Travel

Ryan Feigenbaum 2019

By Air

From Amsterdam Schiphol Airport it is a mere 30 minutes by train or car to Utrecht city center. Utrecht is also very easily accessible by train from surrounding countries.

The Netherlands is a small country with an excellent public transport network. You can reach every destination easily and comfortably by train, bus, tram, metro or ferry.

Arriving at Schiphol Airport (AMS) in Amsterdam?

Plan your train journey and check the online timetable before you arrive

Discount Airfare

We are pleased to be able to partner with Air France-KLM in order to provide attendees with discounted flights.

Attractive discounts, up to -15%, on a wide range of public fares on all AIR FRANCE, KLM and their code-shared flights worldwide.

Frequent flyer/loyalty programs of Air France and KLM partner airlines are credited with "miles" when Air France or KLM flights are used.

Travel Valid Period: 16/07/2019 to 03/08/2019

By Bus

The bus station is situated next to the central train station. Buses to and from all directions arrive and depart throughout the day. Go to 9292.nl/en for detailed information about travelling by public transportation.

By Car

If you come by car, please park your car outside the city. Parking within the city is very expensive.

Please check Park & Ride: These are easy-to-find and inexpensive parking facilities on the outskirts of the city with a shuttle service into town. Park & Ride facilities can also be found at various train stations close to Utrecht.

Getting Around by Bicycle

Utrecht is a bustling, bicycle-friendly city. Every day, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., over 125,000 cyclists ride to their work, school, university, public transport, shops or home through the city centre.

For the Curious: Bicycle Facts & Figures in 2018

• Bicycle parking places near Utrecht Central Station: 12,000 today ⇨ 33,000 in 2020
• 12 staffed and monitored bicycle parkings and 5 pop-up parking facilities
• 60% of city centre visitors get there by bicycle
• 33,000 cyclists use the busiest bicycle route in the city centre every day
• 43% of all journeys shorter than 4.7 miles (7.5km) is by bicycle
• Utrecht is building the largest bicycle parking in the world (12,500 bicycles)
• 152 miles (245km) of bicycle paths; 56 miles (90km) of bicycle strips; 18 km of bicycle streets in Utrecht

More information on cycling in Utrecht and Cycling routes ('fietsroutes') in the Province of Utrecht.

Walking from Utrecht Central Station

The venue of the conference (Drift 21) is about 20 minutes' walk from Utrecht Central Train Station

Do you plan on using public transportation in or outside Utrecht?

We recommend you register and reserve your Utrecht Region Pass.

Take advantage of all of the beauty Utrecht has to offer by considering the Utrecht Region Pass that will grant ease of access to the Dutch public transportation system, including trains, trams, buses, and bicycles (OV-fiets in Dutch). Bicycles can be easily rented from over three hundred locations like those by train stations, bus and metro stops, and several town centers. The Utrecht Region Pass also gives you access to selected atrractions in the Utrecht Region. 

After registering online, you can collect your Utrecht Region Pass at one of the many pick-up locations and start traveling. You pay €6.50 rental fee (including €3.25 reservation costs) plus the regular public transport charges.

It is a "pay-as-you-go" (public transport) card with national coverage linked to your credit card. As soon as you pick up your card, you can immediately start to travel. 

For for more information, see Utrecht Region Pass.

Power

If you're traveling from the US or another country that uses a different plug shape, be sure to bring a travel adapter or voltage converter

While a travel adapter will convert your home country's native plug shape to that of the destination country, it will not convert the voltage. For example, the US and Canada use 120V, while European countries use 220V. In most cost cases, a travel adapter is all you need because most modern electronics have voltage converters built in. If the device says 120V-220V (often printed on the power adapter), then your device of handling the listed voltages and not in need of a converter. Learn more.

For US to European outlets, we recommend this Ceptics Travel Adapter

Buy this Travel Adapter on Amazon

  Payment

Utrecht, the Netherlands is part of the European Union and uses the Euro ( ) as its official currency. Please note that much of Utrecht expects cashless payments (e.g., buses do not accept cash). While most major credit cards will work, it is advisable to have more than one on hand in case one is not accepted. Also, remember to set travel notices with your bank to ensure your purchase of twenty-five Tony's Chocolonely dark almond sea salt chocolate bars is not declined.

 VISA

You may be required to purchase a visa for your stay in The Netherlands.

Find out if you need a visa by consulting Netherlands and You website.

Do you need an Invitation Letter?

Complete the HSS official letter of acceptance form to receive a letter by email (PDF) or by post.

 Travel and Health Insurance

It is strongly recommended that participants take out insurance to cover loss (including registration fees) incurred in case of cancellation, medical expenses and damage to or loss of personal effects. The organizers of the HSS Annual Meeting 2019 Conference will not be responsible for any medical costs incurred by participants. Utrecht University and the Local Host Committee will not accept liability for personal injuries or for loss or damage to property belonging to participants, either during or as a result of the annual meeting.

