Hotels & Booking information

Hotel Accommodation

A block of rooms at negotiated rates has been reserved by GIE at the Hotel Astoria Lucerne and Radisson Blu Hotel Lucerne (see below) for the nights between 11 and 13 October 2021. The special room rates will be available until a specified period (information pending) or till rooms are sold out (availability of rooms varies depending on date).

More details on how to book your stay at one of these hotels and get an additional discount is available below.

With its award-winning design by Herzog & De Meuron, the Hotel Astoria Lucerne is a four-star hotel, within walking distance of the KKL.

Additional accommodation will been reserved at the Radisson Blu Hotel Lucerne, also within walking distance from the KKL conference centre.

We advise you to book your accommodation as soon as possible, using the dedicated registration links above (available soon).

Transport

From the airports at Zurich (approx. 1 hour) and Geneva (approx. 3 hours) there is a direct train every hour to Lucerne. Basel-Mulhouse Airport is connected via a shuttle bus to Basel SBB railway station. From there, a direct train also departs every hour to Lucerne (the journey from Basel SBB is approx. 1 hour). Zurich Airport is approximately a 1 hour drive from Lucerne. The airports at Geneva and Basel are well connected. There is a train directly from Zurich Airport to Lucerne. : https://www.kkl-luzern.ch/en/your-visit/general-info/your-arrival – it’s the the train IR 75.

Hotel Astoria Lucerne
Pilatusstrasse 29
CH-6002 Lucerne
Switzerland
T +41 41 226 88 88
www.astoria-luzern.ch

Radisson Blu Lucerne
Lakefront Center Inseliquai 12
CH-6005 Lucerne
Switzerland
T +41 41 369 90 00
www.radissonhotels.com

For inquiries, please contact the GIE Secretariat:

Tel +32 2 209 05 00
E-mail gie@gie.eu

Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE)
Avenue de Cortenbergh 100
1000 Brussels
Belgium

Conference Venue

In 2021, we are delighted to welcome you at the Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre (KKL), on the shores of beautiful Lake Lucerne.

The main event of the GIE Annual Conference and the preceding GIE internal meetings will take place at the Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre (KKL), on the shores of Lake Lucerne. The KKL is located right next to the main train station and is within walking distance of the old city centre.

Designed by the visionary architect Jean Nouvel, the KKL serves as the flagship conference venue in Lucerne, and provides a prestigious venue for hosting the GIE Annual Conference.

The KKL Luzern is easily accessible by public transport. No matter whether you are travelling by train, bus or boat, you can quickly reach the Culture and Convention Centre thanks to its location in the heart of the city. From Lucerne Railway station, it’s only 100 steps under shelter to reach the KKL Luzern.

KKL Luzern
Europaplatz 1
CH-6002 Lucerne
Switzerland
T +41 41 226 74 37
www.kkl-luzern.ch

For inquiries, please contact the GIE Secretariat:

Tel +32 2 209 05 00
E-mail gie@gie.eu

Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE)
Avenue de Cortenbergh 100
1000 Brussels
Belgium

Evening Event

A Gala Dinner Evening Event organised by the Swiss hosts will take place on Tuesday evening 12 October.

Experience the past, present and future of mobility in Switzerland’s most-visited museum. A wealth of interactive attractions brings its road, rail, water, air and space focal points to life. The large arena is a great place to linger, explore and enjoy the wonderful evening event organised by our Swiss hosting companies.

Event schedule & evening programme

Tuesday 12 October from 19:15 -> 00:30

• • 19:15  Boarding
  • 19:45  Arrival at the Museum of Transport
  • 20:00 Welcome speeches
  • 20:15  Walking dinner & concert
  • 23:00  Boarding
  • 23:00 – 00:30 Cruise on the Lucerne Lake for a last cocktail

How to get to the Museum of Transport

The Museum of Transport is located on the other side of the lake , opposite of the KKL, about 2,7km on foot along the lake shores.

For an efficient and quick mass transfer, we invite you to join us for the Boat cruise over the lake, which will bring you to the event location.

Alternative ways to get to the Museum of Transport
by train and bus :

– From the train station to the museum :

• Bus n° 6 and 8 (platform B) or n°24 (platform S) – duration 6 minutes
• Train S3 (platform 1) – duration 7 minutes

– From the museum to the train station :

• Bus n° 6, 8 and 24
• Train S3

Timetable and more details are available on www.sbb.ch

How to register to attend the evening event

Please use the Conference registration form to confirm your attendance to the Evening Event.

Erdgas Ostschweiz, Erdgas Zentralschweiz, GAZNAT, Gasverbund Mittelland, Swissgas and Transitgas, the Swiss gas infrastructure operators are looking forward to being your hosts in 2021.

