Venue & accomodations

Conference – September 23 - 25

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Building Q

Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussel

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel is the offshoot of the French-speaking Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) that was founded in 1834 by a Brussels lawyer with Flemish origins, Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen. He wanted to establish a university that would be independent from the state and the church and where academic freedom would reign.

VUB Website

Accomodations

This year we have partnered with the Brussels Booking Desk to provide reduced hotel rates for State of the Map. And the OSM community is collecting details on more local accommodation options on the wiki.

For Brussels Booking Desk, it's simple to book through the dedicated reservation website. They are also on hand to assist with any accommodation enquiries you may have before, during and after your stay! These pre-booked rates are limited so we ask that you book as early as possible.

For additional assistance:

  • Email Cédric at the Brussels Booking Desk: c.devos AT brusselsbookingdesk DOT be
  • Call the Brussels Booking Desk: 0032 2 552 00 08 (Monday to Friday, during office hours, CMT)

Public transport

STIB-MIVB run buses, trams and the metro service across Brussels. It is recommended that you buy your tickets before boarding (essential to travel by metro), as buying tickets after boarding will cost you more. The GO ticket vending machines are present in every metro station and the most important bus and tram stops all over Brussels.

There are 4 ticket types:

  • Single journey: €2.10 (or €2.50 if purchased after boarding)
  • 24hr day pass: €7.50 (includes the Bourget-Brussels Airport line)
  • Airport line: €4.50 (or €6.00 if purchased after boarding)
  • Train '+': €4.20 (add-on ticket for train passengers providing 24hr use of most routes)

Return tickets and 48hr/72hr tickets are also available however you will need to buy a MOBIB reloadable card at a cost of €5.00 (unloaded). Unless you intend to do a lot of travel in Brussels we do not recommend this.

A reduced night service is also available on Friday and Saturday until 3am.

Cycle hire

Villo runs a bike sharing network that has over 2,500 bicycles available at over 200 bike stations throughout the city. Users can take a bike from any station and return it to a different station. Membership fees are €1.60/day or €7.90 per week, payable by card at the automated kiosks attached to every station. On top of membership fees, usage fees vary, but the first 30 minutes are free.

Taxis

  • Taxis bleus/blauw (blue): +32 2 268 0000
  • Taxis Autolux: +32 2 411 4142
  • Taxis verts/groen (green): +32 2 349 4949

Travel by car

There is parking available at the venue but it requires a security code, email the team if you want access. There is also free parking in Brussels at seven Park+Rides, which allow for unlimited stay and are well connected to public transport. More info here [1] (check Transit Parkings). The nearest to the venue is at Delta [2]