Arriving by Air: Nijmegen

Airports & Airlines

Major Airports

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is the main international airport, about 110 km northwest of Nijmegen. Eindhoven Airport (EIN), about 70 km south, mainly serves low-cost carriers.

Regional Airport

Weeze Airport (NRN) in Germany, 50 km southeast, is a low-cost carrier option.
AMS offers extensive global connections.
EIN and NRN are good for budget-conscious European travelers.

Airline Information

AMS: Served by most major airlines (KLM, Delta, United, etc.) and low-cost carriers (EasyJet, Ryanair). EIN: Mainly low-cost airlines (Ryanair, Wizz Air). NRN: Almost exclusively Ryanair.

Direct Flight Access

Direct flights to AMS from major cities in North America, Asia/Middle East.
Numerous direct flights to AMS and EIN from most European capitals.
Flight prices highest in June-August. Book months in advance.

Flight Deals

Explore competitive fares with Dollar Flight Club.

Compare Flights

Find the best flight options using Skyscanner.

Airport Facilities

AMS: Modern facilities, shops, restaurants, lounges, direct train access. EIN/NRN: More basic, but adequate.

Airport Transfers to Nijmegen

From Amsterdam Schiphol AMS

Train: Most convenient. Direct intercity trains from Schiphol Plaza to Nijmegen Central Station.
Journey duration: Approx. 1 hour 30-45 minutes.
Tickets at yellow NS machines or use contactless debit/credit card (OVpay).
Taxi/Ride-share: Expensive (€150-€200+), advisable for large groups/lots of luggage.

From Eindhoven EIN & Weeze NRN

From EIN: Bus to Eindhoven Central Station (20-30 min), then direct train to Nijmegen (40 min).
Total EIN journey: Approx. 1 hour 15 minutes.
From NRN (Germany): Airport shuttle bus to Weeze train station, then train connections (more complex).
NRN transfers are generally more time-consuming.

Car Rental Services

Global Providers

Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Sixt, Enterprise have offices in the Netherlands, including near Nijmegen.

Booking & Comparison

Compare rental car prices and book in advance. Explore options with DiscoverCars.com.

Requirements

Generally 21+ (some 25+), valid national driving license (held 1+ year), credit card in main driver's name.

Land & Sea Travel

Train Travel

The NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) railway network is efficient and punctual. Nijmegen Central Station connects to major Dutch cities.

Train Connections

Direct trains to Utrecht (approx. 1 hr), Arnhem (15 min), 's-Hertogenbosch (30 min).
Tickets at yellow/blue NS machines or use contactless debit/credit card (OVpay).
Eurail Pass is an option for extensive European train travel.

Long-Distance Buses

FlixBus is the main international long-distance bus operator, connecting Nijmegen with various European cities and some domestic routes.

Bus Travel Notes

Buses are often more budget-friendly but generally slower than trains.
The FlixBus stop in Nijmegen is typically near the Central Station.
Regional buses (Breng, Arriva) serve surrounding towns, not long-distance intercity.

Self-Driving Considerations

Drive on the right side. Roads are excellent and well-maintained. A valid national driving license is sufficient for short visits.

Driving Guidelines

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended for non-EU citizens.
City center parking is expensive and limited; consider P+R (Park and Ride).
Extreme awareness of cyclists is critical. Yield to cyclists where indicated.

Sea & River Arrivals

Nijmegen is not a sea port. Major sea ferry ports are in Hook of Holland, IJmuiden, and Rotterdam. These ports connect to the UK.

Water-Based Options

River Cruises: Nijmegen is a common stop on multi-day Rhine river cruises.
Local Ferries: Small, seasonal ferries cross the Waal River for short crossings.
Immigration: For non-Schengen ferries, procedures are at the port of arrival, similar to airports.

Road Conditions & Safety Concerns

Road surfaces are smooth and well-maintained.
Main safety concern: awareness of cyclists.
Speed limits are strictly enforced.

Legal alcohol limit for drivers: 0.05% BAC.
Mobile phone use while driving only with hands-free.
Children under 135 cm must use an approved car seat.

Departure Information

Departure Fees & Timing

No specific departure taxes or exit fees for leaving the Netherlands as a tourist. Any applicable taxes are incorporated into your ticket price.

Timing Recommendations

European Flights (AMS): Arrive 2-3 hours before departure.
Intercontinental Flights (AMS): Arrive 3-4 hours before departure (peak season).
Domestic Trains (Nijmegen Central): Arrive 15-20 minutes before departure.

VAT Refund Process

If you are a non-EU resident and have eligible purchases (minimum €50 per store) qualifying for a VAT refund, allow extra time at the airport.

VAT Refund Steps

Complete forms at the store.
Get forms stamped by customs at the airport before departure.
Proceed to a designated refund counter (Global Blue, Planet Tax Free) for refund.

Schiphol Facilities

Numerous shops, restaurants, cafes, comfortable waiting areas, lounges, currency exchange, luggage storage.

Nijmegen Central Station

Essential facilities: shops, cafes, restrooms, luggage lockers. Modern and well-equipped.

Departure Preparation

Online check-in saves time. Be mindful of potential security queue lengths, especially for intercontinental flights.

Final Tip

Allocate sufficient time for all departure procedures. Travel during peak times may take longer.

Arriving by Air