Practical information
Please be aware that during the conference you are a visitor of the LUMC. Visitors should be aware that a certain level of behaviour is expected while being inside the hospital. Visitors should also be mindful that hospital staff has the right to ensure the protection of patients, staff, and other visitors. Please respect a patient’s right to privacy and note that taking pictures requires consent from the person being photographed.
In the Netherlands, it is common to dress up in a formal way for conferences. During the day the dress code is formal, but during the evening you can dress casually. You can also wear your suit during the social programme. Take in consideration that you will walk a lot, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
The electric current throughout the Netherlands is 220/230 Volts, alternating current at 50 cycles per minute. Most plugs are grounded. In the Netherlands most plugs are of the type C or type F. For appliances of 110 volts, special transformers are necessary.
During the conference you need to take care of your own breakfast. Lunch will be held at the conference. If you take part in the social programme, we will make sure there will be a delicious diner waiting for you.
Still hungry? We have listed a few nearby supermarkets below:
JUMBO (Stationsplein 210, 2312 AN Leiden)
ALDI (Stationsplein 220-230, 2312 AP Leiden)
Tap water is drinkable in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands you are obligated to carry a form of identification with you at all times. There is a risk of being fined if you are not able to identify yourself.
The spoken language in the Netherlands is Dutch. The spoken language at the conference is English, so for LIMSC comprehension of English, as opposed to Dutch, is essential.
The currency that is used in the Netherlands is the euro (€). ATM machines (Geldmaat) can be found at several locations in the city center of Leiden, such as:
Geldmaat, Stille Mare 7, 2312 DH Leiden
Geldmaat, Haarlemmerstraat 123, 2312 DN Leiden
You can also visit a bank, such as ING, for an ATM machine.
In shops and stores you can pay cash or with a credit or debit card.
Make sure to always take cash with you during the social programme! We advise you not to bring more than €100 cash, due to the risk of pickpocketing and/or losing it.
You can change your foreign currencies at GWK Travelex (Stationsplein 5F, 2312 AJ Leiden). Their office is at the train station.
Pictures taken by our photographer can be used for promotional purposes of LIMSC. If you would rather not be part of our promotional material, please e-mail the LIMSC Organising Committee and include a picture of yourself. It is prohibited to take pictures in the LUMC, due to the privacy of the patients.
At LIMSC, you will only be able to pay by card. We accept the following payment cards: VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Maestro, V PAY, Visa Debit, Debit Mastercard. To ensure that you will not run into problems in regards to payment, we advise you to check with your bank if your payment card is set to make payments in Europe, the Netherlands.
The city of Leiden is the location of LIMSC and lies in the western part of the Netherlands, between Amsterdam and The Hague. Known as one of the country's most historic university cities, Leiden provides an inspiring setting for a student congress.
With a population of approximately 130,000 inhabitants, Leiden is a vibrant academic and cultural center. The city is home to the renowned Leiden University, the oldest university in the Netherlands, and the prestigious Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), where LIMSC takes place. Leiden offers a rich variety of museums, theatres, galleries, bookstores, cafés, and restaurants, creating an attractive environment for students and visitors alike. The city has a strong international character and hosts numerous scientific, cultural, and educational events throughout the year.
Leiden is deeply connected to science, innovation, and discovery. It has played a prominent role in Dutch academic history for more than four centuries and continues to be a leading center for research in medicine, life sciences, and biotechnology. The city forms part of one of the Netherlands’ most important knowledge and innovation regions, bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, and healthcare professionals from around the world.
Another remarkable characteristic of Leiden is its large student population. Thousands of Dutch and international students live and study in the city, giving Leiden a youthful and dynamic character. This has resulted in a broad range of affordable restaurants, cafés, cultural activities, student associations, and recreational opportunities.
Dutch local time is Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +2).
Arrival at Schiphol Airport
If you are travelling by plane to the Netherlands, it is highly likely that you will arrive at Schiphol International Airport. This airport is located near Amsterdam, the capital city. From here, the train ride to Leiden is approximately 20 minutes.
Upon arrival at Schiphol International Airport, follow the signs directing you to the railway station. At the NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) service desk at the airport, you can purchase a single-use chip card for travel to Leiden centraal (approximately €8) and ask about the platform and departure time of the next intercity. The NS service desk is open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. For the most up-to-date schedule, please consult the official NS website at Travel information | NS.
Please note: It is crucial that you check in with your single-use chip card before entering the train and check out upon arrival. Failure to do so will result in invalidation of your ticket and you may be subject to a fine.
As in most countries in northwest Europe, the weather in the Netherlands can be very different from day to day, so you can experience all seasons in one day. This means that you have to take the changing weather conditions into account. We advise you to bring some cardigans (or even an umbrella) which you can easily put on and off. In March, the weather is usually between nine and twelve degrees Celsius.
