How to Get from Groningen Airport to Groningen City Centre

The L9 bus is a convenient way to get from Groningen Airport to the city, especially if the bus stops at your chosen destination. This should also be your chosen public transport option if you plan to go elsewhere in the Netherlands from Groningen Airport. The L9 bus runs every 30 minutes from the airport to the city and takes 40 minutes.

Tickets can be purchased on the bus. There are two ways to do this:

The cheapest way is to use the OV-chipkaart. However, this is only worth getting if you plan to use the bus system in The Netherlands lots during your visit. The OV-chipkaart costs €7.50. After purchasing, you can benefit from cheaper public transport fares. A single ticket from Groningen Airport to Groningen centre is €3.26 per person with the OV-chipkaart. The fare will be automatically deducted when you swipe your card. You must top up your card at loading stations at transport hubs or the counters.

Eurokaartje tickets are best for short-term visitors. These are one-off tickets you can purchase from the driver on the bus. They cost more than OV-chipkaart tickets, but you do not have to pay the initial €7.50 for the card.

The L9 bus has a convenient route into Groningen city centre and operates 18 hours a day. However, the journey time is 40 minutes, which is significantly longer than opting for a taxi, which will take around 22 minutes depending on traffic conditions. As well as 40 minutes on the bus, you will have to find your way to your accommodation once you arrive in the city centre, which can be difficult for those travelling with children or heavy luggage.

The Line 100 shuttle bus runs from Groningen Airport to Groningen station. The timetables are based on scheduled arriving and departing flights, mainly from London, Copenhagen, and Gdansk.

The shuttle bus also makes stops at Groningen Zuiderdiep and Grote Markt.

A one-way ticket for the Groningen Airport shuttle bus will cost €5 per person. You can purchase your ticket from the driver on the bus.

Another way to purchase your ticket is with the OV-chipkaart. You can purchase a card from the machines at the airport for €7.50. This will lower the price of your bus journeys in Groningen. A single ticket from Groningen Airport to Groningen centre is €3.26 per person with the OV-chipkaart. The fare will be automatically deducted when you swipe your card. You must top up your card at loading stations at transport hubs or the counters.

Taking the shared shuttle bus is great for solo travellers or those on a budget. The airport shuttle times coincide with the arrival times of popular flight routes, making it a convenient option if you happen to be arriving on one of these. If you’re arriving from elsewhere, however, you may have a long wait period before a shuttle is scheduled to leave.

The shuttle only takes 20 minutes compared to the L9 bus, which takes 40 minutes. However, the shuttle bus has set stops at Groningen Zuiderdiep and Grote Markt. You must navigate the city centre from your chosen stop to get to your accommodation. This can be difficult, especially if travelling with children or heavy luggage.