Utrecht Central Train & Bus Station

Located west of Utrecht's city centre, Utrecht Centraal is the busiest in the Netherlands, handling approximately 176,292 passengers and over 900 departing trains daily. The station facilitates both trains and buses, featuring eight platforms and sixteen platform tracks. Adjacent to the train platforms, two bus platforms lie on the Jaarbeurs side. The station hall is elevated above the tracks. Given Utrecht's lack of its own airport, Amsterdam Schiphol, just a 30-minute train ride away, serves as the primary airport. Utrecht also provides convenient train access to other destinations, such as Rotterdam, 55km away and Eindhoven Airport, reachable in 1 hour and 25 minutes by train.

Information

addressStationsplein 3511 CE Utrecht
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Airports Nearby

Despite not having its own airport, Utrecht is centrally located in the Netherlands with three nearby airports. The closest is Amsterdam's Schiphol (AMS), a mere 35-minute train ride away. The other two airports, Eindhoven Airport (EIN) and The Hague International Airport in Rotterdam (RTM), are also easily accessible by train from Utrecht's Centraal Station. While Schiphol is the largest airport in the Netherlands and the fourth largest in Europe, Eindhoven and The Hague airports play vital roles in connecting the country to various European destinations.

Passport & Visas

The Netherlands can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Utrecht is from mid-April to mid-October, when weather conditions are more favourable. The busiest months of the year tend to be July and August when temperatures can reach up to 23º. Although summers offer the best weather conditions, they also come with high traffic in museums and other tourist attractions, so it's important to plan in advance. Regardless of the time of the year, rain is a common occurrence, even in summer, hence it's always a good idea to pack a raincoat and an umbrella.

Public Transport

Utrecht's public transport system is a convenient way to get around the city. It covers the whole metropolitan area, with a new 7.5km tram line from Utrecht Central to Utrecht Science Park. Tickets can be purchased on buses using cards only, as cash is no longer accepted. Single tickets cost 3.20€ for any transportation mean and they're valid for 60 minutes. Travelling beyond the Utrecht province may cost more depending on distance. Prices range between 4 and 8€.

Taxi

Taxis in Utrecht operate from designated taxi stands or when requested via phone, which means that you can't just flag them down on the street. Official taxis are recognisable by their Quality Mark, ensuring a better service and quality standards. Taxi drivers in the Netherlands are not allowed to refuse short journeys, this way all passengers have the right to select their taxi and demand metered fares for all trips. Last but not least, all drivers must have card payment options and provide receipts upon request.

Post Office

The postal service in the Netherlands, known as PostNL, is widely regarded as reliable and fast. Delivery services for letters and packages within the country might be completed on the same day, and there are many offices conveniently located all over Utrecht. Additionally, some post offices offer the option to purchase tobacco.