Eindhoven Airport Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know About EIN

Introduction

Eindhoven Airport is the Netherlands’ second-busiest airport, and in 2025 it quietly broke its own passenger record, 6,956,486 travelers passed through a single compact terminal shared with the Royal Netherlands Air Force. That figure puts EIN firmly on the map as more than a budget alternative to Schiphol, it is a working regional airport with its own character, serving the Brainport technology corridor and connecting the south of the Netherlands to 76 destinations across Europe. This Eindhoven Airport travel guide covers the real numbers, every ground transport option, what you’ll actually find inside the terminal, and how to move through it efficiently. For a broader comparison of all five Dutch international airports, the overview of international airports in the Netherlands is a useful starting point.

• EIN set a passenger record in 2025 with nearly 7 million travelers through one terminal.
• Bus 400 is the fastest and cheapest way into the city center, €4.50, 20 minutes, every 15 minutes.
• The airport has no metro or tram; taxis and buses are the only public options.
• Facilities are compact but complete: Starbucks, McDonald’s, La Place, a business lounge, and shiatsu massage chairs.
• The airport closes between midnight and 04:30, plan overnight stays at the on-site Tulip Inn.
• EIN serves the Brainport region, giving it a higher share of business travelers than its size might suggest.

The Numbers Behind Eindhoven Airport

The 2025 annual report tells a story of controlled growth. 6,956,486 passengers traveled through EIN in 2025, up from 6,798,982 in 2024 and surpassing the previous record of 6,814,214 set in 2023. EIN and Rotterdam The Hague were the only Dutch airports to exceed their 2019 pre-pandemic passenger numbers, which puts the growth in sharper relief.

What makes that record more interesting is how it was achieved. The airport completed 41,011 aircraft movements in 2025, take-offs and landings combined, staying within its agreed cap of 41,500. More passengers per movement means better load factors, not just more flights. Revenue reached €100.5 million, with a net profit of €25.2 million.

On the service side, 76 destinations were served in 2025 (down slightly from 79 in 2024). The Net Promoter Score held at +42, and 76% of the local community rated the airport positively or very positively. Skytrax awards EIN a 3-Star Airport rating, covering facilities, comfort, cleanliness, shopping, food and beverages, and staff service.

Metric	Figure (2025)
Total passengers	6,956,486 (record)
Aircraft movements	41,011 (cap: 41,500)
Destinations served	76
Net profit	€25.2 million
Revenue	€100.5 million
Net Promoter Score	+42
Terminal	1
Parking spaces	1,500
Skytrax rating	3-Star Airport
Operating hours	04:30, 00:00
IATA / ICAO	EIN / EHEH
Distance to city center	7.6 km west

Ownership is split three ways: Schiphol Group holds 51%, with the Province of North Brabant and the Municipality of Eindhoven each holding 24.5%. EIN is a focus city for both Transavia and TUI fly Netherlands. A terminal expansion project is currently underway and on schedule, according to the 2025 annual report.

Getting From Eindhoven Airport to the City, Your Real Options

One thing to know upfront: Eindhoven has no metro or tram. Buses and taxis are the only public transport options from the airport. That is simpler than it sounds, the connections are frequent and well-organized.

Mode	Journey Time	Cost	Frequency	Best For
Bus 400 (AirExpressBus)	~20 min	€4.50	Every 15 min	Solo travelers, budget travelers
Bus 401	25, 30 min	Similar fare	Regular service	Those with stops en route
Taxi / Uber	20, 30 min	~€3/km	On demand	Groups, heavy luggage, late arrivals
Car rental	Flexible	Varies	Office hours	Multi-day regional exploration
FlixBus (to Amsterdam)	1h25, 1h50	Varies	Up to 3x daily	Onward travelers, no city center detour

Bus

Bus 400 (AirExpressBus) runs direct to Eindhoven Centraal Station with no intermediate stops. The journey takes around 20 minutes, buses run every 15 minutes on weekdays from 07:15 to 23:45 and on weekends from 08:30 to 23:45, and the fare is €4.50. You need an OV-chipkaart to pay, the card costs €7.50 as a deposit and is available at the airport. Verify current fares at eindhovenairport.nl before you travel.

