Getting to Groningen

The City of Groningen has excellent connections to all main airports and railway stations in the Netherlands. It is located in the northeast of the Netherlands, approximately 200 km from Amsterdam. The closest airports to the University of Groningen are Eelde Airport, Groningen (45 mins away), Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam (2hr 10 mins) and Bremen Airport, Bremen, Germany (2hr).

We advise you to use this journey planner for all Dutch public transport.

Schiphol - Groningen

You will probably arrive in the Netherlands at Schiphol, Amsterdam International Airport. The easiest way to travel to Groningen is to take the train. The underground train station is located near Schiphol Plaza, within several minutes walking distance from the luggage claim. The Dutch railway system is run by Nederlandse Spoorwegen and known as NS. You will recognize it by its yellow and blue colours. Look out for the yellow illuminated signs that direct you ‘To the trains’.

There is a direct hourly train service to Groningen from Schiphol Airport. Additional connections every hour involve just one change of trains. Make sure that you board one of the carriages marked with the destination Groningen (the other part of the train travels to Leeuwarden). The journey from Amsterdam or Schiphol Airport to Groningen takes a little over 2 hours.

Bremen - Groningen

Another way to arrive in the Netherlands is via Bremen Airport. The cheapest and easiest way to travel from Bremen to Groningen is to take the Flixbus. This will take you from Bremen to Groningen in about 2,5 hours and costs around 11 euro (one way), depending on the time you travel. You can book your ticket online or buy one directly from the driver. The buses run about 8 times a day, from 6.00h to 22.30h.

Eelde Airport - Groningen

The closest airport to the city of Groningen is Eelde Airport, which is 15km from Groningen. There are local buses traveling between Groningen Airport Eelde and Groningen Central Station and the trip lasts roughly 50 minutes.

Tickets

Travel with public transport in the Netherlands requires a disposable OV-chip card, which is valid on all public transportation. If you switch to another method of transportation during your trip, you have to check out with the first company and check in with the new one. E.g. if you take a train to Amsterdam and a bus to the city center, do not forget to check out at the train station and check in in the bus. This is also applicable if you transfer from one train company to another.

Please find more information about the system and how to use the OV-chipkaart at the following web pages:

If you will only travel by train, you can also just buy an e-ticket online. Make sure to print is before you travel!

Buy your train e-ticket

Transportation within Groningen

Most summer school venues are located within walking distance of the city centre. If student housing is arranged for you, this will be in a venue close to both the city centre and your summer school venue.

Buses

Within the city of Groningen several bus lines connect the outer districts with the city center and the railway station. There are two direct bus lines from and to the Zernike campus. The OV-chipkaart can be used to pay for the bus ride, however, paper tickets are still for sale on the bus.