How to get to Luxembourg

By airplane

Luxembourg has its own airport, but it is also possible to use one of the airports in the region.

• Lux Airport. By far the most convenient way of air travelling to Luxembourg is to arrive at the national airport. Some of the advantages of Lux Airport are its relatively small size and fast and efficient procedures (one has to be at the airport only one hour before departure). The national career Luxair flights to Luxembourg but also some other companies like VLM, TAP, AirFrance, British Airways. From the airport, it’s only 20 minutes to the city centre by bus. Bus 16 stops nearby all hotels mentioned later on this web page. For hotel Français, Molitor or Alpha, it would also be possible to take bus 9. Taxis in Luxembourg are expensive.
• Frankfurt Flughafen. . Germany’s largest airport is 3 hours and 45 minutes away from Luxembourg by train. Usually one has to change trains in Koblenz. Detailed travel schemes can be found on the website of Deutsche Bahn.
• Frankfurt Hahn. Several budget airlines fly to this German regional airport, that is one hour and 45 minutes away from Luxembourg by shuttle bus
• Brussels Airport. The advantage of Brussels Airport is that it is connected to the Belgian railway network with its own station, located in the basement of the airport terminal. Trains go every hour, a journey that takes about 3 hour and 30 minutes one way.
• Charleroi Airport. This regional airport in the south of Belgium, sometimes also called “Brussels South Airport” hosts Ryanair as well as several other budget airlines. The airport doesn’t have its own railway station, travellers first have to take the bus to the city of Charleroi, from where it is a 2 hours and 30 minutes journey to Luxembourg (change trains in Namur).

By train

Luxembourg has train connections to all of its neighbouring countries: France, Germany and Belgium. It is, however, also very feasible to travel by train when coming from the Netherlands or the UK. When planning train travel in Europe, the website of Deutsche Bahn is an excellent source of information, since they have a travel planner that covers pretty much entire Europe.

• Belgium. A direct train goes once an hour between Brussels and Luxembourg. The train Brussels-Luxembourg takes about 3 hours. Another possibility is to take the train Liège-Luxembourg, which might be more direct for some parts of Belgium, but it has to be mentioned that this train makes a lot of stops.
• France. Rail connections between France and Luxembourg were greatly improved with the opening of the new TGV Paris-Luxembourg. The trip takes just over 2 hours, with stopovers in Metz and Thionville.
• Germany. Rail travellers coming from Germany can use the railway between Trier and Luxembourg. Trier, however, is a relatively small city and is not served by the ICE-network. The nearest German city on the ICE-network is Saarbrucken, which has a direct highway bus connection with Luxembourg.
• The Netherlands. Train tickets from the Netherlands to Luxembourg can be bought at the domestic counter or even from the standard NS ticket vending machines (press “Belgium / Luxembourg”). When buying a ticket one has to specify whether one is going over Roosendaal-Brussels or over Maastricht-Liège. As most people of the Netherlands are probably aware of, the opening of fast train connection to Belgium and France (HSL) is being delayed and delayed. As a result of this, the existing train connection between Amsterdam and Brussels has been running for longer than its technical life expectancy, with various defects and trouble as a result. The second class can be crowded, so it does make some sense to try to buy a first class ticket. A standard return ticket from the Netherlands to Luxembourg does not have an exact return date on it (one just has to return within 2 months) which allows for some flexibility.
• United Kingdom. It is possible to buy a Eurostar ticket (to Brussels) that is valid to any station in Belgium. In that case, one may want to use this ticket until Arlon, the last station in Belgium before the border with Luxembourg. The additional return ticket Arlon-Luxembourg can be bought at the railway station in Brussels (where you can also ask whether conditions are still the same since our university staff used this possibility)

By car

Driving in the city of Luxembourg is not always a pleasant experience, partly due to the fact that many streets are one-way. Also, not every hotel offers parking space. Those who are nevertheless willing to drive can comfort themselves with the fact the Luxembourg has some of the lowest petrol prices in the EU).

Where to Stay?

Most people will probably prefer to stay in the city centre and take the bus to the university’s campuses at Limpertsberg and Kichberg. Here is a few suggestions:

• Golden Tulip Central Molitor The big advantage of this hotel is that it is very near to the railway station (5 minutes walk), and thus very suitable for those arriving by train.
• Mercure Hotel Alfa is right in front of the railway station. When leaving the hotel, walk to the left for the nearest bus stop
• Hotel Français Located inside of the pedestrian zone, at one of the main squares of the city centre, Hotel Français is a 3 minutes walk away from the downtown bus station (Hamilius)
• Hotel Victor Hugo, 3-stars. Located just outside of the city centre, this hotel is in the same neighbourhood (Limpertsberg) as the Conference site, and it is probably best just to walk (about 20 minutes) instead of waiting for the bus. The city centre is just a 15 minutes walk away. When coming from the airport, take bus 16 to “Fondation Pescatore”. (This hotel should not be confused with the 4-star Grand Hotel Victor Hugo).
• Grand Hotel Victor Hugo, 4-stars. Located just outside of the city centre, this hotel is in the same neighbourhood (Limpertsberg) as the Conference site, and it is probably best just to walk (about 20 minutes) instead of waiting for the bus. The city centre is just a 15 minutes walk away. (This hotel should not be confused with the 3-star Hotel Victor Hugo).

