Transport

Spa and the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps are situated in the Walloon Region and Province of Liège. They are located in the valley of the Ardennes, some 35 km southeast of Liège and 45km southwest of Aachen.

 

The city Spa is a small, cozy and welcoming town which gave its name not only to a brand of mineral water but also to a wellness experience and awareness. It also has a rich history because of the clean air in the Ardennes and the hot springs that come up. The delightful town is alive with events, full of innovative ideas for entertainment, and of course home to the iconic circuit of Spa-Francorchamps on which exiting and adrenaline-fuelled incentives can be organized.

 

Its beautiful location has side effects: Spa and the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps are not as easily reachable as any other capital town or area.

 

This is why we compiled the information under in order to help you planning your arrival, departure and transfers during the competition:

A free shuttle bus service will be provided for free between the Verviers Station to the Event Venue and back on 4, 5 and 6 October 2012 for all Visitors that have registered to attend the event.

• Morning pick ups will depart every 5 minutes from 8.30 am until 11.30 am to the Event Venue
• In the afternoon, busses will depart from the Event Venue returning to Verviers Train station every 5 minutes from 14.30 pm to 18.00 pm (and until 17.00 pm on 6 October)

Please note that the approximate transfer time between the Verviers Train Station and the venue is about 50 minutes. This time could be even longer during peak hours and/or if there is an accident on the route. We strongly encourage you to take the neccessary precautions so that you do not miss your train!
We advise you to register on the website and mention that you will take the free shuttles from the Verviers Train Station so that we can try to accommodate all.
We also advise you to book your train in advance via the website : www.sncb.be

Due to the great success of the event, it is no longer possible to reserve a shuttle to go from Verviers Train Station to the Event Venue on 4 and 5 October. We welcome you to visit the event by car. Parking P2 + P15 is reserved for visitors.

General description:

A shuttle bus service will be provided during the Competition days (04-05-06.10.2012) for:

• All Visitors that have registered to attend the event: between the Verviers Station to the Event venue and back (for free)
• All Visitors that have registered through Mindstream to attend the event AND  who booked one of official hotels through Mindstream and who have pre-reserved their shuttle tickets for each day. You must send your request to Mindstream for your shuttle tickets by Wednesday 19 September. The price is 15 EUR per ticket per day.

There may be shuttles running between the Event Venue (upon pre-reservation only) and:

• Hotel de la Source
• Radisson Blu Palace
• The Kottage
• Domaine des Hautes Fagnes
• Romantik Hotel Val d’Amblève
• Cardinal (pick up at Radisson Blu Palace)
• Best Western Villa des Fleurs (pick up at Radisson Blu Palace)
• Best Western Auberge (pick up at Radisson Blu Palace)
• La Val Hoegne

Please find below important information regarding shuttle service (for a fee) running between the Event Venue and the partner hotels during the official opening days of EuroSkills 2012, October 4, 5 and 6 2012.

• There will be one morning pick up (to arrive between 09.00 and 10.00 AM at the Venue) and one return trip in the evening (leaving between 17.00 and 18.00 PM from the event venue except on 6 October- leaving between 15.30 and 16.30 PM). Exact times for pick-ups will be sent to you one week prior the event and will also be on display in the partner hotels and at the Event Venue.
• Pre-reservation of tickets is required and compulsory. You must confirm your reservation by this Wednesday, 19 September otherwise there may be no shuttle service offered from your hotel. Your reservation and name will be checked when you board the bus. Reservations will not be able to be made on site.
• The fee for this service is 15 EUR taxes included per person per day (round trip). Payments for the tickets will only be accepted cash (no credit cards, no checks), onsite: Once you arrive at the Event Venue in the morning, you have to directly pick up and pay for your shuttle ticket(s) a the Transport Desk in the Welcome/Registration area. Please note that in order to board the bus in the evening to get back to your hotel, you must show your shuttle ticket in order to board.

 

If you would like to take advantage of this service, you must confirm your reservation by this Wednesday, 19 September, stating the number of tickets, and the days you would like to book the service. Please also inform us if you will NOT take advantage of this service.

If you would like to purchase and pick up your shuttle tickets for your entire group, please let us know as this is also possible. When sending your request, please advise us of the name of each of your delegates, their hotel name and for which days you need to purchase a ticket for them.

Send your request to: [email protected]

 

For Mindstream hotel guests staying at Hotel Verviers/Van der Valk:

• You will be able to take advantage of this free shuttle service since you are staying at Hotel Verviers/Van der Valk. You can catch the bus at Verviers Train Station which is only 800 meters from Hotel Verviers/Van der Valk.
• Morning pick ups will depart every 5 minutes from 8.30 am until 11.30 am to the Event Venue
• In the afternoon, busses will depart from the Event Venue returning to Verviers Train station every 5 minutes from 14.30 pm to 18.00 pm (and until 17.00 pm on 6 October)

 

Here is a map explaining how to get to the Train Station from Hotel Verviers:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=207751675869181204014.0004c96ce504b8793dd36

Please note there will be no shuttle service available between the Event Venue and the EuroSkills 2012 Official Hotels in Liège. Individuals or groups staying at these hotels must foresee their own means of transport to reach to Event Venue. Need assistance booking a bus for your group? For more information and a price offer, please contact the EuroSkills 2012 Hospitality Agency (Mindstream) by e-mail [email protected] or by phone at +32 10 23 58 78.

