The Hague sits on the North Sea coast in the province of South Holland, in the dense band of cities between Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Fast, frequent trains link it to both, and to Schiphol airport, so most visitors never need a car.
Two main stations
The city has two mainline stations, and it helps to know which you are arriving at:
- Den Haag Centraal — the big terminus on the edge of the city centre, about ten minutes’ walk from the Binnenhof and the Mauritshuis, with trams and buses to almost everywhere, including Scheveningen.
- Den Haag HS (Hollands Spoor) — a through station south of the centre, used by many intercity trains between Amsterdam and Rotterdam and by international trains. From here it is roughly 15–20 minutes’ walk or a short tram ride to the centre.
Some trains stop at only one of the two, so check your journey. Times below are approximate and for direct trains where they exist.
| From | By train to The Hague | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Schiphol Airport | ≈30 minutes | Direct intercity trains, frequent |
| Amsterdam Centraal | ≈50 minutes | Direct to Centraal or HS |
| Rotterdam Centraal | ≈25 minutes | Also by RandstadRail metro line E |
| Delft | ≈10–15 minutes | Also tram 1 (roughly 30–40 minutes) |
| Leiden | ≈10–15 minutes | Frequent trains |
| Brussels / Antwerp | ≈2 h / ≈1 h 30 | International trains, usually via Rotterdam |
By plane
Amsterdam Schiphol is the main airport for The Hague: direct trains leave from the station under the terminal and take around half an hour. Rotterdam The Hague Airport is smaller and closer, with a limited number of mostly European routes; buses connect it with Rotterdam, from where trains and the metro run to The Hague. Check the current connection before you fly.
Tickets and paying for transport
On Dutch trains, trams, buses and the metro you can usually check in and out with a contactless bank card or phone (OVpay) at the card readers — remember to check out at the end, or you may be charged a higher fare. Tickets are also sold at stations. Fares and payment options change, so check the NS and HTM websites before you travel.
By car
The A4 from Amsterdam and the A13 from Rotterdam connect with the A12, which runs right into the city centre. Parking in the centre and at Scheveningen is expensive, and in summer the beach car parks fill up. A park-and-ride site on the edge of the city, with a tram or bus into the centre, is usually cheaper and calmer; check the city’s current P+R locations.
Getting around The Hague
- Tram: the HTM network covers the whole city. Lines run from the centre and the stations to Scheveningen, the Peace Palace, Madurodam and Kijkduin, and tram 1 continues all the way to Delft.
- On foot: the historic centre — Binnenhof, Mauritshuis, Lange Voorhout, Noordeinde — is compact and best explored walking.
- Bike: The Hague is flat and has excellent cycle paths, including routes through the dunes to the beach. Rent a bike near the stations or from rental shops, and learn the right-of-way rules.
- Hop-on hop-off tram: a heritage tram with audio commentary links many sights; see tours.
- Taxi and ride-hailing: available, but rarely faster than the tram in the centre.
Once you know how you are arriving, choose a base — see where to stay — and plan your days with the travel guide.
