Getting around Enschede
Enschede is a compact city in the eastern Netherlands, close to the German border, and it is best explored on foot, by bicycle, or by public transport. The city centre is closed to motorised vehicles, and parking can be difficult to find, with traffic jams common during rush hour. If you do drive in, it often makes sense to leave the car on the edge of the centre and continue on foot or by bus.
Public transport at a glance
Public transport in Enschede consists of buses and trains. There is no tram or metro system in the city. The network is run by a small number of operators, including RRReis and RVM Kreis Borken, and it links the city districts with each other and with destinations across the Netherlands and into Germany.
- Trains are the backbone for longer journeys, with rail links across the Netherlands and into Germany.
- Buses connect the city districts, with the most frequent service during peak hours.
- Payment is made with the OV-chipkaart, the standard Dutch public transport card.
- Buses in Enschede do not accept cash; you need a debit or credit card.
Trains
Enschede is easily accessible by train from all major Dutch cities, and smaller cities can be reached with at most one or two transfers. Hourly intercity trains from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, The Hague and Zwolle terminate at Enschede railway station, and the journey from Amsterdam takes approximately two hours. For planning a train journey, the Nationale Spoorwegen planner is a good option; if your trip involves a connecting bus or ferry within the Netherlands, use 9292 instead.
From Germany, direct trains ending at Enschede railway station run from Gronau, Dortmund and Münster. The regional train from Münster is hourly and takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. To reach Enschede from Berlin, a stopover in Hengelo is available; Hengelo is a small city about ten minutes from Enschede by train. Further guidance is available from Die Bahn.
Enschede has more than one train station, including one near the University of Twente, so check which station is closest to your destination before you set out.
Buses
The bus network connects the districts of Enschede and is most frequent during peak hours. As noted above, buses do not take cash, so you will need a debit or credit card, or an OV-chipkaart. Buses also serve the area around the main railway station and the University of Twente, making them a practical way to reach parts of the city that are beyond easy walking distance.
Taxis and ride-hailing
As a general rule for the Netherlands, taxis are available at the main railway station and can be booked by phone or app, but you should confirm local options on arrival.
Walking and cycling
Enschede is a city best explored by bicycle, on foot or by public transportation. The city centre is compact and walkable, with shops, cafes and services, and 30 km/h zones support pedestrian activity. The centre is also car-free, which makes strolling pleasant.
Cycling is a primary mode of local transport. The terrain is flat, and the infrastructure includes separated bike lanes, cyclist-priority roundabouts and a regional fast cycle highway. Bikes can be rented or purchased, so a visitor can easily use a bicycle for everyday trips around the city.
Getting from the airport into the city
The main airport serving Enschede for international visitors is Amsterdam Schiphol. From Schiphol, hourly intercity trains run directly to Enschede railway station, with a journey time of approximately two hours. This is the most straightforward option for most travellers.
KLM also provides a free bus transfer for travellers arriving or departing on KLM flights from Amsterdam Schiphol. The bus leaves Schiphol twice a day, at 09:05 and 21:00, and the entire ride takes about three hours. Note that this service is tied to KLM flights, so check eligibility before relying on it.
Flixbus provides bus service from major cities in the Netherlands and Germany to Enschede, with stops at Enschede train station and the University of Twente. This can be a useful alternative if you are coming from elsewhere in the Netherlands or from Germany.
Arriving by car
If you arrive by car, there is a large parking lot underneath the market square in the centre of the city, the H.J. van Heekplein, with space for visitors. A cheaper park-and-ride option is available at the expanded P+R Zuiderval, where frequent buses travel directly to the city centre in about five minutes. This is especially useful if you arrive via the highway, as the lot is just off the highway exit.
Practical tips
- Use the OV-chipkaart or a contactless debit or credit card for public transport; buses do not accept cash.
- Plan train journeys with the Nationale Spoorwegen planner, and use 9292 if your trip includes a connecting bus or ferry.
- Check which of Enschede's train stations is closest to your destination, especially if you are heading to the University of Twente.
- Consider leaving the car at P+R Zuiderval and taking the frequent bus into the centre.
- Rent a bicycle if you want to explore beyond the walkable centre; the terrain is flat and the cycling infrastructure is good.