The Collaboration meeting is held in Gent, Belgium. Gent is a historic university city located between Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp. It is easy to reach by train from the main Belgian airports and from other European cities.
Campus Sterre is one of the Ghent University campuses and is located in the south of Gent, not far from Gent-Sint-Pieters railway station.
Hotel suggestions
Ghent is a touristy city with many hotels, but also many many tourists. Don't wait to long to book! Below you will find a few suggestions.
Hotel de Flandre
Boutique hotel in the city center: Poel 1, 9000 Gent
Code (until 07/31): PROJECT8COLLAB
booking link: https://bookingengine.mylighthouse.com/v2/de-flandre-hotel-gent
B&B Hotel
No frills hotel in the city center: Voldersstraat 17, 9000 Gent
15% off with code 30365452
https://www.hotel-bb.com/en/hotel/gent-centrum
Astoria Hotel
Nicely located at the train station with easy reach to campus and the old town
Hotel Orion
Quiet location very close to the meeting venue: Krijgslaan 181, 9000 Gent
Getting there ...
By air
International flights usually arrive at Brussels Airport or Brussels South Charleroi Airport.
Brussels Airport is the most convenient airport for travelling to Gent. The airport has a railway station directly below the terminal. From there, you can take a train to Gent-Sint-Pieters. Some trains are direct, while others require a change in Brussels. The total travel time is usually around one hour, depending on the connection.
Brussels South Charleroi Airport is mainly used by low-cost airlines. It is located south of Brussels and is less convenient for reaching Gent. Shuttle buses connect the airport with Brussels and, on some routes, with Gent. From Brussels Midi station, you can continue by train to Gent-Sint-Pieters.
Participants are advised to check train and shuttle schedules in advance, especially when arriving late in the evening.
By train
Gent’s main railway station is Gent-Sint-Pieters, served by the Belgian railway service SNCB.
For international travellers arriving by Eurostar or other long-distance trains, the easiest route is usually to travel to Brussels Midi and then take a connecting train to Gent-Sint-Pieters. Long-distance trains connect Brussels to Paris, London, Cologne and Frankfurt...
From Brussels, there are frequent trains to Gent. The journey from Brussels Midi to Gent-Sint-Pieters usually takes about 30 minutes. Make sure to not take the slow train via Aalst! Tickets can be bought online or at the ticket machines.
From Gent-Sint-Pieters station to Campus Sterre
Campus Sterre is located close to Gent-Sint-Pieters station. From the station, you can reach Campus Sterre by public transport, taxi, bicycle, or on foot.
By public transport, take a tram or bus towards the Sterre / Krijgslaan / De Pintelaan area. The closest stops are within walking distance of building S2. Please check the current De Lijn route planner or Transit app before travelling, as tram and bus routes may change due to roadworks.
A taxi ride from Gent-Sint-Pieters station to Campus Sterre usually takes only a few minutes, depending on traffic.
Walking from Gent-Sint-Pieters station to Campus Sterre is also possible and takes approximately 20–25 minutes.
By public transport in Gent
Public transport in Gent is operated by De Lijn. Tickets can be bought via the De Lijn app, ticket machines, or other available sales channels.
When planning your route, use Campus Sterre - S2, Krijgslaan 287, 9000 Gent as the destination. Tram T3 stops at Krijgslaan, tram T1 a but further at Flamingolaan.
By car
Campus Sterre can be reached by car, but participants are advised to check parking options in advance as there is no visitor parking on campus.
Please note that Gent has restricted traffic areas and a low-emission zone in the city centre. Campus Sterre is outside the historic pedestrian centre, but if you plan to drive into or through Gent, please check whether your vehicle is allowed in the Ghent low-emission zone and register.
We recommend using a navigation system and verifying the route before travelling.
Getting around
The fastest option is certainly by bike. Ghent has many bike lanes / bike streets. You can rent a bike at De Fietsambassade (one location is conveniently located behind the train station).
De Lijn public transit is usually fine as well, though not as fast as biking. Trams run until pretty late at night.
The historic center is absolutely walkable.
Car traffic is restricted, parking is pricey and in high demand, and some places give you a hefty ticket if you enter without permission. There is no visitor parking on campus.