Port information & tips for Groningen
Groningen is a charming Hanseatic city in the north of the Netherlands that delights with a harmonious blend of historical heritage and modern vitality. The city impresses with its picturesque canals, the maritime flair of the old warehouses, and a lively cultural landscape that invites discovery. Cultural highlights include the striking Martinitoren on the busy Grote Markt and the futuristic Groninger Museum with its spectacular architecture. While river cruise ships dock directly at the central Eemskanaal, large ocean-going vessels use the modern terminal in Eemshaven. From there, the city center is quickly accessible thanks to an excellent train connection, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the vibrant life of this traditional university city in no time at all.
Groningen, a charming city in the Netherlands, is a popular starting point for river cruises and canal tours exploring the region's historic waterways. The moorings are often centrally located in the city and are easily accessible thanks to excellent transport links.
Car
Arriving by car is very convenient thanks to direct motorway connections via the A7 (from Amsterdam/Germany) and the A28 (from Utrecht/Zwolle). For parking, numerous Park & Ride (P+R) sites are available on the outskirts of the city, such as at Kardinge or Hoogkerk, where you can park for free and easily take the bus into the centre. A P+R ticket for up to five people costs around 6.25 Euro for a return journey. In the city centre, multi-storey car parks like "Damsterdiep" are available, which are ideally located for visitors from Germany and are about a 10-minute walk from the city centre, with daily maximum rates around 22 Euro.
Train
Groningen Main Station (Groningen Centraal or Hoofdstation) is a major transport hub in the northern Netherlands and is easy to reach from across the DACH region, often with a change in larger cities such as Amsterdam or Zwolle. From the main station, you can reach the central moorings for canal tours directly; many departure points, such as at Schuitendiep next to the Groninger Museum, are only a few minutes' walk away.
Airplane
The nearest airport is Groningen Airport Eelde (GRQ), located about 15 kilometres south of the city. Comfortable transfer options are available from there: an Airport Shuttle Bus (Line 100) connects the airport directly with the city centre and the main station, with departure times coordinated with flight schedules. Alternatively, taxis are available to take you to the city centre in about 25 to 30 minutes at a cost of approximately 25 to 35 Euro.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that your travel documents usually include a fixed time slot for check-in, which is mandatory for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port and bear in mind that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the cruise: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the latest announcements and the notices on board, as mooring and departure times may change at short notice.
Groningen, a charming city in the Netherlands, is a popular starting point for river cruises and canal tours exploring the region's historic waterways. The moorings are often centrally located in the city and are easily accessible thanks to excellent transport links.
Car
Arriving by car is very convenient thanks to direct motorway connections via the A7 (from Amsterdam/Germany) and the A28 (from Utrecht/Zwolle). For parking, numerous Park & Ride (P+R) sites are available on the outskirts of the city, such as at Kardinge or Hoogkerk, where you can park for free and easily take the bus into the centre. A P+R ticket for up to five people costs around 6.25 Euro for a return journey. In the city centre, multi-storey car parks like "Damsterdiep" are available, which are ideally located for visitors from Germany and are about a 10-minute walk from the city centre, with daily maximum rates around 22 Euro.
Train
Groningen Main Station (Groningen Centraal or Hoofdstation) is a major transport hub in the northern Netherlands and is easy to reach from across the DACH region, often with a change in larger cities such as Amsterdam or Zwolle. From the main station, you can reach the central moorings for canal tours directly; many departure points, such as at Schuitendiep next to the Groninger Museum, are only a few minutes' walk away.
Airplane
The nearest airport is Groningen Airport Eelde (GRQ), located about 15 kilometres south of the city. Comfortable transfer options are available from there: an Airport Shuttle Bus (Line 100) connects the airport directly with the city centre and the main station, with departure times coordinated with flight schedules. Alternatively, taxis are available to take you to the city centre in about 25 to 30 minutes at a cost of approximately 25 to 35 Euro.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that your travel documents usually include a fixed time slot for check-in, which is mandatory for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port and bear in mind that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the cruise: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the latest announcements and the notices on board, as mooring and departure times may change at short notice.
The docking points for cruise ships in Groningen are ideally located and, thanks to the central location and excellent infrastructure, offer a convenient start to your shore excursion.
On Foot
From Oosterhaven, the main pier for river cruises, you can reach the city center with the Grote Markt and the Martiniturm in about 10–15 minutes. The path leads directly through historic alleys and offers beautiful views of the canals during your walk.
Train and Bus
Ocean cruise guests can take the comfortable Arriva trains from the terminal in Eemshaven directly to the impressive Groningen Main Station in around 50 minutes. Within the city area, the dense network of Qbuzz buses ensures a quick and uncomplicated connection between all sights.
Taxi
Official taxis are available at the docking points and at the Main Station, allowing for direct onward travel to your destination. Travel times within the city are pleasantly short, and thanks to modern payment systems, billing is particularly easy for visitors.
To make the most of your day in Groningen, it is recommended to focus on the vibrant city center, which can be easily explored on foot thanks to its compact size and picturesque canals.
Grote Markt & Martinitoren
The central market square forms the pulsing heart of the city, and climbing the historical Martinitoren offers a fantastic panoramic view over the entire region thanks to its impressive height.
Groninger Museum
Located directly opposite the main railway station, this architectural masterpiece impresses with its futuristic design and also houses a high-quality collection of modern and contemporary art.
Hoge der A & Lage der A
This historic harbor district with its magnificent warehouses exudes an incomparable maritime charm and, thanks to the many moored sailing ships, is the ideal place for a relaxed stroll along the canals.
Forum Groningen & Martiniturm
Forum Groningen is located right in the heart of the city at the Grote Markt and is easily accessible from the central pier on foot or after a short shuttle ride. This architectural highlight also offers a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view over the entire old town and the historic Martiniturm from its free-access roof terrace. The modern atmosphere, featuring integrated cafés and exhibition spaces, invites you to linger and is perfect for a relaxed shore excursion. Ideally, visit the Forum in the morning to enjoy the far-reaching views in clear light, and then plan a leisurely stroll through the adjacent canals to return to the ship on time and full of new impressions.
The journey back to the ship is very straightforward and safe thanks to the excellent infrastructure in Groningen. Whether your ship is docked in the port of Eemshaven or directly in the city center, you will reach your berth comfortably and on time.
Train Connection with Arriva
From Groningen Central Station (Hoofdstation), the blue Arriva trains run directly to the Eemshaven stop in the immediate vicinity of the cruise terminal. The connection is perfectly tailored to the needs of travelers and brings you back to the ship reliably and relaxed.
Taxi and Shuttle Services
Central taxi ranks are located at Grote Markt and directly in front of the main station, so you can find a vehicle for the trip to the terminal at any time. In addition, many cruise lines offer convenient shuttle buses that pick you up at fixed meeting points in the city center and take you directly to the pier.
On Foot in the City Area
If your ship is docked directly in the Oosterhaven or at the Eemskanaal, you can simply walk back to the pier from the old town in just a few minutes. The path leads through the lively city center and is easy to find at any time thanks to good signage and prominent buildings such as the Martiniturm.
