How to get here
Useful information to know when travelling to the Netherlands
Travel by air
Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam)
The easiest way to travel from Schiphol to Groningen is by train. There is a train station beneath the airport, within walking distance of the luggage claim areas. The Dutch railway system is called Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), you will recognize its yellow and blue colors. You will find the train station by following the illuminated signs that direct ‘to trains’.
Travel by train
Train Tickets
You will have to purchase a single-use chip card (this is your train ticket) to Groningen 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 purchase tickets from the machines only by using your Credit Card or a Debit Card with the Maestro logo. The vending machines do not take Credit Cards or American Debit Cards.
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 ticket online and simply print it yourself. 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, download and print your e-ticket. This means that you can board the train straight away!
Train schedules
Information on travelling by train is available on the NS website.
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. There are multiple parking garages located near the city center.
More information on car parking in Groningen, including the street parking regulations, can be found here.
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