Best Time to Visit

The best times to visit The Hague are generally March through May and September through November to avoid the large influx of tourism during the summer months. If large crowds and bustling streets are not a problem however, then the summer months of July and August may be preferable as there are also many unique events taking place in the summer and the city with its meandering canals, verdant gardens and sandy beaches comes alive when the sun glares at it. During the winter months, The Hague Christmas markets are always popular with children and adults alike, but again, it can be difficult to move around due to the large crowds and busy venues. Rainfall around this time of year may also present other issues. All in all, though, The Hague is in a temperate climate zone so winters are not too cold and summers are not too warm, ideal for exploring year-round.

Information

Rotterdam The Hague International Airport (RTM)

The closest airport to The Hague is the Rotterdam The Hague International Airport (RTM), which is easy to get to via public transport links and by car or taxi as it is only 10 miles from the city centre. Further afield is the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), which is around 40 minutes away by bus, a good alternative if flights are limited at the former.

Passport/Visa

The Netherlands is part of the Schengen Area, meaning citizens of the EU, EEA, the USA, Australia, Canada, and several other countries do not require a visa for short stays. If you are a non-EU/EEA national, you may require a Schengen visa to enter the Netherlands for stays up to 90 days. In this case, for a short visit to The Hague, you will likely apply for a Schengen short-stay visa. This visa allows you to circulate within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. If you plan to stay for longer than 90 days, you need to apply for a provisional residence permit (MVV) along with a residence permit, depending on your purpose of stay. It is worth noting that passports need to be valid for at least six months beyond the period of the intended stay in the Netherlands.

Public Transport

There are over thirty bus and tram lines in The Hague, so getting around the city using public transport is a breeze. Considering the city’s external links, the extensive train network to and from the city also makes The Hague very well connected to the surrounding areas. Buses and trams generally run from 7am to midnight leaving every ten minutes. The Hague Central train station is usually open 24 hours a day. The most convenient way to pay for a train, tram or bus is with a credit or debit card. For multiple journeys, various tickets can be purchased from stations, hotels and tourist information points. Some might wish to purchase a three-day bus and tram pass, others will prefer the day pass and those looking to do a bit more travelling can buy the Tourist Day Ticket, which includes both water buses and Metro services. Visit the website of Tourist Day Tickets where timetables and further information about companies offering such tickets are available. For more concise information about public transport via train, tram, bus or public bike, the websites and applications of RET and HTM are very helpful, the latter of which also has a separate app for their public bike share scheme.

Taxi

Whilst there are numerous taxi companies available, the HTMC Taxi Centrale cab service is the most frequent and reliable way to get around The Hague. They accept credit and debit cards and can accommodate special requests such as luxury cars and pet travel. Other options are available for a lower fare including Sneleentaxi and for a more exuberant (albeit slightly less practical) tour of the city, there is Tuk Tuk Den Haag. - HTMC: +31 70 390 7722 - Sneleentaxi: +31 85 303 6816 - Tuk Tuk Den Haag: +31 6 4632 2437

Post

The post offices in the Netherlands are called ‘Postkantoor’ and the principal postal service is called PostNL. The Hague’s main post office and the headquarters of PostNL are both found in the Hague city centre. Stamps can be purchased in the post office, supermarkets, petrol stations or online.

Frequenlty Asked Questions About The Hague (FAQs)

- How many days are needed to visit The Hague? The history of the city alone makes it worth a prolonged stay but three days in the city should be enough to cover most of the important features of the city whilst getting a sense of the way of life in The Hague. - What is The Hague known for? The Hague may not be such a popular tourist destination as Amsterdam or Rotterdam, but it is nonetheless a city with great cultural and political significance, so there is plenty to visit in the way of museums, official buildings and landmarks. - Is The Hague a walkable city? There are lots of beautiful paths through The Hague making it a very pleasant city to walk through, albeit the third largest city in the Netherlands at almost 100 square kilometres in size and home to over half a million people. It is recommended to rent a bike to visit the areas outside the city centre, particularly the surrounding countryside. - Is The Hague expensive? The Hague is the third most expensive city in the Netherlands, commensurate with its size, but compared with other major European cities, prices seem more reasonable taking into account what is on offer. Average daily costs can range from anything between €60-400 depending on accommodation, food and transport.

Pharmacy

Pharmacies in The Hague are referred to as ‘Apotheek’. There are also drug stores for more general, over-the-counter medicine such as paracetamol, which are called ‘drogisterij’. Most pharmacies are open on weekdays and some stay open on Saturdays. Pharmacy MCH Lijnbaan Den Haag Lijnbaan 32, The Hague +31 70 388 7674 Open Mon–Fri 8am–9:30pm, Sat & Sun 9:30am–9:30pm Hofstad Apotheek Korte Poten 7A, The Hague +31 70 346 4748 Open Mon–Fri 8:30am–6pm, Sat 11am–3pm, Sun closed