🏙️ WELCOME TO UTRECHT! MAKING IT A INSPIRING SETTING FOR THE EARMA CONFERENCE 2026

Located in the heart of the Netherlands, Utrecht is a vibrant university city known for its historic charm, picturesque canals, and lively cultural scene. With a history dating back to Roman times, Utrecht combines a rich architectural heritage with the dynamic energy of a modern city. It’s also one of Europe’s leading hubs for education, innovation, and sustainability — making it an inspiring setting for EARMA 2026.

✈️ GETTING TO UTRECHT

Utrecht is centrally located in the Netherlands and is very easy to reach — whether you're arriving by air, train, or car. The main arrival point is Utrecht Centraal Station, which is just a 5-minute walk from the conference venue (Jaarbeurs) and most centrally located hotels.

🚆 By train:

Utrecht is one of the main rail hubs in the Netherlands, served by frequent national and international connections.

• From Amsterdam: 25–30 minutes, direct trains every 10 minutes

• From Rotterdam: 40–45 minutes, direct trains every 15 minutes

• From The Hague: 45 minutes, direct trains every 15 minutes

• From Brussels: ~2 hours (via Rotterdam or Schiphol)

• From Düsseldorf or Cologne: ~2.5–3 hours (via ICE or Intercity)

International trains (Thalys / Eurostar / ICE) arrive in the Netherlands via Rotterdam, Amsterdam, or Schiphol Airport. From there, direct trains to Utrecht are fast and frequent.

📍 Utrecht Centraal Station is:

• Just a 5-minute walk to the Jaarbeurs Conference Centre (via Beatrixgebouw entrance)

• Close to many hotels and attractions

• Fully equipped with luggage storage, shops, cafés, and accessibility services

✈️ By Air

The nearest and most convenient airport is Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), located just 45 km from Utrecht. From Schiphol, you can reach Utrecht:

• Direct by train in just 30–35 minutes

• Trains depart every 10–15 minutes

• No transfers required — just hop on at Schiphol and get off at Utrecht Centraal Station

Where to catch the train at Schiphol: After collecting your luggage, follow signs for "Trains" to reach Schiphol Airport Train Station, located directly beneath the airport terminal. From there, take an Intercity train to Utrecht Centraal.

Train facilities:

• Free Wi-Fi on board

• Power sockets at your seat (on most services)

• Quiet zones and 1st class options

• Digital displays in English and Dutch

How to buy train tickets:

• Use the NS App (Dutch Railways) – Download here

• Buy tickets at a yellow NS ticket machine in the airport arrivals area (cards only)

• Use a contactless debit/credit card or smartphone to check in and out at the gates — no need for a paper ticket!

🌐 Plan your journey and buy tickets on the NS website

Other nearby airports with good public transport connections:

• Eindhoven Airport (EIN) – approx. 1h 15min by bus + train

• Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) – approx. 1h 10min by metro + train

🚗 By Car

Utrecht is easily accessible by car via the A2, A12, and A27 motorways. However, the city centre has limited parkingand environmental zones, so we recommend the following:

• Park & Ride (P+R):
  Use one of the P+R locations on the city’s edge (e.g., P+R Westraven or P+R Papendorp). From there, public transport or bike share services take you directly into the city.

• City Centre Parking:
  You can also park in secured car parks such as Interparking Hoog Catharijne or Jaarbeurs P1–P4, located near the venue. Expect higher rates and limited availability during peak hours.

🚲 GETTING AROUND UTRECHT

Utrecht has a compact historic center which is easy to navigate by bike or on foot. Bikes can be rented at various places. The city is easily accessible by train (Utrecht Centraal station), express tram (Utrecht Centraal stop) or by bus (stops throughout the city). 

Public Transport:

• Utrecht has an efficient bus and tram network operated by U-OV. You can plan routes and purchase tickets using a contactless debit/credit card, the 9292 app or an OV-chipkaart, a contactless smart card used across Dutch public transport. Find here a Door-to-door planner. 

Biking:

• Cycling is the most popular and practical way to move around Utrecht. The city is extremely bike-friendly, with designated bike lanes and parking.
• Bike rentals are widely available, including from OV-fiets, Swapfiets, and local bike shops.
• App-based options like Donkey Republic (manual bikes) and Dott (electric bikes and e-scooters) offer flexible, pay-per-use rentals — perfect for short rides around the city.

Walking:

• Utrecht’s compact city center is very walkable. You can reach most major attractions, restaurants, and conference venues on foot.

Taxi & Rideshare:

• Taxis are available but can be pricey compared to public transport.
• Uber operates in Utrecht, as well as local alternatives like Bolt.

📱 USEFUL INFO, GUIDES AND APPS

• 9292: Plan your journey across buses, trams, and trains in real time. Ideal for navigating local routes to and from the venue.

• NS App: Check train schedules, plan your route, and purchase tickets directly from the app. Great for intercity travel and getting to Utrecht from elsewhere in the Netherlands.

• Utrecht City Map: A helpful online map that shows walking routes, attractions, restaurants, and more. You can also pick up printed maps at your hotel or the tourist office.

• Discover Utrecht: The city’s official visitor guide – full of local tips, cultural highlights, events, and dining suggestions.
  We recommend downloading or bookmarking these resources before your trip so you have everything at your fingertips.

🏛️ TOP ATTRACTIONS

• Dom Tower: The tallest church tower in the Netherlands, offering panoramic views of the city.
• Canal District:  Explore unique split-level canals and charming wharf cellars turned into cafes, shops, and galleries.
• Museum Speelklok: A delightful museum of self-playing musical instruments.
• Centraal Museum: Showcasing Utrecht’s art, fashion, and design, including works by the Utrecht Caravaggists and Rietveld.
• Railway Museum: Housed in a former train station, this museum is fun for all ages.
• Botanical Gardens at Utrecht University: A peaceful retreat within the city.

💳 MONEY & PAYMENTS

The currency used in the Netherlands is the Euro (€).

Cards & Contactless Payments

Most places in Utrecht accept debit and credit cards (Visa and Mastercard), as well as contactless payments via Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other mobile wallets.
However, American Express (Amex) is not widely accepted. While some upscale hotels and international chains may take Amex, most shops, cafes, and restaurants do not. We strongly recommend bringing a Visa or Mastercard as a backup.

ATMs
ATMs (called "Geldautomaten") are widely available throughout the city, especially near train stations, shopping areas, and banks. Most accept international cards and offer menus in English.

Receipts & Taxes
VAT (21%) is included in all prices. If you're traveling from outside the EU, you may be eligible for a VAT refund on certain purchases — check the conditions at the point of sale.