 

ARRIVING IN SPA BEFORE OCTOBER 4, 2012 ?

If you are arriving before October 4, there are several ways to get to Spa:

 

From major airports and train stations:

From Brussels Airport

From Charleroi Airport (Brussels South)

From Liège Guillaume Station

From Verviers Station

 

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Brussels Airport is reachable by most of the largest airline companies. More information can be found on: Brussels Airport website

 

1. 1.     Car rental

Car Rental Preferred Partner – Europcar

Europcar is the preferred partner for car rental EuroSkills 2012. The have offices in:

The airports of :                   At the train stations of:

Brussels                              Antwerp Central
Charleroi                             Brussels South
Liege                                   Liege Guillemin
Gent

For requests regarding EuroSkills 2012 and particularly if you need to rent a car from Verviers, Spa or Francorchamps, contact the following and be sure to mention your reservation is during EuroSkills 2012:

[email protected]
+ 32 (0) 2 801 04 19 and + 32 (0) 2 801 04 20

For reservations not for pick up in Verviers, Spa or Francorchamps you can reserve directly online and will receive a preferred rate.
Promotion code: 50494445

http://en.europcar.be/DotcarClient/step1promo.action?promoCode=50494445

Hertz – Brussels airport: + 32 (0) 2 716 92 30 www.hertz.be

Avis + 32 (0) 70 22 30 01 [email protected] www.avis.be

 

 

1. 2.     Train and bus

If you arrive at Brussels Airport, you have the following possibility: take a train from the airport (station located below the terminal) to Verviers Central Station (by changing trains in Leuven). Trains run once an hour and the journey is maximum 1H20 for a cost of +/- 15 EUR. You can easily book your train ticket online via the following direct link: https://buy.b-rail.be/eTicketing/ETicketOrdering/InitStrutsActionToWelcome.do?lang=3

 

Arriving at Verviers Central Station, you should take the bus to the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps. You should take bus n° 294 to the direction of Trois-Ponts. The stop to go to the circuit is Francorchamps Hôtel Rohenval and it takes about 36 minutes. After arriving at this stop, you have to walk to the circuit which takes about 5 minutes.

 

On 4, 5 and 6 October, there is a shuttle service organized to get from Verviers Station to the Circuit of Spa Francorchamps.

 

Please take a look at the following websites for more elaborate and the most up to date information:

–      For train information and train schedules:      www.b-rail.be (BE)

–      For bus information and bus schedules:          www.infotec.be (BE)

1. 3.     Taxi

A taxi to Spa will cost between 200 and 280 Euro from Brussels Airport. (This prices are indicative and may be subject to change)

 

 

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Brussels South Charleroi Airport is mainly reachable through airline company Ryanair but also by smaller ones (Jetairfly.com, Flyonair, Wizzair and Jet4you.com). More information can be found on: Charleroi Brussels South website

 

1. 1.     Car rental

Car Rental Preferred Partner – Europcar

Europcar is the preferred partner for car rental EuroSkills 2012. The have offices in:

The airports of :                   At the train stations of:

Brussels                              Antwerp Central
Charleroi                             Brussels South
Liege                                   Liege Guillemin
Gent

For requests regarding EuroSkills 2012 and particularly if you need to rent a car from Verviers, Spa or Francorchamps, contact the following and be sure to mention your reservation is during EuroSkills 2012:

[email protected]
+ 32 (0) 2 801 04 19 and + 32 (0) 2 801 04 20

For reservations not for pick up in Verviers, Spa or Francorchamps you can reserve directly online and will receive a preferred rate.
Promotion code: 50494445

http://en.europcar.be/DotcarClient/step1promo.action?promoCode=50494445

Hertz – Charleroi: + 32 (0) 71 37 78 98 www.hertz.be

Avis + 32 (0) 70 22 30 01 [email protected] www.avis.be

1. 2.     Train and bus

If you arrive at Charleroi Airport, you have the following possibility: Every 30 minutes a shuttle coach leaves the airport to take you to the main Brussels railway station (Brussels Midi). The shuttle coach stop is at the crossing of rue de France and rue de l’Instruction. A one way ticket costs you 13 EUR and the return fare is 22 EUR. After arrival at the railway station, you should take a train to Verviers Central Station. Trains run twice an hour and the journey takes around 1h30 for a cost of +/- 15 EUR. You can easily book your train ticket online via the following direct link: https://buy.b-rail.be/eTicketing/ETicketOrdering/InitStrutsActionToWelcome.do?lang=3

 

Arriving at Verviers Central Station, you should take the bus to the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps. You should take bus n° 294 to the direction of Trois-Ponts. The stop to go to the circuit is Francorchamps Hôtel Rohenval and it takes about 36 minutes. After arriving at this stop, you have to walk to the circuit which takes about 5 minutes.

