The Hague (Den Haag in Dutch) is a vibrant city on the North Sea coast, known as the seat of the Dutch government and home to the International Court of Justice. Whether you are travelling from within Europe or internationally, The Hague is well-connected and easy to reach. This page will guide you on the best ways to get to The Hague. With this extensive information you will be able to travel easily and comfortably!
do you Need a visa to travel to the netherlands?
We can help you with that! The Support Team will gladly write an inviation letter for you and help you apply for a visa. Read more about it on the Visa page.
can you not afford the journey?
We offer Delegates with financial restrictions a Travel Grant. You can apply for a certain amount of money to cover your travel costs to and from The Hague. Read more about it on the Grant page.
Air travel
The Hague can be reached from multiple airports, choose the one that is more suitable for you and your flight connections! Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) and Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) are the most convenient for reaching The Hague quickly. Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) is best suited for budget travellers using low-cost airlines, although travel times to The Hague are longer.
From Schipol Airport (AMS)
The largest and busiest airport in the Netherlands, located about 45 km (28 miles) from The Hague. It serves as the main gateway for international flights.
By Train: Direct trains from Schiphol to The Hague Central Station (Den Haag Centraal) run frequently, taking around 30-40 minutes. Tickets can be bought from the yellow ticket machines or the NS (Dutch Railways) app or website.
By Bus: intercity buses are available, but they take longer than trains (about 1-1.5 hours) and are less frequent.
By Taxi: A taxi from Schiphol to The Hague costs approximately €60-80 and takes about 35-45 minutes, depending on traffic.
From Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM)
Located about 20 km (12 miles) from The Hague, this smaller airport offers regional and some international flights.
By Train & Bus: Take bus number 33 to Rotterdam Central Station, then transfer to a train to The Hague Central Station. The total travel time is about 60-70 minutes.
By train & metro: Take bus number 33 to bus stop Meijersplein, which is at the end of the bus line, and then transfer to Metro E to The Hague Central Station. The total travel time is about 40-45 minutes.
By Taxi: A taxi ride from this airport to The Hague costs around €40-50 and takes about 20-30 minutes.
From Eindhoven Airport (EIN)
Approximately 130 km (80 miles) away, mostly for low-cost airlines.
By Train & Bus:
- Bus to Eindhoven Station: Take Bus 400 or Bus 401 from Eindhoven Airport to Eindhoven Central Station. The journey takes about 20 minutes.
- Train to The Hague: From Eindhoven Central Station, take an Intercity train to The Hague Central Station (Den Haag Centraal). The train ride lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, with most trains requiring a transfer at either Utrecht Central or Rotterdam Central.
- Total Travel Time: The entire journey from Eindhoven Airport to The Hague typically takes about 2 to 2.5 hours.
By Taxi: A direct taxi ride from Eindhoven Airport to The Hague can take around 1.5 hours, depending on traffic. However, it is a more expensive option, costing around €150-€200.
By car: If you’re renting a car, you can drive to The Hague via the A2 and A12 motorways. The trip is straightforward and takes approximately 1.5 hours, depending on traffic conditions.
From Brussels Airport (BRU)
The main international airport in Belgium, located about 140 km (87 miles) from The Hague. It’s well-connected with direct train and bus services to the Netherlands.
By Train: Direct trains from Brussels Airport to The Hague take about 2-3 hours. You may need to change trains at Brussels or Rotterdam.
By Bus: International bus services like FlixBus operate from Brussels to The Hague, taking around 3-4 hours.
By car: Driving from Brussels Airport to The Hague takes about 1.5-2 hours, depending on traffic.
From Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL)
Situated around 210 km (130 miles) from The Hague, this airport is a hub for low-cost carriers like Ryanair and offers budget-friendly options.
By Train: Take a shuttle bus from the airport to Charleroi-South Railway Station, then catch a train to Brussels. From Brussels, you can take a train directly to The Hague. The total travel time is around 3-4 hours.
By Bus: FlixBus also operates buses from Charleroi to The Hague, though they may not be as frequent as those from Brussels.
