By plane
The nearest airports are in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
By train
There are two train stations in Gouda - Gouda the main station, 5mins walk to the Markt and Gouda Goverwelle in suburbia. For the timetable check NS in English.
Trains have been running between Gouda and Utrecht since 1855; in 1944 the old train station was damaged by Allied bombing.
Utrecht CS - takes less than 20 minutes. Take a train in the direction of Rotterdam or Den Haag. Six trains an hour.
Den Haag or Rotterdam - takes less than 20 minutes. Take a train towards Utrecht. Gouda is right in the middle of these train lines. Eight trains an hour.
Amsterdam - takes 40-60 minutes. There is one slow direct train an hour. It is also possible to switch in Woerden or Utrecht to get to Gouda.
Leiden take the train to Alphen aan den Rijn and from there you can take a train to Gouda. Before and after working hours, there are direct trains running from Leiden to Gouda.
When you arrive at the train station, exit at "Centrumzijde". The train station is currently july 2012 under reconstruction so by the time you visit things might have changed. From the Centrum side of the station, just go the way most people go and you will be in the city centre very soon.
By bus
Buses stop the at train station. Check the Connexxion website in Dutch for more detailed information.
There are buses to and from Gouda from the following places:
Benschop
Bodegraven - Bus 178
Leiden, Reeuwijk-Brug, Rotterdam, Schoonhoven, Waddinxveen, Utrecht and Zoetermeer.
Buses are slower and more expensive than trains, so if you have the option, choose the train.