Flights to airports in neighbouring countries might be worth considering, especially to Amsterdam Schiphol, which has a direct rail link to Brussels and Antwerp.

International trains

Belgium is truly the railway crossroads of Europe, with trains coming into Brussels from all over Europe. International trains connect with domestic trains in Brussels South (Brussel Zuid or Bruxelles Midi). Brussels South is the terminus for the Eurostar coming from London and Lille, French TGV trains, and the joint Belgian-Dutch-owned Thalys, which between them connect France, The Netherlands and Germany. With all Eurostar or ICE and some Thalys tickets, you can finish your journey for free on domestic trains.

Booking for high-speed international train services can be made online at the Belgium railway website or alternatively at the website of Eurostar when coming from London, TGV when coming from France, or Thalys when arriving from France, The Netherlands or Germany. For all high-speed trains, you need to book in advance for cheap fares, either online or using a travel agency.

Bus

You can get to Belgium from all over Europe on Eurolines coaches. International busses have stopovers in Antwerp, Brussels North station (Brussel Nord or Bruxelles Nord), Leuven and Liège.

Boat

There are overnight ferries to/from Zeebrugge from Hull in England and Rosyth in Scotland.

Car

Major European highways, such as the E19, E17, E40, E411 and E313, pass through Belgium.

Getting to the conference venue

When arriving in the station "Gent Sint-Pieters", you can take a taxi, bus or tram (line 1, 21 or 22) to get to the city centre. The conference itself will be held on the Ghent Campus of Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School. For a map and direction to the Campus, click here. You will also find a map of Ghent and a visitor’s guide (brochure) in your conference bag.

Visa information

Citizens from most European countries and several other countries from all over the world need no visa to travel to Belgium. The travel document required for them to enter Belgium is the personal ID card or passport.

Participants from other countries should submit an application for visa. The visa application and other relevant documents should be submitted to the responsible representation or consular office. The short-term visa handling fee is approximately € 60 (approx. £ 43). Check the following link for further information on visa to travel to Belgium.

If you (and/or your accompanying person) require an official letter of invitation to obtain a visa or to apply for ELSIN 2008, you can contact Inge Degraeve (inge.degraeve@vlerick.be) or + 32 9 210 97 58). Please note that the invitation does not financially obligate the conference organisers in any way.

The registration fee does not include insurance of any kind. Conference participants are advised to organise travel insurance in their home country prior to departure.

Currency

Since January 1, 2002, Belgium is in the euro zone, sharing a common currency with Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, and The Netherlands. Euros from any of these 12 countries may be used anywhere in the EU. More information about the Euro can be found at www.euro.fgov.be

Coins: 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, 1 EUR, 2 EUR

Notes: 5 EUR, 10 EUR, 20 EUR, 50 EUR, 100 EUR, 200 EUR, 500 EUR

Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at the airport and exchange bureaus. One euro is approximately £ 0.7197 (as of November 2007).

Cash dispensers are usually found wherever there is a bank, and they all take Bancontact/Mister cash cards as well as credit cards. Dispenser lobbies within banks are open after office hours but not always 24/7 and are often only for customers of that specific bank.

Please note that credit cards are widely used in Belgium at most hotels and restaurants. All major credit cards are accepted, including VISA, MasterCard, American Express.