How to get to Groningen
This page contains information on how to get to Groningen. People usually first reach the Netherlands or Germany by plane and then travel to Groningen by train or by bus. For information on city public transportation within the Netherlands, go to Local information.
By plane
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol AMS
The main airport of the Netherlands, situated 15 minutes (by train) from the center of Amsterdam. The train station is directly at the airport. Trains from Schiphol to Groningen go twice an hour and take around 2.5 hours. See the train information.
Low-cost companies operating: Easyjet, Transavia
Eindhoven Airport EIN
An airport in the south of the Netherlands. Before taking the train to Groningen (around 3 hours), you need to take a bus (around 20 minutes) to the Eindhoven train station.
Low-cost companies operating: Ryanair, Wizzair
Bremen City Airport BRE
The closest German airport. Around 3 hours to Groningen by train or by bus.
Low-cost companies operating: Ryanair, Continental
Groningen Airport Eelde GAE
A regional airport situated 14 km south of Groningen. Flights from Amsterdam, London City Airport and Aberdeen.
Low-cost companies operating: BMI
By train
Useful info about Dutch trains
SPECIAL DISCOUNT IN JANUARY (het 'zoutkaartje'): The Dutch railways (NS) are offering a 40% discount for all passengers travelling between 9:00 and 16:00 or 18:30 and 4:00. If your trip falls into these time-slots, you can buy a ticket with a discount (korting). This discount is only valid in trains operated by NS (and not, e.g., Arriva). This means that you can use it if you're travelling from Schiphol Airport, for instance, but not if you're travelling from Leer in Germany (operated by Arriva). For more information (in Dutch only), follow this link.
For scheduling a train trip in the Netherlands use the Dutch railways (NS) website. (If you travel from Germany, it is better to use the German railways (DB) website. Their information is more complete.)
The best and cheapest way to buy a ticket is at a ticket machine. You pay more if you buy your ticket at the ticket office. Follow this link for more info. You don't need to validate your ticket before entry, unless you have a ticket that has no date printed on it.
It is NOT possible to buy a ticket in the train. If you have no ticket in the train, you have to pay the ticket and a 40 euro fine.
Big train stations have information desks, where people speak English and are generally very helpful.
From Schiphol Airport
If your flight lands at Schiphol, you can take the train directly from there. Do NOT go to Amsterdam first (unless you wish to), it makes the trip longer and more expensive. The train from Schiphol to Groningen takes around two and a half hours. There is a direct connection, leaving at 19 minutes past every hour, and another indirect connection, leaving 49 minutes past every hour, where you have to change in Amersfoort. A single second class train ticket from Schiphol to Groningen costs about 25,10 euro.
IMPORTANT: The train in Amersfoort has two parts (they split in Zwolle), one goes to Groningen, the other to Leeuwarden. Pay attention to getting to the right part of the train.
From Bremen Airport
It is better to travel to Groningen by bus - it is direct and faster. If you want to take a train, you need to get to Bremen railway station first and then take an indirect connection - you have to change in Leer. The train from Bremen leaves 28 minutes past every uneven hour.
From Eindhoven Airport
To get to the Eindhoven train station from the airport, take the bus 401 (it takes about 20 minutes and goes every 10 minutes). The train from Eindhoven to Groningen takes three hours. There are two connections per hour. With the connection that goes 17 minutes past every hour you have to change in Utrecht. With the connection that goes 47 minutes past every hour you have to change in Utrecht and in Amersfoort. A single second class train ticket from Eindhoven to Groningen costs about 27 euro.
IMPORTANT: The train in Amersfoort has two parts (they split in Zwolle), one goes to Groningen, the other to Leeuwarden. Pay attention to getting to the right part of the train.
By bus
For long-distance traveling, it is better to use a train. For local public transportation, see Local information.
From Bremen Airport
There are direct buses from Bremen Airport to Groningen. The trip takes 3 hours and costs 19 euro. (Notice that it is faster and cheaper than going by train.) For more information and ticket booking, go to Public Express.
From Eelde Airport
There is a direct bus (lines 50, 51, and 52) that will take you to the center of Groningen. It goes every 10 minutes and takes 30 to 45 minutes.
By car
The city of Groningen is easily accessible via the A28 and A7 motorways. The A7 links the western (most urban) part of the Netherlands to Germany and Scandinavia, and the A28 runs to the south.
