The Hague RandstadRail — Map, Lines, Route, Hours, Tickets (2024)

Providing metro and tram services in the city of The Hague, the Randstad Rail is a vital transit system that extends its reach to neighboring cities, including Rotterdam. Established on October 29, 2006, it boasts four distinct lines and facilitates connections to a plethora of buses, trams, and other metro lines across various transportation companies. The Randstad Rail also offers travel links to the Rotterdam The Hague Airport and the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Operating hours span from approximately 7:30 am to 1:00 am. For fares starting from €2.50, passengers can purchase a card for metro rides. Access to a metro station is possible via train journeys from other European countries, with specific stations permitting the consumption of food and beverages or smoking. An interesting feature is a fishnet-shaped tunnel connecting the Grote Markt and Beatrixkwartier. Moreover, plans were in place to introduce new stations by 2018, and the Blijdorp station provides easy access to several tourist attractions.

Commonly known as the RandstadRail, the system’s exact daily passenger count is unknown. Details about fares are not available either. The operation does not run for 24 hours and the trains do not have air conditioning. Passengers are not allowed to walk between platforms and the trains are not driverless.

The platforms do not have screen doors. The service operates from 5:00 to 1:00 from Monday to Sunday. The estimated fare is $1.

For more details, please refer to the The Hague Metro Official Website.

The Hague: The Dutch Capital Hosting The Randstad Rail

Located in the Netherlands, The Hague is the capital of South Holland and the royal residence of King Willen-Alexander. In addition to housing the parliament, the city is renowned for hosting numerous international courts. With around 500,000 residents, The Hague is the third-most populated city in the Netherlands. The Rotterdam The Hague Airport serves the city, while Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, situated in Amsterdam, caters to the majority of international travelers visiting The Hague.

Public transit in The Hague encompasses trams, buses, metro, Intercity trains, and ferries, with the metro and many trams unified under the banner of Randstad Rail. This service ensures connectivity among The Hague, Rotterdam, and Zoetermeer, with certain buses also belonging to the Randstad Rail network. The entity responsible for the operation of Randstad Rail is HTM Personenvervoer NV.

History of Randstad Rail

Proposed to alleviate the traffic issue arising from the significant population and job growth in Randstad and The Hague around 1983, the metro service became a solution to the pressing problem. The initial proposal for the Randstad Rail was presented on June 9, 1988, suggesting the construction of train stations in Ridderkek, Alblassedam, and Hendrik-Ido Ambacht in The Hague to facilitate trips to Rotterdam. The HTM, NS Regional Transport Company, RET, and ZWN-Group collectively formed the Randstad Rail Foundation to actualize the metro construction.

The Hague’s metro service was officially inaugurated with the unveiling of Randstad Rail 4 on October 29, 2006. The remaining lines—Metro Line E, Randstad Rail 3, and Randstad Rail 19—were launched on September 10, 2006, February 12, 2007, and July 1, 2010, respectively.

Lines and Stations

The metro system encompasses four main lines, namely Randstad Rail 3, Randstad Rail 4, Randstad Rail 19, and Metro Line E. Each line services a unique set of stations as follows:

1) Randstad Rail 3:

Stations on this line include: Arnold Spoelplein, Mozartlaan, Pisuissestraat, Heliotrooplaan, Hoefbladlaan, Muurbloemweg, Appelstraat, De Savornin Lohmanplein, Azaleaplein, Zonnebloemstraat, Fahrenheitstraat, Goudenregenstraat, Conradkade, Valkenbosplein, Elandstraat, Van Speijkstraat, Browersgracht, HMC Westeinde, Spui, Grote Markt, Centraal Station, Beatrixkwartier, Leidschendam – Voorburg, Laan Van NOI, Opstelterrein RandstadRail, Voorburg‘t Loo, Forepark, Spoorburg over de Vliet, Voorweg Laag, Nedtrain Leidschendam, Stadhuis, Leidschenveen, Seghwaert, Centrum – West, De Leyens, Palenstein, Voorweg Hoog, Leidsewallen, Buytenwegh, Driemanspolder, Meerzicht, Dorp, Delftsewallen.

