Your handy location handbook

Arrival Information 

Tourists and foreign travellers from countries inside the European Union/Schengen area can travel to the Netherlands without corona-related restrictions. An EU entry ban is in effect for people from countries outside the European Union/Schengen area, but there are exemptions. All travellers are advised to check what documents they need before they travel to the Netherlands. 

Public transport is well arranged in the Netherlands. There is a train station inside Schiphol airport. If you arrive at Rotterdam/The Hague airport or Eindhoven Airport you can take a bus to the nearest train station. The conference venue is the Sound and Vision Museum in The Hague. 

Public Transport

Getting to Central Den Haag from Schiphol airport by public transport is simple.

After passport control follow directions to the Schiphol Plaza where you will find the train station.

There are many ticket machines available and tickets do not need to be bought in advance. Trains run regularly and go to both central stations in The Hague (Den Haag Centraal and Den Haag Hollands Spoor ) A single ticket from Schiphol Airport to The Hague costs about 10 euros.

To get to the venue the nearest public transport stops are Mauritskade, Javastraat or Alexanderplein. There are trams readily available at both central stations See here for live directions from the airport to the venue.

You will need to speak to your hotel directly if you need help for directions to it.

For information, visit the website 9292.nl

Public transport bike: click here for the status of available bicycles

Where to stay

The Hague is a beautiful city with a fantastic array of hotel to suit all tastes and budgets. Please see here for our top picks:

Budget options: 

Hotel Hague Center
https://www.hotelhaguecenter.com/
£51.10 / night and breakfast: €9.95 / £8.47 per person per day
Conveniently located in the heart of the city, this hotel is ideal for exploring The Hague and is only a short 15-minute tram ride or 20-minute walk from the Global Summit venue. 

easyHotel The Hague City Centre
https://easyhotelbenelux.com/the-hague-city-centre/
£59.88 / night and breakfast: €9.50 / £8.09 per person per day
This hotel is located right in the city centre, only a ten minute walk from the venue and in the midst of all the shops, bars and restaurants on offer in the city. 

Best of the rest:

Best Western Hotel Den Haag
https://www.bestwestern.co.uk/hotels/best-western-hotel-den-haag-92702
£75 / night  with breakfast included
The Best Western Hotel Den Haag is situated in the fashionable embassy neighbourhood between The Hague City Centre and Scheveningen. It is only a 15-minute walk or 8-minute bus ride from the venue.

Fletcher Stadshotel Den Haag
https://www.stadshoteldenhaag.nl/en/
£76.06 / night  and breakfast: €15.50 / £13.20 per person per day
This hotel is only a 10-minute walk from the venue and offers everything you might need including an on site pub and restaurant. 

Hotel Sebel
https://www.hotelsebel.nl/en/
£87.66 / night  and breakfast: €9.50 / £8.09 per person per day
This charming city hotel is located in the Zeeheldenkwartier, a popular area with the locals full of cafes and restaurants and just a 10-minute walk from the venue. You can use the promo code ‘city’ for a 5% discount on your booking. 

Best Western Plus Plaza Den Haag City Center
https://www.bestwestern.co.uk/hotels/best-western-plus-plaza-den-haag-city-center-92744
£90 / night with breakfast included
This newly built hotel is located in the heart of The Hague within walking distance of many of the city’s attractions and only a 15-minute walk or 12-minute bus ride from the venue. 

Court Garden Hotel
https://www.hotelcourtgarden.nl/en/
£100.20 / night and breakfast: €14.50 / £ 12.33 per person per day
Court Garden Hotel is the first eco-designed hotel in the Netherlands, located in the trendy Zeeheldenkwartier, full of authentic shops, friendly restaurants, and cozy cafés. It is only a 10-minute walk from the venue. Use code ‘green’ to get a 5% discount on your booking. 

Options very close to the Global Summit venue:

Carlton Ambassador The Hague
https://www.carlton.nl/en/hotel-ambassador-the-hague
£136 / night with breakfast included
This charming and boutique hotel is opposite the venue and provides luxury rooms on the doorstep of the Summit.  

There are a limited number of pre-reserved rooms  – book here for a discounted rate

Hilton The Hague
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/amshhhi-hilton-the-hague/
£178 / night with breakfast included
Hilton The Hague is only a 3-minute walk from the venue and offers all amenities you could ask for, including bike rental to explore the city. 