Bus 401 covers the same corridor but makes several stops, adding 5 to 10 minutes. AirExpressBus also runs express coaches to Den Bosch, Utrecht, and Amsterdam, departing directly from the airport, so there is no need to go into Eindhoven city center first.

Taxi and Car Rental

Certified taxis wait at the official taxi lane near the city bus area. The fare runs approximately €3 per kilometer, and the journey to the city center takes 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. Uber is available from the designated taxi rank. For groups or travelers with significant luggage, a taxi often works out cheaper per person than it looks.

Car rental desks from Avis, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt are located at the office building at Luchthavenweg 13, to the left of the terminal. Car rental makes most sense for multi-day trips into the Brabant region or across the German border.

What’s Inside Eindhoven Airport, Facilities Breakdown

EIN is a single-terminal airport, so the layout is straightforward. Security, gates, and all facilities sit within one building, which means less walking and faster orientation than at a hub airport.

Food and Drink

Options cover the basics well. Before and after security you’ll find Starbucks, McDonald’s, La Place, Farm Food + Drinks, and AH to Go (the Albert Heijn convenience format). The Bar is a Bavaria beer flagship. Upstairs, the Tulip Inn Hotel bar is open to non-guests.

Retail and Services

Retail includes Rituals, Victoria’s Secret, and two tax-free shops: Travel Plaza and Travel Luxury. Practical services include an exchange office, lost property office, luggage lockers, and a baby changing area. A health centre is also on-site.

Comfort and Business

Free WiFi and mobile charging points are available throughout the terminal. The Massage-O-Matic shiatsu massage chairs in the waiting hall are a genuinely unusual amenity for an airport this size, worth knowing about if you have a long wait. The Aspire by Swissport business lounge and a business centre are available for those who need a quieter working environment.

Hotels

The Tulip Inn Eindhoven Airport sits directly above the departure zone, guests walk downstairs to the check-in desk. It is the only on-site option and fills quickly around early-morning departures. The Holiday Inn Eindhoven Airport is within walking distance or a two-minute bus ride. The airport closes between midnight and 04:30, so overnight sleeping in the terminal is not permitted.

Five Things That Make Eindhoven Airport Genuinely Interesting

1. Civilian and military in one place. The Royal Netherlands Air Force operates alongside commercial carriers on the same runways. It is one of the few airports in Western Europe where you might see a fighter jet and a Transavia 737 sharing the apron.
2. A hotel built into the terminal. The Tulip Inn sits directly above the departure zone. Guests can check out and be at the security queue in under three minutes.
3. Three-way public ownership. Schiphol Group, the Province of North Brabant, and the City of Eindhoven each hold a stake, an unusual governance structure that ties the airport closely to regional interests.
4. Brainport’s airport. EIN serves one of Europe’s most innovation-dense industrial zones. That gives it a higher share of business travelers than its passenger count alone would suggest, and it shapes the airport’s practical, no-fuss character.
5. A passenger record within a movement cap. Hitting 6,956,486 passengers while keeping aircraft movements at 41,011, within a hard cap of 41,500, is a genuine operational achievement for a single-terminal airport.

One historical footnote worth knowing: during WWII, the airport operated as Fliegerhorst Eindhoven under German occupation from 1940 to 1944, before being liberated during Operation Market Garden. The military heritage is still visible in the airport’s layout and its continued dual-use status.

How to Use Your Time at Eindhoven Airport Efficiently

The compact footprint is an advantage. Security and gate access move faster here than at Schiphol, so there is no need to arrive three hours early for a standard short-haul flight. Budget 90 minutes before departure for most routes, less if you are traveling with hand luggage only and have already checked in online.

If you are coming from the city, Bus 400 drops you right at the terminal entrance in 20 minutes from Centraal Station. It is the fastest and cheapest option for most travelers. If your flight lands late, after 23:45 when buses stop, a taxi or pre-booked transfer is the only realistic option into the city.

Starbucks is available on both sides of security, so you can grab coffee before or after the checkpoint. If you have a longer wait, the Massage-O-Matic chairs in the waiting hall are genuinely worth trying. Use the free WiFi and charging points to work or catch up before boarding. If you are heading onward to Amsterdam or Utrecht, AirExpressBus and FlixBus depart directly from the airport, no need to go into the city center first.