2) Randstad Rail 4:

This line features stations such as De Uithof, Bounwlustlaan, Beresteinlaan, Dedemsvaartweg, De Rade, Leyenburg, Zuidwoldepad, Tienhovenselaan, Monnickendamplein, De la Reyweg, Dierenselaan, HMC Westeinde, Monstersestraat, Grote Markt, Browersgracht, Centraal Station, Spui, Laan van NOI, Beatrixkwartier, Leidschendam – Voorburg, Voorburg‘t Loo, Spoorbrug over de Vliet, Leidschenveen, Forepark, Centrum-West, Voorweg Laag, Palenstein , Stadhuis, Willen Dreeslaan, Seghwaert, Osterheem, Javalaan.

3) Randstad Rail 19:

Stations on this line include: HMC Antoniushove, Weigelia, Leidsenhage, Oude Meddenweg, Oosteinde, Leidschenveen Centrum, Klaverveld, Station Ypenburg, Lanen , Gruttosingel, Weidevogellaan, Scholekstersingel, Anthony Fokkersingel, Ypenburg Centrum, Brasserskade, Nieuwe Plantage.

4) Metro Line E:

Stations on this line include: Den Haag Centraal, Voorburg‘t Loo, Laan van NOI, Spoorbrug over de Vliet, Leidschendam – Voorburg, Leidschenveen, Forepark, Pijnacker Centrum, Nootdorp, Berkel Westpolder, Pijnacker Zuid, Rodenrijs, Meijersplein, Wilgenplas, Melanchthonweg, Rotterdam Centraal , Blijdorp, Beurs, Stadhuis, Wilhelminaplein, Leuvehaven, Rijnhaven, Zuidplein, Maashaven, Slinge.

Airport Connectivity

For those traveling to Rotterdam The Hague Airport, the closest metro station is Blijdorp, serviced by Metro Line E. Traveling from the airport to Blijdorp involves a short walk to the Bushalte Rotterdam Airport, followed by a 15-minute bus ride on bus 33 towards Rotterdam Centraal. Alight at Bushalte Blijdorp Metro and take a brief walk to the Blijdorp station. The overall journey is estimated to take 20 minutes and costs approximately €2.

For those traveling to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the nearest Randstad Rail stations are the Den Haag Centraal station and Rotterdam Centraal station, both on Metro Line E. Traveling from Schiphol to Den Haag Centraal station involves a short walk to Station Schiphol, a 15-minute Intercity train ride towards Dordrecht (alight at station Leiden Centraal in Leiden), followed by a 10-minute Intercity train ride to Station Den Haag Centraal. The overall journey costs around €8.30 and takes approximately 30 minutes. To travel from Schiphol to Rotterdam Centraal station, walk to Station Schiphol and take an Intercity Direct train for approximately 28 minutes to Station Rotterdam Centraal. This journey lasts about 30 minutes and costs approximately €12.30.

Schedules, Timetables, and Frequencies

Randstad Rail 3:
- Departure Frequencies: Trains depart at intervals of 10 minutes from Monday to Friday during the day and on Saturdays, and 15-minute intervals during Monday to Friday nights, Saturday mornings, and Sundays.
- Opening and Closing Times: This line begins operation at the Centrum-West station at 8:00 am and ceases service at Arnold Spoelplein at 1:10 am.
Randstad Rail 4:
- Departure Frequencies: Same as Randstad Rail 3.
- Opening and Closing Times: This line starts service at Javalaan at 8:00 am and ends at De Uithof at 12:58 am.
Randstad Rail 19:
- Departure Frequencies: Trains are available every 15 minutes.
- Opening and Closing Times: This line begins service at Nieuwe Plantage at 7:58 am and ends at HMC Antoniushove at 1:02 am.
Metro Line E:
- Departure Frequencies: Trains are available every 15 minutes.
- Opening and Closing Times: This line starts operation at Den Haag Centraal at 7:47 am and ceases service at Slinge at 1:03 am.

