Groningen-Eelde Airport serves the main city of northern Netherlands, known for its vibrant university community, approximately 10 km from the city center.
It is a small regional hub with predominantly charter and seasonal flights to European tourist destinations.
How to get to Eelde Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to GRQ
Parking near Eelde Airport
Opposite the terminal is a small parking lot available for passengers.
Rates are in line with Dutch standards.
How to get to Groningen from GRQ
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Eelde Airport
In the arrivals area are desks from the main car rental companies.
A driver's license, passport and credit card are all you need for a rental.
Hotels near Eelde Airport
Groningen city centre
Qbuzz bus from the airport to Groningen station and the Grote Markt in 20-25 minutes, not very frequent outside peak hours; by taxi about 20 minutes for the 15 km, by car 20-25 minutes via the A28.
Best for: Any stay: it's the only area with a solid hotel offering, 15 km and 20-25 minutes from the airport.
- Compact historic centre: the Martinitoren, the Grote Markt and the Groninger Museum are all reachable on foot from the central hotels
- Groningen station, also served by the airport buses, is just a few minutes' walk from the heart of the centre
- Outside peak hours the airport buses thin out a lot: for early or late flights the taxi is the better bet
- The Martiniplaza area, handy for fairs and conferences, is about 2 km from the actual historic centre
Recommended hotels
- NH Groningen Hotel On Hanzeplein, next to the UMCG university hospital and less than 10 minutes on foot from the Grote Markt and the Martinitoren; bus stop right outside the hotel. View availability
- Flonk Hotel Groningen Centre, BW Signature Collection On Radesingel, just outside the canals of the historic centre, about 500 metres from the Groninger Museum and the Grote Markt; private garage and in-house café for breakfast. View availability
- Mercure Hotel Groningen Martiniplaza Next to the Martiniplaza, the city's conference and events hub, about 2.1 km from the Grote Markt; handy for those in Groningen for a trade fair or a conference rather than for the historic centre. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is very small, with predominantly charter and seasonal connections.
A 1.5-2 hour advance is the standard recommended buffer for flights.
Map of Eelde Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is Groningen a university city?
Yes, with one of the highest concentrations of students in the Netherlands, giving it a nightlife and cultural scene that's remarkably lively for its size.
Q. Is it worth renting a bicycle in Groningen?
Yes, the city has one of the highest numbers of bicycles per capita in the world, with excellent cycling infrastructure for exploring it.
Q. Does Groningen Airport have many flights?
No, connections are mostly charter and seasonal: always check current availability before planning your trip.
Q. Can you pay with cash in shops in Groningen?
Less and less: the Netherlands is one of the most advanced European countries in moving toward a cashless society, and many shops, bars and even some markets in Groningen accept only card or contactless payment. Don't rely solely on cash for your stay.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
