20th Conference of the IWGP
Groningen, The Netherlands
Travel guide
What to bring
Passport
EU/EEA nationals do not need to obtain a visa to come to the Netherlands but will need to present the following document at a port of entry: A passport or national identity card.
Compulsory identification
Please note that it is compulsory to carry proof of identity at all times. Police officers and other officials such as ticket inspectors may ask to see proof of identity. Those who fail to comply with the requirement to identify will be fined.
Visa
You may need a so-called Schengen visa to travel to the Netherlands, please see the Visa Advisor of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To apply for a visa, you need to fill out this online visa application form. In the application form you need to enter information about your travel document, travel dates, accommodation and if applicable inviting person or company. We advise you to keep all documents containing this information at hand.
Money
Please do not bring large sums of cash with you. There are many ATMs in Groningen’s city centre area, where universal credit cards can be used to withdraw cash. Do note that the Dutch usually use their debit cards to pay in shops, many shops do not accept credit cards. Shops and restaurants that do accept visa, master card or other credit cards will indicate this by means of stickers on the door/window.
It is of course possible to exchange money at Schiphol, at a regular bank (closed on Saturdays!) or at a so-called GWK (Grenswisselkantoor), either at Schiphol or at Groningen Central Station. GWK Travelex in Groningen is open on Saturdays from 9AM until 5 PM, and on weekdays from 8 AM until 7 PM.
Essential items of clothing
Summers in the Netherlands are mild (around 25 degrees Celsius) but unpredictable. You will need to bring clothes for warm weather (30 degrees Celsius and up) and cool weather (in the evenings temperatures can drop to around 15 degrees Celsius).
We also recommend that you bring flip-flops for inside your accommodation, and comfortable shoes, given that you will probably do a lot of walking.
Health
You need to have a medical insurance before entering the Netherlands, and it is important that you will bring proof of such insurance with you, as well as any medical details that you may need. We assume that you have a liability insurance. If you are a citizen from the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you can apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). It is free to obtain by contacting your local health authority before you leave your home country. If you do not have a medical and/or liability insurance yet, it is possible to arrange this through AON, they offer short-term insurance packages for students.
Any participants who need a visa are required to show proof of a medical insurance when entering the country.
Important numbers for medical issues
Emergency number (only dial this number if there is no other solution!): 112
Travelling to Groningen
The closest airports to the University of Groningen are Eelde Airport, Groningen (45 mins away), Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam (2 hr 10 mins) and Bremen Airport, Bremen, Germany (2hr).
Schiphol – Groningen
If you are travelling a long distance, you are likely to fly into Schiphol Airport. It can be daunting, but it is easy to find your way round due to the clear signage. The easiest way to travel to Groningen is to take the train that stops on platforms direct below the Schiphol Plaza and leaves hourly to Groningen Central Station. Additional connections involve just one change of trains. Tickets from Schiphol to Groningen will cost around € 32,- for a one-way, second-class ticket. Tickets can be bought online in advance, or at the ticket machine as well as at the Service Centre at Schiphol Airport. Advice: if you already know your departure date, we advise you to also purchase your return ticket (Groningen Central Station – Schiphol) beforehand or at Schiphol service centre. On your departure day, do not forget to validate your return ticket upon entering the station/platform!
Bremen – Groningen
Another way to arrive in the Netherlands is via Bremen Airport, Germany. The cheapest and easiest way to travel from Bremen to Groningen is to take the Flixbus. This will take you from Bremen to Groningen in about 2,5 hours and costs vary, depending on the time you travel. You can book your ticket online or buy one directly from the driver. The buses run about 8 times a day, from 6.30h to 23.30h.
Eelde Airport – Groningen
The closest airport to the city of Groningen is Eelde Airport, which is 15km from Groningen. The Qbuzz buses 9 and 100 travel between Groningen Airport Eelde and Groningen Central Station and the trip lasts roughly 50 minutes.
You can plan your journey by train online via the NS website, or download the app: NS Reisplanner (Android, iPhone). NB for the latest updates on scheduled engineering works, plan your journey shortly before your departure. In case of engineering works, NS will make sure that buses will take the passengers to the next train station.
From Groningen Central Station
The city of Groningen has many bus routes, many of which will stop on the outskirts of the city centre. Tickets can be purchased on the bus. To plan your journey, you may want to use the 9292 journeyplanner. There you can find information on both bus and train travel times.
Bicycles
The first thing you will notice in Groningen is the huge number of bicycles. Cycling is by far the most popular when it comes to transportation. Please be cautious when crossing the road!