Ticket Pricing, Subscriptions, and Cards

Tickets are categorized and priced as follows: Tourist Day Tickets (€13.50), Park + Day Ticket for One Person (€5), Park + Day Ticket for Two Persons (€6), Park + Day Ticket for Three Persons (€7), Park + Day Ticket for Four Persons (€8), and Park + Day Ticket for Five Persons (€9).

Subscriptions come in three types: Regio Abonnement, Altijd Korting Abonnement, and HTM Avonduren Abonnement.

1) The Regio Abonnement is available at varying star values. Each star value comes with a monthly price, a yearly price, a discounted monthly price, and a discounted yearly price. The prices are as follows (in the format of monthly price, yearly price, discounted monthly price, discounted yearly price): One Star (€49, €490, €32, €320), Two Stars (€79, €790, €53, €530), Three Stars (€118, €1180, €78, €780), Four Stars (€156, €1560, €103, €1030), Five Stars (€195, €1950, €129, €1290), Six Stars (€235, €2350, €155, €1550).

2) The Altijd Korting Abonnement costs €17.50 per month or €175 per year.

3) The HTM Avonduren Abonnement costs €20 per month or €120 per year.

Transportation cards are available at the following rates: HTM Uurnetkaart (€3.50), HTM Kinder Dagkaart (€2.50), HTM 3 Day Travel Card (€16.50).

Interesting Facts about Randstad Rail

1) The Grote Markt and Beatrixkwartier stations are connected by a unique, fishnet-shaped tunnel made of wood.
2) One tram in the RandstadRail network, the Tramrestaurant Hoftrammm, operates as both a restaurant and a tram. While diners enjoy their meal, they can take in views of Scheveningen and Kerkplein from the tram’s location at Grote Kerk, The Hague.
3) Close to Voorburg‘t Loo station is a quaint grocery store named Sprinter, the name of the train model used for the metro before 2006.

Travel Tips for Using Randstad Rail

1) Den Haag Centraal station is accessible via international trains from Brussels and Antwerp, a great option for those who prefer traveling by train over flying.
2) Basel, Moscow, Copenhagen, Cologne, Berlin, Prague, and Frankfurt all have direct train services to Centraal station.
3) From Centraal station, it’s easy to catch connections to Utrecht, Amsterdam, and Groningen.

Rules and Guidelines

1) Metro staff may request to see your ticket and ID at any time.
2) Anyone aged 12 or older may be asked to present their ID.
3) Certain trains and stations are equipped with surveillance cameras for safety and security.
4) Smoking, eating, and drinking are only allowed at certain stations. Most of the time, passengers are required to keep food, drinks, cigarettes, and e-cigarettes stored away.
5) If using an OV-Chipkaart card, passengers must validate the card upon boarding and exiting the metro. An ID may also be requested.
6) Passengers are asked not to place their feet on empty seats.
7) Skateboards and skates must not be used on the metro. They should be stored or carried by hand.
Use headphones if you want to listen to music while on the metro.
9) Dogs on a leash are permitted on the metro and should not occupy seats. Dogs can travel for free.
10) Some metro cars only have room for either two wheelchairs or two strollers. Wheelchair users will be given priority.
11) If purchasing a ticket from the metro driver, ensure you have exact change as they do not accept bills of €50 or more.
12) Seats reserved for the elderly, pregnant women, and people with disabilities are marked with stickers.
13) Bikes are permitted on weekdays after 7:00 pm. During weekends, bikes are allowed at any time.
14) Some trains are equipped with vending machines that sell tickets. They only accept coins.

Customer Service

Three customer service offices are available: HTM Service Shops at Den Haag HS (Holland Spoor) station, OV Service Shops at Den Haag Centraal station, and HTM Service Shop at Zoetermeer Centrum-West station.

a) Weekdays: 7:00 am – 10:00 pm.
b) Saturdays: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm.
c) Sundays: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm.

Lost and Found

If you have lost an item on the metro, you can check https://ilost.co/org/htm-personenvervoer for items found by metro staff. If your item is listed, click on it and answer a few questions to verify ownership. The item will then be delivered to you for a fee of €4. If you live outside of the Netherlands, additional shipping charges will apply.