For early-morning flights, book the Tulip Inn well in advance. It is small, it is convenient, and it fills up. If you are packing for a compact overhead bin, this guide to choosing the right suitcase for international travel covers what actually fits and what does not.

A Note for Student Travelers Carrying Packages

Eindhoven Airport is a regular departure point for international students at TU/e and Fontys, many of whom travel frequently to Germany, the UK, and Southern Europe. Students who want to offset travel costs sometimes carry packages for small businesses in their spare luggage capacity, a model that can earn around €50 per trip. Living costs in the Netherlands are significant for international students, and supplementing travel income is one practical way to manage them. SendByPass is one platform that connects verified student travelers with SMEs needing cross-border deliveries, using a compliance and escrow system to handle the logistics. It is one option among several for students looking to make their travel work harder financially, not a universal answer, and many students manage their finances perfectly well without it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Eindhoven Airport from the city center?

Eindhoven Airport is 7.6 km west of the city center. By Bus 400, the journey to Eindhoven Centraal Station takes around 20 minutes. By taxi, expect 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic.

What is the cheapest way to get from Eindhoven Airport to the city center?

Bus 400 (AirExpressBus) is the cheapest option at €4.50. It runs every 15 minutes on weekdays from 07:15 to 23:45 and on weekends from 08:30 to 23:45. You need an OV-chipkaart, which costs €7.50 as a refundable deposit and is available at the airport.

Does Eindhoven Airport have a hotel on-site?

Yes. The Tulip Inn Eindhoven Airport is built directly above the departure zone, guests can walk downstairs to the check-in desk. The Holiday Inn Eindhoven Airport is within walking distance or a two-minute bus ride. Book the Tulip Inn early, as it is small and fills up around early-morning departures.

What time does Eindhoven Airport close?

The airport closes at midnight and reopens at 04:30. Overnight sleeping in the terminal is not permitted. Travelers on late connections or early-morning flights are directed to the Tulip Inn or the nearby Holiday Inn.

How many destinations does Eindhoven Airport serve?

In 2025, Eindhoven Airport served 76 destinations, down slightly from 79 in 2024. It is a focus city for Transavia and TUI fly Netherlands, with routes concentrated across Europe.

Is Eindhoven Airport good for business travelers?

It is well-suited to short-haul European business travel. The single-terminal layout means faster security and shorter walks to gates than at larger hub airports. The Aspire by Swissport business lounge, free WiFi, charging points, and a business centre are all available. The airport serves the Brainport technology and industrial corridor, so it handles a higher proportion of business travelers than its overall size might suggest.

Sources

• Eindhoven Airport 2025 Annual Report, primary source for all 2025 passenger, movement, financial, and NPS figures
• Eindhoven Airport, Wikipedia, IATA/ICAO codes, location, elevation, ownership structure, facilities, and military history
• Eindhoven Airport guide, kupi.com, Bus 400 vs 401 detail, Massage-O-Matic chairs, Tulip Inn hotel-in-terminal
• Eindhoven Airport Ground Transportation Map, all-maps.com, bus lines, Uber availability, FlixBus to Amsterdam
• Eindhoven Airport Guide, Sleeping in Airports, airport hours, hotel options, food outlets, WiFi, AirExpressBus connections
• Eindhoven Airport 3-Star Rating, Skytrax, official quality rating covering facilities, comfort, cleanliness, shopping, F&B, and staff
• Eindhoven Travel Guide, flypgs.com, Bus 400 timetable, taxi pricing, OV-chipkaart info, no metro/tram confirmation
• Taxi & Transfers Eindhoven Airport, uptransfers.com, €4.50 bus fare, Brainport region context
• Eindhoven Airport EIN, aviontourism.com, car rental companies, certified taxi lane details
• Aviation monthly figures, CBS (Statistics Netherlands), corroborating 2025 full-year passenger data
• Over 78.4 million people traveled through Dutch airports, NL Times, EIN as second-busiest Dutch airport, exceeding 2019 numbers