Directions to 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 (secretary)
    Fax.     : +32 (9) 264 62 20
   

By train and tram

From the Brussels airport to Gent:

• Arrive in Brussels airport (Zaventem)
• Follow the signs to the train station, buy ticket to Gent.
• Take a train to Brussels Midi (Zuid) Station:
  There are two types of trains leaving from the airport. One type, "Airport City Express" has the Midi station as end station. This gives you more time to get off than in Brussels North or Central station where you could also get a train to Gent. Note: if you want to visit Brussels: get off at Central station. Some other trains go beyond Brussels Midi and pass through Gent. Only those trains which take 40min are worth taking (I find). With all the others (which take 1h or more to Gent) it is more meaningful to get off at Brussels Midi and swith to a faster train (see below).
• Take a train to Gent from there:
  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 watch the big boards to see which platform your train leaves from. Train ride to Gent: +/- 40mins.

From the Gent train station to the BIOMATH department:

• 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 new staircase will take you 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) or "lijnkaart", it is cheaper (~30BF). 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. NOTE: during the current road works, this is the ONLY way to reach 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.

City Map (only revelant part shown)