Directions to the BIOMATH Department

Directions to the BIOMATH Department

    address  : Department for Applied Mathematics,
               Biometrics and Process Control (BIOMATH)
               Coupure Links 653
               B-9000 Gent
               Belgium
    Tel.     : +32 (9) 264 59 32 (secretaries)
    Fax.     : +32 (9) 264 62 20

By train and tram

From the Brussels airport to Gent:

Arrive in Brussels airport (Zaventem). The Belgium Travel Network has an airport map, on line departure/arrival information, car rental info, ... The Brussels International Airport Company has more extensive airport information.
Follow the signs to the train station: take the elevator which connects the different levels (train station, bus/taxis, arrival, departure, restaurants/shops) to the lowest level where the train station is located. Buy a ticket to Gent.
There are two types of trains leaving from the airport. One type has Brussels Midi (Zuid) station as end destination. Getting off at the end station gives you more time to switch to a train to Gent than in Brussels North or Central station. Note: if you want to visit Brussels: get off at Central station. Some other trains (destination De Panne or Oostende) go beyond Brussels Midi and pass through Gent (no switching of trains in Brussels required). Only those trains which take 1h from the airport to Gent are worth taking (I find). With all the others it is more meaningful to get off at Brussels Midi and switch to a faster train (see below).
Take a train to Gent from Brussels Midi:
All trains with destination Oostende or Knokke-Blankenberge are OK (take an IC --Inter City-- train, other types of trains make too frequent stops). All these trains leave from platform 4 in Brussels Central. In Midi station, go down to the main hall and see the big boards for platform information. Train ride to Gent: +/- 40mins.

You need to get off at the Gent St. Pieters train station. If you arrive from Antwerpen, the train will first stop at the Gent Dampoort station. Don't get off there.
For detailed information on Belgian train schedules: the website of the Belgian Railways (NMBS/SNCB)

From the Gent train station to the BIOMATH department:

If you don't have any luggage, you may decide to walk from the station. It takes some 30 minutes. Have a look at the map below.
By tram:

Go to the main exit of the Gent train station (no problem as there are only 2 exits and one is obviously NOT the main exit) Go left along the station building when exiting the train station. This brings you past numerous bus stops to a tunnel under the railroad. Just 10m further is a car tunnel under that same railroad. Go inside the tram tunnel and wait for a tram.
[note: there is a shortcut to this tunnel: on the platform where the train arrives, do not go down the main staircase, but rather walk along the platform towards the West (Oostende). A recently built staircase will take you down, directly into the tram tunnel.] If you take a tram whose number starts with 1, you will be taken to the centre of Gent (e.g., to the IBIS hotel).
Take tram nr. 40 (not 21 nor 22), it will take you to the doorstep of the faculty.
Buy one ticket (~40 BF) on the tram. If you have a "tramkaart" (usually 10 rides worth, but cannot be bought on the tram, only in the trainstation, at the ticket counters) or "lijnkaart", it is cheaper per ride (~30BF). Note how once your ticket is punched, you may travel on buses and trams for 1 hour without further payment. You do have to punch the ticket again each time you transfer. The charge will be 0 BEF. The tram will take about 10 minutes to get to the Coupure, which is a canal. The tram crosses the canal and makes a 90 degree left turn to follow the Coupure (lined with trees).
Push a black "I want to get off" button marked "halte". When the tram stops, go to the rear and push the open doors button (which lights up).
Cross the road and the small pedestrian bridge and go through the faculty gates (note: during the weekend, the gate is closed but not locked). Enter the old (orange brick) building.
We're on the first floor (look at the map in the entrance, our department is marked in blue, at the bottom of the panel).

By car

On the highway (Brussel/Oostende, Antwerpen, Kortrijk), take the direction Gent Centrum. If you come from Brussel, go past the exit for the University Hospital (UZ) --the road will be above the ground-- and take the "ANDERE RICHTINGEN" exit. From any other direction, follow signs for "Gent Centrum" wich will bring you to the same place This exit takes you to ground level. Once you have reached the ground, move left asap. Make a left turn onto the small Gent ringroad (see map: St. Lievenslaan) at the first trafic lights. Follow the ringroad (St. Lievenslaan, Citadellaan, Ch. De Kerckhovelaan, Ijzerlaan, Godshuizenlaan, Martelaarslaan) until the 5th traffic lights. Make a right turn there into the B. Spae laan (follow the tram). Just before the "Rozenmarijnenbrug" bridge, make a left turn to follow the Coupure canal. When you see a small pedestrian bridge over the canal, you have reached the faculty. If you miss the 5th traffic light you will see a fries place and a church (Ekkergem) on the right hand side (2 traffic lights further). Turn right there and you will also end up at the faculty. Parking is possible along the Coupure. If you have made an appointment (we warn the guard), give the name of the person you are visiting and you will be allowed to use the visitor parking on campus. The BIOMATH department is on the first floor of "block A" (the ugly orange building closest to the entrance gate). A directory of departments with a map is on your left hand side when you enter the building.

City Map (only revelant part shown)

Hans.Vangheluwe@rug.ac.be June 1996