MELON SEEDS 2025 workshop

 If you come from Amsterdam/Schiphol airport, this information may be useful for you on how to reach Groningen by train: You can find the train schedule at www.ns.nl/en

There are two trains between Schiphol and Groningen per hour. Only one goes directly without transfer (leaving Schiphol at ##:59h). For the other one (leaving at ##:29h), the transfer is in station Zwolle, which is halfway. If you miss the first one, do not hesitate to take the latter because it is an easy connection (just changing to a train across the same platform to which you arrive at, and no waiting time, if all goes fine). The trip takes 2:15h in total. 

Please be aware that only first-class tickets offer some more space for the luggage so if you carry a large suitcase you may have to purchase a first-class ticket. You can buy the ticket in advance online (there is no seat reservation and the ticket is valid for any trains between the two stations for the entire day). Also, be aware that there is no food or drinks on the train so you would have to get those in the station (Schiphol Hall).

The meeting will be on the Zernike location of Groningen University.

It will take place in Feringa Building, Nijenborgh 3, 9747 AG Groningen

room 5612.0153.

You can take several buses to go from the city center to the Zernike campus 

You can get off the bus at stop Crematoriumlaan. Bus 15 takes about 20 minutes, bus 3 about 30  minutes. See the map. At other times of the day other buses may be available like bus 1 or bus 9. Beware that the bus ride costs 2 Euro and that you need to pay by debit card. 

Renting a bike from the City Hotel is also possible and it is the fastest way, about a 15min ride. In that case, please notice that the line of triangles on the floor means that you need to give way. Also in the absence of signalling, you also need to give way to cars or bikes arriving from your right. 

Ordering a taxi is also possible and will cost around 11 Euros. 

Walking takes about 45 minutes 

Please provide Luisella Kraak (cognigron@rug.nl) with the names  of the visitors who are coming by car. The specific parking lots that are else not available will be arranged. These are parking P0, P2 and P4. If these happen to be full, cars can be parked at P3, P5, or P6. See map

Lunch: In both Zernike Building as in other buildings like Bernoulliborg, canteens are available where a lunch can be enjoyed, pricing per sandwich, pizza slice or salad is about €5 - $10.

Dinner The dinner will be organized on the night of February 27. Please communicate any special meal preferences

The following hotels at city center have a reduction agreement with RUG, please please get in touch with Mrs.  Luisella Kraak cognigron@rug.nl. if you are interested in this option 

• Hotel Halbert (recommended), Oude Boteringestraat 43, 9712 GD Groningen, Netherlands
  +31 50 205 3136,  info@hotelhalbert.nl - www.hotelhalbert.nl

• The Market Hotel (highest quality), 31 Grote Markt, 9712 HS Groningen, Netherlands
  +31 50 207 4600, info@themarkethotel.nl - The Market Hotel

• City Hotel Groningen (recommended, bike rent (!)), Gedempte Kattendiep 25, Groningen, 9711 PM, Netherlands - +31 50 588 6565 https://www.cityhotelgroningen.com/

• Martini Hotel, (very basic) Gedempte Zuiderdiep 8 9711 HG Groningen, Netherlands
  +31 50 312 99 19 info@martinihotel - Martini Hotel