Getting Around in The Hague

The Hague is a compact city where you can get around on foot quite easily. The public transport network is efficient and simple to use. While owning a car is not a necessity, many families choose to have their own vehicles for convenience.

In terms of air travel, Rotterdam The Hague Airport serves the region and is located about 12 miles (20km) from The Hague city centre. The city-wide public transport system comprises the light rail, trams and buses connecting the various districts.

Public transport in The Hague

Public transport in The Hague is largely operated by HTM Personenvervoer NV, commonly referred to as HTM. Transport companies Arriva and Connexxion also operate bus and tram lines in the region, along with RET (Rotterdamse Elektrische Tram).

The public transport system in the Netherlands is integrated, and you can use the services via the OV-chipkaart system. This smart card allows seamless travel across buses, trams, metros, and trains throughout the country, eliminating the need for separate tickets.

If you’re a frequent traveller, you can save money with subscriptions offering discounts during off-peak hours. For visitors, disposable tickets or the emerging OVpay system – which supports contactless debit or credit cards – might be simpler alternatives.

Trams

The 12 tram lines in The Hague offer fast and efficient services, and more than 275,000 passengers use them daily. Schedules vary according to the route but are regular and run on time, serving both the central and surrounding areas and suburbs.

All trams are designed to be accessible, featuring low floors and spaces for wheelchairs. Passengers with disabilities can also benefit from clear visual and auditory announcements on board.

The Hague’s tram fleet consists of the modern red and grey Avenio urban trams and the GTL red and beige trams connecting the city with Rijswijk, Voorburg, Leidschendam and Delft.

The RandstadRail light rail trams also operate in the city and comprise a combined metro, light rail and tram network. These are white and blue and connect with Rotterdam by the RET metro line E from Den Haag Centraal.

Buses

Buses offer an extensive service throughout the city and are mostly used to travel between districts and larger areas in The Hague. HTM’s bus fleet boasts over 100 buses, including eight electric buses across 10 bus lines with night services on certain days. While there’s no official word on fleet expansion, the Netherlands’ push for greener transport suggests more electric buses may be added in the future.

HagaShuttle

The Hague proudly operates a self-driving minibus called the HagaShuttle. This service operates exclusively for patients and visitors to the Haga Hospital (Leyweg), connecting with the bus and tram stop on the Leyweg.

Trains

The two main railway stations in The Hague are Den Haag Centraal and Den Haag HS.

Using the train is often the best option for journeys to destinations outside The Hague. The Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) has a comprehensive network that stretches across the entire country and also connects other countries, including Belgium and Germany.

Read more about Public Transport and Driving in the Netherlands.

Useful links

• HTM Official Website
• RET Public Transport
• OV-chipkaart Information

Taxis in The Hague

Travelling by taxi in The Hague can be convenient, although it tends to be pricier than other options. To ensure fair pricing, it’s best to use authorised taxis, which are easily recognisable by their blue number plates and a roof sign marked “Taxi.” Official taxis adhere to a regulated fare structure, which includes a starting fee, a per-mile charge, and a time-based rate.

Ride-hailing services like Uber also operate in The Hague, providing alternatives for getting around. These platforms are regulated to ensure safety and quality, requiring drivers to meet licensing standards. You can conveniently book rides through mobile apps and choose from options like UberX or UberBLACK for a more tailored experience.

Driving in The Hague

Most residents use public transport, but if you want to explore the Netherlands, you might find it useful to have a car. The roads are excellent, and because of the country's relatively small size, most places are easily reachable.

To drive in the Netherlands, you must check whether your driving licence is valid. Parking is limited in The Hague and can be expensive. If you live in an area where paid parking is in place, it’s recommended to apply for a resident parking permit. Drivers unfamiliar with Dutch traffic rules should pay special attention to bicycles, as they often have priority, and roundabouts can be tricky to navigate.

Read more: Driving and Driver’s Licences in the Netherlands

Getting a car

You can buy, ship over or rent a car in The Hague. If you opt to buy or bring one over, you must follow the necessary procedures as per the RDW (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer), the national vehicle authority.

The Netherlands is making great efforts to become greener, so electric cars are becoming increasingly popular. The municipality of The Hague actively supports this transition by installing new charging stations based on public requests, current EV usage, and infrastructure capacity. If you drive an electric car, you can request a charging station to be placed in your neighbourhood.

Park and Ride

In their efforts to reduce car use, traffic congestion and pollution, The Hague is home to several Park and Ride facilities. You can park your vehicle in a large garage and continue your journey to the city centre or Scheveningen using public transport connections, such as trams.

Useful links

• The Hague Parking Information

Cycling in The Hague

Locals love to cycle in The Hague, and you’ll find this is a fast and cost-effective way to get around. You can rent bicycles in The Hague – the OV-fiets or the red and white HTM Fiets rental bike are the popular options, available at major railway stations. These can be rented using the OV-chipkaart for a small fee. If you return them to a different station, an additional fee is usually charged.

The Hague has invested significantly in cycling infrastructure, with a long-term goal to increase cycling by 50 percent by 2040. Projects under the ‘Plenty of Space for Cycling Programme 2020–2025’ include expanding routes and improving safety at intersections. Many routes prioritise cyclists, reflecting the city’s commitment to sustainable travel.

Second-hand bikes are affordable, and The Hague’s cycling infrastructure is very good. If you buy a new bike, it’s recommended that you get insurance for it. Unfortunately, bike theft is a problem in the Netherlands, so you should ensure your bicycle is always locked safely.

Secure parking is available in guarded bicycle facilities across the city. The municipality also encourages bicycle registration, which can help recover stolen bikes. Be sure to check if there are signs that forbid the parking of bikes in a certain area – otherwise, it’s normal to securely lock up a bike around a tree or permanent object as well as bike stands.

Bikes are generally not allowed on trams and buses, although in some instances, folding bikes are permitted, and there are rules when taking a bike on a train. Folding bikes must meet specific dimensions and remain folded during transport.

Walking in The Hague

Besides the cycling culture, The Hague city centre is easily walkable. You can enjoy strolling along the shop-lined streets and taking in some major landmarks such as Binnenhof, which houses the Dutch Prime Minister’s office, and the Mauritshuis art museum. Lesser-known spots like Westduinpark offer tranquil walking trails, while historical courtyards, known as hofjes, provide a glimpse of traditional Dutch architecture.

The city has transformed parts of its inner centre into pedestrian zones, creating a more pleasant experience for walkers and boosting the local economy. Expansions to public transport, including a fast tram connection for Binckhorst, aim to make mobility easier while preserving walkable spaces.

Walking from A to B around The Hague is easy, but taking a tram is best for covering longer distances.