Getting Around Dordrecht
Dordrecht is a compact, flat city, and much of it can comfortably be explored on foot. For longer hops or when you are carrying luggage, the city and its surrounding areas are served by a frequent bus network, and bicycles can be rented from a bike shop next to the train station (expect a deposit of around €50). Because the city sits on an island, some of the most enjoyable ways to move around also involve the water.
On Foot and by Bicycle
The city is small enough to walk around, which makes strolling between the historic centre, the riverside and the station straightforward. If you are in a hurry or have a lot of bags, consider the frequent buses instead.
Cycling is a particularly good way to see Dordrecht and the wider island. The terrain is flat and compact, with extensive separated cycle paths, and the full island circuit — including the Biesbosch — can be ridden on dedicated routes. One important safety note: cycle lanes function as roadways, and bikes move fast and quietly, so pedestrians should always check before crossing.
Rail
Dordrecht's railway station is the main gateway to the city by train. There is a direct rail service from Rotterdam Centraal and Rotterdam Blaak, and a direct service from Amsterdam Centraal via The Hague and Rotterdam Centraal that terminates in Dordrecht. There are also direct services from Gorinchem, Roosendaal and Breda.
In terms of journey times, Rotterdam is roughly 25 minutes away by intercity, Amsterdam about 1 hour 15 minutes direct, Schiphol airport around 1 hour direct, and Antwerp about 1 hour 20 minutes to the south.
Buses and Regional Public Transport
Frequent buses serve the city and nearby areas, making them a practical option if you are short on time or weighed down with bags. Qbuzz publishes timetables and maps of buses in the region, which is the best place to check routes and schedules before you travel.
Waterbus
Because Dordrecht lies in the delta, boats are part of the public transport system rather than a purely tourist excursion. A fast ferry (waterbus) runs from Rotterdam and costs the same as the train. The waterbus is scheduled public boat transport across the delta, reaching Kinderdijk in around 30 minutes and Rotterdam directly. It is inexpensive and timetabled, making it a genuinely useful as well as scenic way to travel.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Ride-hailing apps are available in Dordrecht, including Uber and Bolt, alongside conventional taxis. These are a convenient fallback for late nights, heavy luggage or trips that do not line up with bus or rail schedules.
Getting In from the Airport
Schiphol, the main international airport serving the Netherlands, has a direct rail connection to Dordrecht, with a journey of roughly 1 hour. From the airport you can board the train and ride through to Dordrecht without changing, which makes rail the simplest option for most visitors arriving by air.
By Car
If you are driving, two important highways lead to and through Dordrecht: the A16, which runs from Rotterdam towards the Belgian border, and the N3, which connects Papendrecht to the A16 at Dordrecht.
Practical Tips
- Walk the compact centre, but use the frequent buses when time or luggage is a factor.
- Rent a bike from the shop next to the train station (around €50 deposit) to explore the flat island and its dedicated cycle routes.
- Always check for bicycles before crossing — cycle lanes act as roadways and bikes can be fast and quiet.
- Use the waterbus as public transport: it connects to Rotterdam and Kinderdijk and costs the same as the train.
- Check Qbuzz for regional bus timetables and maps.
- Uber and Bolt are available if you need a taxi or ride-hailing service.
- Arriving by air, take the direct train from Schiphol, which reaches Dordrecht in about an hour.