Venue

Grid 2010 is co-locating with OGF 30 from 25-28 October 2010 at the Thon Hotel Brussels City Centre in Brussels, Belgium

Visiting Brussels

Climate

Brussels has a temperate, maritime climate. The average temperature in summer is ± 16° Celsius (± 60° Fahrenheit). The average winter temperature is ± 3° Celsius (± 37° Fahrenheit).

Currency

The unit of currency is the Euro, which exists in notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 e. There are coins of 1 and 2 € and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.

Banks are usually open from 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Some are also open on Saturday mornings.

Automatic telling machines can be found in all parts of the city and cash withdrawals may be made using your credit card. The logos of the cards accepted are shown beside the machine.

Credit cards are accepted in numerous stores, boutiques, restaurants, car hire firms, etc. In case of loss or theft: telephone the emergency service, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Electricity

Electricity is supplied at 220 to 230V 50Hz. Outlets are CEE7/5 (protruding male earth pin) and accept either CEE 7/5 (Grounded), CEE 7/7 (Grounded) or CEE 7/16 (non-grounded) plugs. Older German-type CEE 7/4 plugs are not compatible as they do not accommodate the earth pin found on this type of outlet. However, most modern European appliances are fitted with the hybrid CEE 7/7 plug which fits both CEE 7/5 (Belgium & France) and CEE 7/4 (Germany, Netherlands, Spain and most of Europe) outlets.

Travellers from the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland and other countries using 230V 50Hz which use different plugs simply require a plug adaptor to use their appliances in Belgium.

Travellers from the US, Canada, Japan and other countries using 110V 60Hz may need a voltage converter. However, some laptops, mobile phone chargers and other devices can accept either 110V or 230V so only require a simple plug adaptor. Check the voltage rating plates on your appliances before connecting them.

Timezone

The time is GMT +1 in winter, GMT + 2 in summer.

More information

For further information on Brussels and its attractions, visit Brussels International Tourism website.

Getting to the venue

Click here to view a Map showing the hotel.

By air

The Thon Hotel Brussels City Centre is served by the Brussels Airport (BRU).

By train

The hotel is within walking distance to the railway station Bruxelles-Nord with departures to and from Brussels Airport, and connection to Bruxelles-Midi with the International lines Eurostar and Thalys.

By airport express bus

The bus station is 100 metres from the hotel, and the hotel is 12 kilometres from Brussels Airport.

By public transport

Tram: The are several stops near the hotel. Metro: Rogier Metro Station is in direct connection to the hotel. The metro is an easy way to get to both business districts and tourist attractions. Bus: The bus station is right in front of the hotel.

By car

From The Netherlands and Antwerp (E19)

• Follow ring E40 towards Luik/Lège.
• Take the exit to Brussels.
• Driving towrds Brussels, take the tunnel towards Centre/Centrum until Avenue de Cortenberg.
• At the Schuman roundabout, exit to the second street, Rue de la Loi.
• At the end of the street, make a right turn and drive into the tunnel.
• Take the second exit, Rogier, and after about 150 metres you will see the hotel.

From Luxembourg and Namur (E411)

• Follow ring E40.
• Take the exit to Brussels, and drive towards Brussels.
• Driving towrds Brussels, take the tunnel towards Centre/Centrum until Avenue de Cortenberg.
• At the Schuman roundabout, exit to the second street, Rue de la Loi.
• At the end of the street, make a right turn and drive into the tunnel.
• Take the second exit, Rogier, and after about 150 metres you will see the hotel.

From France via Mons (E19)

• Follow ring E40.
• Take the exit Koekelberg/Brussel.
• Drive Boulevard Charles Quint to Basilique.
• At the traffic lights, drive into the tunnel.
• Take the third exit, Centre/Centrum, and go straight ahead.
• In the second roundabout take the left exit ti Boulevard roi Albert II, and then the first street to the right.
• You are now in Rue des Croisades. You will se the way in to Manhattan, with parking on the right side.

From England and Ostende (E40)

• Follow ring E40.
• Take the exit to Brussels, and drive towards Brussels.
• Driving towrds Brussels, take the tunnel towards Centre/Centrum until Avenue de Cortenberg.
• At the Schuman roundabout, exit to the second street, Rue de la Loi.
• At the end of the street, make a right turn and drive into the tunnel.
• Take the second exit, Rogier, and after about 150 metres you will see the hotel.

Parking

There is a parking garage under the hotel.