ESTIV Congress 2026 > Travel and Venue

Travel and Venue

MECC Maastricht

ESTIV 2026 will take place at the Maastricht Exhibition & Congress Centre (MECC).

Maastricht Exhibition & Congress Centre (MECC)

Forum 100
6229 GV Maastricht
The Netherlands
www.mecc.nl

The MECC offers extensive and flexible spaces suitable for conferences, trade fairs, cultural events, and exhibitions. With 30,000 m² of event halls, 28 meeting rooms, and 2 auditoriums, MECC Maastricht provides the facilities required for high‑level international congresses. The centre combines modern infrastructure with the intimate, people‑focused hospitality characteristic of Maastricht.

Venue facilities

Lunch

The registration fee includes all scheduled coffee breaks and lunch breaks as indicated in the official programme.

Registration desk

Located on the ground floor at the main entrance. You will receive your name badge here, which must be visible at all times inside the venue.

Wi-Fi

Free Wi‑Fi is available throughout the congress centre.

Getting to Maastricht

Maastricht is located in the southeast of the Netherlands close to Belgium and Germany. It is one of the country’s oldest cities, offering historic architecture, international culture and convenient access by air, rail, road, and public transport.

Below you will find an expanded, detailed travel guide, supplemented with factual information from SETAC’s travel page.

Arriving by Air

Maastricht has its own airport: Maastricht-Aachen Airport. In addition, there are several (inter)national airports within an hour’s drive from the centre of Maastricht. This ensures that Maastricht and the region is easily accessible from all over the world.

Getting from Maastricht Airport to MECC
TAXI

Travel time is approximately 15–20 minutes to the MECC Maastricht.

Taxis are readily available throughout the city, including at Maastricht Central Station and all major hotels. Travel times may vary depending on traffic conditions, especially during busy conference periods. Taxis provide direct drop-off at the MECC entrance, offering a convenient and comfortable option for visitors.

Uber is also available in Maastricht and functions similarly to traditional taxis. Rides can be booked through the Uber app, and pricing is displayed in advance. Depending on your location and the time of day, Uber may offer shorter waiting times or more cost-effective rates compared to standard taxi services.

BUS

1. Bus to Maastricht Central Station
From various points in the city—such as the historic center, Wyck district, or major hotels—you can take a local bus to Maastricht Central Station (Maastricht CS). Several bus lines stop here, and buses generally run frequently throughout the day.

2. Train from Maastricht CS to Maastricht‑Randwyck Station
At Maastricht CS, transfer to a local train heading toward Maastricht‑Randwyck.

The train ride is approximately 3–4 minutes.
Trains run regularly, typically every few minutes during peak times.

3. Short Walk to MECC
After arriving at Maastricht‑Randwyck Station, it’s a 250‑meter walk to the MECC.
The route is well signposted, and the conference center is directly adjacent to the station—ideal for visitors with luggage or tight schedules.

Preferred ESTIV Airports
  • Brussels Zaventem Airport
  • Düsseldorf Airport
Other airports with good access
  • Eindhoven Airport
  • Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
  • Brussels Charleroi Airport
  • Cologne-Bonn Airport
  • Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
Official Airline Partner – Lufthansa Group

Benefit from the cooperation with the Lufthansa Group airlines (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Edelweiss and Discover Airlines) and optimize your travel costs when flying to ESTIV 2026.

The Lufthansa Group’s extensive global route network serves around 310 destinations worldwide, including long‑haul and transatlantic flights operated in cooperation with Air Canada and United Airlines.

Special discounted fares are available for ESTIV participants.

Click here and the discounted rates will be displayed.
The reduced fares apply to travel up to one week before and one week after the event.

We look forward to welcoming you on board.

Arriving by Train

Maastricht Central Station is the city’s main transport hub, offering seamless connections for visitors arriving by train, bus, taxi, or bicycle. From the station, it’s about a 15‑minute walk to the historic city centre, making it an ideal starting point for exploring Maastricht.
The station provides frequent local and regional train services, including regular connections to Maastricht‑Randwyck, the station closest to MECC Maastricht.

Direct & semi-direct routes from major cities
  • Amsterdam Schiphol Airport → Maastricht
    Direct trains every 30 min, travel time 2.5–3 h.
  • Brussels Zaventem Airport → Maastricht
    Via Leuven or Liège; total travel time 1.5–2 h.
  • Paris Charles de Gaulle → Maastricht
    High‑speed Thalys/Eurostar to Liège, then 30 min to Maastricht; total 3–3.5 h.
  • Cologne/Bonn Airport → Maastricht
    Via Aachen; about 2 h.
  • London Heathrow → Maastricht
    Eurostar to Brussels or Amsterdam, then train to Maastricht; 5–6 h.

