Travel information

Entering the Netherlands

Visa Information

Please visit this website to determine whether you need a visa to travel to the Netherlands.

Getting to Groningen

By public transportation

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

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 (in Zwolle). Make sure 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 slightly more than 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 euros (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 Groningen is Eelde Airport, which is 15km from Groningen. The number of connections to this airport. However. is limited. Local buses travel between this airport and Groningen Central Station and take about 50 minutes.

To plan your journey

We recommend using the 9292 journey planner for all public transport services in the Netherlands.

To obtain tickets

A few options are available.

1.     Buy your train ticket online or at the ticket machines found at NS train stations. Note: Bus tickets in Groningen can be purchased on the bus (debit and credit cards only).

2.     The 9292 App provides an all-in-one solution for planning your journey and buying relevant e-tickets for all modes of public transportation in the Netherlands. See this link for detailed instructions.

3.     Alternatively, buy a disposable OV-chip card with sufficient credit to travel on all modes of public transport in the Netherlands. Note that this card costs around EUR7.50 to purchase (excluding travel credit).

By car

You can reach Groningen via the A7 and A28 highways. However, note that large-scale reconstruction of the southern ring road affects the A7 and A28 highways and main roads in and around the City of Groningen. See here for up-to-date information about routes affected and alternatives.