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World Travel Guide > Guides > Europe > Netherlands > The Hague

Local time The Hague

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Travel to The Hague

Flying to The Hague

The Hague's nearest major airports are Rotterdam The Hague and Amsterdam Schiphol, which is around 30-45 minutes away by direct train. British Airways and CityJet operate flights to Rotterdam from the UK. Airlines operating services to Amsterdam include British Airways, Cityjet, easyJet, Flybe, Delta, Etihad, Air France and KLM. If travelling from the USA, there are direct flights to Amsterdam with Delta, KLM, Jet Airways and United.

Flight times

To Rotterdam: From London - 1 hour.

To Amsterdam: From London - 1 hour 15 minutes; New York - 7 hours 10 minutes; Los Angeles - 10 hours 20 minutes; Toronto - 7 hours 15 minutes; Sydney - 23 hours 30 minutes (including stopover).

Travel by road

Driving in The Hague is on the right and the minimum driving age is 18 years. Speed limits are between 100kph (62mph) and 130kph (81mph) on motorways, 80kph (50mph) on major roads and 50kph (30mph) in towns. An International Driving Permit is not required, as long as you hold a valid national driving licence from your home country.

A Green Card is advisable but not compulsory. Without it, drivers with motor insurance policies in their home country are granted only the minimum legal cover in The Netherlands - the Green Card tops this up to the level of cover provided by the driver's own policy.

The Royal Dutch Touring Club, ANWB (tel: +31 88 269 2222; www.anwb.nl), patrols major roads 24 hours a day, with qualified mechanics equipped to handle routine repairs.

Emergency breakdown services

ANWB Wegenwacht (tel: +31 88 269 2222).

Routes

The A4 connects The Hague with Amsterdam to its northeast, while the A13 links the city with Rotterdam. The A12 runs east to Utrecht.

Coaches

Eurolines (tel: +31 88 076 1700; www.eurolines.nl) operates coach services to cities across Europe, including a direct service from London's Victoria Coach Station to The Hague (journey time - 10 hours).

Time to city

From Amsterdam - 50 minutes; Rotterdam - 30 minutes; Utrecht - 55 minutes.

Travel by Rail

Services

The Hague benefits from good rail links.

Den Hague Centraal Station (CS) is the well-equipped main railway station in The Hague. From here it is a 10-minute walk to the city centre. Regular train services connect the city with Amsterdam and beyond.

Operators

The Dutch rail network is operated by NS (tel: +31 30 300 1111; www.ns.nl).

Eurostar (tel: +44 1233 617 575, in the UK; www.eurostar.com) runs from London to Brussels in two hours. The high-speed Thalys (tel: +31 30 233 1676;www.thalys.com) service links Brussels with Amsterdam, in about two hours.

Journey times

From Amsterdam - 50 minutes; Amsterdam Schiphol - 30 minutes; Rotterdam - 25 minutes.

Travel by boat

If travelling from the UK, the closest port to The Hague is the Hook of Holland (sailings to Harwich), 22km (13.5 miles) west. Alternatives are the shorter crossings but much longer drives between Dover and Calais (327km/203 miles to The Hague), Dunkirk (288km/179 miles to The Hague) or Zeebrugge (210km/130.5 miles to The Hague).

Ferry operators

Stenaline (tel: +44 8447 707 070, in the UK; www.stenaline.co.uk) operates day and overnight ferry crossings from Harwich to the Hook of Holland.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

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.

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.

Introducing The Hague

While you’re there

Plan your trip

Netherlands Information

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