Public transport & Parking

in Leeuwarden

Leeuwarden is easily accessible via public transport. The main station is Leeuwarden Centraal, and is located jut a short distance from the city centre. It is also the main railway terminus for Friesland. Next to the train station is the bus station, where you can take a regular bus to the city, or its surroundings. Need to get somewhere even quicker? Taxis are readily available at the station.

 

Public transport - choo choo

By train

Leeuwarden is easily reachable from the rest of the Netherlands, with an NS (Nederlandse Spoor) inter-city service to the south of the country departing several times per hour. In addition, the neighbouring university city of Groningen has a regular train service run by Arriva. From the Centraal station, trains can also be taken to Sneek, Stavoren, and the port of Harlingen. Trains to Harlingen connect to regular boat services to the Wadden islands of Vlieland and Terschelling.

By bus

Arriva and Qbuzz are the major bus operators in Leeuwarden, with a range of services both within and to outside the city. Information about buses can be found on the Arriva and Qbuzz websites- or make use of the travel planner 9292.nl.

Parking - vrrrroom

Leeuwarden has a number of facilities that mean an easily-reached and secure parking space is accessible 24-hours a day. The garages Zaailand, Klanderij, Oldehove; Hoeksterend and Oosterstraat are signposted as soon as you enter the city, and the signs are smart- telling you where space is, and what alternatives are available. There are always staff present in the parking garages, and there are toilet facilities and buggies for rent.

Park + Ride

The city has three Park + Ride facilities. One at the Kalverdijkje on the eastern city ring (with free parking), at the WTC Expo, at the western end of the city ring (€4.00 per day), and behind the Central Station (maximum of €5.45 per day). All Park + Ride sites are marked out by ANWB (the Dutch automobile association) signs.

Bicycle parking

Leeuwarden is, like many cities in the Netherlands, excellently designed for cyclists. The bicycle parking at Central station allows you to park your bike for up to 24 hours for free. In the centre of the city, bicycle parking facilities at the Zaailand and Sint Jacobsstraat allow you to park a bicycle, moped or scooter for free (temporarily). Small repairs can be carried out in the bike parks, and you can also rent a buggy or locker.

Parking for handicapped people

A disabled parking card is available, which means that handicapped people can park outside of marked space- for a maximum of three hours and only if your parking does not obstruct other road users. Special parking spaces marked with a ‘disabled parking’ sign are also available, these are subject to a small parking charge, with custom rates in some places. Often, handicapped spaces have longer period within which you can park. Naturally, all drivers in the city must comply with traffic laws.

Accessibility

Certain areas of the city centre have restricted access. On the Nieuwestad, Sint Jacobsstraat, Peperstraat; Wirdumerdijk and the Ruiterkwartier the entrance (by car) and parking times are as follows: Monday from 07:30 to 21:00/ Tuesday to Friday from 07:30 to 12:00, and from 18:00 to 21:00 (aside from during the market, and shopping evenings) and Saturday between 07:30 and 12:00.

Coaches and touring buses

Passengers who would like to visit the city centre in a touring bus, can be dropped off or picked up at the Oldehoofsterkerhof and the Lange Markstraat. There is significant coach parking space at the WTC Expo, however when there are major events at the expo centre, coaches must find alternative parking. When parking a tour bus or coach at the WTC, a ticket must be purchased at the machines. The payment is per-vehicle, so only one ticket is needed.

Bike Rental - Handy!

You can rent a bicycle or an e-bike at various locations in Leeuwarden. At Fietsstation 058 (Schrans 22), you can rent a regular bicycle with gears or a fast e-bike. You also have these two options at Van der Valk Hotel Leeuwarden, even if you aren’t a guest of the hotel. At Lammert de Vries Tweewielers (Voorstreek 62 - 65), you can rent a robust transport bike with 3 gears.  Do you have an OV chip card? Then you can easily rent an OV-bicycle at the station.

Plan your stay - in Leeuwarden

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