Items found by the metro staff should appear on the website within three days of being lost. If the item does not appear within this time, it is likely that it was not found.

Future Expansions

The following expansions are planned for the Randstad Rail network:

Randstad Rail 4: This line will include two new stations: Lansingerland-Zoetermeer (NS) and Van Tuyllpark, both slated to open in 2028. Lansingerland-Zoetermeer station will offer connections to the Den Haag-Gouda station.

Randstad Rail 19: This line will feature the following new stations: Delft Station (NS), Prinsenhof, Mijnbouwplein, Zuidpoort, TU-Mekelpark, TU-Aula, TU-Kluyverpark, TU-Sport en Cultuur, and TU-Technopolis.

Metro Line E: Additional trains will be added to this line to increase the frequency of service. At present, this line operates six trains per hour.

Nearby Attractions

Here are some notable attractions close to the Blijdorp station on Metro Line E, with instructions on how to reach them using the metro:

The Knight’s Hall: The total journey time is 39 minutes, and the cost is €4.33. From Blijdorp station, board the Metro and travel towards Den Haag Centraal for 25 minutes. Disembark at Tramhalte/Metrostation Voorburg’t Loo, Voorburg. Then, board tram 3 and travel towards Den Haag Loosduinen for 10 minutes. Disembark at Tramhalte Spui, Den Haag. Finally, walk to Ridderzaal, Den Haag.
The Peace Palace: The journey takes one hour and one minute, costing €4.71. From Blijdorp, board the Metro and travel to Den Haag Centraal for 30 minutes. Disembark at Metrostation Den Haag Centraal, Den Haag. Walk to Tramhalte Centraal Station Beneden, Den Haag. Board tram 17 and travel towards Centrum for five minutes. Disembark at Bus/Tramhalte Centrum, Den Haag. Then, board bus 24 and travel towards Kijkduin for 8 minutes. Disembark at Bus/Tramhalte Vredespaleis, Den Haag. Finally, walk to Vredespaleis, Den Haag.
Great Saint James Church: The journey takes 43 minutes, costing €4.39. From Blijdorp, board the Metro and travel towards E Den Haag Centraal for 25 minutes. Disembark at Tramhalte/Metrostation Voorburg´t Loo, Voorburg. Then, board tram 3 and travel towards Den Haag Loosduinen for 10 minutes. Disembark at Tramhalte Grote Markt (tram), Den Haag. Finally, walk to Rond de Grote Kerk 12.
The Mauritshuis: The journey takes 40 minutes, costing €4.33. From Blijdorp, board the Metro and travel towards E Den Haag Centraal for 25 minutes. Disembark at Tramhalte/Metrostation Voorburg´t Loo, Voorburg. Then, board tram 3 and travel towards Den Haag Loosduinen for 10 minutes. Disembark at Tramhalte Spui, Den Haag. Finally, walk to Plein 29, 2511 C5 Den Haag.
Scheveningen Resort: The journey takes 50 minutes, costing €4.89. From Blijdorp, board the Metro and travel towards E Den Haag Centraal for 30 minutes. Disembark at Tramhalte/Metrostation Laan van NOI, Den Haag. Walk to Bus/Tramhalte Station Laan van NOI, Den Haag. Then, board bus 23 and travel towards Bushalte Kurhausweg, Den Haag, for 15 minutes. Finally, walk to Gevers Deynootplein 30, 2586 CK Den Haag-Scheveningen.

Randstad Rail Connections

The Randstad Rail network primarily connects with trams and buses at various stations. The connections available at each station are as follows:

