Getting around The Hague

Public transport

You can easily cover The Hague city centre on foot, and there's a good network of 12 tram lines and 8 bus lines covering outlying areas. The local tram and bus company is HTM (tel: 0900 486 4636, in the Netherlands only; www.htm.nl). Tram 1 runs from Delft to Scheveningen via the Centrum (city centre) and Vredespaleis (Peace Palace). The route of tram 1 is 20 km long and runs along several main attractions. Timetables are available from the tourist office.

You can buy a single ticket from bus or tram drivers. A one-day ticket (HTM Dagkaart) is available from HTM service points, Centraal station, Hollands Spoor station and drivers on trams 2, 9, 11 and 17. Three-day travelcards are available from Centraal, Zoetermeer Centre-West and Hollands Spoor stations, at tourist information centres and at some hotels.

OV-chipkaarts are reloadable smartcards which you can use for travel throughout the Netherlands, including on the HTM network.

Taxis

Reliable taxi firms include HCT City Tax (tel: +31 70 383 0830), Hofstad Tax (tel: +31 70 346 2626) and TCH Taxi (tel: +31 70 390 6262).

Driving

The Hague is well supplied with parking options – there are plenty of multi-storey car parks dotted around the city, along with many on-street metered parking spaces, which can be paid for using cash, a 'chipknip' smartcard available from the tourist office, or in some cases mobile phone or credit card. As in most large cities, though, traffic can be heavy at peak times.

Car hire

All major national and international car hire companies operate from Amsterdam Schiphol and several can also be found in Rotterdam The Hague Airport.

In The Hague, try Avis (tel: +31 88 284 7070; www.avis.com), Europcar (tel: +31 70 381 1811; www.europcar.com), Sixt (tel: +31 70 381 71 77, www.sixt.com) and Hertz (tel: +31 70 381 8989; www.hertz.com).

Bicycle hire

Cycling is a popular way of getting around town, with many dedicated cycle paths. Pay special attention to trams and other cyclists and never leave your bike unattended unlocked. You can hire bikes at Rent a bike, Noordeinde 39 (www.rentabikethehague.nl) or at Rent a road bike at Bogaardplein 16 (www.rent-a-road-bike.com/Den-Haag/The-Hague).

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

Paleis Hotel

The small boutique hotel has 20 uniquely decorated rooms, each containing mock Louis XVI style furniture and plush fabric commissioned by French designer Pierre Frey. Try and book a room at the back as they have views overlooking the Noordeinde Palace, one of several Dutch royal residences.

Hotel Ibis Den Haag City Centre

This comfortable, modern chain hotel in the city centre has light airy rooms, an attractive designer bar and Wi-Fi access. Ibis hotels have a fixed formula the world over: clean, modern and cosy – but fairly basic. Still, it's ideal for those on a budget.

Park Hotel Den Haag

This lovely, medium-sized art deco hotel blends modern and classical touches. It is famous for its Garden Room, which has views into the royal palace grounds, but its own patio and manicured lawn is just as nice. It may be centrally located, but it’s quiet and the facilities are first rate. Try and book a rooms will a small terrace.

Grand Hotel Amrâth Kurhaus

This magnificent fin-de-siècle beachside hotel, once patronised by European monarchy, is a Scheveningen icon, with refined and modern comforts including a spa. Eat at its grand restaurant, a former late 19th-century concert hall with stained glass cupola. The building is nothing short of palatial, a reminder of times now past.

Hotel des Indes

Housed in a 19th-century mansion house, this is the 5-star hangout of visiting pop stars and diplomats, with marble columns everywhere and fin de siècle furnishings in abundance. There's also a jet-stream pool and a sauna. Even if you don't stay here, it's worth popping in for afternoon tea to soak up the exquisite surrounds.

Novotel Den Haag City Centre

One of The Hague’s 4-star properties, this Novotel is located in the Haagse Passage historic shopping arcade, opposite the Binnenhof, and is close to all the major museums and shopping streets. Parts of the building were a former cinema, although you’ll have to look hard to spot that today. Still, its interior is true to the Novotel style and standard.

Introducing The Hague

While you’re there

Plan your trip

Netherlands Information

Airports