Logistics
Accommodation
The Leopold Hotel Ostend is now fully booked.
You can check https://visitoostende.be/en/accommodation for other hotel suggestions.
By booking at Hotel Leopold you support marine research charity. Two early career scientists got awarded with a travel grant offered by The Sea as a Good Cause and sponsored by Hotel Leopold. This offers them the opportunity to participate at the EcoPath 40 years conference and workshops. Visit the Support page for more details.
Reaching the conference
The Ecopath conference is being held in Ostend at the InnovOcean campus. It is reachable from the centre of Ostend and the railway station by tram or bus (preferred, you can pay with a contactless card) or by foot if you take the free ferry (including a 20 min walk). Google maps can help with the next tram or bus, but be aware that Google maps might tell you it is possible to walk around the harbour. It is possible but you will be on a bicycle highway, so it will not be a pleasant walk.
You could also rent one of the Blue Bikes from the station, but you need to return them to where you found them, and you have to register online first: https://www.blue-bike.be/en/
For more details on how to get there visit the InnovOcean website.
To reach Ostend:
From Brussels Airport Zaventem, you need to take the train (basement of the airport). Google maps will tell you the best connections to follow. Tickets can be bought on the station from a machine or online: https://www.belgiantrain.be/en
From Brussels South Charleroi Airport you will need to take a train or bus to Brussels Midi/Zuid (South) station and from there a train to Ostend.
From Amsterdam or Paris Airports you can also take a train. It takes a bit longer but perfectly possible. For tickets use: https://www.thetrainline.com/