How to obtain an invitation letter for a visa

The registration form has a box to tick if you require an invitation letter for a visa. The visa letter is sent as soon as you have registered and we have received your payment.

Traveling to Amsterdam

Schiphol International Airport is located about 15 kilometers (10 miles) from the centre of Amsterdam. Train connections between Amsterdam Central Station and Schiphol Airport are frequent, approximately every 15 minutes throughout the day. The Central Railway Station is just a five minute walk from the conference venue. With the Schiphol Railway Station located in the Arrival/Departure building of the airport, we recommend the train to connect in approximately 20 minutes. Alternatively, a shuttlebus to and from Schiphol Airport (a transfer takes approximately 40 minutes) leaves from the Hotel Krasnapolsky entrance.

The SIGIR organisers recommend public transport, or, better still, renting a bike to get around in Amsterdam. Taxicentrale Amsterdam () is the largest taxi base in Amsterdam. They work with fixed rates and qualified chauffeurs. For more information on how to go where and why, use the SIGIR community website.

If you plan to arrive by car, we advice you not to take it into the city centre. Instead, park your car at one of the cheap Park & Ride parking lots located at the A10 high way: You park your car for a low fee of € 5.50 per 24 hours, with unlimited 24 hours public transport ticket included in the price, and you continue your visit using good metro, tram or bus connections to the centre of Amsterdam.

About Amsterdam

Amsterdam, the capital of The Netherlands, is a small city by European standards (population 750.000) but one of the most charming and delightful towns of Europe. It possesses the largest historical inner city of Europe, with beautiful monumental buildings and an extensive web of canals. The city can easily be explored on foot: museums, theatres, shopping streets, monuments, open air markets and most other features of interest are generally within walking distance of one another. The city is famous for its 17th century canals: a boat trip along the canals is a special experience. Amsterdam is one of the leading cultural centres of Europe, with a high concentration of famous museums, including the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House. Other cultural attractions include the Diamantslijperijen (diamond cutting establishments) and the Rembrandt House.

Read more information on Amsterdam from:

• MySIGIR
• Wikipedia
• Wikimapia's satelite overview including hotel locations
• Steven Pemberton's Internet Guide to Amsterdam
• Read the current weather conditions in Amsterdam on WeatherOnline
• I AmSterdam