Getting Around, Maastricht Travel, Transport and Car Rental
(Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands)
Buses provide the main way to travel in and around Maastricht and this mode of public transport also connects many surrounding Dutch towns and villages. When using the 'Stadsbus' (City Bus) transport in Maastricht, you can either purchase your tickets directly from the driver, or in advance from one of the train stations.
The 'strippenkaart' strip tickets are particularly popular and offer better value, being validated as you board the bus. If you intend to travel outside of Maastricht, several transport options present themselves, including trains, boats and ferries. The city's port is located on the River Meuse and links to Holland's famous Juliana Canal.
Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) / Arriving by Air
A relatively small facility situated some 10 km / 6 miles to the north of the city centre, Maastricht Aachen Airport serves approaching 400,000 travellers each year. This airport has recently been greatly improved and modernised, with the arrival of many additional passenger facilities and new terminal. The main airlines include KLM, Ryanair, Volareweb and Sky Airlines, although most flights tend to be slightly more expensive than if you chose to fly into the less convenient
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Those arriving here will find that you can easily travel into Maastricht by using either bus transport or taxis.
Car Rental
Renting a car in Maastricht affords a level of freedom that you cannot obtain by using public transport. However, it is only if you intend to leave the city environs and explore this part of the
Netherlands and the Limburg area that renting a car really comes into its own. Maastricht is well served by a number of speedy highways, such as both the A79 and A2, the latter of which links
Amsterdam and
Eindhoven, along with some French and Belgian destinations. There are several enormous underground parking lots within the city centre, situated alongside the river. Central Maastricht is well known for its pedestrianised area and one-way streets, making reaching your destination by car a little confusing at times.
Buses and Coaches
Bus transport in Maastricht is a good way to travel around the city's suburban districts and the buses travel to destinations as far as the southern side of Limburg. City buses tend to run every five minutes or so, with most passing the central Market Square. Bus stops are easy to find and clearly display information about times and routes. Although it is possible to pay the bus driver directly, savings can be enjoyed by first purchasing a 'strippenkaart' ticket from the railway station.
Trains
The city of Maastricht is currently served by no less than three railway stations, with the Maastricht Centraal (CS) being the busiest and most noteworthy. The other two stations in Maastricht are Randwyck and the recently opened Balijeweg. Train transport is one of the fastest ways to travel between cities in the Netherlands and is quite affordable. Intercity trains travel from Maastricht to an array of Dutch cities and towns, with the main destinations including Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Utrecht and also Valkenburg. Trains also travel further afield, to cities in
Belgium, with
Brussels and
Liege being especially popular.
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