Host city & venue
Leuven, your host city, is situated in the middle of Belgium, close to Brussels and the linguistic border between Flanders and Wallony. It offers everything that is typical of a university centre: the symbiosis of the city population and students, pubs and college buildings. Leuven represents the fusion of old and new, of style and dynamics, with high-tech laboratories flanked by the historical fronts of ancient colleges bearing Latin names.
It is a city with a rich architectural and cultural heritage. A city that unites the typical Burgundian character with a rich tradition of spirituality. Leuven is the cradle of one of the oldest universities in the world, and houses -not accidentally- one of the largest breweries in the world. Leuven is not a “big” city, at least not in surface area. It is a real open air museum you have to explore gradually, along the cosy streets, alleys and squares that breath their own history.
More about Tourism in Leuven.
More about the Places of Interest in Leuven.
How to get to Leuven
Leuven can be reached easily from all countries by air, train or car. It is centrally located in Europe.
Easy access to Belgium by plane
You can reach Brussels National Airport by air directly from all the world's gateways. Brussels National Airport is situated in Zaventem 20 km from Leuven. Travelling to and from the airport is easy.
By train: There is a direct train connection from the airport to Leuven railway station. On weekdays, trains to Leuven go twice an hour and the trip takes 14 minutes. During the weekend there's a train once an hour. Trains ride between 5h37 in the morning and 23h37 at night. Tickets cost 2,90 €. Please note that after 8 PM you need to buy your ticket from a machine. This means that you will need cash Euros or some type of pay card.
Schedule information for all trains in Belgium (including international trains) is available on the Belgian Railways (SNCB/NMBS) website; enter Brussel Nationaal Luchthaven as the departure or destination station.
The train station is located in the basement (level -1) of the airport terminal building itself.
Taxis are available outside the arrivals hall. The fare between the airport and Leuven is normally around €60. Licensed taxis can be identified by the yellow and blue licence emblem. More information about Brussels Airport can be found online: http://www.brusselsairport.be.
Brussels South Charleroi Airport is located 46 km from Brussels Central station.
A public bus (Line A) links the Brussels South Charleroi Airport to the Charleroi train station. From there you can take the train to Brussels.
There are more than 20 coach shuttles every day between Brussels South Charleroi and Brussels Midi railway station.
Taxis are available outside the terminal building. The taxi fare between the airport and Brussels is about €80.
More information about Brussels South Charleroi Airport is on their website: http://www.charleroi-airport.com.
Easy access to Leuven by train
Leuven is an important hub in the Belgian railway network. From Leuven station , there are connections to every other major Belgian train station.
From the Brussels stations (Leuven - Brussels = 20 minutes of travelling) there are various international connections. You can find practical information, travel formulas, the best connections and itinerary using the Belgian Railways (NMBS) online search engine www.b-rail.be/E/index.php.
Easy access to Leuven by car
Leuven is situated on the important axis Oostende-Brussel-Leuven-Liège-Köln and is located near the junction of two important motorways: E 40 and E 314.
Public transport within Leuven
Although most places are at walking distance, you might consider taking a bus. In Flanders, the bus company is called De Lijn (The Line).
There is a major bus station at Leuven railway station. Most buses drive through a part of the city centre and have a stop at Fochplein (at the back of St-Peters church).
Car Parking
A large number of hotels have parking facilities. There are also a few paying underground parking lots (a.o. at the railway station). Please note that free parking in the streets of the city is not possible. There are a few parking places in streets and squares but users are requested to buy tickets from the parking meters. Moreover, parking in the streets is limited in time (up to 2 hours maximum during business hours). Please note that traffic police is very strict and that parking tickets are checked quite frequently!
There is one free car parking available located just outside the ringroad: Parking Bodart. From there (stop Redingenhof), you can catch the bus n° 9 heading for the centre of the city and the railway station. This bus goes every 15 minutes. Ask assistance from the driver to know where you have to get off.
How to reach the venue (ATTENTION NEW VENUE)
Address
ICPPP15 will be organised in
Auditorium Max Weber and the AV Auditoria
Parkstraat 71
B-3000 Leuven
Please click here to download a map of Leuven, indicating the location of the ICPPP 15 venue and related addresses.
Cycling to the conference venue
If you would like to come by bicycle to the conference venue, you can rent a bicycle for a few days at 'Cadans'. The cycle trip from the city center to the venu is very pleasant and easy. The online rental form can be found on www.cadans.eu.
For more information, please contact Cadans directly at info@cadans.eu
Coming by train and bus
The venue is located about 15-20 minutes walking distance from the railway station.
At Leuven railway station, you can take bus 4 that drives into the city center. Get off at Rustoord Remy (Frederik Lintstraat). (see map). Than it is still about 7 min. walk. Please be advised it is cheaper to buy your ticket before you get on the bus. Your hotel will be pleased to give you further instructions.
Coming by car
- Take highway E40 (Brussels - Liège/Luik) direction Leuven. Take exit Leuven/Hasselt/Genk (E314)
- Take first exit Leuven (Exit 15)
- At the third set of traffic lights, turn right.
- Follow this road till Naamsepoort and turn left (Naamsestraat). Take the 4th street to the right (Parkstraat) .
