Getting Around Apeldoorn
Apeldoorn is a medium-sized city in the southeastern Netherlands, well-connected by public transport and easy to navigate for visitors. The town centre is compact and walkable, while buses, trains, and bicycles offer convenient ways to explore the wider area.
Walking and Cycling
Apeldoorn is highly cycle-friendly, like most Dutch cities. Extensive cycle paths run throughout the town and alongside roads, making it straightforward to rent a bicycle and explore. A cycle tunnel runs under the central railway station, allowing easy movement between the town centre and the southern parts of the city. The international EuroVelo cycle route 2 passes through Apeldoorn, connecting it to a wider European cycling network. Bicycles can be rented at the railway station using an OV-Chipkaart (a rechargeable transit card), though standard bike rental shops are also available around the city.
The town centre itself is compact and walkable, with shopping areas and services accessible on foot.
Buses and Local Public Transport
Buses are an efficient way to move around Apeldoorn. The local bus network is operated by Keolis Nederland, with a few services run by Breng. All buses depart from the bus station, which is located at the railway station—a convenient hub for switching between transport modes.
An expansive network serves all parts of the town, with frequent services throughout the day. Local buses run every 30 minutes on most routes. The bus station is designed for connections, with coordinated departure times at regular intervals (:16 and :46 during most of the day, with additional services at :01 and :31 during daytime hours on many lines).
Many bus routes also serve stops near the town's shopping areas, making it easy to reach retail and commercial districts. During the tourist season, an extra bus service runs from the station to major tourist attractions located in the western part of the city.
Regional Buses
Beyond the town itself, regional bus services connect Apeldoorn to surrounding areas including Arnhem, Beekbergen, Dieren, Ede, Epe, Harderwijk, Hoenderloo, Hoge Veluwe National Park, Vaassen, and Zwolle. These services operate every two hours or more frequently. Regional buses also depart from the station but may have slightly different connection timing than the frequent local services.
Train Services
Apeldoorn railway station is centrally located and serves as a major hub for longer-distance travel. The station connects to a wide network of destinations:
- Direct intercity services run to Amsterdam, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Amersfoort, Utrecht, Rotterdam, and The Hague
- International trains serve Enschede, Osnabrück, Hannover, and Berlin
- Local and regional trains connect to smaller towns including Zutphen, Deventer, and Dieren
Train services are operated by Nederlandse Spoorwegen and Arriva. The station also has two additional stations served by local trains in the eastern part of town: Apeldoorn de Maten and Apeldoorn Osseveld.
During summer months, a heritage steam locomotive service operates from Apeldoorn central station, running to Dieren in the picturesque surrounding countryside.
Coach Services
Long-distance coach travel is available through Flixbus, which operates services from the railway station. Services connect Apeldoorn to Groningen and Eindhoven, offering an alternative to train travel.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
The source material does not provide specific information about taxi or ride-hailing services in Apeldoorn. Visitors should check with their accommodation or the railway station for local options.
Reaching Apeldoorn from Major Airports
From Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Schiphol Airport is the nearest major international airport, located approximately 80 kilometres away. Direct train services run from directly beneath the arrivals hall to Apeldoorn, taking just over an hour. By car, the journey takes slightly longer and involves navigating Amsterdam's ring roads before joining the A1 motorway.
From Amsterdam's central station, alternative train routes are also available, using a combination of domestic services (via Hilversum, Utrecht, or Amersfoort) for a journey of roughly 75 minutes. International trains also serve this route and can be used for travel within the Netherlands as well as to international destinations; these may require a small supplement.
From Eindhoven Airport
Eindhoven Airport serves low-cost airlines and is located further away than Schiphol. By train, the journey to Apeldoorn takes roughly twice as long as from Schiphol, typically around one hour and 40 minutes, usually requiring a change at Utrecht or Amersfoort. By car, the journey via the A50 motorway is straightforward and takes under 1.5 hours.
Local Airport
Teuge Airport is a small general aviation airfield located near Apeldoorn but has no passenger flight services.
Driving in Apeldoorn
Apeldoorn is well-connected by road. The A1 motorway (running east to west) and the A50 motorway (running north to south) intersect at the city, providing excellent access for car travel. Provincial roads also connect the city to nearby destinations. However, for visitors without a car, the comprehensive public transport network makes driving unnecessary for getting around the town itself.