Railway Stations in Maastricht

Maastricht Central Station

Main station with trains, buses, taxis; 15‑minute walk to the city centre. Local trains connect to Randwyck.

Getting from Maastricht Central Station to MECC
Train

The quickest way to reach MECC from Maastricht Central.

1 stop to Maastricht‑Randwyck
Journey time: 3–4 minutes
Upon arrival, MECC is just a 250‑meter walk
Trains run frequently throughout the day, making this a fast and reliable option for conference delegates.

NS APP

Bus

Several local bus lines depart from Maastricht Central Station and stop near the MECC:

  • Buses run every few minutes during the day.
  • Get off at Forum MECC or Randwyck Station depending on the line. This option offers a convenient alternative when train schedules do not align.

Arriva App

Taxi

A taxi ride from Maastricht Central Station to MECC takes approximately 8–10 minutes, depending on traffic. Taxis are available directly outside the station and offer door‑to‑door service.

Walk

For those who prefer to walk, the route from Maastricht Central to MECC takes about 30–35 minutes. The path is straightforward and passes through the Randwyck district.

Bike

Cycling is a popular way to get around Maastricht. The journey from Maastricht Central Station to MECC takes roughly 10 minutes by bike, with dedicated cycling lanes along most of the route. Bicycle rentals are available at the station.

Maastricht‑Randwyck Station

Only 250 metres from MECC — perfect for ESTIV delegates. Walking time: 3 minutes.

 

Local Transport Tools

Rail Planner App (Interrail/Eurail)

Offline international rail timetables.

Dutch Transport Apps
  • NS App – national trains, e‑tickets, delay info
  • 9292 – full Dutch public transport planner
  • Arriva App – regional buses & trains in Limburg

Payment for Public Transport in the Netherlands

Public transport in the Netherlands is integrated and easy to use. In Maastricht and throughout the country, you can pay for trains, buses, trams, and metro in the following ways:

1. OVpay (Contactless Payment)

The simplest method for visitors:

  • Check in and out using your contactless debit/credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro) or mobile wallet (Apple Pay / Google Pay).
  • Works on all Dutch public transport, including NS trains, Arriva trains, Arriva buses, and city buses.
  • No need to buy a ticket in advance.
  • You pay the standard public‑transport fare, automatically charged to your card.
2. OV‑chipkaart

The traditional Dutch public‑transport smartcard.

  • Available as a personal card (for residents) or anonymous card (for visitors).
  • Can be loaded with travel credit or used with certain travel products.
  • Required if you want to rent an OV‑fiets (NS rental bicycle).
  • Useful for longer stays, but not necessary for most international visitors thanks to OVpay.
3. Mobile Tickets (App-Based)

Many regional operators offer mobile ticketing:

  • NS App – buy train e‑tickets for any domestic trip.
  • Arriva App – buy bus and regional train tickets in Limburg.
  • Tickets are scanned using a QR code at gates or on buses.
    This can be convenient if you prefer having a pre‑purchased ticket rather than tapping in/out.
4. Paper Tickets
  • NS still offers single‑use disposable tickets from machines at train stations.
  • These carry a €1 surcharge.
  • Buses do not sell paper tickets at NS machines; bus drivers often sell a limited selection of paper or printed tickets, but payment with card is preferred and increasingly cash‑free.

Bike Rental in Maastricht

Cycling is one of the fastest and easiest ways to move around Maastricht.

NS OV‑fiets (public transport bicycle)

Available at Maastricht Central, Maastricht Randwyck, and Maastricht Noord.

  • Requires an OV‑chipkaart with OV‑fiets subscription
  • Daily rental rates
  • Electric OV‑fietsen available
Arriva Shared Bikes (Arriva Deelfiets)

Operated via the Arriva Deelfiets app (or Glimble).

  • Unlock via smartphone
  • €1 first 20 minutes, €0.05/min thereafter, daily cap
  • Must end ride at official Arriva parking spots

Extensive bike stations are located across the city, including:

  • Maastricht Central Station
  • Maastricht‑Randwyck Station
  • MECC Maastricht
  • Major squares, museums, parks, university areas
Why cycling works well in Maastricht

The city’s compact structure and bike‑friendly routes make cycling fast and environmentally friendly.