Trains to Rotterdam

Rotterdam bubbles with energy and character, though it makes no claim to be the prettiest city in the Netherlands. Visitors come to Rotterdam for something grittier. It’s a big, industrial city, its busy quays and wharves handling more cargo than any other European port – though nowadays many of the more important dockland areas are well downstream from the city centre in the Europoort area.

But visitors flock to Rotterdam for more than merely to watch the boats. The city is a premier-league destination for culture and nightlife, and it also makes an excellent base for exploring the Netherlands. And Rotterdam even boasts a few canals and a windmill. Definitely make time to visit Delfshaven, once a run-down harbour area which has been magnificently restored to create a wonderful cityscape. It’s a great area to wander and relax in waterside cafés.

The main railway station lies at the northern edge of the city’s central area. It is called Rotterdam Centraal. The station is served by direct Thalys trains to Paris. Thalys also operates from Rotterdam to Antwerp and Brussels, although for these Belgian destinations your better bet might be the more flexible hourly Intercity train. Eurostar launched a direct London to Rotterdam service in April 2018 - the journey takes just three hours.

The fast trains from Rotterdam to Amsterdam use Holland’s only high-speed line to reach Amsterdam in just 44 minutes. Unless you are really pushed for time, opt for the regular Intercity service which runs twice-hourly and takes 70 minutes - you’ll see more along the way. Most other major Dutch cities have an hourly service from Rotterdam. For a glimpse into more watery rural landscapes, we recommend the rail route from Rotterdam to beautiful Middelburg, capital of the North Sea province of Zeeland. It's a 1 hr 40 min journey, and makes a great day trip for visitors wanting to see a very different Holland from that revealed in the bustling city of Rotterdam.