How to find us

Map and directions

African Studies Centre Leiden, Pieter de la Courtgebouw / Faculty of Social Sciences
Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK Leiden

The African Studies Centre Leiden is located in the Pieter de la Court building at Leiden University's Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences.

The ASCL Library is on the ground floor just beyond the reception desk.

The ASCL’s Secretariat (Room 3.A05), research offices, seminar room and the Director’s office are all on the third floor. Opposite the elevator is the Common Room (the ‘Bamboo Lounge’). Turn right and go through the white doors into the ASCL. The Secretariat is on the left-hand side and the seminar room is a little further down the corridor on the right.

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By public transport

The most convenient way to reach the ASCL is by public transport. The Pieter de la Court building, where the ASCL has its offices and library, is a 10-minute walk from Leiden Central Station.

Directions from Leiden Central Station to the ASCL

Take the rear exit from the station (marked ‘LUMC’). Cross the street and turn left. Turn right at the 'Pieter de la Court gebouw' signpost, just before the LUMC hospital. Follow the signs and walk in the direction of the GGZ Rivierduinen building. Immediately behind this building are steps leading up to the entrance to the six-storey yellow-brick Pieter de la Court building.

From Schiphol Airport to the ASCL by train

There are at least six trains an hour from Schiphol Airport to Leiden. Trains usually leave from Platform 5 or 6. You need to buy a ticket in the main station hall before you go down to the platforms. Tickets can be purchased from the Ticket & Service desk. A single second-class ticket to Leiden costs € 5.70 plus a € 1 supplement. You can also buy a single-use chipcard from one of the NS ticket machines. The journey takes about 20 minutes.

By car

Route from the A44
Leave the A44 at Exit 8 'Leiden Centrum Transferium', N206. Follow the direction of Leiden Centre/Naturalis via Plesmanlaan. At the Naturalis museum turn left (Darwinweg). Follow the signs for 'Ziekenhuizen' (hospitals). At the second roundabout take the second exit. Immediately on your right you will see the Rijnveste car park. The yellow-brick building next door is the Pieter de la Court building.

Parking facilities
There are two parkings close to the Pieter de la Court building. The closest car park is at the neighbouring GGZ Rivierduinen building, Sandifortdreef 9 (to the right of the Pieter de la Court building). You will need a 'pinpas' (bank card) to pay for parking. The tariff is €1 per hour for the first two hours and then €2 per hour. After the fifth hour, the maximum day rate of €8 is charged.
Another possibility is the LUMC multi-storey car park, address: Albinusdreef 2333 ZA Leiden, which is also close by. See the parking rates. The first 60 minutes are free of charge.

How to find three of the most popular hotels in Leiden

Ibis Hotel, Stationsplein 240
Directions from Leiden Central Station to the Ibis Hotel:
Leave Leiden Central Station by the main entrance. In front of the station is a large open area and a bus station on the right. Walk passed the bus station. The Ibis Hotel is at the end of the street on the left-hand side.

Hampshire hotel/Fitland Leiden, Bargelaan 180
Directions from Leiden Central Station to the Hampshire hotel:
Leave Leiden Central Station by the rear entrance (hospital LUMC). As soon as you have left the building you see the hotel at your left in the Level building.

Nieuw Minerva, Boommarkt 23
Directions from Leiden Central Station to the Hotel Nieuw Minerva:
Leave Leiden Central Station by the main entrance. Walk straight ahead on the Stationsweg. This becomes the Steenstraat. At the end of Steenstraat, turn left over the bridge and then immediately turn right. The second street on the left is Boommarkt and the Hotel Nieuw Minerva is on the right-hand side.