For all these hotels, take bus 3 until the end stop Lycée Technique Michel Lucius. Turn left, then right into street R. Capus. After a few metres, walk up the few steps on your right side. You now on the Campus site.

• Novotel. The 4 star hotel is located on the Kirchberg plateau (home of several EU institutions and banks). 10 minutes by bus from the city centre. Walk to the bus stop “Mudam/Philharmonie”. Take one of the buses until “Fondation Pescatore”. Turn right and walk to the parking “Glacis”. Turn left and cross this parking until bus stop “Glacis”. Here you have to take bus 3 until the end stop “Lycée Technique Michel Lucius”. Turn left, then right into street “R. Capus”. After a few metres, walk up the few steps on your right side. You are now on the Campus site.
• Sofitel Le Grand Ducal overlooks the centrally located Pétrusse Valley and the historic quarter of the city. Walk 5 minutes to the bus stop “Laboratoire” in the street Auguste Laval. Take bus 13 until “Centre Hamilius”. Take here bus 3 until the end stop “Lycée Technique Michel Lucius”. Turn left, then right into street “R. Capus”. After a few metres, walk up the few steps on your right side. You are now on the Campus site.
• For those travelling on a tight budget, we should at least mention the Luxembourg Youth Hostel, which is spotlessly clean, just like the rest of the country. Although the hostel appears to be nearby the city centre when viewed on the map, one has to keep in mind that it lies in a steep valley and can be a bit difficult to reach (ask the staff for details).

The above list is by no means meant to be complete. More information about hotels and other things can be found at the Luxembourg City Tourist Office.

Local Transport

Buses

Bus tickets come in two forms:

• One way tickets, valid within the city of Luxembourg of a period up to two hours.
• Day cards, valid for all trains and buses in the entire country

Both one-way tickets and day cards are available on the bus itself. It is also possible to buy a carnet of 10 one-way tickets or daycards at newspaper stands (like for instance at the airport or railway station). Tickets bought in advance (carnet) need to be stamped in the bus. Many of the city buses have stamping machines; if your bus does not, then ask the driver to simply write the time and date on your ticket.

When planning to go by public transport, one can use the online travel planner, which covers the entire country.

Bicycles

Another interesting local transport alternative is to move around by bicycle. The City of Luxembourg has several fully automated bicycle rental stations, including one that is nearby the conference site. The idea is take a bicycle from one rental station and return it to perhaps another. If the trip takes less than 30 minutes, it’s for free. Otherwise one starts to pay €1 per hour, after the first 30 minutes, with a maximum of €5 per day. Please keep in mind that you’re allowed to keep your rented bicycle for at most 24 hours.

Taxi

Taxis are another, quite expensive, option

Where to Eat?

Luxembourg, like any of the world’s capitals, has a large range of possibilities for dining out. Hereby some suggestions:

• Indian/Tibetian restaurants: Khana Khazana <(rue des Bains 17b Tel: +352 22 85 45)
• There are several Chinese restaurants in the City of Luxembourg, but Palais du Chine can be seen as one of most attractive, for its food, decoration and central location nearby the palace of the Grand Duke (rue de l’Eau 18-20, Tel: +352 46 02 83)
• Some good and decently priced Italian food is available at Ristorante Pizzeria Il Cherubino. The place is not too big, however, and it makes sense to make a reservation when coming with a group. (rue Notre Dame 10, L-2240 Luxembourg. Tel: 471794). Other Italian restaurants include Onesto (rue de Nord 11, Tel: +352 22 38 18) and Bacchus <(rue du Marché-aux-Herbes 32, Tel: +352 47 13 97)
• Lisboa II is a Portuguese restaurant. It is not a place for vegetarians, however. The restaurant is south of Gare, just across the bridge over the railroad tracks. (Dernier Sol 90-92, Tel: +352 26 48 18 80)
• Restaurant Thailand is getting good ratings online, both for food and decoration. It is located outside of the city centre, in Belair (Avenue Gaston Diderich 72, Tel: +352 44 27 66).
• An all-time classic is Restaurant Ems, just opposite to the railway station. The decoration is quite simple, but they serve good local food for quite decent prices (Place de la Gare 30, Tel: +352 48 77 99)
• French and international cuisine: Restaurants Lux-E cosi (avenue Pasteur, 44 Tel : +352 26 20 32 03) and Lagura (Avenue de la Faïencerie, 18 Tel : +352 26 27 67)
• Brasserie Flo (Tel: +352 27 04 86 06) and Beefbar (Tel: +352 27 04 85 95). Both restaurants are situated in the commercial centre Auchan ( rue Carlo Hemmer)
• Restaurant Le Sud (Rives de Clausen, rue Emile Mousel, 2 Tel: +352 26 47 87 50)
• Brazialian food: Batucada (Plateau du St. Esprit, 1 Tel: +352 26 20 08 80), Agua de Côco (Rives de Clausen, rue Emile Mousel 2, Tel: +352 26 27 08 04)
• Those just wanting to have a snack but not willing to go to Quick or McDonalds could go to Snackbar Ankara just behind the post office and let themselves be impressed by the phenomenal knowledge of languages of the owner. (Avenue Monterey 6).

