Cruise port Groningen
Info for port Groningen on 4 Sept 2026
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.
In port on 04 Sept 2026
