ANTWERP TRAVEL TIPS
TRANSPORTATION
Our delegate hotel
Lindner Hotel, Antwerp (a Hyatt hotel)
Lange Kievitstraat 125, 2018 Antwerpen, Belgium
Ph: +32 0800 13229 (TF)
The conference venue
‘A Room with a Zoo’ (Flanders Meeting & Convention Centre - at ZOO Antwerpen)
Koningin Astridplein 20, 2018 Antwerpen, Belgium
Getting to Antwerp from Brussels International Airport (BRU)
Brussels Airport train station
Belgium has a well-developed rail network connecting major cities and smaller towns managed by the SNCB (or NMBS in Dutch), the National Railway Company of Belgium, while high-speed trains like Eurostar and TGV connect Belgium to neighboring countries
More information is available here: https://wwwbelgiantrain be/en
You can buy train tickets online through the SNCB website, or at kiosks in train stations
Tickets are generally valid all day, regardless of the specific time printed on the ticket
Trains run directly from the Brussels Airport to Antwerpen-Centraal Station The Brussels Airport train station is located directly underneath the terminal A train ticket to Antwerp from the Brussels Airport will cost roughly €10 and take about an hour
The main conference venue (Flanders Meeting & Convention Center Antwerp- ‘A Room with a Zoo’) is at the northern end of the station.
For those staying at the Lindner Hotel, once at the downtown Antwerpen Centraal train station, walk to the south end and exit the doors. The Lindner Hotel is to the left.
Uber
Uber is also widely available in Belgium (but may not be as available in Antwerp). An Uber from the Brussels Airport to Antwerp will cost roughly €100.
Taxi
There is a taxi stand on Level 2 of the Brussels Airport (BRU) Arrivals Hall It will cost roughly €120 to travel from BRU to Antwerp via taxi
Getting to Antwerp from Amsterdam (Schiphol) airport (AMS)
Trains from Amsterdam airport to Antwerpen Centraal start at around €22 (prices depend on the class and time) and take just over an hour. Visit this page for more information. From the AMS arrivals hall, follow the 'Trains' signs to Schiphol Plaza, where you take the escalator or elevator down to the platforms.
Once you arrive in Antwerp the main conference venue (‘A Room with a Zoo’) is at the northern end of Anterpen Centraal station.
For those staying at the Lindner Hotel, once at the downtown Antwerpen Centraal train station, walk to the south end and exit the doors The Lindner Hotel is to the left
Please note: Due to planned maintenance works there are no direct trains running from Schiphol to Antwerpen Centraal on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th October, 2025. Transfers that weekend will need to be either by non-direct rail routes, or by taxi. Normal service resumes on Monday 20th October, and trains from Brussels airport are not affected.
Arriving by car
Live in Europe and plan to drive to Antwerp? Make sure your vehicle is permitted in Antwerp’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) using the tool at this link: www slimnaarantwerpen be/en/LEZ
GETTING AROUND IN ANTWERP
Public Transportation (trams and buses)
De Lijn operates the tram and bus network in Antwerp Trams are the primary mode of urban transport, with some sections running underground For more information on schedules and prices, visit https://wwwdelijn be/en/ You can pay by tapping your credit card at the machines on the tram
Walking
Antwerp is a walkable city, especially the city centre
Taxi
There is a taxi stand at Antwerpen-Centraal railway station, located at street level, directly outside the main hall's exits near the tram stops. To pre-order a taxi try the Taxi.eu Apple or Android app, or local service via Antwerp Taxi
Uber
Uber is available in Antwerp for on-demand rides but it is not widely used so you may experience lengthy wait times.
ACCESSING THE CONFERENCE VENUE
Please note the venue has three entrances and they will be used as follows:
● Sunday, October 19:
Carnot entrance (Door 4)
● Monday, October 20 to Wednesday, October 22:
Historical entrance (via the Zoo's 'Flamingoplein')
● Thursday, October 23 to Friday, October 24:
Main 'Elisabeth Center' entrance on Koningin Astridplein
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Currency
The Euro (€) is the official currency of Belgium, including Antwerp Payment methods accepted in the country include:
● Cash, especially for smaller purchases
● Debit/Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are commonly accepted, particularly in larger establishments
● Digital Wallets: Digital wallets like PayPal and Apple Pay are also an option in some places Most businesses that accept Visa and Mastercard contactless payments will accept Apple Pay
Voltage
As in most of Europe, the standard voltage in Belgium is 230V with a frequency of 50Hz If your electrical devices are designed to operate at a different voltage (e g , 110V or 127V), you will need a voltage converter to safely use them in Belgium and a travel adapter to fit your device's plug into the Belgian sockets, which are typically Type C and Type E
Languages spoken
French, Dutch and German are all official languages in Belgium English is also widely spoken and understood Antwerp is the English version of the city’s name; in French, it’s “Anvers;” in Dutch and German, “Antwerpen”
Visa information
Citizens of countries outside the Schengen Area and those without visa-waiver agreements with the Schengen Area will likely need a visa to enter Belgium, especially if travelling from Asia, Africa, and parts of South America Learn more about Schengen visas here: https://home-affairs ec europa eu/policies/schengen/visa-policy/applying-schengen-visa en
Useful phone numbers
● Europe-wide emergency number: 112
● Medical service: 100 or 112
● Fire service: 100 or 112
● Police: 101 or 112
● Visit this website to report lost or found items in Antwerp
Safety and security
Antwerp is generally a safe city, especially in the tourist areas As with any other major city, be aware of your surroundings and be vigilant with your belongings
Note that it is not recommended to walk through the Stadspark at night
Emergency medical care
For emergencies, call 100 or 112 for medical service.
