Hague Central Station | The Hague

Information

Landmark: Hague Central Station
City: The Hague
Country: Netherlands
Continent: Europe

Hague Central Station, The Hague, Netherlands, Europe

Den Haag Centraal is the largest terminal railway station in the Netherlands, located at Koningin Julianaplein in the city center of The Hague. It serves as a multimodal transport hub connecting national rail lines, regional light rail (RandstadRail), and the local tram network.

Visual Characteristics

The station features a massive glass and steel roof structure supported by slender white columns, covering an area approximately the size of two football fields. The exterior is defined by high glass walls that allow for maximum transparency and natural light. The floor is composed of grey granite tiling, and the platforms are arranged in a terminal layout with 12 tracks under the main hall.

Location & Access Logistics

The station is located at Koningin Julianaplein 10. It is the primary terminus for trains from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht. It serves as a hub for HTM tram lines 2, 3, 4, 6, and 9, and multiple bus routes depart from the elevated bus platform located above the tracks. An underground bicycle parking facility and the Q-Park CS New Babylon are located immediately adjacent to the entrance.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The current station building was designed by Benthem Crouwel Architects and officially opened in 2016 following a complete reconstruction of the 1970s-era concrete terminal. The original station at this site, Den Haag Staatsspoor, opened in 1870. The modern reconstruction was part of the "New Key Projects" initiated by the Dutch government to modernize major urban rail hubs.

Key Highlights & Activities

Commuters can transfer between heavy rail and the elevated RandstadRail light rail tracks that bisect the station hall. The station contains a large commercial transit hall with retail units and service points. Direct pedestrian access is provided to the adjacent New Babylon complex and the Malieveld park.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The station includes paid public restrooms (Sanifair), luggage lockers, and multiple heated waiting rooms. High-speed 5G and free public Wi-Fi (NS-Service) are available throughout the terminal. Food vendors, pharmacies, and supermarkets are located within the main concourse. The entire station is step-free and equipped with tactile paving for the visually impaired.

Best Time to Visit

The station is most functional during daylight hours when the glass roof provides full illumination for architectural photography. Peak transit hours occur between 07:30–09:00 and 16:30–18:30 on weekdays. For a quieter experience and shorter queues at vendors, mid-day Tuesday or Wednesday is optimal.

Facts & Legends

The station is a "terminal" or "dead-end" station, meaning all trains must exit in the direction they entered, which is a rarity for a station of this scale in the Netherlands. A specific logistical oddity is the elevated tram station built inside the main hall, where trams arrive and depart on a viaduct several meters above the train tracks.