 

On 4, 5 and 6 October, there is a shuttle service organized to get from Verviers Station to the Circuit of Spa Francorchamps.

 

Please take a look at the following websites for more elaborate and the most up to date information:

–      For train information and train schedules:      www.b-rail.be (BE)

–      For bus information and bus schedules:          www.infotec.be (BE)

1. 3.     Taxi

 

A taxi to Spa will cost around between 200 and 210 Euro from Brussels South Charleroi Airport.  (These prices are indicative and may be subject to change)

 

 

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Liège-Guillemins Train Station is the main station of the city Liège, in Eastern Belgium. It is easily reachable from Germany (direct high speed trains from Frankfurt, Köln, Düsseldorf, Aachen), from the Netherlands (via Brussels and Maastricht) as well as from France (direct Thalys from Paris). Its distance to hotels in Spa: 40 kms

 

Useful links:

–        Liège-Guillemins Official Website

–        SNCB / NMBS Belgian Railways Schedules

–        Thalys High Speed Trains

 

1. 1.     Car rental

Car Rental Preferred Partner – Europcar

Europcar is the preferred partner for car rental EuroSkills 2012. The have offices in:

The airports of :                   At the train stations of:

Brussels                              Antwerp Central
Charleroi                             Brussels South
Liege                                   Liege Guillemin
Gent

For requests regarding EuroSkills 2012 and particularly if you need to rent a car from Verviers, Spa or Francorchamps, contact the following and be sure to mention your reservation is during EuroSkills 2012:

[email protected]
+ 32 (0) 2 801 04 19 and + 32 (0) 2 801 04 20

For reservations not for pick up in Verviers, Spa or Francorchamps you can reserve directly online and will receive a preferred rate.
Promotion code: 50494445

http://en.europcar.be/DotcarClient/step1promo.action?promoCode=50494445

Hertz – Liège Airport or city center: + 32 (0) 4 222 42 73 www.hertz.be

Avis + 32 (0) 70 22 30 01 [email protected] www.avis.be

 

1. 2.     Train and bus

Liège-Guillemins Train Station is easily reachable from Germany (direct high speed trains from Frankfurt, Köln, Düsseldorf, Aachen), from the Netherlands (via Brussels) as well as from France (direct Thalys from Paris). From this station, one has to take the train to Verviers Central Station.

 

Arriving at Verviers Central Station, you should take the bus to the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps. You should take bus n° 294 to the direction of Trois-Ponts. The stop to go to the circuit is Francorchamps Hôtel Rohenval and it takes about 36 minutes. After arriving at this stop, you have to walk to the circuit which takes about 5 minutes.

 

On 4, 5 and 6 October, there is a shuttle service (for a fee) organized to get from Verviers Station to the Circuit of Spa Francorchamps.

 

Please take a look at the following websites for more elaborate and the most up to date information:

–      For train information and train schedules:      www.b-rail.be (BE)

–      For bus information and bus schedules:          www.infotec.be (BE)

1. 3.     Taxi

A taxi to Spa will cost between 60 EUR and 130 Euro from Liège-Guillemins Train Station. (These prices are indicative and may be subject to change)

 

 

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1. 1.     Car rental

Car Rental Preferred Partner – Europcar

Europcar is the preferred partner for car rental EuroSkills 2012. The have offices in:

The airports of :                   At the train stations of:

Brussels                              Antwerp Central
Charleroi                             Brussels South
Liege                                   Liege Guillemin
Gent

For requests regarding EuroSkills 2012 and particularly if you need to rent a car from Verviers, Spa or Francorchamps, contact the following and be sure to mention your reservation is during EuroSkills 2012:

[email protected]
+ 32 (0) 2 801 04 19 and + 32 (0) 2 801 04 20

For reservations not for pick up in Verviers, Spa or Francorchamps you can reserve directly online and will receive a preferred rate.
Promotion code: 50494445

http://en.europcar.be/DotcarClient/step1promo.action?promoCode=50494445

Hertz – Verviers + 32 (0) 4 222 42 73 www.hertz.be

Avis + 32 (0) 70 22 30 01 [email protected] www.avis.be

1. 2.     Train and bus

Arriving at Verviers Central Station, you should take the bus to the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps. You should take bus n° 294 to the direction of Trois-Ponts. The stop to go to the circuit is Francorchamps Hôtel Rohenval and it takes about 36 minutes.  After arriving at this stop, you have to walk to the circuit which takes about 5 minutes.

 

On 4, 5 and 6 October, there is a shuttle service organized to get from Verviers Station to the Circuit of Spa Francorchamps.

 

Please take a look at the following websites for more elaborate and the most up to date information:

–      For train information and train schedules:      www.b-rail.be (BE)

–      For bus information and bus schedules:          www.infotec.be (BE)

1. 3.     Taxi

 

A taxi to Spa will cost between 60 EUR and 130 Euro from Verviers Central station. (These prices are indicative and may be subject to change)

 

 

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