ESA/ESTEC Practical guide
Venue
The European Space research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) is the European Space Agency's (ESA) main technology development and test centre for spacecraft and space technology. It is located 45 km South-West of Amsterdam, in The Netherlands.
Transport
To/From Schiphol airport
ESA/ESTEC is located 30 km South-West of Schiphol international airport (Amsterdam).
Taxi
A taxi to/from Schiphol takes approx. 40 min. Visitors interested can reserve with Taxi Brouwer at a special rate (€67).
Bookings should be made, at least, one hour in advance online or by phone +31 (0)71 36 11 000. Email: info@taxibrouwer.nl
Shuttle service
A special direct shuttle connects Schiphol to ESTEC in the mornings, and ESTEC to Schiphol in the afternoons and evenings at a special rate (€20).
Bookings should be made, at least, one hour in advance online or by phone +31 (0)71 36 11 000 or at the ESTEC reception. Email: info@taxibrouwer.nl
Public transport
ESA/ESTEC is easily accessible by public transport. To plan your journey by public transport we recommend using 9292.
The train connects Schiphol train station to Leiden Centraal in 20 min. Tickets can be bought online, or in the machines at the airport lobby.
To/From Leiden Centraal
ESA/ESTEC is located 10 km North-West of the city of Leiden.
Taxi
A taxi to/from Leiden takes approx. 20 min. Visitors interested can reserve with Taxi Brouwer at a special rate (€28,50).
Bookings should be made, at least, one hour in advance online or by phone +31 (0)71 36 11 000. Email: info@taxibrouwer.nl
Public transport
Bus lines 430 and 432 connect Leiden Centraal with ESA/ESTEC in 25 min. Tickets can be bought online, or by card or cash on the bus (€2,61).
To/From Noordwijk
ESA/ESTEC is located 5 km South-West of Noordwijk.
Taxi
A taxi to/from Leiden takes approx. 10 min. Visitors interested can reserve with Taxi Brouwer at a special rate.
Bookings should be made at least one hour in advance online or by phone +31 (0)71 36 11 000. Email: info@taxibrouwer.nl
Shuttle service
The major hotels in Noordwijk are served by a hotel shuttle in the mornings and evenings. Reservations are not necessary, as the shuttle leaves at fixed times, but are greatly appreciated. Please use the online form for booking and payment (€6). You can also pay by card or cash on the shuttle or at the ESTEC reception.
Public transport
The bus stop for buses to Noordwijk is a 10 minute walk from ESTEC. At the bus stop, lines 90 and 385 connect with Noordwijk in 10 min. Tickets can be paid online, or by card or cash on the bus (less than €2).
Parking
Visitors can access ESTEC by car and park inside the premises, once they have received their visitors badge. Check the section Access below.
Access
On arrival, go to the Security Gate house (circled in red in the picture) to show your ID and obtain a visitor badge. Please remember that presenting an official ID (with photo) or passport is mandatory to access the premises.
Your visitor badge must be worn visibly at all times.
Once inside, please go directly to where your event takes place. If you do not know where your event is, you can either ask your host or inquire at the ESTEC Reception or the Security Gate house.
To enlarge the map, right click (PC) or press and hold (smartphone) on the image and select "Open in new tab".
Wifi
- Connect to either esa-public or esa-conference.
- Open any browser and you will be automatically redirected to the WiFi Portal.
- At the bottom of the page click on "Don't have an account? Register here"
- Request the Registration Code for the current network and month to your host.
- You will receive your username and password via SMS.
Lunch
Main restaurant
The main restaurant at ESTEC is a canteen-type restaurant that offers a selection of lunch meals and take-away sandwiches for staff and visitors.
Food is prepared daily on site by the chefs. The restaurant offers a selection of starters and a salad buffet, as well as main dishes including meat, fish and vegeratian options along with pasta and pizza. Additionally, fruit, desserts and cakes are also available.
Ingredients are clearly listed to inform customers with dietery restrictions and allergies.
Opening times are from 11:30 - 14:00.
Coffee Corner
Coffee, hot and cold beverages, snacks, pastries and sweets are available in the Coffee Corner, next to the main restaurant.
Opening times are from Mon-Thu 8:00 - 17:00, and Friday 8:00 - 16:30
ESTEC Space Shop
The ESTEC Space Shop offers a large variety of ESA souvenirs and gifts like clothing, patches, scale models and toys.
It is located in the corridor between the reception and the main restaurant.
Opening times are from 9:00 - 16:00.
Accommodation
Alexander Hotel 4*
Oude Zeeweg 63, 2202 CJ, Noordwijk
Prominent Inn Hotel 4*
Koningin Wilhelmina Boulevard 4, 2202 GR, Noordwijk
Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant Hotel de Witte Raaf 4*
Duinweg 117, 2204 AT, Noordwijk
Hotel de Admiraal 3*
Quarles van Uffordstraat 81, 2202 ND, Noordwijk
Hotel de Koningshof 3*
Golfbaan 66, 2202 TE, Noordwijk
Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin 4*
Koningin Astrid Boulevard 5, 2202 BK, Noordwijk aan Zee
Two Brothers Noordwijk Beach 4*
Koningin Wilhelmina Boulevard 8, 2202 GS, Noordwijk aan Zee
Van der Valk Palace Hotel Noordwijk 4*
Pickeplein 8, 2202 CL, Noordwijk aan Zee
Heeren van Noortwyck 3*
Quarles van Uffordstraat 103, 2202 NE, Noordwijk aan Zee
Hotel Noordzee 3*
Boulevard 72, 2225 AG, Katwijk aan Zee
NH Noordwijk Conference Centre Leeuwenhorst 4*
Langelaan 3, 2211 XT, Noordwijkerhout
https://www.nh-hotels.com/hotel/nh-noordwijk-conference-centre-leeuwenh…
Van der Valk Hotel Sassenheim-Leiden 4*
Warmonderweg 8, 2171 AH, Sassenheim
Hilton Garden Inn Leiden 4*
Willem Einthovenstraat 3, 2342 BH, Oegstgeest
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/amslngi-hilton-garden-inn-leiden/
Tulip Inn Leiden Centre 3*
Schipholweg 3, 2316 XB, Leiden
Ibis Leiden Centre 3*
Stationsplein 240, 2312 AR, Leiden
Safety & Security Information
- ESTEC’s space activities require hazardous materials and equipment. Therefore, hazard-warning signs must be obeyed at all times. Unauthorised access to restricted areas is strictly forbidden.
- ESTEC is a smoke-free facility. Smoking is only allowed outside the buildings in the designated areas.
- ESTEC accepts no responsibility for any injury to visitors, or loss or damage to their personal belongings during their stay at ESTEC.
- Your luggage may be subject to inspection.
- Do not leave baggage unattended. Unattended baggage may be removed and inspected for security reasons.
- Instructions from Security Officers have to be followed at all times.
Emergencies
Emergency instructions are displayed on the walls in all areas. In the event of an emergency evacuation, possibly accompanied by “slow whoop” sounds, please remain calm and follow your host and the green signs to the nearest exit. Proceed to the outside assembly area.