Useful information
An overview of frequently asked questions
Language
The official language of the Symposium is English.
Registration
All participants must submit a completed registration form (online), which will be open from October 2024 onwards. We suggest payment via bank transfer, as credit cards will have a supplement.
Please note the following refund policy for registration cancellations:
- Cancellations received by April 30, 2025 – Eligible for a 100% refund of registration fees.
- Cancellations received between May 1 and May 30, 2025 – Eligible for a 50% refund.
- No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after June 1, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding the policy or need to request a cancellation, please contact us via isba2025@biology.leidenuniv.nl
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Lunch
Lunch from Monday to Wednesday is included in the registration fee at the conference venue. We will also provide a free lunch to go on Thursday, 19th June, following the closing ceremony.
Climate
In June, it’s early summer in the Netherlands. The Netherlands experiences mild summers, so if you're coming from a part of the world with scorching or muggy summers, you might find the Netherlands a pleasant respite in June. The weather is famously unpredictable so you could experience cool drizzle or a sunny heatwave, but in general, you can expect daytime high temperatures of around 68°F (20°C). These are generally good conditions for getting out and about throughout the Netherlands, and there's not much regional variation in the climate.
Clothing
Clothing is informal for all occasions.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is free of charge for all participants in the convention center.
Certificate of attendance
If you wish to have a certificate of attendance, please fill in this form.
Camera and Recordings
Photographs may be taken during ISBA. If you would like to share your own pictures, follow this link. Don’t forget to tag your posts with #ISBA2025, we’d love to see your moments from the conference!
How to reach
By train: you can plan your journey via NS Website or via NS-app: NS in the App Store / NS in the Google Play
From Schiphol Airport: In the airport you follow the signs “to the trains”. In the main hall of Schiphol railway station you buy your ticket to Alkmaar. In Amsterdam-Sloterdijk you have to change trains.
ALKMAAR-option: Take a train to Alkmaar (travel time 35 min. or 24 min.). In Alkmaar take bus 165 to Egmond aan Zee (travel time 22 min.). Ask the driver to drop you off near Hotel Zuiderduin at the Zeeweg.
From Amsterdam in north-west direction (A9): Choose direction Alkmaar, choose direction Heiloo/Den Helder at the roundabout near Alkmaar. At the 3rd traffic light turn left, exit Egmond. Next, follow the signs Egmond aan Zee. In Egmond aan Zee, follow the signs Centrum (=city centre) and a successive sign with: Strand Zuid. You arrive at the Admiraal de Ruyterweg. This road becomes the Zeeweg. The hotel appears at the right-hand side after approximately 200 meters.
The hotel has a parking garage.
Shuttle bus service
Please note that only those who have registered for the shuttle bus can use this service. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to book a time slot.
At Schiphol Plaza’s meeting point a host will be available to assist those who have registered. This person will be holding a sign with the ISBA logo and the Hotel Zuiderduin logo. The meeting point at Schiphol Plaza is located between the NS (railway) counters and La Place, diagonally in front of Stach Food. Just look for the ‘meeting point’ sign, as shown in the picture.
Do I need a VISA for the Netherlands?
For information related to Visa, please check in this website https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/visa-the-netherlands/visa-required
Hotel
For information about the hotel please visit the venue page.
Travelling Information
Travelling to the Netherlands | Government.nl
Here you can find some interesting websites in case you are planning to stay some extra days exploring the Netherlands
Further questions
If your questions are not answered here, please contact Isba2025@biology.leidenuniv.nl