About the Netherlands

The Netherlands, a country in north-western Europe, is known for a flat landscape of canals, tulip fields, windmills and cycling routes. Amsterdam, the capital, is home to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and the house where Jewish diarist Anne Frank hid during WWII. Canalside mansions and a trove of works from artists including Rembrandt and Vermeer. Tourism is important to the country, and many visitors come to see Dutch art, architecture—and the flowers. It has four main cities, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht.

About the Hague

The Hague is a great city to visit. It has a wealth of history for the tourist to get to know, and with its modern skyline looks firmly toward the future. It has a wonderful coast on the North Sea and some great beaches, but it also has a more serious side as the government and legislature for the Netherlands is based here. There are also many royal palaces and monuments in The Hague, and it is still home to many members of the Dutch royal family. The Hague is also known as the “City of Peace” as there are many national, and international organisations working to that goal based here.

Weather

Typical weather in the Netherlands ranges from around freezing in winter, though with little snow, to beautiful sunny days with temperature around 25 degrees Celsius (77 F) in the summer. During October the weather can be very rainy so please ensure you have the right clothing.

Ensuring your safety

The Netherlands is mostly a safe country to visit, but as with all places it is important to be aware of keeping yourself and your belongings safe.

Tourists still need to be careful of petty thieves, such as pickpockets, and getting your belongings stolen from you. It is important to always keep your bag and jacket secure and close to you and do not carry more money than you need.

Places with high pickpocketing rates are in and around stations like The Hague Central Station; Amsterdam: Central Station and on public transport, hotel lobbies, restaurants, and bars.

Pickpockets either try to get into your bag or pocket when you are distracted, or they try to distract you. Be careful when someone asks you for directions at Central Station or they point out something about your clothing, or when they exit the tram, they ‘fall’ and, while you help, they take your wallet out of your bag. Usually, they work in teams, so be careful and aware.

For more information on the Netherlands, please check your country specific government websites.

Coronavirus and Health

The rules for entering the Netherlands depend on the country you are coming from.

Please view all up-to-date information direct from the Netherlands here: https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice, including information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad.

Seeking Help

Visitors should always carry some form of personal identification documentation (this does not need to be a passport but could be any ID with your name and picture to have something to show if asked). Longer-stay visitors should carry a notarised photocopy of their passport showing the relevant visa, this can be arranged through the visitor’s embassy.

Please check your country specific websites for information on visiting the Netherlands.

Important Contact Details

If you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact one of our Network team on the email GYES2022@YOUTHBUSINESS.ORG

Travel around the Hague

The Hague boasts an excellent public transport system. Over 30 bus and tram lines will take you quickly and safely to your destination in and around The Hague. It also has several park-and-ride facilities both at the edge of the city as well as in the city. There you can easily park your car and then take public transport or hire a bicycle to get to the city centre and Scheveningen and Kijkduin beach.

The Hague has six train stations all offering good connections with other forms of public transportation and the Netherlands itself has an extensive network of railways, it operates a night train which stops at the Den Haag HS station. Most train stations in the Netherlands also allow you to rent a bike to cycle to your destination.

It is often possible to hail a taxi in the street, but you will also find special taxi stands at the train stations and various points throughout the city, or you can reliably order a taxi by app or telephone but please be aware that taxis can be expensive.

For information regarding travel and to buy e-tickets please use http://www.9292.nl/, it is also available as an app that you can download to your phone.

Places to eat/drink

Trendy and authentic merge in the great diversity of world cuisines. The Hague has countless good restaurants with international cuisines, and we have included some vegetarian and vegan options. 

Stan & Co: late-night dinner and drinks! 

Stan & Co has become a household name in Amsterdam, Utrecht, Arnhem and Zeist. Every Stan has its own identity, but it is all about food, drinks and friends. The Amsterdam branch has recently opened its doors and a lot of work has been put into the branch in The Hague. This all-day casual dining concept is intended to be a place where you can chill during the day, have a good meal in the evening and continue to dance the night away. This one is located at the Buitenhof in The Hague and it’s a welcome and trendy addition to the central  square. 

Website: Den Haag – Stan Restaurant (stan-restaurant.nl) 

 Milú 

At Milú, it’s all about tasting and enjoying. There is a large selection of specialty beers (on tap and bottled), many open wines and a small selection of well chosen cocktails and gin an tonic. 