 Accommodations

Conference rates for hotels are no longer available. Note there is no central conference hotel for HSS 2019, as all presentations will be held at Utrecht University. Additional options for accommodation may be found on the homepage.

Additional Options for Accommodation

See the Nearby Places To Stay widget on the homepage for airbnb and more hotels

Childcare

If you will have children with you and are seeking childcare, the following options are available.

Holiday Sitters

• Costs: about €16 travel costs per day + €17,00 per hour (including VAT)
• They specialize in childcare during conferences or holidays. They can come to hotels in Utrecht, but you have to pay for the sitter's train travel costs from Amsterdam (about €16,00). You can easily search for a sitter  via the website (city: Amsterdam). You can select on the language they speak and you can see reviews and qualifications. You can get to know the sitter via chat beforehand. The payment will be done directly online via their platform (credit card, bank transfer or, if you have a Dutch bank account, you can also pay via IDEAL).
• Requirements/qualifications for sitters: Background check, first aid and child health and safety training. The majority of the sitters are international students at the leading universities of the Netherlands. work with a review-system.
• https://holiday-sitters.com

Knufflesitters

• Costs: €15 per booking + hourly rate (€8,00 - €11,00 per hour)
• You can request a sitter via e-mail (e-mail them, get 1-3 profiles of available babysitters, pick one). Pay by cash, check or online bank transfer. You can meet & greet beforehand at an additional cost.
• Requirements/qualifications for sitters: Sitters are 18+, have their Bachelor degree or are working on it, possess a CRB Check Document, are fluent in English.
• https://http://knufflesitters.nl/book-nannies-babysitters

Madelief

• Costs: €29,50 per day + hourly rate (€4,00 - €12,50 per hour)
• Many sitters speak English, some of them also speak Spanish or Italian. Easily make an appointment via the website (category:  last-minute, otherwise you'll need a subscription). Pay in cash or online.
• Requirements/qualifications for sitters: Background check, social media check, interview, reference check, mini-training ('the basics of babysitting').
• https://www.oppasmadelief.nl/last-minute-oppas

Charley Cares

• Costs: subscription costs (available from €2,00 per month) + €7,50 per hour
• You can easily book a sitter (category: 'flexible babysitting angel') via the app. You can look for a sitter and select one. The sitters have rates and reviews. You can directly contact sitters via the app chat function. The sitter will get paid directly through the app.
• Requirements/qualifications for sitters: Resume, background check, face-to-face interview, reference check.
• Note: you pay for a monthly subscription, so remember to unsubscribe afterwards.
• https://www.charlycares.com/en/

Meeting Venues

Drift 21

The oldest mention of a building at this location dates from 1468, although only the cellars remain from this period. The current structure consists of a 17th-century house oriented parallel to the street and a large garden house with a servants' wing, which was radically renovated in 1907 according to a design by the Utrecht architect P.J. Houtzagers. Many of the ornaments from this renovation can still be seen today. The renovations utilised many exceptionally modern materials and techniques: reinforced concrete, central heating with floor grates (visible in the hall) and even a flushing toilet. One of these toilets can still be seen in the servants' quarters on the ground floor. The wrought iron fence was placed in the 18th century.

Janskerk

We are grateful to be able to commence the HSS 2019 Meeting in one of Utrecht's most iconic sites. The Janskerk's rich history can be found below.

The Janskerk was built in the middle of the 11th century as a collegiate church. The client was bishop Bernold, who was also the founder of the Utrecht Pieterskerk. It is therefore not surprising that the two churches originally looked very similar. Just like the Pieterskerk, the Janskerk became a Romanesque columned basilica, built from tuff and equipped with chapels, two towers and the round arch windows characteristic of Romanesque architecture. In both churches the nave was equipped with large pink-red columns, each made from one piece of sandstone, and in both churches there was a crypt. In contrast to that of the Pieterskerk, which is still accessible, that of the Janskerk was closed at the end of the 13th century. Another important change was the conversion of the columns to pillars. The columns were not strong enough to support the weight of the church and therefore they were reinforced. One of the pillars has now been partially opened, so that the original pink-red column is visible again. A column is also arranged in its entirety in the left-hand side aisle. In contrast to the nave and the side aisles, where the wallwork is mostly 11th century, the choir and the chapels have undergone a major change since the construction period. They were rebuilt in the Gothic style in the period 1508-1539. In a nutshell: the use of the church then and now. From its construction in the 11th century until 1580, the Janskerk served for centuries as a Catholic collegiate church. After the city authorities had banned Catholicism, the church was used as a reformed church and it was given other functions. For example, a library was established in the choir in 1584 and in 1813, during the last year of the French occupation, the church was briefly used as a barrack. Since 1947 a student pastor came to the Janskerk. This resulted in the Evangelical University Municipality (EUG), nowadays called the EUG Ecumenical Student Municipality. In addition to the weekly service on Sundays, the Janskerk is rented out for all kinds of different events, such as concerts, congresses and weddings.

