The Hague Transport

The Hague has a well organised and efficient public transport system that caters for residents and tourists alike and includes a bus and tram system, local rail services, and taxis. Quite often, however, walking is the most rewarding and practical means of seeing the main sights. A useful travel card is available for journeys on all buses and trams.

By bus and tram

The best option for getting around the city is by using the extensive bus and tram system. Over 30 routes will quickly and safely take you to your destinations in The Hague, Scheveningen and Kijkduin, as well as to the adjoining municipalities of Voorburg, Rijswijk, Wassenaar, Wateringen, Leidschendam and Delft. Most buses and trams run from early morning to around midnight. If you are planning a late night at one of the bars or clubs then you will probably have to take a taxi back to your hotel.

Some of the trams worth remembering are the 2, 3, and 6 which are only two stops from the Grote Markt, a popular shopping area.  The 1 and 9 trams cover the Museon, Madurodam, Freedom Palace, and City Museum.  The 17 tram takes a really nice ride past the Buitenhof and then through the Grote Markt, heading towards residential areas that are also worth seeing.  Buses seem to cover what the trams do not and also run frequently. When boarding a tram, go in the front or another approved entrance. Some doors are only for exiting passengers. Trams stop at every official stop so you don't have to worry about pushing any buttons. Many also have signs inside and announcements that indicate which stop is coming up.

Paying for buses and trams is a bit tricky for new users. For pricing purposes, the area is divided into different zones and the price is calculated by the number of zones you travel across. There are a number of different types of ticket available. The strippenkaart (literally ‘ticket of strips’) is the most well known. This long, narrow ticket is divided into segments known as strippen. You decide beforehand how many zones your trip will cross and then count off the required number of strippen on your ticket. Each zone costs one strip and there is a starting fee of one strip. You therefore add one strip to the total to arrive at the number of strippen your trip requires.

If you are using the buses, the driver can stamp your strippenkaart for you. Just tell him or her the destination or the number of zones you want to cross. When you board a tram, you can either stamp your strippenkaart yourself with the stamping machine or ask the driver to stamp it for you. It is possible for more than one person to travel on the same strippenkaart. All you have to do is stamp the correct number of strippen for each person. It is cheapest to buy your strippenkaart at a bus station, tourist information office or tobacco/news shop. If you are planning on using the buses and trams frequently, then consider buying one of the different passes available.

Taxis

Fares are calculated on a basic rate plus a fixed rate for each kilometre travelled. No special night rates apply in The Hague although some drivers are known to charge extra, especially when the trams and buses finish at midnight. It is possible to hail a taxi in the street but you will also find special taxi ranks at the train stations and throughout the city. Alternatively, order a taxi by telephone.

Light rail

A new light rail transit is being introduced in the Dutch province Zuid Holland: RandstadRail. It will connect The Hague with both Zoetermeer (2006) and Rotterdam (2008). RandstadRail links the existing rail infrastructure of tram and train in The Hague and it links the rail infrastructure of metro and train in Rotterdam. The Hague's RandstadRail uses low floored vehicles while in Rotterdam it uses high floored vehicles. Both versions share five stations between Leidschenveen and Den Haag Laan van NOI, combining low and high platforms.

In 2004, the Souterrain tram tunnel in The Hague's city centre opened for use. A connecting viaduct between the train and tram infrastructure will be in place by 2006. With its two underground stations the Souterrain provides the RandstadRail seamless access to The Hague's main shopping and office district.

From the airport

Passengers arriving at the main international airport at Schiphol can catch a train or a taxi to the city centre. The direct train service leaves approximately every fifteen minutes and is the fastest way to reach The Hague. Journey time is thirty minutes.  If you are arriving at Rotterdam Airport then you can either take a shuttle bus or taxi for the sixteen mile journey to the city.