How can we travel to the MOVE Congress in a more sustainable way?
Last week we highlighted some of the actions this year’s MOVE Congress venue, Tour & Taxis (Maison de la Poste), are taking to make their events more sustainable, and this week we are talking about transport: how to get to Brussels, why to choose a train over a plane and how to move around the city and reach the MOVE Congress.
TRAVELLING TO BRUSSELS: TRAIN vs PLANE
Reasons why opting for a train instead of air travel might be a better option (if you live in close proximity to Belgium, of course):
1. NO TIME WASTED ON CHECK-IN OR SECURITY
All aboard! All you need is a ticket and to get to the platform on time and you’re set. No need to get there an hour plus before your departure and no fumbling with your hand luggage in security lines. But remember your passport, ID card and vaccine passport if crossing national borders!
2. LUGGAGE
Airlines can charge an insane fee for extra luggage and many have also reduced the size of hand luggage included in the ticket price during the pandemic. Travelling by train allows you the freedom to bring all the luggage you need without having to worry about the ticket price rising exponentially. Train travel also allows for bringing bigger items such as bikes.
3. BRINGING LIQUIDS
You can bring an unlimited amount of liquids with you on the train, which means being able to bring all of your toiletries, but also the possibility of bringing some delicious Belgian beer back home.
4. ALL THAT LEG ROOM
Travelling by plane can be really uncomfortable if you don’t have enough space to put your legs and move them around. Travelling by train, you have noticeably more leg room – you can also stand up and walk around without having to climb over a row of people to stretch your legs or block the aisle for passengers making a dash for the toilets.
5. WORKING ON THE TRAIN
Travelling by train allows for a much more comfortable atmosphere for working while travelling, so you can cross some tasks off your list before a busy few days away or catch up with the MOVE Congress agenda if things are looking more calm.
6. THE ENVIRONMENT
Travelling by train rather than plane cuts your carbon dioxide (CO2) emission by half, which makes a significant difference to your carbon footprint when travelling from A to B!
FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE CITY
If travelling by plane is the more realistic or practical choice from your start destination, you can get from Brussels airport to the centre by public train, which goes up to 6 times an hour and the ride is a breezy 17 minutes. The train is the fastest way, but if you want the cheapest then choose a public bus ranging from €3 to €5 (buses number 272, 471).
FROM THE HOTEL TO THE VENUE AND AROUND BRUSSELS
All of the hotels listed on our site are under 20 minutes walking distance to the MOVE Congress venue: Maison de la Poste, so walking is great option to reach the venue as the Congress is all about MOVING!
If you want to move by bike (and we definitely recommend it as a great way of getting around Brussels), there is a bike sharing platform called Villo. It has extremely cheap daily or weekly plans with the first 30 minutes of every ride free (all of the hotels listed are under 10 minutes bike ride to the venue).
For those who don’t want to or can’t be as active, don’t worry because Brussels offers a lot of public transport options. The fares are relatively cheap and the transport network connects to all of the major sights in Brussels, so public transport is also a good means of transport that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Let’s try to make this MOVE Congress as sustainable as it can be. Join us and, if possible, switch to greener alternatives of travel!
