How to get there
July 5, 2027:
Doctoral Consortium & Tutorials
July 6-7, 2027:
AIME Main Conference
July 8, 2027:
Workshops
Getting There
Amsterdam is a vibrant and energetic city that is well connected nationally and internationally.
The city is known for its walkability but also boasts a world-class public transit system, which makes discovering it fun and easy.
Amsterdam is a major metropolitan hub linking all major Dutch and European cities by NS train, motorways, and Schiphol Airport.
The centre has many hidden gems and famous landmarks which can be easily accessed by the iconic trams or on foot.
KIT, the main venue, is located just behind the lively ARTIS zoo, which is a must-see for many visitors. The Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam is nestled between the business district and the Amsterdamse Bos, offering a unique window into everyday city life.
Schipol Airport (AMS)
Schiphol is the main airport situated around 20 minutes outside the city centre. To get from the airport into Amsterdam, you have several options, including:
- Take the train
- They leave directly from the airport every 5-10 minutes during the day
- Usually only have to ride a few stops
- Easy to buy a ticket online, at the available machines, or just tap in with a mobile phone/card
- Recommended to go to “Centraal Station” or “Amsterdam Zuid” depending on where your accommodation is located
- Take a taxi
- Follow the signs in the airport labelled ‘Taxi’ to the front entrance
- There is an official taxi rank with licensed drivers (these usually operate on a meter, but do often accept card payments)
- Use a ride-hailing service like Uber or Bolt (These park near the official taxi rank in a designated pick-up area labelled “App pick-up point”)
- Take a bus
- The Bus station is being renovated, which means some buses are departing from different locations
- Renting a hire car
- There are many car rental services at the airport however, it is hard to find parking in the city and can often be very expensive. The public transport is extremely reliable, so hiring would not be recommended unless needed.
- Check the official Schiphol website for more up-to-date information
🚄 Rail and Intercity Access
The main train station within Amsterdam is the ‘Centraal Station’, which uses the ‘Nederlandse Spoorweg’ or just NS as its main provider. This is also where the Eurostar and other international trains make their stops.
The other major station is ‘Amsterdam Zuid’, which is closer to the south part of the city and a 10-15 minute walk from the VU.
These two hubs are connected by the metro line 52 and various trams and buses. From both stations, a variety of further public transport methods are available.
🚇 Local Transit
It may be a good idea to use the local public transport apps since they are more accurate than Apple or Google Maps; for example, the ‘GVB Reisplanner‘ or the NS website. Please keep in mind that GVB is Amsterdam-specific, while the NS functions for the whole country.
You could get an ‘I amsterdamCity’ card, which gives you access to all public transport and various attractions for up to five days if you also plan to do some sightseeing. It is also possible to simply tap in and tap out with a mobile phone or credit/debit card on all modes of transport, where you will be charged a maximum of €10,50 per day. Alternatively, you can check the GVB ticket offers on their website.
If you feel like trying to blend in with the locals, some public transport cards will give you access to bicycles. Such as the ‘OV-fiets’ or the ‘OV-Bike’, which can be found near train stations and some hotels offer bike rentals. If you do plan to cycle, helmets do not always come with rentals, and local bike lanes can be very fast-paced. Be sure to lock up when parking and only opt for cycling if you feel comfortable navigating busy city traffic.
If you want to take a ferry across the IJ river, they depart from just behind the Centraal station and are completely free! You can also take taxis throughout the city either with ride-hailing services like Uber or take local taxis (TCA is the largest company).
The KIT institute has the tram stops Alexanderplein and Linnaeusstraat, both right in front of the building. They recommend taking Tram 14 from Centraal Station, but check ‘how to visit us’ under the contact section of their website for more information. It is also a 40-minute walk or just a 10-minute cycle from the main station.
The VU is also easily accessible by Bus, Tram, and Metro from almost anywhere in the city centre. Metro line 52, from Station Zuid to Station Noord, goes straight through the city and connects the VU to the rest of Amsterdam.
