Rotterdam Centraal (Train Station): Departures and guide

Travel to the train station from Rotterdam city centre

Rotterdam is not your typical Dutch city: it's diverse, dynamic city, featuring innovative modern architecture and urban design. Rotterdam Centraal is a great example of this, and apart from being the city's major transportation hub, it's an iconic architectural feature as well. The train station has had a total makeover in recent years, and was reopened in its current form in 2014. Its most striking feature is the large angled roof covering the main hall, which points toward the city centre. Train station Rotterdam Centraal is located in the heart of the city, within walking distance of many sites and facilities. It provides easy access to other forms of public transport, including a convenient subway system, buses, and trams. The city of Rotterdam has a few other train stations. In terms of both passenger numbers and frequency of trains, these are far smaller, and most of them are located quite far from the city centre.

What is the best way to get to the train station from the city centre?

Coming from the Coolsingel and Koopgoot, travelers can either walk to train station Rotterdam Centraal or use the subway. On the south side of the Coolsingel, Beurs subway station can be found, while the north side of the Coolsingel provides access to the Stadhuis subway station. From the Koopgoot, it's possible to access the subway station directly, through an entrance in the middle of the shopping lane. Trams are also available: tram lines 4, 7 8 and 25 stop at the Coolsingel. The Market Hall, the Cube Houses, and the Old Harbor are all centered around the Blaak square. The Blaak square features a train station, with a direct train connection to the central station. A subway connection is also available but requires one transfer. The Witte de With Street is within walking distance from the central train station, but public transport is available as well. Tramlines 7, 8 and 25 stop near the Witte de With street and bring passengers directly to the central station. It's also possible to reach the central station by subway, but this requires a transfer.

How far is it from the city centre to the train station?

The distance from the Coolsingel and Koopgoot to the central train station is 0.9 miles and it's recommended to travel by subway. Subways run more frequently than trams and reach their destination faster: they take passengers to the train station within six minutes. While walking is also possible, this will take approximately 17 minutes. From the Market Hall, the Cube Houses, and the Old Harbor, it's recommended to travel to the central station by train. This is the only direct connection, and the train ride takes only three minutes. The distance to the train station is 1.2 miles (2 km). The distance from the Witte de With Street to the central station is 0.8 miles. It's recommended to travel by tram. The tram ride includes three stops and takes four minutes, although waiting time will have to be added. Traveling on foot is a good alternative for those who don't mind walking. The walk takes approximately 17 minutes.

How accessible is the train station for those with limited mobility?

Train station Rotterdam Centraal is easily accessible and has various facilities to assist travelers with reduced mobility, plus a dedicated assistance service. elevators and escalators are available on all platforms, wheelchair elevators and mobile ramps can be provided, and there are toilets and parking spaces reserved for disabled passengers. Check-in points are equipped with extra-wide gates, accessible by wheelchair. Visually-impaired passengers can use guidelines to ticket machines, service desks, and check-in points. Check-in points have a Braille pictogram, and tactile station maps are available at the OV Service & Ticket Shop. For travelers with a hearing impairment, audio connections are available. 

Local tips: train station points of interest

As befits a pioneering city such as Rotterdam, train station Rotterdam Centraal features innovative design. The roof over the train tracks is partly covered in solar panels, which continue onto the angled roof. When the train station was renewed and rebuilt, some iconic features of the old train station were kept intact, such as the original clock on the front wall of the building, the letters spelling out the name of the station, and two granite sculptures. During the renovations, a large underground parking lot for bicycles was added to the station. The bike parking has room for over 5,000 bicycles and can be accessed from the main square in front of the station. The station hosts several stores, coffee bars, bakery shops, and fast-food restaurants. The Stationshuiskamer, located on the first floor, is a particularly comfortable place to have a cup of coffee when waiting for the train. Lebkov & Sons, located on the main square, is another local favorite.