Practical Information
For all your questions, please contact us at:
Semico nv
Tel: +32 9 233.86.60
e-mail: Info@semico.be
About the destination
About Flanders
Flanders is Belgium’s Northern region. It’s known for its chocolate, fries and beer, and has been praised worldwide for its impressive heritage and the progressive craftsmanship of its master painters and their descendants.
Flanders may be modest in size, but that’s exactly why it’s wonderful to discover by bicycle, for example. Discover the gems of heritage in their green, natural regions. Flanders is also perfect for exploring cities such as Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels, Ghent, Leuven and Mechelen.
People from all over the world visit Flanders for many different and valid reasons: for its painters, such as Rubens, van Eyck, and Brueghel; for Belgian beer; for unfiltered UNESCO World Heritage. They visit for our cuisine and chocolates, which are the pearl in the crown, and they come for our art nouveau architecture and cycling culture.
Your conference delegates will be able to experience all this and more to the full. You can offer them a fascinating and extremely varied, world-class fringe programme that always caters to everyone’s tastes.
For more information, contact: VISITFLANDERS Convention Bureau
About Antwerp
Antwerp is Belgium’s second largest city and cradle of diamond, fashion and creativity.
In the mid-16th century, it was one of Europe’s most important cities and home to baroque superstar, painter Pieter Paul Rubens. Today, Antwerp is a metropolis on a human scale. Large but navigable. Building on its history, but permanently innovative. Full of diversity, but always recognisable.
That’s why you – and your conference – will instantly feel at home. You can experience every taste, style and colour here, benefit from a huge range of expertise, and encounter both thinkers and doers (just check out the city’s many start-ups).
In Antwerp, you’ll find common ground and sources of inspiration – ideal for enriching your conference. You’re more than welcome: there’s no shortage of venues, restaurants and hotels.
During your stay you’ll be able to discover vibrant attractions, ranging from interesting museums and fun sights right through to surprising spots and architectural delights.
For more information, contact : Antwerp Convention Bureau
About Bruges
Bruges (or Brugge, in Flemish) is a small but beautiful, historic town in Belgium. The historic centre of Bruges is well preserved, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site of “Outstanding Universal Value”. Walking down its cobbled streets is like a trip back in time. The entire medieval town is pedestrianised, so it is easy to explore on foot.
Hosting an event in Bruges is a truly total experience. Before, during and after office hours. You combine an original conference location with excellent accommodation and exciting side-activities. Plus, with the Visit Bruges Convention Bureau, you have no-obligation information and personal advice at your fingertips.
Hosting an event in Bruges is a truly total experience. Before, during and after office hours. You combine an original conference location with excellent accommodation and exciting side-activities. Bruges is rich in diverse and exclusive venues for meetings, seminars, conferences and incentives. From the brand-new Bruges Meeting and Convention Centre or the state-of-the-art ‘Concertgebouw‘ (Concert Hall) to historic venues such as The Provincial Court or La Brugeoise.
For more information, contact: the Visit Bruges Convention Bureau
Getting there
You can travel to Antwerp by train, air, bus and car.
By train:
Antwerp has direct international train connections with Eurostar from Paris and Amsterdam.
Antwerp has International train connections via Brussels-Midi train station with Eurostar, ICE-DB, TGV INOUI from all major cities in France, the Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom and Luxemburg.
Trains arrive in the city centre, at one of the world’s most beautiful stations, at walking distance from selected hotels.
By air:
Brussels Airport is the most frequently used airport and easiest gateway to Antwerp.
Brussels South Charleroi Airport welcomes mainly low-cost airlines.
Antwerp Airport is a small international airport offering flights from a few European cities.
1. Brussels Airport - Zaventem
By train
Direct train from ‘ Brussels Airport’ to ‘Antwerpen-Central’.
Timing: 2 trains per hour, every half hour
Duration: +/- 30 minutes
Cost (single): as from 13,30 €
Time schedules and fares are available on the Belgian Railways website. You can buy your tickets up to 30 days before departure.
By bus
Direct Express Shuttle Service from ‘Brussels Airport’ to Antwerp, Franklin Rooseveltplaats
Timing: every 2 hours
Duration: +/- 35 minutes
Cost (single): as from 10,00 €
Time schedules and fares are available on Airport Express.
By taxi
We recommend you not to use unlicensed taxis. If you have not booked a taxi in advance, the official taxis will be waiting for you when you leave the arrivals hall. You can recognize an official taxi by the T- license plate and the blue-yellow symbol at the front of the taxi.