Website: Home – Bar & Restaurant Milú (restaurantmilu.com) 

Restaurant de Basiliek 

De Basiliek’s team is originally Italian, but also has a generous French influence. Enjoy the delicious flavours of the Mediterranean kitchen. Relax and savour the food and the warm Atmosphere

Website: Welcome at Restaurant de Basiliek 

Vegetarian & Vegan Options
 

Hagedis 

Hagedis is located in a beautiful monumental building and serves vegetarian, organic and seasonal dishes.  

Website: Restaurant Hagedis – biologisch veganistisch restaurant  

Plenty 

In the Zeeheldenkwartier you will find Plenty featuring exclusively 100% vegetable dishes on the menu. The restaurant is welcoming with a white atmospheric ‘living room’. Be sure to order a cinnamon roll! 

Website: Plenty Den Haag 

For more vegan options in The Hague, please visit the following website: DenHaag.com 

Yerba 

Located off Amsterdam’s Museumplein, Yerba is a plant forward restaurant space for creative, seasonal dining. Chef Walter Marskamp (Wilde Zwijnen, Hoxton Hotel) teamed up with Fraiche Hospitality (Restaurant Fraiche, staring at Jacob) to provide exciting and engaging food, based on the finest vegetables and edible plants of the season. The restaurant values growing their own produce, working with local producers, farmers and fishermen, and presenting the best new alternative dining. They offer a seasonally changing a la carte tasting menu.

Website: yerba (yerbabar.com) 

Little Plant Pantry 

Waste free & plant based- Little Plant Pantry is the first plastic-free shop in Amsterdam. As a speciality food store, it offers organic food ingredients without or with minimal packaging and they partner with local artisan food producers. Their mission is to avoid single-use plastic packaging and to promote a plant-based diet. It is also close to the Foodhallen in Amsterdam Old West, a beautiful area to walk around. 

Website: Organic Zero-Waste Grocery Shop Amsterdam – Little Plant Pantry 

The Old Soul 

At The Old Soul you can order ready-made vegan Surinamese soul food meals via the website or in the restaurant. The emphasis is mainly on Afro-Surinamese (Creole) cuisine. Suriname is a melting pot of different nationalities. Located in the Pijp neighborhood, also A’dam Old West. 

Website: Vegan Restaurant Amsterdam – The Old Soul 

Suggested activities and things to see

The Hague is the third largest city in the Netherlands and is the seat of the country’s government, and home to the Royal Family. It’s also a city full of history, many splendid museums and art galleries, and countless entertainment opportunities. Close to the North Sea (it’s where you’ll find the seaside resort of Scheveningen), The Hague is also home to numerous government ministries and embassies, along with the headquarters of several international organisations, including the International Court of Justice. The Hague is also a city of the arts, and was home to many prominent Dutch artists, no doubt attracted by the city’s pleasant wide streets, elegant and spacious squares and promenades, and attractive residential suburbs.

There are no Summit activities planned on Monday 17 or after the Summit on Thursday 20, so you can take that time to stroll around the city, visit the key attractions and enjoy your time in the Hague. We have listed a few below: 

Madurodam 

Miniature versions of many historical sites and major landmarks of The Netherlands in incredible detail:  

Website: Madurodam 

Scheveningen Boulevard 

Offers a unique combination of recreation and protection from the sea. On the one hand, this is a lovely spot for a stroll with countless attractions, lovely eateries and shops, year-round festivals, cultural events, markets, kids’ activities and concerts.   

Website: Scheveningen Boulevard 

For information on activities, you can do in the Hague, please visit the following website – https://denhaag.com/en 

Activities to do outside The Hague 

9 Streets  

The pleasure of walking around the 9 streets is that you can still get a whiff of the past with some characteristics still being seen such as the narrow streets, facades that are lit at night, old type Dutch cafes, vintage shops plus an awesome mix of miscellaneous shops. You can have a wonderful time shopping in stores packed with wonderful goodies and join the people of Amsterdam for authentic Dutch fare.  

Website: The 9 Streets in Amsterdam 

Rotterdam Food Halls  

Founded in 2014, Foodhallen is a culinary concept where you can come to enjoy food from cuisines from all over the world. Foodhallen is established by entrepreneurs, embraced by locals, enjoyed by visitors from all over the world. 

Website: Foodhallen – Rotterdam 

Rotterdam Land & Sea Splash tour 

The Splashtours tour of the city will take you to the most exceptional and beautiful places in Rotterdam, followed by the “splash”: a spectacular dive into the Maas River. Suddenly the bus turns into a seaworthy vessel, sailing down the river with spectacular views of the city skyline! The Splashtours Rotterdam city tour lasts about 60 minutes. 