We are looking forward to meeting you in October 2021 in Lucerne!

Swiss Museum of Transport
Lidostrasse 5
CH-6006 Lucerne
Switzerland
T +41 (0)41 375 75 75
www.verkehrshaus.ch

For inquiries, please contact the GIE Secretariat:

Tel +32 2 209 05 00
E-mail gie@gie.eu

Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE)
Avenue de Cortenbergh 100
1000 Brussels
Belgium

Join us digitally :

Access to:

• 9 insightful panels discussions with over 40 energy leaders
• Online streaming
• Presented materials
• Exclusive videos
• Digital networking session to meet and greet with other participants
• New exciting ways to ask your questions…
• And many surprises coming up!

Possibility to upgrade your tickets into physical ones.

Join us in Lucerne :

Access to:

• 9 insightful panels discussions with over 40 energy leaders
• Physical networking with an broad audience coming from various horizons
• Access to all features included in the digital access

Back together!
Being onsite will enable you to join the unmissable GIE gala dinner. This sumptuous reception will be the occasion to meet, discuss and celebrate with prestigious energy game changers.

Travelling to Switzerland

By airplane

Zurich Airport is the closest airport to reach the KKL center in Lucerne. You can take a direct train from Zürich airport to Lucerne.
The train station is below the airport terminal complex, and direct trains leave hourly at 15 minutes past the hour. The journey takes just over an hour. The Trains IR75 & IR13 are direct trains.
Full information on train times, ticket prices, etc can be found at https://www.kkl-luzern.ch/en/your-visit/general-info/your-arrival in English, German, French and Italian. Please check times before you travel.
Zurich Airport is approximately a 1-hour drive from Lucerne.

The KKL center is at 5 mins from the Lucerne station.  To reach the KKL center, you will need to head toward the train  track 14, and take the exit next to that track.

Most hotels are within easy walking distance from the Lucerne train station.

Basel-Mulhouse Airport is connected via a shuttle bus to Basel SBB railway station. From there, a direct train also departs every hour to Lucerne (the journey from Basel SBB is approx. 1 hour).

By car or train

The Gotthard trans-alpine autobahn and railway pass through Lucerne and provide easy access by car or train from north or south.

Taxi/Bus at the airport

Taxi Hess
041 310 10 10
carreisen@hesstaxi.ch

Gössi Carreisen AG
+41 (0)41 340 30 55
info@goessi-carreisen.ch

Bucher Travel Busreisen
041 418 55 33
bus@buchertravel.ch
Doubledecker bus to 76 PAX Zürich Airport – Hotel
ca. 1,250.00

Stern-Taxi
041 781 30 00
info@stern-taxi.ch
CHF 260 Airport Pick up

Entering Switzerland

If you are entering Switzerland by airplane. You must complete the electronic entry form on a computer or smartphone before or during travel. Here you will find the Entry form: https://swissplf.admin.ch/formular . Once you’ve filled out the form you’ll be emailed a QR code as confirmation. Have this code ready for inspection when you enter Switzerland. If you are controlled you can show the QR code on your smartphone or produce a printed confirmation. If you have not filled out the entry form despite the obligation to do so, the controlling authority can punish you with a CHF 100 fine. The same applies if you provide false information on the form.

You will need to present the Covid certificate.  This certificate includes the following:

1. Being fully vaccinated

People who are fully vaccinated are exempt from many health-related measures at the border. These exemptions apply to people who have been vaccinated with one of the following vaccines:

• Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2 / Comirnaty® / Tozinameran)
• Moderna (mRNA-1273 / Spikevax / COVID-19 vaccine Moderna)
• AstraZeneca (AZD1222 Vaxzevria®/ Covishield™)
• Janssen / Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S)
• Sinopharm / BIBP (SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell))
• Sinovac (CoronaVac)

The “EU Digital COVID Certificate” of the EU is also recognised in Switzerland. You can thus enter Switzerland with the certificate.

If don’t you have a COVID certificate that is recognised in Switzerland? In this case, in addition to your last name, first name and date of birth, your proof of vaccination must also include the date of vaccination and the vaccine used.

2. Providing a negative test result

Are you not fully vaccinated or unable to prove that you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months? In the following cases you will have to present proof of a negative PCR test (not older than 72 hours) or rapid antigen test (not older than 48 hours):

KKL center has settled a health center where PCR and antigen Test could be conducted on 12th and 13th October 2021. The health center is located by the main entrance of the venue.

1. 3. Providing a recovery certificate from COVID-19 dated from no longer than 6 months.

We wish you a pleasant journey and look forward to welcoming you in Lucerne!

