Are you looking for the best way to get to the Hague?
Then I’ve written this post for you. I’m a native of The Hague area. It’s where I was born (Leidschendam, to be exact) and where I spent most of my childhood.
The best way to get from Amsterdam to The Hague is by train. It’s fast, and it’s city center to city center. In this article, I’ll tell you how to make this journey in a few easy steps. Trust me. You don’t have to go on an organized tour to visit this city. Getting there is straightforward. And with so many things to do, it’s one of the best day trips from Amsterdam.
I love this area very much.
The Hague is interesting because of its international institutions and government buildings (Embassies, home of the International Court of Justice, the Peace Palace, and many more). It’s also the seat of government, with the Binnenhof as the focal point. This is where the Dutch parliament sits (worth a visit). This city plays a significant role in the story of the history of The Netherlands.
Then there are fascinating museums and attractions for all ages. As a kid, we often visited The Hague proper to visit Omniversum or, the best, Madurodam. Museum Panorama Mesdag has always been mesmerizing to me. You’re standing in the middle of 360 degrees life-sized painting—a hidden find worth adding to your itinerary. And Scheveningen Beach is just a tram ride away.
And it’s not just The Hague that makes this area well worth visiting. Delft is my favorite, famous for Delft Pottery, Vermeer, and the connection to the Royal Family. You can take a train or a tram between Delft and The Hague. The Hague and Delft are almost joined, but still very distinct nowadays. There is enough to see and do here to take a train from Amsterdam to Delft and spend an entire day there, but you also easily combine the two. Other destinations nearby are Rotterdam and Kinderdijk.
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Amsterdam to The Hague Train Times
From Amsterdam Centraal to Den Haag, there are many fast trains each hour.
It is important to note that The Hague (like Amsterdam) has different train stations.
Usually, the most apparent station you use in Amsterdam is Amsterdam Centraal (central station). The Hague has two main stations: Den Haag Centraal (central station) and Den Haag HS (Hollands Spoor). Both are central. Both have direct trains from Amsterdam.
So which to choose?
Centraal is the preferred stop for most travelers who travel departing from Amsterdam Centraal. since it is closest to well-known museums like the Mauritshuis (home to Vermeer’s Girl with the Pearl) and Binnenhof. It has the shortest distance to Madurom and other attractions. And more local public transportation connections.
HS is closer to Chinatown. All main sites are still within walking distance from HS, plus it also has a direct tram to the beach (just like Centraal). So it does not matter that much.
If both stations are an easy option, I, 99% of the time, prefer Den Haag Centraal station as my arrival station.
The average journey time to The Hague from Amsterdam is around 50 minutes. You can go direct between these two Dutch cities twice an hour, and with a simple transfer at either Schipol Airport or Leiden, that number doubles.
It means there are many direct trains per day. You can travel between Amsterdam and The Hague by direct train every 5-8 minutes. Times and services may vary depending on the time of day, but they always have direct services available at least four times an hour.
How To Buy Your Train Ticket From Amsterdam to The Hague?
I’ve seen advice that recommends you go to the ticket machine or, worse, how to get an OV chip card (a local tap-in tap-out card), which are things of the past. That information is outdated.
You don’t have to do either. It only adds costs and complexity. There are much simpler ways to travel, and that is by using the new OVPay option.
Today it can be as simple as tapping any debit or credit card when you enter the gates (tap in) at Amsterdam Central Station (which gives access to the platforms), and you do the same after arrival in The Hague (tap out).
The correct fare is automatically calculated and charged to your card, and that’s it—no printing tickets or losing time getting one.
If you decide not to use a Contactless card for travel, the next best thing is the NS App. The App takes a bit to get used to nowadays since it has so many options ( I wrote a complete guide on using the app and purchasing train tickets).
The ticket machine or staffed ticket desk only adds extra time and a charge for buying your ticket, which can be avoided by using the app or directly tapping in and out with your bank/credit card.
For a complete guide on traveling by train in the Netherlands, including details on how to buy your tickets, I recommend you to read my post on train travel in the Netherlands.
Practical Information Using Dutch Trains
Checking-in
In Amsterdam, as in The Hague, you must pass entry and exit gates to access the platforms.
Just tap your ticket or contactless bank card. If you have a printed ticket, or have a ticket in the App, open it and scan the QR barcode. You do this at Amsterdam Central Station to “check in” and again once you arrive at The Hague Station to “check-out.”
Tip: When you travel by train from Amsterdam Central, arrive earlier. It’s a beautiful building to look at momentarily instead of running straight to your platform. Have a coffee or lunch in the “Restaurant 1e klas,” on platform 2. A waiting room turned restaurant from another century. It feels like you’re stepping into a museum. (Remember to say hi to the parrot at the bar).
PS: Most trains to The Hague leave from platform 2A, just across.
Check Your Platform
Always check the departure monitors for track changes. They regularly occur. Please do not board any train leaving from platform 2, because I told you so.
Once at the platform, there are digital signs as well, with the final destination of the train listed, the type of train (more about in my other post), and the stops it will make along the way. Check if you are taking a train to the correct station.
Hollands Spoor is a stop on a longer train line, so look at the stops listed, not the main destination. The Hague central station is usually the final destination of the train.
