Groningen

Like most cities in the Netherlands, Groningen's historic city center is surrounded by a canal, the diepenring. Most of the sights are within this area, and the Central Station is 50m outside it.

Within the diepenring, traffic is very restricted; Groningen's centre is designed to be as traffic-free as possible, and it is very difficult to drive and park within this area. Even resident parking permits are strictly rationed. However, the central area is compact and can be easily crossed on foot or with a bicycle.

Further out, Groningen has a loosely connected ring road, consisting of several N-roads forming a rather square ring shape around the centre. The city sprawls somewhat and crosses this ring in places, but most of the population live within this area.

By bus

If you haven't got a bike the bus is the best option for distances you don't want to walk. All buses, which are operated by Qbuzz www.qbuzz.nl, run through or end on Central station. Most buses have a stop at the Grote Markt. The major bus lines are listed below. Tickets are available by the driver during off-peak periods you can buy a Eurokaartje, cost €1.50 or see the OV-chipkaart sections on the Netherlands page for other payment methods.

Line 3

runs from Vinkhuizen to Lewenborg via Kraneweg, Westerhaven, the Aa-Kerk, the Central Station, the Grote Markt, UMCG hospital, JC Kapteijnlaan and Kardinge

Line 6

runs from Hoornsemeer to Beijum via the Martini hospital, Paterswoldseweg, the Central Station, the Grote Markt, UMCG hospital, JC Kapteijnlaan and Kardinge

Line 11

runs from Central Station to Zernike via Grote Markt, the northern train station Station Noord and Paddepoel

Line 15

runs from the Central Station to Zernike via the Aa-Kerk and the Noorderplantsoen and Paddepoel.

Line 20

runs from the Central Station to Europapark and Stadium Euroborg, the Groningen FC soccer stadium

Line 1/2

runs from the Central Station to the Korreweg/Indische buurt, Selwerd and Station Noord northern train station.

Line 8

runs from Central station via UMCG hospital to the Oosterpark.

By bike

Getting from any place in Groningen to the centre will take at most 20 minutes by bike. This makes the bike a fast, cheap and easy way to travel in Groningen. Don't get scared by the overwhelming amount of bicycles. The city houses tens of thousands of students, whose primary means of transportation is the bike. Be advised though; bicycle theft is pretty high so use a good lock preferably two.

Bicycles are available for rent at a number of places around town, including a facility in the Central Station.