Are you planning a trip to Groningen from Amsterdam or Schiphol Airport? Traveling by train is the most convenient and popular option. With frequent departures throughout the day and a journey time of around 2 hours, you can easily make your way to Groningen Station. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the different ways to purchase train tickets, including paying with a debit card or mobile phone. We’ll also cover other transportation options, such as bus, car, and plane, to help you choose the best option for your travel needs. So let’s get started!
How to get to Groningen from Amsterdam (or Schiphol Airport)
If you’re flying to Amsterdam or Schiphol Airport and want to make your way to Groningen, your best bet will be by train. But there are several ways to get from Amsterdam to Groningen.
By Train
The most convenient and popular way to travel from Amsterdam to Groningen is by train. There are frequent trains departing from Amsterdam Central Station to Groningen Station throughout the day, and the journey takes around 2 hours. You can check the schedules and purchase tickets online at the Dutch railway website NS.
Buying a ticket for the train in The Netherlands
You can purchase train tickets from Schiphol or any station to Groningen either online or at a ticket machine or ticket counter at the train station.
To purchase tickets online, you can visit the Dutch railway website NS and select your travel dates, departure time, and destination. You can choose to receive your ticket via email or to collect it through the NS app. Payment can be made by credit card or iDeal (an online payment system used in the Netherlands).
If you prefer to purchase tickets at the station, you can find ticket machines and ticket counters near the entrances to the train platforms. You can select your destination and travel date, and then pay using cash or credit card. If you need assistance, you can also speak to a customer service representative at a ticket counter.
It’s important to note that the Dutch railway system uses a “check-in, check-out” system with a smart card called the OV-chipkaart, which can be used for all public transportation in the Netherlands. If you don’t have an OV-chipkaart, you can purchase a disposable one-way ticket at a ticket machine or ticket counter or buy a ticket through the app.
Paying with a debit card or your phone
Train travelers who travel second class at full price can, in addition to the OV-chip card, also check in and out with the contactless debit card, credit card, or mobile phone at NS. You no longer have to go to a ticket machine to buy a ticket or load credit, but can check in directly and catch your train. With the introduction of OVpay, traveling by public transport becomes even easier.
By Bus
There are also direct bus services from Amsterdam to Groningen operated by Flixbus, which take around 3 hours. You can book tickets and check schedules online at the Flixbus website.
By Car
If you prefer to drive, the journey from Amsterdam to Groningen takes around 2 hours and is relatively straightforward. You can rent a car from Amsterdam or take your own vehicle. Renting your car is easy and you could use easyterra.nl or the Dutch Sunny Cars to book a rental car.
To get to Groningen by car from anywhere in the Netherlands, you can use a navigation system or a map and follow the highways to the city. Groningen is located in the northern part of the Netherlands, and it is easily accessible by car from major cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam.
The A7 and A28 are the main highways that lead to Groningen. If you are traveling from the west of the Netherlands, take the A7 from Amsterdam and follow the signs to Groningen. If you are traveling from the south or east of the Netherlands, take the A28 from Utrecht or Zwolle and follow the signs to Groningen.
By Plane
Although not entirely sustainable, you could fly to Groningen Airport Eelde from a few locations in The Netherlands, which is located approximately 10 km south of Groningen city center. There are very limited connections to other Dutch cities, as well as some international destinations. The flight time is around 45 minutes.
However, taking the train or bus is usually a faster and more convenient option.
If you have the chance to fly to Groningen Airport Eelde, instead of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport you could choose that option as well.
How to get from Eelde airport to Groningen central station
By bus
The easiest way to get from Eelde Airport to Groningen Central Station is by taking a bus. Bus line 2 (Qbuzz) connects the airport to Groningen Central Station, with departures every half hour on weekdays and every hour on weekends. The journey takes around 20-25 minutes and the bus stop is located just outside the airport terminal.
Tip: 9292ov.nl is a website that provides information about public transportation options in the Netherlands, including trains, buses, trams, and metros.
How to purchase tickets
You can purchase tickets from the bus driver or buy an (anonymous) OV-chipkaart at the airport or Groningen Central Station, which can be used for all public transport in the Netherlands. You should only buy this OV-chipkaart if you would be using this more often in the future. Alternatively, you can also purchase an e-ticket through the Qbuzz website or mobile app but we’d recommend paying by debit card or your mobile phone.
By Taxi
If you prefer a taxi, there is a taxi stand located just outside the airport terminal where you can hire a taxi to take you directly to Groningen Central Station. The journey time is approximately 15-20 minutes and the fare will depend on the time of day and any additional services required.
Overall, taking the bus is the most affordable and convenient option to get from Eelde Airport to Groningen Central Station.