Getting to Groningen
There are several ways to get to Groningen: you can rent a car, by taxi, take a train or the bus. Below shows the easiest way to get to Groningen from Schiphol (Amsterdam) or Bremen.
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. Make sure that 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 2.5 – 3 hours.
[IMPORTANT]
Due to partial rail construction (around Zwolle) in July, busses have been arranged to take you from Kampen Zuid to Meppel. From Meppel you can take a direct train to Groningen. For the return journey you can travel to Zwolle and take a bus to Kampen Zuid. From there you can take a direct train to Schiphol. Make sure as to add at least 15 to 45 minutes to the travel time shown at the NS site.
Please check the journey planner
[NOTE]
Due to construction, I advice you to check the journey planner a few days prior to your journey, to avoid any unexpected changes or obstacles.
Train tickets to Groningen
It is important that you purchase a train ticket to Groningen prior to boarding the train. Passengers travelling without a valid ticket will be fined. You can buy either a first-class ticket (43.40 euro one-way) or a second-class ticket (25.50 euro one-way).
There are two ways of purchasing a ticket: at the ticket office at Schiphol Plaza where you can purchase a ticket from a railway officer in person, and from the yellow and blue ticket-vending machines that you will find in the luggage claim hall and by every entrance to the train terminal.
HOW TO FIND US Schiphol – CS Groningen
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 euro (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 6.30h to 23.30h.
Did you know RyanAir flies to Bremen? This is often cheaper than flying to Schiphol!
Once you have arrived in Groningen, you are advised to take a taxi to bring you to your accommodation. You can find taxis at the front of the Groningen railway station.
Travelling to Groningen from Airport Eelde
You can flight directly to Groningen airport Eelde from a few European destinations. It is connected to Groningen Central Station either by Airportliner or by public bus line number 2. The bus journey takes about 30 minutes.
Travel to Martini Plaza
MartiniPlaza Groningen can be reached from the railway station by central city bus line 6 direction Hoornsemeer. Get off at Leonard Springerlaan. Martini Plaza is approximately 15 minutes walk from the railway station of Groningen.