De Janskerk werd midden 11e eeuw gebouwd als kapittelkerk. Opdrachtgever was bisschop Bernold, die ook de stichter van de Utrechtse Pieterskerk was. Het is dan ook niet vreemd dat de twee kerken oorspronkelijk veel op elkaar leken. Net als de Pieterskerk werd de Janskerk een romaanse zuilenbasiliek, opgebouwd uit tufsteen en voorzien van kapellen, twee torens en de voor romaanse architectuur kenmerkende rondboogvensters. In beide kerken was het schip voorzien van grote rozerode zuilen die elk uit één stuk zandsteen waren gemaakt en in beide kerken was er een crypte. In tegenstelling tot die van de Pieterskerk, die nog steeds toegankelijk is, werd die van de Janskerk eind 13e eeuw gedicht. Een andere belangrijke wijziging was het ombouwen van de zuilen naar pilaren. De zuilen bleken niet sterk genoeg om het gewicht van de kerk te kunnen dragen en daarom werden ze verstevigd. Een van de pilaren is tegenwoordig deels opengemaakt, zodat de oorspronkelijke rozerode zuil weer zichtbaar is. In de linkerzijbeuk is tevens een zuil in zijn geheel opgesteld. In tegenstelling tot het schip en de zijbeuken, waar het muurwerk nog veelal 11e-eeuws is, hebben het koor en de kapellen wel een grote verandering ondergaan sinds de bouwtijd. Zij werden in de periode 1508-1539 verbouwd in de bouwstijl gotiek. In vogelvlucht: het gebruik van de kerk vroeger en nu.Vanaf de bouw in de 11e eeuw tot aan 1580 diende de Janskerk eeuwenlang als katholiekekapittelkerk. Nadat het stadsbestuur het katholicisme verboden had, werd de kerk als hervormde kerk gebruikt en kreeg het daarnaast andere functies. Zo werd er in 1584 een bibliotheek in het koor gevestigd en werd de kerk in 1813, tijdens het laatste jaar van de Franse bezetting, kort gebruikt als kazerne. Sinds 1947 kwam er een studentenpredikant in de Janskerk. Hieruit ontstond de Evangelische Universiteitsgemeente (EUG), tegenwoordig de EUG Oekumenische Studentengemeente geheten. Naast de wekelijkse dienst op zondag wordt de Janskerk verhuurd voor allerlei verschillende evenementen, zoals concerten, congressen en bruiloften.

Photos by Ryan Feigenbaum 2019

Domkerk

The gothic Dom Church was built as a cathedral for the bishop of Utrecht and dedicated to St. Maarten. The Cathedral of Utrecht is a striking Gothic church in the middle of the Dutch city of Utrecht. The church was built from 1254 as a continuation of the Romanesque cathedral of the Roman Catholic diocese of Utrecht and was dedicated to Saint Martin. Since 1580 the church is Protestant. The 112.32 meters high Dom Tower is the highest church tower in the Netherlands and the tallest building in Utrecht. The interior with many lavishly decorated tombs is impressive. The Dom church draws many people daily for a guided tour or a moment of silence and peace. The free Saturday afternoon concerts (3.30 pm) have been a household word in Utrecht for over thirty years.

The Music of the Dom Tower

At 80 metres up you can find the Dom Tower's carillon, not to be confused with the swinging bells at 40 metres. The carillon from 1664 is made up of 50 bells, 33 of which were founded by the famous Hemony brothers. These majestic bells play a melody every fifteen minutes that can be heard all through the city centre.

In addition, every Saturday from 11 am until noon, the fifty bells are played by hand by the talented city carillonneur, Malgosia Fiebig. Between April and December, she also plays every Friday from 12:30 pm until 1:30 pm.

Malgosia Fiebig is the Dom Tower's 17th City Carillonneur since 1623.

Photo by Johan Bakker

Railway Museum (Spoorwegmuseum)

When you visit the Railway Museum you enter in the Maliebaanstation, built in 1874. This Utrecht station has been restored to its former glory. When you come in, you feel as if you're the first traveler at a Station in history. Get ready to go on a journey through time! 

You can enjoy the most beautiful trains from the Dutch railway history. You can see and experience how trains have developed over the years. From ancient steam locomotives and wooden carriages to advanced electric trains.

After the lecture, you will have the opportunity to go and walk around between the Trains or enjoy a nice drink.

Photo by Ryan Feigenbaum 2019

Restaurants

Drift 27 (near the library) has a cafeteria open during the following times: Tuesday, 23 July 2019 - Friday, 26 July 2019 from 12:00 - 14:00. 

Espresso Bar Lodewijk (Drift 27) is open Mon - Fri from 9:00 - 15:00.

Enjoy a taste of Utrecht while not having to venture too far from the heart of the conference. The following restaurants are located within a ten-minute walking radius of Utrecht University.