Tip
Ghent is the English name for our city. In Dutch and German, it is called “Gent”, in French and Italian “Gand”, in Spanish and Portuguese “Gante”.
By airplane
Many airports are close to Ghent. Click the tabs to obtain more information about how to reach Ghent from these places.
Tip
Air France and KLM include a high-speed train ticket to Brussels, making connections through Amsterdam or Paris very convenient. Because the train ticket is issued by the airline, you are also protected if your flight is delayed: the airline will ensure you can still make your train connection.
- Brussels
- Lille
- Charleroi
- Amsterdam
- Düsseldorf
- Paris
- Cologne
Brussels Airport (BRU) is approximately 70 kilometres from Ghent. There are multiple train connections per hour from the airport station (“Brussels Airport-Zaventem”) to Gent-Sint-Pieters station. Some connections are direct, others require a transfer in (for example) Brussels-South.
Warning
The different names for the various airports and train stations can get slightly confusing. Note that Brussels Airport (BRU) is not the same as Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL). Also note that there are two train stations in Ghent: Gent-Dampoort and Gent-Sint-Pieters. Finally, be aware that train stations in Brussels go by different names for different languages. Particularly disorienting is Brussels-South train station, which in Dutch is called “Brussel Zuid”, but in French is confusingly called “Bruxelles-Midi”.
Lille airport (LIL) is approximately 75 kilometres from Ghent. From the airport, there are two shuttle buses per hour that bring you to Lille Flandres train station. From Lille Flandres train station, there is one train every hour that takes you to Gent-Sint-Pieters station.
Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) is approximately 115 kilometres from Ghent. The easiest way to get from the airport to Ghent is by taking a 90-minutes Flibco bus to Gent-Sint-Pieters station.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is approximately 190 kilometres from Ghent. From the airport, you can take an affordable direct 3.5-hour Flixbus to Gent-Dampoort station, or a more expensive 2.5 hour train to Gent-Sint-Pieters station, with a transfer in Antwerp.
Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) is approximately 230 kilometres from Ghent.
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is approximately 280 kilometres from Ghent; Paris Orly Airport (ORY) is approximately 310 kilometres from Ghent.
Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is approximately 280 kilometres from Ghent.
By train
Make sure to check out the SNCB/NMBS route planner for local trains, the website of B-Europe for international trains, and The Man in Seat Sixty-One for general train travelling tips. If you arrive by train, it will most probably be in station Gent-Sint-Pieters (or “Gand-Saint-Pierre” in French). The other station, Gent-Dampoort, is located in the eastern part of Ghent, and is equally close to the city centre.
- Brussels
- Lille
- Antwerp
- Amsterdam
- Düsseldorf
- Paris
- Cologne
Approximately 70 kilometres from Ghent.
Approximately 75 kilometres from Ghent.
Approximately 75 kilometres from Ghent.
Approximately 190 kilometres from Ghent.
Approximately 230 kilometres from Ghent.
Approximately 280 kilometres from Ghent.
Approximately 280 kilometres from Ghent.
Using Game of Life gliders, the map below shows the location of station Gent-Sint-Pieters, the faculty of Bioscience Engineering (conference), and Brasserie Pakhuis (dinner).
By bus
If you plan on taking an intercity bus to Ghent, make sure to check out Flixbus. Local public transport (trams and buses) is organised by De Lijn.
By car
Driving to Ghent? Please attempt to carpool, either by reaching out to fellow attendees, or by checking out BlaBlaCar.
By bike
Whilst the city is easily navigated on foot, you may want to rent a local bike. Popular options are De Fietsambassade, Blue-bike, or Donkey Republic. Rental electric scooters are prohibited in Ghent.