How to get to Essen?
Situated centrally in the Rhine/Ruhr region, Essen is connected to an extensive transport network. From all over Germany and from abroad Essen is easy to reach from all directions by car, train, plane, and even by water. As part of the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR regional transport association) Essen provides a comprehensive local passenger transport service within the city and beyond, via its extensive links with the region. Please note that a ticket for all transport within VRR (http://www.vrr.de/) will be included in the conference fee.
By plane:
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Duesseldorf International Airport (IATA Code DUS)
From the airport to Essen Central Station you may choose amongst the following options:
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take the train (RE [Regionalexpress] 6 or 11) to Essen Central Station (Essen Hbf [Hauptbahnhof]), approx. 30 minutes or if you enjoy being on the train you might want to try the S 1 (approx. 1 h)
- rides on the REs and on the S 1 from Düsseldorf Airport to Essen Hauptbahnhof are free of charge since the AILA ticket includes free ride on the Rhein Ruhr public transport system (VRR level C)
- please note: any other train (IC [InterCity], ICE [Intercity Express], EC [EuroCity] or other) travelling from Düsseldorf to Essen will be at your own expense and is unfortunately not covered by the AILA ticket. Please have a look at the Travelling by train section to see sepcial AILA conditions.
- Nevertheless, Deutsche Bahn is kindly offering a special rate for AILA visitors starting from 99€ for destinations within Germany. Details on the offer can soon be found here.
- take one of the taxis waiting in front of the airport building—a ride from the airport to Essen City Centre (Messe Essen) should be around 30 EUR at your own expense (please note that the fare might have changed by August)
Please note:
There might be confusion about the 'correct' airport. The best option for you as mentioned above is
Duesseldorf International Airport (DUS).
However, you might want to travel to:
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Düsseldorf Niederrhein Airport—Weeze (IATA Code NRN) at approx. 80 km from Essen, no direct public transport possible, there is however an hourly shuttle to Essen central station from Weeze (for details please check: http://www.flughafen-niederrhein.de/2-3_an_und_abreise_bus_und_bahn.php)
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Köln-Bonn Flughafen (IATA Code CGN) at approx. 70 km from Essen, public transport is only partially covered by the AILA ticket, train expenses would hence be at your charge.
- Dortmund Airport at approx. 45km from Essen, no direct public transport possible. There is however a shuttle to Dortmund Central Station from where Essen Central Station is easily accessible.
By train:
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please arrange tickets for Essen Hauptbahnhof (Essen Hbf) (Central Station)
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Deutsche Bahn (the German Railway Company) is supporting AILA 2008 by offering a special rate for AILA participants starting at 99€ per person.
Discounted Rail Fares with Deutsche Bahn to AILA 2008
Deutsche Bahn AG brings you fast, comfortably and conveniently to AILA 2008.
Enjoy pleasant and relaxed travelling with special service. Travel per rail at a special rate in first or second class from a DB-station of your choice to Essen and return.
The fare for a round trip* to Essen is:
- 2nd class Euro 99
- 1st class Euro 139
The exclusive offer is valid within Germany on all DB trains including the ICE.
The tickets are valid between 21 and 31 August 2008.
Book your ticket now either by calling the hotline + 49 1805 / 31 11 53**—please use the reference “AILA 2008”—or on the website of the Deutsche Bahn AG:
http://www.bahn.de/p/view/home/aktion/aila
Unfortunately the home page (welcome page) is in German—fortunately this only applies for this page, a selection of your language is possible for the follwing pages. Since the information on the home page is important for travellers, a translation is available here.
* Changes and reimbursement before 1st day of validity EUR 15, from 1st day of validity excluded.
** 14ct/min costs within the network of Deutsche Telekom AG. The hotline is available from Monday
to Saturday 0800—2100.
*** Prices are subject to change.
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public transport within Essen and within the Rhein Ruhr Public transport service (VRR level C) will be covered by the AILA ticket as mentioned above
From Essen Central Station (Essen Hauptbahnhof, Essen Hbf) to the venues, to my hotel:
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please take the U11 from Essen Hauptbahnhof/ Hbf to the Messe Essen or to Universität Essen or to the stop indicated for the venue,
as mentioned above tram/bus/underground ticket is included in AILA ticket -
for hotels please check the “where to stay” site
We're working on a printable timetable for the U11 and also on updating the public transport details for hotels located outside of Essen
To find out more about how well networked Essen is, check the following weblink: TRAVEL TO ESSEN