Getting to the TERENA Secretariat

TERENA building

The TERENA Secretariat is located on Koningsplein in Amsterdam, at the north end of the Singel flower market, in a distinctive turn-of-the-century building with a pleasant outlook south towards the Munt.

From Schiphol Airport to Centraal Station

There are trains from the airport to Amsterdam Centraal Station roughly every 15 minutes. Taxis are quite expensive and are not normally reimbursed under TERENA's travel rules. You will need to buy a train ticket at the airport before getting on a train. Tickets can not be bought once you board a train and you will incur a fine if you do not have a valid ticket. You can easily buy train tickets at the airport, either from the counter or from the automatic ticket machines (which take credit/debit cards).

There is more than one station in Amsterdam, so ensure that the train indicator shows the right destination (marked Amsterdam CS or Amsterdam Centraal).

There are two so-called high-speed train links from Schiphol to the Amsterdam central station, called 'Fyra' and 'Thalys'. Do not take these - they cost extra but are not any faster.

From Centraal Station to TERENA

Tram lines 1 and 5 run from the station past the TERENA office. You will need to get off at Koningsplein (quite often referred to as the flower market by the conductor). The trams leave from the front of Centraal Station. Note: Until 15 April 2010, tram 2 does not pass by the TERENA offices!

The Netherlands is gradually changing over to a Smartcard system for public transport. Tram drivers now sell disposable cards that are either valid for one hour (€2.60) or for twice one hour (€5.00). So if you plan to travel to and from the Secretariat by tram, get a disposable card of €5. You have to check in and check out with the card by holding it close to a pink-stickered checking machine that is next to the tram door.

If you travel to Amsterdam more often, it may be worthwhile to get a permanent Smartcard. The Amsterdam public transport site has more information.

If you are familiar with the old 'strippenkaart' system - that is currently still in use too. You will need to buy your 'strippenkaart' in advance. A 15-strip card can be used for 7 trips to / from the office and costs €7.30. You have to buy this in advance at the public transport (GVB) ticket counter, at AKO newsagents or at most bookshops.

Tram tickets must be stamped to be valid. On some trams you must stamp your ticket at the yellow machines (which print the date, time and boarding point on the ticket). On other trams, the tram driver or conductor will stamp your ticket for you. The TERENA office is a one-zone trip from Centraal Station; leave one strip blank and stamp the second one. Tickets are randomly checked by inspectors.

Note that the 'strippenkaart' is not valid in the Amsterdam metro.

Map of the area

Hotels

If you wish to stay overnight in Amsterdam, please contact the TERENA Secretariat to make hotel reservations for you. TERENA has special arrangements with two local hotels and can often arrange a discount.

However, if you would rather contact the hotels directly, the details are:

Facilities

Guests are welcome to use our wireless network (both eduroam™ and a guest network is available). Once connected, you can also use our guest printer. Please note that TERENA is a non smoking office.