Travelling by train
The Hague Central Station offers excellent national and international rail connections, making train travel the most convenient way to reach the conference venue. The station is located immediately adjacent to The Hague Conference Centre New Babylon, allowing participants to reach the venue on foot within a few minutes. The Dutch railway operator, Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), provides an online journey planner with up-to-date travel information in the Netherlands. For international train connections and booking options see also Seat61.
Travelling from Schiphol Airport
There are two ways to reach The Hague Central Station from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. One is by taxicab which is convenient but expensive. The other is to travel by train which we strongly recommend. Frequent Intercity Direct and Sprinter services operate between Schiphol Airport and The Hague Central Station throughout the day. Schiphol has a webpage on travelling on public transport.
Tickets can be acquired from either the ticket booth or from one of the vending machines. The machines have an English language interface available and what you are looking for is what is called an ‘OV chipcard’ (Dutch: OV-Chipkaart) for a ticket to The Hague Central Station. This option will come with additional costs.
Alternatively, you can pay using a debit card, which works straight away and does not require you to buy a ticket or to activate anything. This means of payment is referred to as ‘OVpay’.
PLEASE NOTE: the train platforms are at the lower level of the airport, just take the correct escalator down. But before you do, you need to validate your new OV chipcard at one of the check-in poles at ground level near the escalators. To pay directly, you need to scan your debit card here as well. You cannot check in at the platforms themselves. Passengers who fail to check in may be fined.
Security
Please note the following recommendations regarding security
- At Schiphol airport, do not accept assistance from strangers in buying train tickets. There are plenty of staff available to assist you and there are ticket booths where you can acquire tickets;
- At Schiphol airport, do not accept any offer from taxi drivers approaching you. Official taxi drivers will never ask you if you need a ride. There have been cases of serious taxi scams costing unsuspecting guests hundreds of euros.
- In The Hague, beware of pickpockets. Keep all your belongings with you at all times. Zip up pockets, pouches and bags.
