Rotterdam The Hague Airport Guide

Table of contents

Introduction
Getting to and from RTM: every option with real prices
Bus 33 in practice
Taxi and car rental
Inside the terminal: what is actually there
How to use your time at RTM efficiently
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources

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Summary

Rotterdam The Hague Airport handles over 2.2 million passengers a year from a single terminal that most travelers walk end-to-end in under ten minutes.

Introduction

Rotterdam The Hague Airport handles over 2.2 million passengers a year from a single terminal that most travelers walk end-to-end in under ten minutes. RTM is the third busiest airport in the Netherlands, operated by Schiphol Group, and it moves people faster than its size suggests precisely because there is no second terminal to navigate, no inter-building bus, and no guesswork about which hall you need. This rotterdam the hague airport guide covers every transport option with real 2026 prices, what is actually inside the terminal, and a practical time plan so you arrive prepared.

Getting to and from RTM: every option with real prices

No train station serves RTM directly. The practical options are Bus 33, Metro E combined with Bus 33, Bus 37 for Delft travelers, taxi, or car. Here is how they compare.

Mode	Departure point	Journey time	Approx. cost	Best for
Bus 33 (RET)	Rotterdam Centraal	20, 30 min	€5.50 (RET 2-hr ticket) or ~€2.10 (OV-chipkaart)	Budget travelers from Rotterdam
Metro E + Bus 33	The Hague Centraal	~30 min to Meijersplein, then bus	Standard OV fare	Travelers coming from The Hague
Bus 37	Delft Centraal	Varies via The Hague Leyenburg	Standard OV fare	Delft and TU Delft travelers
Taxi	RTM terminal	10, 15 min to Rotterdam center	€20, 25 Rotterdam / €55 The Hague / ~€150 Amsterdam	Groups, heavy luggage, early departures
Car rental	Arrivals hall	,	Varies by provider	Onward travel beyond the city
Kiss & Ride	Front of terminal	,	Free	Drop-off or pick-up by a contact

Bus 33 in practice

Bus 33 runs up to six times per hour, every 10 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes on evenings, weekends, and holidays.^[5] A RET 2-hour single ticket costs €5.50 as of 2026; children aged 0 to 3 travel free.^[4] If you have an OV-chipkaart, the distance fare is around €2.10. OVpay contactless, debit card, credit card, or phone, charges the same distance fare with no pre-loading needed.^[2] The ticket machine at the airport bus stop accepts coins, debit cards, and credit cards.

Taxi and car rental

The official airport taxi rank is temporarily located on P2.^[7] For bookings, the official Rotterdam Airport Taxi number is +31 10 262 0406. Car rental desks from Avis, Budget, Europcar, Green Motion, Hertz, and Sixt are in the arrivals area.^[6] The weekday first Metro E departs at 05:48, relevant if you have a very early flight and need to connect from Rotterdam or The Hague.^[2]

Inside the terminal: what is actually there

One terminal means arrivals and departures share the same building. You will not spend time figuring out which hall to enter.

The Baken lounge sits on the first floor of the departure hall, a quieter option if you want to avoid the main seating area before your flight.^[7] Free WiFi covers the whole terminal, and charging stations are distributed throughout.^[6]

Food and drink options include a self-service buffet and bar in departures plus an eatery in the public hall. Prices sit at a typical European airport level, slightly above what you would pay in the city.^[7] Shops cover press, books, souvenirs, and travel essentials.^[9] A baby care room is available, and the terminal is wheelchair accessible with contactless payment accepted throughout.^[8]

One confirmed absence: no showers.^[6] If you need to freshen up after a long journey, plan for your accommodation rather than the terminal. Parking splits into P1 (long-term, left of terminal), P2 (business, in front), and P3 (long-term, right of terminal).^[7] Worldhotel Wings sits directly on the airport grounds, with Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant Wings and ibis budget Rotterdam The Hague Airport also nearby.^[8]

How to use your time at RTM efficiently

Arrive 2 hours before international flights and 1.5 hours before Schengen departures.^[9] The single-terminal layout means you will clear security and reach your gate faster than at a multi-terminal airport, but queues on busy summer Saturdays can still eat into that buffer.

If you are coming from Rotterdam or The Hague on an early flight, check the first Metro E departure: weekdays it runs from 05:48.^[2] Food inside costs more than in the city, so eating before you arrive saves money without sacrificing time.^[9] The Baken lounge offers a quieter alternative to the main departures area if you want to work or rest before boarding. Free WiFi and charging points are available throughout, so there is no need to hunt for a specific spot.^[6]

For the return journey, OVpay contactless works on every public transport leg, no pre-loaded card needed.^[2] Bus 33 picks up directly outside arrivals. If you are heading to Delft, Bus 37 connects via The Hague Leyenburg to Delft Centraal, a route many travelers miss entirely.^[6]

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Bus 33 cost from Rotterdam Centraal to RTM airport?

A RET 2-hour single ticket costs €5.50 as of 2026. If you use an OV-chipkaart, the distance fare is around €2.10. OVpay contactless, any debit card, credit card, or mobile wallet, charges the same distance fare automatically.

How long does it take to get from Rotterdam Centraal to RTM by bus?

Bus 33 takes 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. It runs up to six times per hour during the day and every 15 minutes on evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Is there a direct bus from Delft to Rotterdam The Hague Airport?

Yes. Bus 37 connects Delft Centraal to RTM via The Hague Leyenburg. Many travelers are unaware of this route; it is the most direct public transport link for anyone based in Delft or studying at TU Delft.

Does RTM have a lounge, and can anyone use it?

The Baken lounge is on the first floor of the departure hall. Access conditions vary by ticket or membership; check directly with the lounge before your flight if you are not traveling in a premium cabin.

Are there showers at Rotterdam The Hague Airport?

No. Showers are not available at RTM. If you need to freshen up after a long-haul connection or overnight travel, plan to do so at your hotel or accommodation rather than at the terminal.

How early should I arrive at RTM before my flight?

Arrive 2 hours before international flights and 1.5 hours before Schengen departures. The single terminal speeds up navigation, but security queues on busy summer weekends can still run long, so the 2-hour buffer is worth keeping.