From Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
• The airport has a train station. Take a direct train to Station Utrecht Centraal from platform 1 or 2 with final destination Nijmegen, Arnhem Centraal or Venlo (every 15 minutes, approx. 35 minutes travel time). Utrecht Centraal is the third stop (after Amsterdam Zuid and Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena), and is the central railway station of Utrecht. A one-way ticket costs approximately 12 euros.
• At Utrecht Centraal, take the stairs (or escalator or lift) up to the main floor and leave the station area just past platform 21. Take the stairs down to "Bus haltes C". Take a bus to KNMI (e.g. bus line 350 from platform C4 with final destination "Driebergen-Zeist", "Veenendaal", or "Wageningen", or bus lines 73 or 74, approx. 25 minutes travel time). Buses should leave every 5-10 minutes.
• Leave the bus at bus stop KNMI in De Bilt for visiting KNMI, or when you stay in Hotel Van der Valk De Bilt-Utrecht. This typically costs a few euros.
• Alternatively, use a taxi or rental bike (OV-bikes require a OV-chipcard with subscription). For taxi: at Utrecht Centraal, leave the station area just past platform 21 and follow the taxi signs in the direction of Jaarbeursplein. You can also book a taxi from Utrecht Centraal through Utrechtse Taxi Centrale https://utc.nl/ , tel: +31 30 7 777 777.
From the bus stop (“De Bilt, KNMI”), you can reach the office in 5-10 minutes by foot. Navigate to the main entrance.
Public Transport in the Netherlands
General information
• All trains, buses, trams, and metro systems can be accessed using either an "OV-chipkaart", a contactless debit/credit card, or smartphone.
• Simply tap your card or smartphone on check-in and check-out points at stations or on board the bus. See details in this article.
• For travel planning, we recommend the English-language route planner at https://9292.nl/en (or the 9292 app). Another option is the website from 'Nederlandse Spoorwegen' ('Dutch Railways'): https://www.ns.nl/en (also for disruptions, or the NS app). It is also possible to buy e-tickets in the 9292 and NS app.
Bus
• You need to check in near the bus driver by holding your card in front of the check in/out machines. It will give 1 beep.
• Screens in the bus usually display the coming bus stops.
• If not done so by others, press the stop button if the next bus stop is the one you need.
• When you arrive at your bus stop, you need to hold your card again in front of one of the check in/out machines to check out (you should get out using the back doors unless it is very busy). It will give 2 beeps.
Detailed information on taking the train between Schiphol airport (AMS) and Station Utrecht Centraal
• At Schiphol, you need to check in at the grey with yellow NS poles, see picture. Just hold your card in front of the pink area. It will give 1 beep to check in.
• Upstairs at Utrecht Centraal, there are gates to check out. Take a gate with a green arrow and hold your card on top of the round window (right hand side of the gate). It will give 2 beeps to check out and the gate will open.
• If you go back to Schiphol after the meeting, do not forget to check out! There are no gates at Schiphol, only these poles.
• Check-in using debit card or credit card is for standard 2nd class tickets. If you prefer a 1st class ticket, you need to go the yellow ticket machines to buy a paper ticket (also possible to buy a 2nd class paper ticket). This paper ticket can also be used to open the gates at Station Utrecht Centraal.
Travel by car
Free parking is available at KNMI, including charging stations for electric vehicles.
Upon arrival
Upon arrival, please check in at the KNMI reception desk. Please make sure that you bring a valid identity document for the registration.
Hotel recommendations
We recommend booking accommodation in Utrecht city center, which offers excellent public transport connections to De Bilt, along with a vibrant selection of restaurants, cafés, and cultural activities. For those preferring to stay (a bit) closer to KNMI, convenient nearby options include:
• Hotel Van der Valk De Bilt-Utrecht (1.4 km walking distance to KNMI)
• Hotel Mitland Utrecht (short bus or taxi ride from KNMI)
• Hotel Figi in Zeist, which is close to a bus stop and ~6 km from KNMI (in Dutch). If you click on "BOOK EEN HOTELKAMER IN ZEIST", you can book a room (translation available in top right corner).