For inquiries, please contact the GIE Secretariat:

Tel +32 2 209 05 00
E-mail gie@gie.eu

Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE)
Avenue de Cortenbergh 100
1000 Brussels
Belgium

Welcome to Lucerne

Tourist information

Welcome to the wonderful city of Lucerne, the capital of the Swiss canton of the same name, located in the heart of Switzerland, where the Swiss Confederation was once founded.

The city of Lucerne, with a population of just under 82 000, lies at the outflow of the Reuss river from Lake Lucerne. It is the social and cultural centre of Central Switzerland.

Lucerne is an important tourist destination in Switzerland and the most popular summer destination in the Alpine region (over the entire year, Lucerne ranks third). Lucerne benefits on the one hand from its picturesque location on Lake Lucerne and its practical proximity to the Alps, and on the other hand from sights such as the historic Chapel Bridge, the Swiss Museum of Transport, the architectural masterpiece KKL Luzern and many more.

We hope you take up the opportunity to explore this wonderful city, stroll the streets, have a drink or go shopping!

Getting around in Lucerne

The city benefits from a dense public transportation network. The main railway station is in the center of the city, directly by the public transportation main station.

The congress Center KKL is situated just next to the train station (2 minutes-walk)

The city of Lucerne operates a dense public transport network of buses and trolleybuses. Conference delegates and participants at corporate events in Lucerne can use the public transportation for free thanks to the visitor card.

The Visitor Card gives overnight guests free use of buses and trains within zone 10 of the city network (excluding boat trips), as well as a range of discounts for cableways, mountain railways, museums and excursions in the Lucerne-Lake Lucerne Region. Guests can also take advantage of ‘Free WiFi – LUZERN.COM’ hotspots dotted around the city.

More information is available on  https://www.luzern.com/en/services/visitor-card-lucerne/

Timetables: www.sbb.ch or www.vbl.ch

We hope you enjoy the wonderful city of Lucerne and experience real Swiss hospitality!

Tourist information: www.luzern.com

Download the Official Lucerne City Guide (13MB)

For inquiries, please contact the GIE Secretariat:

Tel +32 2 209 05 00
E-mail gie@gie.eu

Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE)
Avenue de Cortenbergh 100
1000 Brussels
Belgium

Covid

Sanitary measures for participants at the KKL venue

Dear participant,

We are officially allowed to throw an amazing GIE Annual Conference in person! And we are planning on making the most out of it.

For those two exciting days, all safety measures will be taken to ensure a safe experience on site. Rules from the Swiss Federal Council will be followed. Please take note that certificate checks will be carried out at the entrance. We invite you to find below more information.

Context: Since Monday, 13 September 2021, a Covid certificate is required to access indoor activities. The venue of our conference, KKL Luzern center applies the same rules.

Bring your ID & valid Covid certificate*
We kindly remind you to bring a valid Covid certificate* and your ID. Please find below the definition of what is a valid Covid Certificate is.

I/ You are fully vaccinated

Here is good news for you:
The “EU Digital COVID Certificate” of the EU is recognised in Switzerland. You can thus enter Switzerland with this certificate. 

People who are fully vaccinated are exempt from many health-related measures at the border with one of the following vaccines:

• Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2 / Comirnaty® / Tozinameran)
• Moderna (mRNA-1273 / Spikevax / COVID-19 vaccine Moderna)
• AstraZeneca (AZD1222 Vaxzevria®/ Covishield™)
• Janssen / Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S)
• Sinopharm / BIBP (SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell))
• Sinovac (CoronaVac)

Your COVID certificate is not recognised in Switzerland? No worries:

You just need to bring with you a proof of vaccination mentioning:

• Your last name
• Your first name
• Your date of birth
• The date of vaccination
• The vaccine used

II/ Negative test result

Not fully vaccinated or no proof of recent covid-19 recovery?

We got you covered, just present a negative PCR (not older than 72 hours) or rapid antigen test results (not older than 48 hours).

Where to get tested on site?

Another good news, there is a test center at 5-minute walk from the entrance of the conference. At the Permanence MedCenter AG located in the shopping area of Lucerne train station.

Tel: +41 41 211 14 44, Opening hour : Monday to Sunday from 07.00 till 23.00

→ No need of pre-registration, test results available in 1 till 3 days via SMS/e-mail

III/ Recovery certificate (max 6 months)

Further information on how to obtain a Covid certificate can be found on the FOPH website.

We count on you

All those pieces of information still means that if you feel sick, you should stay home.

We are monitoring closely the situation and advise you to do the same as some measures might vary depending on the country. Please find the health-related measures on the Swiss Federal Council website.

See you soon in Lucerne!

Best wishes,

GIE Team

For inquiries, please contact the GIE Secretariat:

Tel +32 2 209 05 00
E-mail gie@gie.eu

Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE)
Avenue de Cortenbergh 100
1000 Brussels
Belgium