To help you plan your travels, below you will find some information about getting around in the Netherlands and how to get to the WICC. Disclaimer: All information on this page is based on information available at the time of writing. Things may have changed by the time you read this so please check the correctness of this information before starting your journey.
In the information there are references to some practical apps for your mobile phone that will help you get around. The main train stations (including Schiphol, Utrecht and Ede-Wageningen) and most NS Intercity trains have free wifi but service is not always guaranteed. International data roaming on your phone is recommended.
How to get to the Congress Centre
If you live in Europe, most practical is to come by car or train.
For international air travellers, Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam) is the most convenient airport. For European air travellers Düsseldorf Airport is an alternative at about the same distance but in the opposite direction from Wageningen. Main downside is that booking of international train tickets to get from Düsseldorf to Wageningen is a bit more complicated.
If you arrive by plane at Schiphol Airport or Düsseldorf Airport, you have several choices to get to the WICC. You can travel by taxi, rental car or public transport (a combination of train and bus).
Driving in the Netherlands
Maximum speed on the motorway is confusing (even for the Dutch). During the day (06:00 to 19:00h) it is 100 km/h. Unless road signs (e.g. at roadworks) or signalling above the motorway indicate a different speed.
On certain motorway sections the speed limit remains 100 km/h (speedd limit sign 100 without time indication) or
changes to 120 km/h (speed limit sign 120 with time indication 19-6h)
Note, the speed limit indicated above the lanes is mandatory, it is not an advice. During the night-time hours the general speed limit changes to 130 km/h.
Always keep the rightmost lane. You can be fined if you drive unnecessarily in the middle or left lane. Only switch lanes to overtake the car in front of you and go back to the rightmost lane as soon as possible. You are not allowed to overtake on the right unless you are in a traffic jam. During peak hours on certain Dutch motorways, the hard shoulder and a left-side lane can be utilized as rush hour lanes. This is indicated by specific signs: lanes with a green arrow are open for traffic, lanes with a red cross are not allowed to be used.
In built-up areas, indicated by a long rectangular blue sign with the name of the town, the general speed limit is 50 km/h unless indicated otherwise.
Outside these areas, the general speed limit is 100 km/h on main highways (square blue sign with a white car) and 80 km/h on other rural ways, but also sections where 60 km/h is the limit are quite common.
Continuous lines on both sides of the road and/or a continuous green centre line indicate a speed limit of 100 km/h, intermittent lines on the side 80 km/h. However, speed limit signs have priority over these markings. Often, the small hectometre markings along the road have reminders of the speed limit.
Seat belts are compulsory for car drivers and all passengers, regardless if they are in the front or back seat.
It is prohibited to hold electronic devices, such as mobile phones, in your hand while operating a moving vehicle.
For more information check the booklet Participating in Dutch Traffic or the more extensive Road Traffic Signs and Regulations in the Netherlands.
Taxi
The official taxis in the Netherlands are quite expensive. Maximum tariffs for 2025 are €4.15 starting tariff plus €3.05 per km plus €0.50 per minute. Taxi companies may charge less. Prices must be posted well visible behind one of the taxi windows. You can recognize official taxis by their blue license plates. When taxis are waiting in line you have a free choice of which taxi you take.
You can book a taxi from Schiphol to Wageningen at Taxicentrale Schiphol or TCN Taxi Service. The price is in the order of €125 one way when booked in advance (based on the maximum tariff it would be €320).
A taxi from Ede-Wageningen station to the Congress Centre is still in the order of €45 based on the maximum tariff. You could try Uber or a similar service if available.
Rental car
If you want to rent a car, check Car Rental Schiphol or the rental company of your choice. By car from Schiphol to Wageningen is a good 1-hour drive of 95 km, mainly motorway. From Düsseldorf Airport it is 140 km which takes about 1.5 hours.
From Schiphol, take the A4 towards Amsterdam/Haarlem/Utrecht and soon after the A9 towards Groningen/Utrecht/Amstelveen. After 12 km take the A2/E35 towards Utrecht. After 27 km keep the right-hand lane and switch to the E30/E35 towards Arnhem. Follow the A12/E30 and after 40 km take exit 24 towards Wageningen/Bennekom. Turn onto the N781 direction Wageningen/Bennekom. After 5 km turn right on the N225 towards Centrum. After 1.5 km the WICC will be on your left.
But best use a navigation system or Google Maps to give you directions.
Public transport
To get to the WICC by public transport, take the train to Ede-Wageningen station and from there a bus to Wageningen Busstation. The WICC is along the same road as the bus station, 450 m / 0.3 mi to the right on the opposite side of the road. There is a pedestrian crossing opposite the main entrance of the WICC.
When using a journey planner for public transport, set your destination to Wageningen Busstation. Do not select Wageningen Lawickse Allee as destination because that will select a bus stop further away.
For information on and tickets for all public transport visit 9292 or install the 9292 app on your phone. In the 9292 app you can plan your whole route and indicate for which section(s) you want e-tickets. The e-tickets will be stored in the app.
For trains there is an alternative. Most trains are run by the NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen). You can buy your ticket online at the NS website and pay with your credit card. You then will receive an e-ticket by e-mail.
