Directions

IFL2010
Below we have tried to collect the most important directions for
getting to Avifauna. We have compiled a map of the proximity
of Avifauna indicating also such things as the nearest bus and interliner 
stops, and the train station. Note that the whole of Alphen aan den Rijn
is available in !GoogleMaps with Streetview. You can also use the
[[http://journeyplanner.9292.nl/][Dutch Journey Planner]]
to plan your trip from any point in the Netherlands.

If you still need assistance, contact us through e-mail. If you get lost in Alphen aan den Rijn,
any native can give you directions to Avifauna.

%TOC{title="Table of contents"}%

---+++ Map

Note that this map is best viewed on [[http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=h&msa=0&msid=100786831801514107226.000481084a28ae243a7d8&ll=51.876491,5.061951&spn=0.813905,1.757812&z=9&source=embed][Google Maps]].

<iframe width="640" height="480" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&amp;hl=en&amp;t=h&amp;msa=0&amp;msid=100786831801514107226.000481084a28ae243a7d8&amp;ll=52.14028387800646,4.649491310119629&amp;spn=0.813905,1.757812&amp;z=9&amp;output=embed"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&amp;hl=en&amp;t=h&amp;msa=0&amp;msid=100786831801514107226.000481084a28ae243a7d8&amp;ll=51.876491,5.061951&amp;spn=0.813905,1.757812&amp;z=9&amp;source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">IFL2010</a> in a larger map</small>

---+++ Directions from Schiphol

If you arrive at Schiphol, there are a few possibilities. 

One: take the interliner from Schiphol Airport to Alphen aan den Rijn
(number 370, leaves from the Schiphol busstation). This is a bus that,
dependent somewhat on the time of day, goes very regularly (4 to 5
times per hour), stopping at [[http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=100786831801514107226.000481084a28ae243a7d8&ll=52.147711,4.683266&spn=0.032496,0.083513&t=h&z=14&iwloc=000481e66d35d39ca2cb7][Eisenhowerlaan]]. From there, 
it is about a 1km walk, or you can take bus number 381 which goes directly to Avifauna.

Two: take the train to Leiden, and from there to Alphen aan den Rijn.

Three: take a taxi. There are dozens of taxis outside Schiphol Plaza
that may take you to Avifauna directly. The cost is 52,50 euros.

Four: rent a car and follow the directions listed below about travelling by car.

---+++ Directions by train/lightrail

Trains arrive at Alphen aan den Rijn from three directions: 
Utrecht, Leiden and Gouda. Coming from Rotterdam, you can
actually choose to go through Leiden or Gouda. 
Trains from Utrecht are half-hourly, trains from Gouda and Leiden
are half-hourly outside rush hour and quarterly during rush hour.

The train from Utrecht takes 30 minutes, from Leiden 15, and
from Gouda about 20.

If you are coming from The Hague, go through Leiden. 
For Amsterdam, it depends a bit on which station you are at.
From some stations you connect best through Leiden, from others 
you connect best through Woerden (which is halfway between 
Alphen aan den Rijn and Utrecht). In any case, coming from
Amsterdam by train necessitates a transfer.

---+++ Directions from Alphen aan den Rijn train station

There are a few possibilities. 

   * on foot: consult the map to trace the direct route to Avifauna. It's a about 2.5 km.
   * by bus: there are quite a number of buses that pass close by to Avifauna. ...more...
   * by taxi: we will indicate the taxi stand near the train station on the map. The price for a one-way trip is about 10 euros.

---+++ Directions from Eindhoven Airport

If you happen to fly to Eindhoven Airport, the wisest thing to do is to take a bus to Eindhoven
Central station, take the train to Utrecht Central station and then the train to Alphen aan den Rijn.

---+++ Directions by car

If you have a car, rental or otherwise, getting to Alphen aan den Rijn should not be too painful.
About 3 km from Avifauna is the new N11 road (100 km per hour max), that connects two major
freeways: A12 (The Hague - Utrecht) and A4 (The Hague-Amsterdam). When you come
near to Alphen aan den Rijn on the N11, get off at Ring (West) (Avifauna is also
indicated here on the road signs). You are then driving along the Leidse Schouw, which
shall later change its name to Hoorn. Follow this road for 3.2 km and then Avifauna should 
come into view on your right. At that time, the river Rhine will be on your left.

Coming from Amsterdam you can follow the A4 until you come to Leiden where it connects
to the N11 and follow the directions above, or you can get off the A4 quite a bit earlier
at Leimuiden, and then follow the regional road N207 (80 km max) towards Alphen aan den Rijn.
Coming to Alphen aan den Rijn, you turn right onto Ring (West) (the sign outside Alphen also
indicates that this is the way to Avifauna). You are then on the Eisenhowerlaan. 
Follow this road through quite number of traffic lights until you have crossed over a sizable
bridge (Albert Schweitzerbrug). Halfway down the bridge you should turn right at the traffic 
lights. You are now on Hoorn. Follow this road for about 500 metres to find Avifauna on your
left (and the river Rhine on your right).

---+++ Getting around

To travel by bus, tramway or metro in the Netherlands, you're advised to buy your ticket in advance.
The ticket can be a 'strippenkaart' or the new 'OV-chipkaart'. You can read more about this
at [[http://wikitravel.org/en/Netherlands#Public_Transport_tickets][Wikitravel]]. You can buy
a strippenkaart at the Kiosk at Alphen aan den Rijn train station.

Biking is a very convenient way of traveling inside a city in the Netherlands. You can rent a bike at 
Alphen a/d Rijn train station. The daily fee is €6.50 and you have to pay a deposit of (at least) €50 
and show proof of identity (either driver's license or passport). (Note that these are not 
"OV-fiets"---those require a yearly subscription.) If you want to do this, the best is to reserve a 
bike, by calling +31 172 491400.

Make sure to obey traffic lights for bikes as being fined for not doing so is very common. 
You should also have your front and rear lights on when biking during nighttime (a rented bike 
will most probably have these in working condition). Also be careful where you park your bike and
always lock it securely, since bike theft is very common in the Netherlands.