Travel by air

Traveling from Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam) to Groningen
Once you arrive in the Netherlands at Schiphol, Amsterdam international airport, the easiest way to travel to Groningen is by train. The underground train station beneath the airport is within walking distance from the luggage claim areas. The Dutch railway system is called  Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), you will recognize it by its yellow and blue colors. Please follow the illuminated signs that direct you ‘to trains’. 

Travel by train

Train Tickets

You will have to purchase a single-use chip card (this is your train ticket) to Groningen Central Station at the ticket counter or at the yellow and blue ticket-vending machines that you will find in the luggage claim hall and by every entrance to the train terminal. You can pay with a debit or credit card (V PAY, Maestro, Mastercard, Visa and American Express) at all NS Ticket Machines. If you use a single-use chip-card or OV-chipkaart please make sure you check in and out; hold your OV-chipkaart up against the NS card reader in one of the gates or free-standing posts.

You can also buy your single-journey train ticket online on the NS website and simply print it yourself, or you can download the NS app and keep your ticket on your smart phone. This allows you to take care of everything whenever and wherever it suits you. All you have to do is complete the journey details, pay for the order, and download or print your e-ticket. This means that you can board the train straight away!
 
Public Transport Chip Card
It is also possible to purchase an (anonymous) OV-chipkaart, which you can use for all public transport in the Netherlands. You can buy this card from the ticket counter or ticket-machines at the airport or train station, or order it here and pick up at the Service Point at Schiphol Airport. This OV-chip card can be (re-)charged and used until the amount is exhausted. Any remaining amount can be returned to you at the Service Point on Schiphol. More information about the OV-chipkaart can be found here.
 
Train schedules
Information on travelling by train is available on the NS website, as well as in the NS app.

The journey from Schiphol Airport takes approximately two hours and Groningen is the last stop. The trains are quite comfortable and (most trains) feature free wireless Internet in all classes and 220V AC outlets in first class. Food and drinks are not sold on the trains, please make sure that you purchase these beforehand at the airport.

Travel by car

Traveling to Groningen by car

Please note that car traffic in the city center is restricted and street parking is very limited. Also be aware of the numerous cyclists that may not exactly follow the traffic regulations. Since there is limited number of paid parking spaces available on the street, the most convenient option is to park for free at the Park&Ride Meerstad. From there you can easily reach the city center by taking Line 5 of the Qbuzz bus-network (Q-link purple, direction Annen) until the bus stop Zuiderdiep, which is located 700 meters from the NH Hotel de Ville (8-minute walk). For directions, see the map below. You can find schedule information on the Qbuzz website, and you can purchase your e-ticket for the bus here.

In addition, NH Hotel de Ville offers limited capacity valet-parking for €21.50/day.

Groningen bereikbaar
Read here about our work in progress and key traffic projects and discover smart travel alternatives.

Taxis in Groningen
Taxi Groningen: +31 (0)50 – 549 7676, www.taxicentralegroningen.nl
Taxi Noord: +31 (0)50 – 549 4940, www.taxinoord.nl
Schiphol taxi Groningen: +31 (0)50 – 850 7519, www.schipholtaxigroningen.nl