Travelling within Groningen

To travel within Groningen, we recommend walking, cycling, or using public transport. The city is known for its bike-friendly infrastructure and compact layout, making it easy and enjoyable to explore on foot or by bicycle. Public transport, including buses, is reliable and well-connected, providing a convenient option for reaching various parts of the city efficiently.

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Walking

If you enjoy walking, Groningen is a perfect city to explore on foot. The city center is compact, car-free, and full of lively streets, historic buildings, shops, and cafés—all easily accessible by walking.

Shared spaces

Groningen embraces the concept of shared spaces in the city center, meaning that some streets and squares are used by pedestrians and cyclists alike. If you are not familiar with this concept, you may be startled at fist by cyclists whizzing past you from all sides. While it may seem chaotic at first, shared spaces in Groningen tend to function smoothly and they are not lawless. Cyclists are generally assertive, but aware of their responsibilities and very skilled

By Bus

To schedule your trip by bus, you can use specific websites, and apps (9292 or OVinfo – which shows the nearest busstops) or Google maps. Buses run efficiently around the city—but they are not allowed inside the heart of the center, which is reserved for pedestrians and cyclists. Instead, they stop at key peripheral access points around the center. When entering the bus, you can use your debit card to check in.

9292 Website

Biking

Groningen was the first city in the Netherlands and one of the first European cities to ban cars from the city center way back in the 1970s, pioneering a model later emulated by other Dutch cities. Today, more than half of all trips in Groningen are made by bike, supported by an extensive network of cycle lanes, bike-priority traffic lights, and strict parking regulations to keep spaces clear. Therefore, biking is a very popular way for visitors to explore and travel within the city.

Bike parking

In case you will travel by bike, be aware that in the city center, bike parking is restricted to designated racks and free sheltered bicyle parking lots. Randomly parking your bike is not allowed – it might be removed within minutes. You can find the parking lots near Forum (entrance: Schoolstraat) and Grote Markt (entrance: Oude Ebbingestraat 18b).

Outside Groningen’s city center, bike parking is easy and flexible. You can leave your bike in most places, as long as it doesn’t block sidewalks, crossings, or public furniture like benches and trees. Designated racks are widely available.

Wherever you park your bike, always make sure that it is locked!