Eindhoven is a city in the southern province of North Brabant, built on sandy ground between the Dommel, Gender and Tongelreep rivers. Its modern character comes largely from industry and design, and much of the centre was rebuilt after the Second World War, so you will find a compact, working city rather than a historic townscape.
For a visitor, the useful distinction is between the centre and the districts around it. The centre holds most of the accommodation and puts you within walking distance of the train station, the Markt and the main streets. The former districts that were absorbed into the city — Woensel to the north, Tongelre to the east, Stratum to the southeast, Gestel en Blaarthem to the southwest and Strijp to the west — are more residential, and Strijp also contains the newer Meerhoven development. This guide covers which of these areas to base yourself in, and what kind of place you will find at each price level.
Best areas to stay in Eindhoven
1. Eindhoven-Centrum
The city centre is where most accommodation is found, offered mainly by large chains and aimed at an international business crowd. It is the most practical base: you are within walking distance of Eindhoven Central Station, the Markt and the main shopping streets, and the VVV tourist information office sits just outside the station.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants to walk to dinner rather than plan bus routes. Rooms here do not come cheap, and listed minimum prices can rise sharply once the cheaper rooms are taken. Two practical points: parts of the centre were built over river basins and can flood occasionally, and addresses on the Markt or along busy streets such as Vestdijk can be noisy when the café terraces are full.
2. Strijp
Strijp lies to the west of the centre and is the district that includes Meerhoven, the housing development built on the site of the old Welschap airport. It is a mixed area of residential streets and former industrial buildings, and it has become one of the city's centres for design and events.
It suits travellers who want a quieter base than the centre but still want to be in the city, and it is a reasonable choice if you are driving, since Meerhoven sits close to the motorway network. The trade-off is distance: you will rely on buses or a bike to reach the centre and the station.
3. Stratum
Stratum lies to the southeast of the centre, on the far side of the ring from the station. It is a largely residential district, and the accommodation here is mostly smaller places rather than large chain hotels, including bed & breakfasts and self-catering rooms.
It suits budget travellers and anyone staying more than a few nights who wants a kitchen and a quieter street. The main practical point is the walk or bus ride into the centre — it is not a district where you can step out of your door into the Markt.
4. Woensel
Woensel lies to the north and is the largest of the districts, divided into Woensel-Zuid and Woensel-Noord. It grew through large-scale housing development from the 1970s onwards, so it is mostly residential, with the everyday shops and services that go with that.
It suits travellers who are happy to commute into the centre by bus or bike and want to be away from the noise of the Markt. It is not a sightseeing base in itself, and you should expect to travel for the main sights and for the station.
5. The surrounding villages
Several smaller towns and villages sit around Eindhoven, including Waalre, Veldhoven, Geldrop-Mierlo, Nuenen, Son en Breugel, Best, Heeze-Leende, Eersel and Oirschot. Here you find smaller hotels, bed & breakfasts and campsites rather than city hotels.
This suits travellers with a car, or those who want a campsite or a rural base and do not mind a bus or train journey into the city. The practical point is connection: some of these places are a bus ride plus a walk from the centre, so check the route before you book.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: bed & breakfasts, which are smaller places and often cheaper than hotels, though many do not have a website; hostels with dorm beds; self-catering rooms and woonhotels with a shared kitchen; campsites and chalets, both in the city and in the surrounding villages. Tourist tax and breakfast are often not included, and some places ask for a deposit.
- Mid-range: small city-centre hotels and chain hotels on the edge of the centre, with clean rooms, breakfast either in the hotel or nearby, and locations within walking distance of the station or the Markt. Expect noise on the busiest squares and streets.
- Splurge: larger four-star hotels in and around the centre, some in landmark buildings, with indoor pools, fitness and sauna facilities and one or more restaurants. These are often a short walk from the train and bus station.
Best area for a first visit
Stay in Eindhoven-Centrum. It puts you within walking distance of the train station, the Markt and the main streets, and it is where most of the city's accommodation is concentrated. You will pay more than in the outer districts, but you will spend less time travelling to the places you came to see.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book ahead in Eindhoven?
Hotel rooms are abundantly available, and apart from major soccer matches at the PSV stadium the city rarely runs out of places to stay. Even so, listed minimum prices can be significantly higher once the cheaper rooms are gone, so it is worth checking actual prices rather than relying on the advertised figure.
When are prices lowest?
Prices are often lower at weekends. Note also that the tourist tax and breakfast are frequently not included in the quoted rate.
Where can I find budget accommodation?
Look at bed & breakfasts, which are smaller places and often cheaper than hotels, though many of them do not have a website. Hostels with dorm beds and self-catering rooms are other options, and the villages around the city have smaller hotels and campsites. The VVV office just outside Eindhoven Central Station is a good place to start.
Is the city centre noisy?
It can be. Addresses on the Markt are noisy when the café terraces are full, and rooms along busy streets such as Vestdijk are affected by traffic. If you are sensitive to noise, ask about the room's position before you book.
Compare live prices for your dates using the booking tools on this page before you decide.