The hospital closest to the conference venue is the Antwerp University Hospital, Drie Eikenstraat 655, 2650 Edegem, Belgium Directions are here
Another option (for non-emergency situations) is to use an online service such as DoctorSA Fees start at €20 and the service is available 24/7
At the event, the Event Supervisor is the first point of contact for any emergencies that should arise SNOMED International will also have a defibrillator and first aid kit at the registration desk, and a number of the organization’s staff members are certified to use these devices As well, there is a first aid room located next to the Atrium, and first aid boxes and fire extinguishers are spread strategically throughout the venue Please note the emergency exits
CONFERENCE EVENTS AND TRANSPORTATION
Welcome Reception on Monday, October 20, 2025, from 18:00-22:30
(hosted by the Belgian Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment)
The Welcome Reception for the SNOMED International October Business Meetings will be held at the KMSKA Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp
Pre-registration is required to attend this event - email events@snomed org, or visit our registration desk if onsite Guests need to wear their conference name-badges to gain entry to the venue. The event includes a full buffet dinner, and guests will also have access to the museum’s collection, including the De Keyser Gallery and Rubens collection Dress code: Smart/Business Casual
● To take a tram, the easiest way to get to KMSKA from the convention centre is to take the #1 or #10 tram from “Opera” station, which runs every 8 minutes. Get off at “Bres” station, which is a short walk to the museum.
● To walk from Room with a Zoo, follow these directions.
Please note walking at night through Stadspark is not recommended.
SNOMED International 2025 Awards Gala (Sponsored by CSIRO)
This event will be held at Grand Café Horta & Art Nouveau Zaal on Tuesday, October 20, 2025, from 19:00-23:00 If you are attending this dinner, you may want to walk to the venue as it is close by If not, you can take the minibus outside the Lindner hotel More information will be provided at the event Note: walking at night through the Stadspark is not recommended.
Please note that purchased tickets are required to attend the Awards Gala – email events@snomed org, or visit our registration desk if onsite Tickets include the awards ceremony, a three-course dinner, drinks and entertainment Dress code: Cocktail (Semi Formal)
Tour & Tasting at De Koninck Antwerp City Brewery
This event is on Wednesday, October 22, from 18:00-20:30, and is currently waitlisted It will be held at the De Koninck Antwerp City Brewery, which is located at Mechelsesteenweg 291 2018 Antwerp Tickets include the interactive tour, 2 x drinks, and a beer, meat, cheese and chocolate tasting experience, plus a special souvenir beer + glass gift package to take home Guests need to wear their conference name-badges to gain entry to the venue.
Directions to the brewery
To get to the brewery from A Room with a Zoo, you can either take a tram or walk:
● Take a tram (it will take about 15 minutes)
● Walk (it will take about half an hour)
SNOMED CT Expo 2025 Networking Reception (sponsored by PHAST)
This free event sponsored by PHAST will be held in the Exhibition Hall in the Room with a Zoo conference centre on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 17:00-19:00 and is open to all Expo attendees
OPTIONAL TOURISM ATTRACTIONS
Antwerp offers many tourism attractions, including the Antwerp Zoo, Rubenshuis, and The MAS (Museum aan de Stroom), to name a few. Visit the Antwerp Tourism website for more options and details.
Restaurants and shopping
If you are interested in finding a quick bite or snack, or in exploring the city’s shopping, you won’t have to go far. There are multiple options for casual food (and a local supermarket) just outside the train station. The Grand Bazar commercial shopping centre is approximately a half hour walk from the hotel. Directions are here.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact events@snomed.org for more information.
SNOMED International thanks our many sponsors and exhibitors for their continued support and participation.