By car: The drive from Charleroi Airport to The Hague is around 2.5-3 hours.
Train travel
From international to domestic services, travelling by train can be a sustainable option for your trip!
Stations in The Hague
The Hague Central Station (Den Haag Centraal)
The main hub in the city, centrally located and connected to all public transport.
The Hague Hollands Spoor (HS)
A smaller station with good international train connections, close to the main venues.
International Train Services
From Belgium (Brussels): Direct trains run from Brussels to The Hague in about 2 hours.
From France (Paris): Thalys high-speed trains connect Paris to Rotterdam (2.5 hours), from where you can take a local train to The Hague (20 minutes).
From Germany (Berlin or Cologne): ICE trains operate from German cities to The Hague via Utrecht or Rotterdam, taking about 6 hours from Berlin and 3 hours from Cologne.
Domestic Train Services
The Netherlands has an extensive railway network operated by NS. The Hague is well-connected to all major Dutch cities:
- Amsterdam to The Hague: About 50 minutes by direct intercity train.
- Rotterdam to The Hague: Just 20 minutes by train.
- Utrecht to The Hague: Around 40 minutes by intercity train.
Use the NS (Dutch Railways) app or website for real-time train schedules and delays.
Bus travel
If you love night trips and long bus rides, this is the section for you!
International Bus Services
Buses are a budget-friendly way to reach The Hague from neighbouring countries:
- FlixBus: Offers connections from cities like Brussels, Paris, and Berlin directly to The Hague. You can also combine more flixbusses if from your city there is no direct ride to The Hague.
- Eurolines: Another option with many routes across Europe to The Hague.
Bus travel times are generally longer than trains but are more economical.ailways) app or website for real-time train schedules and delays.
Domestic Bus Services
Regional buses connect The Hague with nearby towns and cities. The main bus station is near The Hague Central Station, where you can easily transfer to local trams or trains. The NS website/app and the 9292 website/app can be used to look up appropriate buslines.
Car travel
Driving to The Hague
The Hague is well-connected to the European motorway network:
From Amsterdam: Follow the A4 motorway to The Hague; travel time is about 1 hour.
From Rotterdam: Take the A13 motorway; travel time is about 30 minutes.
From Antwerp (Belgium): Use the A12 motorway, and it takes around 1.5 hours.
Parking in The Hague
The city has various parking options:
Park-and-Ride (P+R) Facilities: Affordable parking on the outskirts with easy public transport connections to the city centre.
City Center Parking Garages: Convenient but more expensive, costing around €2.50-€4 per hour.
Tip: Consider using public transportation within the city to avoid traffic congestion and high parking fees.
Traveling in The Hague
Trams and buses
Trams: Operated by HTM, the tram network in The Hague is extensive, linking the city centre with suburbs and nearby towns.
Buses: Complement the tram network and provide additional connectivity.
Buy an OV-chipkaart! This rechargeable smart card is used for all public transport in the Netherlands.
Bicycle rentals
The Hague is a bicycle-friendly city, with bike rentals available at most train stations and throughout the city. It’s a great way to explore the city’s attractions.
Taxi and Ride-Sharing
Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber are available but are more expensive than public transport options.
Helpful Tips
- OV-chipkaart: This rechargeable smart card is used for all public transport in the Netherlands. While it is convenient to have, it is not recommended you buy one unless you will be staying in The Netherlands for a longer period of time. You can buy tickets at ticket machines or through apps (NS and 9292) for public transport. You can also use your bank card or phone, but keep in mind that international bank cards sometimes result in an error. Don’t forget to always check in AND check out!
- Check Schedules: Use the NS (Dutch Railways) app or website for real-time train schedules and delays.
- Language: Most Dutch people speak English well, so you won’t have trouble asking for directions.
- 9292 for buses, NS for trains: Use the 9292 for bus, tram, and metro and the NS for train schedules.
- No cash payments: Many public transport providers are cashless, so use a card or buy tickets online.