Website: Splashtours – Sightseeing Rotterdam 

Pancake Boat 

In a relaxed atmosphere you can enjoy the pancake buffet. We have freshly baked natural, apple and bacon pancakes and all sorts of dishes to garnish your pancakes, like cheese, ham, fruits, jams and eggs. How many pancakes can you eat in 75 minutes? 

Website: Pancake Boat – Sightseeing Rotterdam 

Euromast 

The Euromast offers a truly stunning view, culinary surprises in our restaurant and a unique overnight stay in one of our suites with your special someone. Take your visit to the next level and ride the Euroscoop all the way to the top! Are you a real daredevil? Use a rope to get back to the ground instead of the lift! The Euromast lets you experience Europe’s highest abseil! 

Website: Euromast 

Green Travel

Ways to ‘travel green’ have largely been seen as difficult for the average traveller. At YBI we feel that it’s important for us to make conscious decisions that enable us to do our part, as well as giving our members the tools to help others do the same, no matter how small the change, it makes a difference.

The GYES is being held in the Netherlands and we have decided as part of our commitment to share some ways to travel green to the event. It’s all about trying to make smarter choices that help to mitigate the negative impacts we create when we travel.

Please see below some ways that you can contribute to travelling in a more sustainably friendly way.

1. Try to book economy as it’s better than flying business class. Business class fliers create far larger carbon footprints than economy fliers and when booking flights stick to non-stop flights whenever you can: It’s the take-offs and landings that create most of an airplane’s carbon emissions.
2. If you do fly, consider doing so with one of the 30+ IATA (International Air Transport Association) member airlines who offer carbon offset programsto neutralize the aircraft’s carbon emissions by investing in carbon reduction projects. You can also use a flight search engine that offsets your flight’s CO2-emissions for free, such as FlyGRN. FlyGRN earns a commission from every ticket they sell, which is used to offset your emissions by planting trees or investing in solar panel projects.
3. Try to pack light. A heavy suitcase will make the airplane use more fuel than a light backpack. Taking fewer bags, and fewer items in your bags, also helps when travelling via car or train making it lighter and more efficient.
4. If you have the time, travelling via bus, train, or ship generally has less negative environmental impact than travelling by plane.
5. When traveling overseas, look for seals of approval from other certification programs, such as EarthCheck(Australia), Green Globe, Rainforest Alliance (Latin America, Caribbean), and Green Tourism Business Scheme (UK). Some countries have their own certification programs to rate sustainability initiatives.
6. Take a BPA-free water bottle/coffee cup you can refill. Many international airports have free water dispensers, which saves you money and wasting plastic bottles.
7. Take showers, not baths. Showers use just 10-25 gallons of water, while baths use up to 70 gallons also try to take shorter showers, turning the water off while you lather up, shampoo, shave, and/or brush your teeth.
8. Hang up your towels after each use, which is the universal sign that you’d like to use them again.
9. When you leave your room, always turn off all lights, heat/AC, and television. Closing the curtains and blinds can help keep out the heat of the sun in summer.
10. Leave the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door of your room for the duration of your stay. This cuts down on chemical cleansing agents, electricity used in vacuuming, and the washing of bed linens.
11. Walk, bike, or use public transportation to get around whenever possible, which cuts down on gas usage and saves you money.
12. Return maps, brochures, and other tourist info once you’re finished with them so that they may be reused by future travellers.
13. Take your own reusable bag when you go shopping.
14. Calculate your carbon offset via this handy calculator at Sustainable Travel International, a contribution to carbon offset programs will help by funding reforestation and renewable energy projects.
15. Take your own shower products with you in reusable bottles, so you don’t have to use your hotel’s mini shampoos and body lotions. This way you don’t add to the pile of waste at your holiday destination. However, if you don’t bring your own, be sure to take any leftover soap, shampoo, or toothpaste with you. Unused portions are often thrown away, and you can reuse the plastic bottles in the future.
16. Where possible opt to have all your travel information in a digital format, for example, having it on your smartphone makes it easily accessible to you and it helps by saving paper and time.

This is not an exhaustive list, and you may only be able to do one or two things but if everyone attending the Global Summit did one or two things; it will make a huge difference.

Please see our sustainability information section to see what we at YBI have done with regards to the Global Summit and how we have looked at how we can be more sustainable.