You can install the NS app on your phone (Android and iPhone, check Travel Information on the NS website). The app contains a journey planner that also shows you which bus to take if you set your destination to Wageningen Busstation. The journey planner has up-to-date information on delays and detours. You can also buy your train ticket through the NS app, but not the bus ticket.
For international trains from Düsseldorf Airport you will need to install the NS International app. Note however that not all international tickets can be bought online or with the app. Check carefully before you leave.
Train
From Schiphol, the direct train (Intercity with destination Nijmegen) departs every 30 minutes. Travel time is about 1 hour. If you just missed the direct train, you can take the Intercity with destination Venlo 15 minutes later and switch to the Intercity with destination Nijmegen at Utrecht Central station. Transfer time at Utrecht Central station is 5 minutes, assuming all trains run on time. Ticket price one way is €18.00 second class or €30.60 first class. The train ticket will get you to your destination independent of which train you take, as long as it is a NS train in the general direction of your destination.
From Düsseldorf Airport there is an hourly train towards the Netherlands. At Arnhem Central station you can switch trains to the Intercity to Ede-Wageningen station or directly take a bus to Wageningen Busstation. Ticket price from Düsseldorf to Ede-Wageningen station one way is €41.10 second class or €66.70 first class.
The bus ticket from Ede-Wageningen train station to Wageningen Busstation is €3.00.
Public transport tickets
Public transport (in Dutch Openbaar Vervoer, OV) in the Netherlands is cashless. There is a single payment system, OVpay, for all public transport (train, tram, bus, metro and ferry). You will need a contactless card or mobile phone to use it.
There are three main ways to pay for your fare:
- Most common is using the card readers on the bus. You can use a contactless card or phone.
- Get an e-ticket online or in one of the public transport apps.
- Get a ticket from the driver (not for the train). The driver does not accept cash, so you still need your contactless card or phone.
Compatible contactless cards:
- A contactless debit card issued by ABN AMRO, ASN Bank, bunq, ING, Knab, Rabobank, RegioBank, SNS or Triodos. These are the main Dutch banks so probably not relevant for international travellers.
- A contactless MasterCard or Visa credit card (issued by ICS, among others).
- A smartphone compatible with contactless payments, linked to one of the above-mentioned debit or credit cards. Also with Apple Pay and Google Wallet.
- A foreign contactless debit or credit card issued by Maestro, V PAY, MasterCard or Visa.
Using the card readers step by step:
- Hold your contactless debit or credit card or your mobile phone up to the card reader. A single beep means you’ve checked in. To ensure you use the right card, take the one you want out of your wallet. This also to prevent that multiple cards are charged at the same time.
- At your destination, hold the same card you checked in with up to the card reader. Two beeps means you’ve checked out.
- You’ll pay automatically. The day after your journey, a payment with ‘NLOV’ in the description will appear in your transaction overview. All the day’s fares are added up, and your account will be charged for the total amount.
- Want to view your travel expenses for a specific date? Download the OVpay app or visit the OVpay self-service page. On the self-service page, enter the 14 characters following ‘NLOV’ along with the amount paid.
In busses and trams, the card readers are near the doors. You need to check in and check out every time you enter and leave the bus or tram.
You can use OVpay also for the train. Card readers are at the entrance or entry gates of the station. Not all trains are run by the NS. There are also some regional lines run by other providers. In that case make sure that you check in at a reader of the provider of your train. If you travel around and need to switch to a train of a different provider, make sure that you check out at the card reader of your current provider and check in with the card reader of your next provider. Card readers will be on the platform. If you switch trains but continue with a train of the same provider, you don’t need to check out and check in.
E-tickets
You can buy e-tickets for public transport in the 9292 app on your mobile phone. In the 9292 app you can plan your whole route and indicate for which section(s) you want e-tickets (including the train). The e-tickets will be stored in the app. E-tickets for the train can also be bought online on the NS website or in the NS app.
For e-tickets with a barcode: You will need to check in and check out. You can do so by holding the barcode of the e-ticket in front of the scanner. This is only possible for gates with scanners. If only poles are available for checking in and out, you do not need to check in or out. The barcode is not recognized by these poles and you have already bought your ticket. The rules for e-tickets without barcode apply.
For e-tickets without barcode: You do not need to check in or check out. You cannot scan the e-ticket. This type of e-ticket is a visual ticket, which the scanners cannot recognize. If you have this e-ticket, these transport services do not require you to check in or check out. Simply show the e-ticket to the driver, who will check whether your ticket is valid or a ticket inspector when requested.
How to get through the gates at the train station with 1 or more people?
- Scan the e-ticket barcode to open the gate. Hold the barcode in front of the card reader of the gate on your right-hand side. This will open the gate. You will hear a single beep.
- Have you bought e-tickets for more than one person? You will receive different e-tickets per person with a unique barcode on them. You scan these e-tickets per person and let your fellow travelers go through the gate first.
- You will be the last to scan your e-ticket and go through the gate.
- Pay attention! The tickets can only be used on the phone where they were purchased. These cannot be forwarded to another person.
Please be aware that e-tickets are only valid for the day you purchased them for (select the correct date in the app or online when you buy an e-ticket). Hourly and trip tickets are only valid starting 15 minutes before your planned trip. Once your ticket is valid for traveling, it will change in appearance and will have a barcode or a visual element.