How to get to Groningen

So, there you are.. in Holland. Your plane just landed and you managed to fish your (usually heavy) bags off the luggage belt. You know it's the beginning of a big adventure, but how to get to Groningen might be tricky. Here's what to do:

Groningen by train

The best and only way to get to Groningen is by train (unless you have friends picking you up), the train station is situated under Schiphol Airport. Our railway company is called NS, short for Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch railways). NS has it's own website, which is also in English. Click here for the English website of the NS. Holland has a great railway system, which means that most cities are easily accessible by train. You can plan your journey by using the 'Journey planner'  on the NS-website. You can also check out the ticketprices on the website. Don't forget to buy yourself a ticket before entering the train!

The price for a one-way ticket from Schiphol to Groningen is 23,00 euro. Buy a ticket at the ticket machine, or find yourself an NS counter. 

Ok, so at Schiphol Airport you have to go to track 3 (go down the escalator next to the sign that says 'spoor 3'), and you can take the train that goes straight to Groningen from there. 2,5 hours later you'll be standing at our beautiful train station. The train that goes straight to Groningen will depart every hour at 19 minutes past the hour. The first train usually departs at 07:19, and the last train usually departs at 23:19.

If you take the train that departs every hour at 49 minutes past the hour, you'll have to switch trains in Amersfoort. Amersfoort is the fourth stop for this train. What you do is take your bags (never forget your luggage, I know you're tired from the long flight.. but try to remember) and get out of the train. Then you walk to the escalator, take the escalator go left and follow the sign that says 'spoor 2' (it's the first exit left) and take the train that departs there at 38 minutes past  every hour. This is the train to Groningen.

Finally two Dutch words you need to know:
'Spoor' is platform

'Vertrek' is Departure

If you have more questions about your trip, you can always ask an employee of the NS for help. They are dressed in a dark blue suit, with a red stripe on the right lapel of their jacket. 

What to do when you forgot your bags in the train 

Oops.. forgot your bag in the train? Try to stay calm, find yourself a phone and call this number: 0900-3212100 (costs: 0,80 cents per minute). Only reachable on workdays between 08:00 and 20:00. They will help you further.

Pick-up service RUG University and Hanzehogeschool

RUG pick-up service:

Schiphol taxi call (+31) 50 363 5522
- Per person, 65 euro
- 2 persons, 60 per person
- 3 persons, 55 per person
- ect.

Hanzehogeschool pick-up service:

Students coming to study at Hanze University Groningen can be picked up from Schiphol Airport if they wish. Students can apply for this “pick-up service” by sending an e-mail (at least one week before departure) to iso@org.hanze.nl with subject PICK-UP 

and stating: 
- their name (if they travel with fellow prospective students, their names as well); 
- place and country of residence; 
- date, place and time of departure; 
- in case of stop-over, the exact time, place and flight number; 
- date and time of arrival in the Netherlands; 
- flight number and company, 
- address of your accommodation in Groningen, 
- telephone number

ESN is not to be held responsible if anything goes wrong with or during your trip to Groningen. Train schedules can change. For the most recent travel information it's best to check the NS Website.