RandstadRail 3: Connections include tram 12 at Goudenregenstraat and Fahrenheitstraat, tram 11 at Conradkade, trams 2 and 4 at HMC Westeinde, Randstad Rail 4, trams 2, 6, bus 25 from Stadsbus, buses 50 and 51 from Streekbus, and bus N4 from Nachtbus at Grote Markt, Randstad Rail 4, trams 2 and 6 at Spui, Randstad Rail 4, Metro Line E, trams 2, 6, 9 , 15, 16, and 17, buses 43, 44, 45, 46, 90 and 444 from Streekbus, buses 18, 22, 24, and 28 from Stadsbus, buses N2 and N6 from Nachtbus, and buses 380, 381, 382, 383, 385, and 386 from Qliner at Centraal Station, Randstad Rail 4 at Beatrixkwartier, Randstad Rail 4, Metro Line E, tram 2, and buses 23 and 28 from Stadsbus at Laan van NOI, Randstad Rail 4, Metro Line E, tram 2 at Voorburg‘t Loo, Randstad Rail 4, Metro Line E, buses 45 and 46 from Streekbus at Leidschendam – Voorburg, Randstad Rail 4, and Metro Line E at Spoorbrug over de Vliet, Randstad Rail 4 and Metro Line E at Forepark, Randstad Rail 19, Metro Line E, Randstad Rail 4, bus 30 from Streekbus at Leidschenveen, Randstad Rail 4 at Voorweg Laag, and Randstad Rail 4, line 170 buses from Zoro-bus, bus N6 from Nachtbus, buses 565 and 577 from Belbus, buses 70, 71, 72, and 74 from Stadsbus, buses 30, 50, 55, 165, 173 and 177 from Streekbus, and train 400 from R-Net at Centrum-West, and Randstad Rail 4 at Stadhuis, Palenstein, and Seghwaert.
RandstadRail 4: Connections include tram 6, buses 21, 23, and 26 from Stadsbus, and buses 31, 35, 36 and 37 from Streekbus at Leyenburg, and tram 6 at Tienhovenselaan, tram 2 at De la Reyweg, bus 165 from Streekbus at Willem Dreeslaan.
Randstad Rail 19: Connections include tram 2, tram 6, bus 46 at HMC Antoniushove, trams 2, 6, bus 46 at Leidsenhage, bus N5 from Nachtbus and bus 30 from Streekbus at Station Den Haag Ypenburg, and tram 1 at Brasserskade.
Metro Line E: Connections include bus 484 from Buurtbus at Nootdorp, bus 484 from Buurtbus, and bus 55 from Streekbus at Pijnacker Centrum, bus 484 from Buurtbus, and bus 174 from Streekbus at Pijnacker Zuid, bus B10 from Nachtbus, and bus 174 from Streekbus at Berkel Westpolder, bus 170 from Zoro bus and bus 173 from Streekbus at Rodenrijs, bus 33 from Stadsbus at Meijersplein, tram 25, and Stadsbus 35 at Melanchthonweg, bus 33 from Stadsbus at Blijdorp, Metro Line D, buses 33, 38, and 44 from Stadsbus, bus 40 from Streekbus, buses B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11, B16, B17, and B19 from BOB-bus, buses 836, 860, and 890 from Nachtbus, trams 4, 7, 8, 12, 20, 21, 23, 24, and 25 at Station Rotterdam Centraal, Metro Line D, and trams 21, 23, and 24 at Stadhuis, Metro Line A, B, C, and D, buses B5, B7, B11, and B16 from BOB-bus, buses 836, 860, 891, and 892 from Nachtbus, bus 32 from Stadsbus, trams 8, 20, 21, 23, 24, and 25 at Beurs, Metro Line D, and trams 8, 20, 23, and 25 at Leuvehaven, Metro Line D, buses B11, and B16, and trams 20, 23, and 25 at Wilhelminaplein, Metro Line D, and bus 77 from Stadsbus at Rijnhaven, Metro Line D, buses B7 and B11 from BOB-bus, bus 431 from Nachtbus, and tram 2 at Maashaven, and Metro Line D, train 395 from the Interliner, buses B7 and B11 from Nachtbus, buses 82, 84, 90, 91, 92, 93, 130, 136, 139, 143, 144, 146, 160, 164, 166, 167, 168, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 183, 184, 187, 190, 191, 290, and 310 from Streekbus, and buses 44, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 72, 74, 76, and 77 from Stadsbus at Zuidplein, and Metro Line D, buses B7 and B11 from the BOB-bus, buses 68, 70 and 72 from the Stadsbus, and buses 82, 183 and 283 from Streekbus at Slinge.