Transportation

Transportation to and from The Hague couldn’t be easier with the Central Station just a few minutes walk from the academy building. Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam Airport and the city of Amsterdam are all within 30 to 40 minutes train rides. The city’s bus and tram systems are just as easy to navigate, and cycling is the preferred mode of transport.

Public transport throughout the whole of the Netherlands is well organised. But if you are new you might need some extra tips. There are many ways to get around in The Hague. You can go on foot or by bike, but public transport is an easy way to get from A to B.

Public transport possibilities in The Hague include the train, bus, and tram. On this page you will find extra information on how to use all types of public transport. We also tell you how to plan your trip from A to B within the Netherlands. And let's not forget one of the most popular means of transport in the Netherlands: cycling.

Public transport

To travel by public transport in the The Hague area and the Netherlands in general, you will need a special card called OV chipcard to pay the travel costs. After topping up this card you can check in and check out using practically any means of transport and you will pay for the amount of travelled kilometers. There are two types of OV chipcards, please check the website for actual prices. With this card you can travel by train, tram, metro, bus, etc. In some cases, it is even impossible to pay for a paper ticket with cash.

  • Personal OV chipcard (includes your picture and date of birth, you can apply for discounts and extra services, such as renting a bike at all available train stations in the Netherlands). You can order an OV chipcard here. Please note you need a Dutch bank account for this.
  • Anonymous OV chipcard (no picture and it can be used by everyone, but you cannot apply for discounts and extra services). You can buy the anonymous OV chipcard at the ticket machines at other stations.

One of the best websites to check the fastest route from A to B is www.9292.nl, it includes all means of public transport and it is also completely available in English. You can also download the 9292 app.

You can also find assistance choosing the best travel subscription on this website. After selecting your route, scroll down to the blue button ‘Show subscription information’. Here you put in your age and the number of days per week or per month you travel this route.

Once you press ‘Get advice’, you will see both the regular price travelling by OV chipcard and the most economical subscription available, with a direct link to the page to buy this subscription. Please note you need a personal OV chipcard to be able to buy these subscriptions.

Full degree students can also check if they are eligible for the student travel product. This is offered by DUO, the organisation that is also responsible for student finance (see also our Funding & Scholarships page for more information).

If you qualify for student finance, then you should also be able to get the student travel product, which allows you to use public transport for free or at a reduced rate. Go to the DUO website to find more information.

Getting a Bike

As you probably know, cycling is very popular in the Netherlands. Usually cycling is the fastest way to go from A to B in the city centre of The Hague. Most students will buy a second hand bike or get a monthly subscription to Swapfiets. Swapfiets will provide you with a brand new bike and your subscription will cover repair costs or provide you with a new bike when necessary.

  • Follow the same rules as motor vehicle drivers and adhere to traffic lights and signs.
  • Always use the cycle lane! You are not allowed to cycle on the pavements. If a cycle lane is absent, cyclists must use the road.
  • Use hand signals when you make a turn.
  • Scooters, mopeds, and faster bikers must overtake on the left side.
  • Use your bell; it is the best way to warn pedestrians who are not paying attention.
  • Cycling two abreast is permitted if there is sufficient space. Cycling in a group (and taking up the whole street) is not allowed.
  • Make sure to pay attention to the tram rails so you do not get stuck.
  • Dutch cyclists do not usually wear a helmet, unless riding long distance on sports bikes.
  • Consider installing a basket or saddlebag on your bike if you plan on going shopping with it.

If you park your bike at the wrong spot, it may be removed by the municipality. In The Hague, you can pick up your bike at the Kranestraat (around the Grote Marktstraat) or the Bicycle Depot Haaglanden (Junostraat 24, The Hague).

If you live in Delft or Leidschendam-Voorburg, you may find your bike at The Bicycle Depot Haaglanden as well. You will need to pay for the removal costs when you pick up your bike (only PIN is accepted).

Read more on the removal of bicycles at the Municipality of The Hague (the same rules apply for Delft and Leidschendam-Voorburg)

With the mind-boggling number of bicycles in the country, you can easily find a local bike shop that also does repairs just round the corner. Or just go to the bike rental shops at the train stations. You may even borrow a bike while yours is being repaired.

You are not allowed to take your bike into buses or trams. If you want to take your bike into the train or metro, make sure you are aware of the rules: