Nayer Institute in Sint-Katelijne-Waver.

Details on the accommodation page.

Help with Costs

If you can not afford the cost of travel or accomodation some help may be available through the KDE e.V. reimbursement policy. Contact the KDE e.V. board for information.

Visa Information

As part of the EU any citizen of an EEA country will not need a visa to enter the county.

Power

Electricity in Belgium is 240V with socket type E. Most Europeans will have a hybrid E F plug which kan fit in any E socket.

Currency

The local currency is Euro.

Travelling to Mechelen

Aeroplane

There are two airports nearby in Belgium.

Brussels National Airport which is 45 minutes with 1 transfer in Brussels North station by train and 53 minutes, direct to Mechelen train station by bus.

Charleroi Brussels South serviced by: Ryanair, Wizz, Jet4you, onair. From Charleroi airport to Mechelen: 1 hour 25 minutes (on route only): commercial shuttle bus (1 every hour) to Brussels South (Gare du Midi / Zuidstation) train station. Train to Mechelen. Cost 11.00 (bus: one way) + 3.80 (train) or 1 hour and 50 minutes: public transport bus to Charleroi train station. Train to Mechelen. Cost: 2.50 (bus) + 10.50 (train).

There is also Amsterdam Schiphol which is a major hub airport in the neighbouring country of Netherlands. The train from Amsterdam to Brussels stops in the airport terminal and Mechelen and takes 2 hours and 6 minutes.

Train

Coming from The Netherlands: The international train Amsterdam/Brussels stops in Mechelen. Amsterdam - Mechelen takes about 2,5 hours.

Coming from Germany: The international trains from the east stop in Brussels South (Gare du Midi / Zuidstation). From roughly 4 trains an hour go to Mechelen.

Coming from France, England: In Brussels South (Gare du Midi / Zuidstation) you can transfer on a national train heading north to Mechelen

Timetables are available on the website of the Belgian Railroads.

By car

Mechelen is located next to the E19 highway that runs from North to South. Both the campus and the hostels are a 5 minute drive from the exit Mechelen North.

Local

Train: easiest ticket: Mechelen - Sint-Katelijne-Waver 16 EUR / 10 trips (single)

City Bus: Bus number 3 in the direction of "Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Waver (O.L.V. Waver)" stops near the campus.
bus map Mechelen area.
bus map Mechelen city center.

Rental Bikes: Will be available at the campus, this is the best option for participants staying in Roosendael.

More Information

For more information on Mechelen and travelling to it see Wikitravel's Mechelen article.