Timing: 24/7
Duration: 45 to 80 minutes
Cost (single): as from 55,00 €
More info can be found on Brussels Airport official website
2. Brussels South Charleroi Airport
If you fly with Ryanair, you will probably arrive at Brussels South Charleroi Airport.
From Brussels South Charleroi Airport, you can travel to Antwerp
by train: first take a bus to the Charleroi train station.
Bus from the Airport to Charleroi-Central, followed by direct train from ‘Charleroi-Central’ to ‘Antwerpen-Centraal’.
Timing: 2 trains per hour, every half hour
Duration: +/- 1 hour 40 minutes
Cost (single): as from 16,80 €
Time schedules and fares are available on the Belgian Railways website. You can buy your tickets up to 30 days before departure.
By taxi
Several taxi services operate on the airport site.
More info can be found on Charleroi Airport official website
Timing: 24/7
Duration: 45 to 80 minutes
Cost (single): as from 175,00 €
3. Antwerp International Airport - Deurne
Antwerp Airport is a small international airport situated in Deurne (about 6 km from the centre of Antwerp). Antwerp Airport offers regular flights between Antwerp and several European cities.
Bus routes 51, 52 and 53 from De Lijn provide a regular connection with the railway station Antwerpen-Berchem from where national and international train connections will bring you to your destination.
By bus:
1. Flixbus
Flixbus offers over 3,000 travel destinations in 40+ countries with energy-efficient coaches which are proven to have an excellent carbon footprint per driven passenger-kilometre.
Discover your possibilities on the Flixbus website with all destinations, timetables and prices.
2. BlaBlaCar
BlaBlaCar offers bus or carpool rides, to a wide range of destinations and routes at low prices.
Discover your possibilities on the BlaBlaCar website with all destinations, timetables and prices.
By car:
Smart ways to Antwerp
Antwerp is easily reachable by car at the crossroads of the E17, E19, E34, and E313 highways.
If you want to travel to Antwerp by car, there are many smart ways to do that. The city centre is easily accessible from the nine free ‘Park & Ride’ sites at the city limits. In addition, Antwerp has a large number of taxi companies that can take you to your destination safely at any time of day or night. For drivers wishing to take their own cars into the city centre, there are many parking options. You can consult Smart ways to Antwerp to plan your trip.
Low Emission Zone
The entire city centre of Antwerp and the Left bank (Linkeroever) are a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) to ensure that air in the city becomes even cleaner. The most polluting cars are no longer welcome in the city. Always check your car with the LEZ check tool before entering the LEZ.
In Antwerp
Welcome to Antwerp
Want to know what's happening in Antwerp during your stay or are you looking for advice on an attraction or walk? Check out the Visit Antwerp website or go to one of the Visitor Centres to be inspired.
Getting around Antwerp
There are many ways to get around the city.
Antwerp is a good city for pedestrians, as its major sightseeing attractions easily reached from one major street, which changes its name as it goes along (De Keyserlei -> Meir -> Schoenmarkt -> Groenplaats)
Going by tram is the best way to get around the city. The most useful trams for tourists are lines 2 and 15 that run between Groenplaats, near the cathedral, and Centraal Station.
Public transportation information is available from a kiosk inside Centraal Station.
Accessibility & inclusion
Flanders strives to be an enjoyable destination for everyone: conference delegates of all ages with or without disabilities or care needs. If you have additional needs or questions when planning a trip to Flanders, Antwerp, you will find a great deal of information on the website of Visit Flanders / Accessibility to prepare your trip according to your specific needs and requirements.
Practical information
Customs and immigration
Belgium is part of the European Union and the Schengen Area.
People from the 27 European states in that area only need a valid ID or passport to travel to Flanders, Belgium, no visa is needed.
UK, US and Canadian citizens in possession of a valid passport don’t need a visa for stays up to 90 days within a six-month period.
For other nationalities, these terms may vary. To make sure, check with the Belgian Embassy or nearest Consulate Office for visa requirements. More information at www.diplomatie.be.
Important travel information
Find all practical travel information to plan your trip to Antwerp (Flanders, Belgium) here. You will find info about entry requirements (passport, visa …), currency, health, holidays, opening times …
Weather
Belgium has a relatively mild climate throughout the year with cool winters, warm summers and frequent, though light, precipitation throughout the year.
Average temperatures in winter fluctuate between 1°C and 7°C.
Language
In Belgium, people speak either Dutch (or Flemish), French or German. But you can count on most of the population to also have a pretty decent knowledge of English.