How To Board A Dutch Train
Boarding is straightforward, but there are a few things to know to make the process smoother. 1. The numbers next to the door correspond with the class of that compartment. The number two represents 2nd class, while the number one means 1st class seating. Inside you can recognize 2nd class by their blue seats and 1st by their red seats.
You also see some windows have banners with “Stilte/Silence.” These compartments exist in both classes and are self-explanatory.
A small but helpful tip is that doors don’t open automatically. You need to push the little button next to it (on the right side).
Conductors or security personnel can check tickets for the destination and class of travel along the way. Always hang on to your ticket for this (and you need it to exit the station when you arrive at Den Haag).
If you used a contactless bank card or credit card for travel, show them the same card, they have a device to check if you checked in (tapped) your card at the start of your journey. Traveling this way, you must be seated in the second class (blue seats).
If you have a ticket in the App, you need to open it. Tap the MORE option at the bottom right of your screen > then “My Tickets.”
How to plan your journey from Amsterdam to the Hague by train?
You can use the NS App on your phone (see link above) or the NS website to plan your journey. Both are available in English.
It’s as simple as entering your departure and arrival stations and clicking search to find the next departures. Of course, there are also options to change the date and time to look for future trips.
How To Travel To The Hague Safely?
Safe travel is mostly about gut feeling and awareness. Traveling on public transport in the Netherlands is generally very safe.
The most significant risk is theft. Often people are too occupied being in a foreign surrounding that they are not watching their belongings. Just act as you would in any big city at home, and you’ll be fine.
That means keeping your luggage with you. Refrain from letting strangers distract you, especially if you’ve put your luggage on the upper racks.
When you leave your luggage in the hallway (more oversized luggage), stay there than throughout the trip. On the rare occasion you witness a crime, try to take a photo and call 112. Please don’t get personally involved.
On that note, if a nuisance is not life-threatening, DO NOT CALL 112 (The European version of 911). Instead, text Train Security via WhatsApp (+31 6 13 18 13 18). Mention the train you’re on (from to), if you remember the departure time, and the compartment number (above the door). They’ll send the conductor or police if needed.
How to get from Amsterdam to The Hague by Bus
Flixbus or BlaBlaCar operate buses from Amsterdam to The Hague. Tickets can be cheap, starting at only €5. So it could be = worth it for you. But be aware buses leave from Amsterdam Sloterdijk station. That’s on the outskirts of Amsterdam, adding cost.
Buses leave multiple times a day but nowhere near as often as the train, and tickets are bus specific. With so many limitations, paying a few euros more for the train is worth it.
Travel to the Hague by Car
Trains from Amsterdam to The Hague cover a distance of around 32 miles (52 km). The distance by road is a bit more: 65 kilometers (40 miles). The journey takes just about an hour or more with traffic, which is often. For most visitors it is best to travel by train.
Getting from Amsterdam to The Hague by car is easy. Just take the A4 freeway.
Please note that The Hague has paid parking.
An excellent option to visit the town center is to park at a P+R location on the outskirts. Designed to keep cars out of the city in exchange for free or low-cost parking and good public transportation options from the parking lot. There are many in The Hague, but for most, you need an OV chip card which most visitors do not have. There is one exception:
- P+R Station Ypenburg Den Haag
Parking is free of charge here. And you can take an 8-minute train ride to the central station. A train ticket is only just two or three euro. Tap a contactless bank card or credit card at the station and again when you arrive (when you exit the platform). Take a blue seat (standard class). You don’t need a specific ticket this way.
Do you need a rental car? Rentalcars.com is my favorite platform. I find they most often always have the best rates. Discover cars is an alternative. Check them both for the best comparison. Rental Cars is the company I use when renting a car anywhere in the world.
Travel to the Hague by Taxi
Taking a taxi is also possible. But it’s far more costly. A one-way trip costs about €165 for a maximum of 4 people (similar to Uber). However, you can find a much better deal with local firms when you book in advance. Google is your friend here.
Hello To The Hague
Now you’ve made it to The Hague. It’s important to decide what to do and see. I wrote a few posts that will help you to create your itinerary:
- 9 Things To Do In The Hague Visitors Should Not Miss 🍲
- Discover The 10 Best Activities at Scheveningen Beach ⛱️
- Delft From Amsterdam: 10 Must-Do Things To Do In Delft ✨
- Great Things To Do In Rotterdam For A First-Time Visit 🏙️
Is it possible to travel from Amsterdam to The Hague Direct?
Yes, it is possible to travel from Amsterdam to The Hague without changing trains. There are two fast direct services to each of the main The Hague train stations from Amsterdam. Both stations are central, but “Centraal” is just a bit more central.
When does the first train run between Amsterdam And The Hague?
People often ask, but when is the first train from Amsterdam? The answer is they run around the clock. The first train, which takes only 50 minutes, is around 5:30 am, and the last train is just past midnight. Between those hours, departures are less frequent and take a bit longer, but they do go.
What is the Price of a Train Ticket between Amsterdam and The Hague?
The price of tickets varies. It depends on wether you travel first class or second. If you can travel with a person with a discount card, or if you opt for a group ticket or not. Prices change on a regular basis, but currently, a one-way ticket between these cities in standard class costs approximately €14.
Are You Traveling Between Amsterdam To The Hague Soon?
I’d love to hear your thoughts: Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s start a conversation 💬.
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