UPCLOSE 2026
MAY 16 & 17, HOUTRAK (SPAARNWOUDE-PARK)
Upclose | How to travel
2026
We cannot wait to see you at Upclose!
To avoid queues and save some time you can plan your trip, and pre-order your bus, parking & locker tickets with a discount.
Travel responsible
Together, we can protect our planet by traveling responsibly.
Do you live a little too far to travel by bike? The easiest and most sustainable way to get to Upclose is to take the train to Amsterdam Sloterdijk. Avoid taxis and take the shuttle bus to the festival, from the shuttle drop-off point it's only a 10-minute walk to the entrance.
By Bike
The festival can easily be reached by bike, it's only a 40-minute bike ride from Amsterdam city center. We have a bike parking close to the entrance.
NOTE: don't forget to remove your bike before Monday. On Monday all the fences will be removed and all remaining obstructing bikes will be removed as well. Locks will get cut and costs are not refunded.
Navigate to Wethouder van Essenweg, Halfweg for the bike-parking close to the entrance
NOTE: don't forget to remove your bike before Monday. On Monday all the fences will be removed and all remaining obstructing bikes will be removed as well. Locks will get cut and costs are not refunded.
Navigate to Wethouder van Essenweg, Halfweg for the bike-parking close to the entrance
By Train
The easiest and most used option is to take the train to Amsterdam Sloterdijk. From there, you take a shuttle bus (10-minute drive) or a bike (25-minute drive) to the festival.
The train station Halfweg is closed during the Festival, since the station is not big enough for our visitors.
Click here to plan your train trip and get your tickets in advance.
The train station Halfweg is closed during the Festival, since the station is not big enough for our visitors.
Click here to plan your train trip and get your tickets in advance.
Shuttle bus from Amsterdam Sloterdijk
These buses operate between Amsterdam Sloterdijk train station and the festival. From the shuttle bus drop-off point, it's only a 10-minute walk to the festival entrance.
Departure times
The first buses depart at 11:00 and they will continue driving to and from the festival throughout the duration of the festival.
Price
A return ticket between Sloterdijk and the festival costs € 8,95 in pre-sale and €12,50 on the day itself.
It is easy to buy bus tickets directly in our ticket shop.
Leaving the event
For your return trip back to Sloterdijk, keep in mind that there can be a short wait for the shuttle buses at the bus stop. Also, be aware that it will take extra time to gather your things from the lockers and walk to the bus stop.
Facilities for visitors with a physical disability
At the shuttle bus station, there are no special facilities. However, the shuttle buses are accessible to you. It is recommended to arrive as early as possible to avoid traveling at peak hours.
Departure times
The first buses depart at 11:00 and they will continue driving to and from the festival throughout the duration of the festival.
Price
A return ticket between Sloterdijk and the festival costs € 8,95 in pre-sale and €12,50 on the day itself.
It is easy to buy bus tickets directly in our ticket shop.
Leaving the event
For your return trip back to Sloterdijk, keep in mind that there can be a short wait for the shuttle buses at the bus stop. Also, be aware that it will take extra time to gather your things from the lockers and walk to the bus stop.
Facilities for visitors with a physical disability
At the shuttle bus station, there are no special facilities. However, the shuttle buses are accessible to you. It is recommended to arrive as early as possible to avoid traveling at peak hours.
Organizing your own touringcar?
If you are organizing a bus trip on your own, please fill out this form, so we can inform you about the best route and available parking space. You will receive all the required travel information from our partner Traffic Support in the week of the festival.
other travel options
Of course, we have other options if you can't travel via any of the above.
Car & Parking
Parking tickets are available in our ticketshop.
Parking tickets
A 1-day parking costs € 25,- in pre-sale. (€ 30,- on location).
A 2-day parking ticket costs €40,- (2x € 30,- on location (per day)).
We will donate 2% of the ticket fee to Trees for All to compensate for the CO2 emission.
Your car can stay in the parking area from Saturday to Sunday but you are not allowed to sleep in your car.
Car parking adress: Burgemeester Michielsenweg, Halfweg
Turn off the navigation system from the moment you see the first yellow sign or mobile information system.
Keep your parking ticket ready on your phone on arrival, the barcode will be scanned.
Parking tickets
A 1-day parking costs € 25,- in pre-sale. (€ 30,- on location).
A 2-day parking ticket costs €40,- (2x € 30,- on location (per day)).
We will donate 2% of the ticket fee to Trees for All to compensate for the CO2 emission.
Your car can stay in the parking area from Saturday to Sunday but you are not allowed to sleep in your car.
Car parking adress: Burgemeester Michielsenweg, Halfweg
Turn off the navigation system from the moment you see the first yellow sign or mobile information system.
Keep your parking ticket ready on your phone on arrival, the barcode will be scanned.
Share your ride with Slinger
Ride together to the festival! As a driver, you are not left with empty seats and ofcourse it is way more fun to drive with others. You can also share the costs of the ride and parking ticket and you drive more sustainable.
Click on the widget on the right to share your ride, or search for a ride.
Click on the widget on the right to share your ride, or search for a ride.
Kiss & Ride
Kiss & Ride address: Burgemeester Michielsenweg, Halfweg
Once you see the yellow 'Kiss & Ride' signs, turn off your navigation and follow the signs.
Once you see the yellow 'Kiss & Ride' signs, turn off your navigation and follow the signs.
Taxi
We do not advice to take a taxi. There will be a long queue at the end of the festival and prices will be high.
A better and cleaner way (50 persons instead of 4 persons in one trip) is to take the Sloterdijk shuttle service.
Taxis can only stop at the designated taxi area, so if you want to take a taxi to head home: start following the Taxi signing. The taxis for larger groups >4 will be lined up separately, so watch out to stand in the right line.
A better and cleaner way (50 persons instead of 4 persons in one trip) is to take the Sloterdijk shuttle service.
Taxis can only stop at the designated taxi area, so if you want to take a taxi to head home: start following the Taxi signing. The taxis for larger groups >4 will be lined up separately, so watch out to stand in the right line.
Parking for visitors with a physical or sensory disability
In case you need to park near the festival, please let us know.
You can buy a special parking ticket and show it together with your own 'physically disabled' parking permit to our parking crew. If possible, they will arrange a parking place near the event. A place near the entrance cannot be guaranteed.
With your disabled parking card, you get the most optimal parking at that time. When the parking is closed for other traffic the disabled parking ticket grants you access.
Note: this parking ticket is not for free. Please send an email to accessibility@awakenings.nl to get your ticket link.
You can buy a special parking ticket and show it together with your own 'physically disabled' parking permit to our parking crew. If possible, they will arrange a parking place near the event. A place near the entrance cannot be guaranteed.
With your disabled parking card, you get the most optimal parking at that time. When the parking is closed for other traffic the disabled parking ticket grants you access.
Note: this parking ticket is not for free. Please send an email to accessibility@awakenings.nl to get your ticket link.
make your trip more
sustainable
We ask you to lower your travel impact on the environment. Trees take the Co2 out of the air, so by donating trees, we can contribute to a greener world. You can donate through the button below.