Destination

MAASTRICHT

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Maastricht is located in the heart of Europe, with Germany and Belgium just a few kilometers away. A lively Romanesque city with an international character and edgy touch, Maastricht is easy to love. Maastricht is also the most European city in the Netherlands:

  • The ambiance you feel on the streets of Maastricht is similar to that found in romantic French cities
  • The European Union as we know it today was formally established in Maastricht (Maastricht Treaty 1991/1992)

  • Maastricht is the proud host of many important European events, including TEFAF (The European Fine Art Fair)

  • Numerous European and international institutes are based in Maastricht

  • As a college town, Maastricht is “home” for 60,000 foreign students

Hotel Accommodation

There are a variety of hotels within an easy walking distance of the MECC. Please click on the button below to access the booking website. Please note that the advertised rates are available until 4 May 2025.

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Getting to Maastricht

 

Maastricht is located in the southeast of the Netherlands, close to the borders of both Belgium and Germany. Cities like Liège, Aachen, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Brussels are just a stone’s throw away. It is easily accessible by train, car, and plane.

By plane

Maastricht has its own airport: Maastricht-Aachen Airport. There are also several (inter)national airports within an hour’s drive from the center of Maastricht, making the Maastricht region easily accessible from all over the world.

The city’s partnership with Star Alliance (Lufthansa Group Meetings and Events Program) means substantial discounts on plane tickets for conference delegates who fly to Brussels Zaventem Airport or Düsseldorf International Airport.

Other airports with easy access to Maastricht:
Eindhoven Airport
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Brussels Charleroi Airport
Cologne-Bonn Airport
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport​

Complimentary Taxi Airport Service

During ISPGR 2025 there is a taxi airport service available for you! Make sure to reserve your seat for the taxi in time.

For more information, times and making a reservation, please visit the website by clicking on the link below

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By train

Maastricht is easily accessible by international train via Thalys, TGV and/or Eurostar from major hubs in Europe, and via Liège, Brussels or Aachen. High-speed trains rapidly connect Liège and Aachen with Cologne, Brussels and Paris, among other cities.

Travel time to Maastricht:
Liège: 30 minutes
Brussels: 1 hour
Aachen: 1 hour
Paris: 3.5 hours
London: 4 hours

Maastricht has three train stations: North, Central and Randwyck. There is a direct train from Amsterdam Central station to Maastricht every thirty minutes. This fast and comfortable mode of transportation gets you to Maastricht in less than two and half hours.

Maastricht Randwyck is conveniently located next to the MECC Maastricht conference center. The Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht University, NH Hotel and Apart Hotel Randwyck are also within walking distance of this train station.

Maastricht Central is just a few minutes away from the historic city center on foot, and is surrounded by plenty of hotels for those wishing to stay in the vibrant downtown area.

By car

Maastricht is easily accessible by various highways: E25/A2 (Amsterdam-Luxembourg), E40 (Cologne-Brussels), E42 (Liège-Paris), E314 (Maastricht-Aachen).

Check out the detailed directions on http://www.routenet.nl

Brussels, Düsseldorf, and Paris are easily accessible from Maastricht

Getting Around Maastricht

Thanks to a good bicycle infrastructure and many pedestrian zones, Maastricht is putting the brakes on the use of cars in the city. Would you like to ride a bike like the Dutch do? Shared bikes are a quick, cheap, and eco-friendly way to get from A to B. You can also opt to travel by electric bus. Public transportation in Maastricht requires a special chip card. For conferences, city bus packages that enable conference visitors to get around the city quickly and for free, are available upon request.

Click to enlarge the Maastricht city centre map

Discover the city

Maastricht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands and has several places of interest to explore. Stroll past monumental houses and churches, city walls, charming alleys, and intimate squares and enjoy a drink at one of the many outdoor cafés. In addition to all of the charming, romantic spots, you can stay in boutique design hotels, shop at high-end stores, and eat at critically acclaimed restaurants. And with everything within a short walking distance, you’ll quickly feel at home. Discover more about what makes Maastricht unique.

Restaurants

Connections are made over good food and great drinks, and Maastricht just happens to offer an abundance of culinary treats. Many restaurants are housed in unique historic buildings, adding charm to the high epicurean standards. You’ll find a wide range of cuisines here, from French and Italian to Moroccan and Greek, and from Michelin-star experiences to street food, the city is well-known as a paradise for foodies. Check out where to go for good food and drinks.

City highlights

Maastricht is a compact city, which is great for conference attendees. No more worries about long rides from the hotel to the conference venue. In fact, all of the city’s highlights are within walking distance of each other. Be sure to take a walk through a living history book; the city center of Maastricht has been declared a national heritage site. Most streets are pedestrian zones making for a safer, more relaxed walk. Less commuting to venues means more time to discover Maastricht, meet up with colleagues and enjoy social events in the evening. From the historic to underground, learn about the most popular places of interest.

Maastricht, a sustainable city

In Maastricht, people work together to create a healthy city with a great quality of life for everyone. The city’s sustainability ambitions are linked to the global objectives for sustainable development: the UN Sustainable Development Goals. With the energy and sustainability transition as a driver of change and innovation, Maastricht aims to be one of the first cities to achieve climate neutrality by 2030. The efforts include a focus on reduced energy consumption and more sustainable transportation.