Lots of restaurants can also be found at the Place d’Armes, which is one of the two main squares in the city centre.

Where to have a drink?

Apart from its famous Mousel wine, Luxembourg is also known for its good quality of beers. The country has no less than four national beer brands: Bofferding, Diekirch, Simon and Battin. Simon is fournisseur de la cour, which means that the Grand Duke also drinks it. Don’t leave Luxembourg without at least having tried Battin Extra.

There are several bars worthwhile having a drink at:

• Bar of the Sofitel le Grand-Ducal. Here you have a great view over the city centre and the old town.
• Scott’s Pub (Bisserwee 4, L-1238 Luxembourg), which is in Grund and has a terrace at the Alzette river. Those wanting to avoid the long climb back up to the old city can instead walk into the nearby tunnel to take the lift (operating until 2pm).
• Café de la Presse is just opposite to the palace of the Grand Duke. It attracts mostly an elderly clientele and is nicely decorated with various portraits of the Grand Duke and his and his family.
• Various trendy bars can be found at the Rue d’Hollerich, nearby Gare. This is also where one has a decent chance of getting service in English.
• Rives de Clausen
• For those wanting something different, we can recommand Café Natascha (Route de Thionville 155, L-2611 Luxembourg)

What else to do?

The history of the City of Luxembourg goes back more than 1000 years. The Luxembourg City Tourist Office hands out free walking tours.

Museums in Luxembourg

• National museum for history and art
• MUDAM-Museum of Modern Art Grand-Duc Jean
• Luxembourg City History Museum
• Casino Luxembourg-Forum for contemporary art
• National Museum of Natural History
• Galerie for contemporary art “Am Tunnel”
• Bank Museum, 1, Place de Metz

Around the country

It can be worthwhile to stay a few extra days before or after the conference to do some sightseeing in the region. Some places worthwhile to visit from Luxembourg on a day-trip include:

• Echternach, a pleasant small town at next to the border with Germany, which starts at the other side of the Sûre river is mainly known for its Benedictine abbey, founded in 698 by Willibrord. It is one of the most important sanctuaries of the country along with Luxembourg city cathedral. The place is also best known for the long lived tradition of the dancing procession which has been held for the last 500 years and is associated with the death of the English monk, St Willibrord although the precise reason for the connection has been lost in the mists of time. UNESCO has been asked to grant the dance a position on its list of intangible cultural heritage. The procession takes place annually on Whit Tuesday. People who like to challenge themselves can go to Echternach by bicycle, using piste cyclable 2, which is a particular scenic route. It is possible to continue to, for instance, Diekirch, where one can take the train back to the City of Luxembourg (one can take the bicycle on the train for free). Please be aware that one probably needs a better bicycle than the standard Luxembourg veloh in order to do this route. Those of us that are not hardcore enough to cycle can also take the (direct) bus from Gare (see Mobiliteits Zentral for timetables).
• Vianden is of historical interest, since it hosts the castle of William of Orange, the founding father of the Netherlands. The castle is on top of a hill, but to make things easy for everyone, people have constructed a chairlift. The place attracts a lot of tourists from the Netherlands, and we can particularly recommend the broodje kroket at the local Dutch snackbar. From the City of Luxembourg, take the train to Ettelbrück, and change there for the bus to Vianden. Detailed travel info can, as usual, be found at Mobiliteits Zentral .
• Trier, just across the border, is the oldest city of Germany and has a quite charming centre. One of the most famous landmarks is the Porta Nigra, the largest Roman city gate north of the Alps, nowadays a World Heritage Site. Trier is close at heart to many inhabitants of Luxembourg who tend to consider it as their shopping paradise. Socialists and ex-socialists are free to marvel at the birth house of Karl Marx, which has now been converted to a museum.