The Hague Travel Guide 2026: Sights, Transport & Itineraries

1. What to Prepare for a DIY Trip to The Hague? Visa, Season, and Budget Explained at Once

The Hague (Den Haag, often called The Hague in English) is located in South Holland and is the third-largest city in the Netherlands. It is also the seat of the central government, parliament, and the International Court of Justice, as well as the capital of South Holland province. Compared with Amsterdam, the pace of tourism here is slower, the density of museums is higher, and only a single tram line separates the seaside from the city center. For travelers who like to plan their own itineraries, The Hague is suitable for a 3–5 day stay and serves as a transport hub in the Randstad region.

Visa is the first thing to confirm. As of September 2026, Chinese citizens traveling to the Netherlands need to apply for a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C). The adult visa fee is €90 (equivalent to US$103 / 689 CNY), children aged 6–12 pay €45, and children under 6 are free; an additional visa center service fee is also required. The standard processing time is 15 calendar days, and during peak season it may be extended to 45 days. Common documents include an itinerary, proof of accommodation, round-trip flight reservation, travel medical insurance covering more than €30,000, and proof of funds; the passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date of leaving the Schengen Area and have at least two blank pages. The specific document checklist and appointment portal are subject to the official channels of the Dutch government (as of September 2026, source: Dutch Government Official Website).

Travelers holding passports from visa-exempt countries should pay attention to ETIAS. As of September 2026, ETIAS has not yet been officially implemented for the Netherlands, and the launch date given by EU officials is still being adjusted. Please refer to official announcements before traveling (as of September 2026, source: EU ETIAS Official Website). Travelers holding a valid Schengen visa are not affected by ETIAS.

The best seasons are April to June and September to early October. In mid-to-late April, temperatures are around 8–15 °C, and daylight hours gradually lengthen; July–August is when Scheveningen's seaside is at its liveliest, and hotel prices are also at their highest; from November to February of the following year, daylight is short and rainy days are frequent, but the advantage is that there are almost no lines at museums. If you want to see tulips, Keukenhof Gardens is usually open from late March to mid-May, and the journey from The Hague by train via Leiden takes about 1 hour (opening dates are subject to the Keukenhof official website).

Budget overview (excluding international airfare, per person per day):

For a 5-day, 4-night trip, the total cost per person excluding international airfare is €350–1,100 (equivalent to US$399–1,253 / 2,679–8,418 CNY). Adding the common round-trip economy-class airfare between China and Amsterdam of 4,000–8,000 CNY (equivalent to US$595–1,190 / €523–1,045), the total for the entire trip is 6,700–16,400 CNY (equivalent to US$1,000–2,440).

Exchange rate reference: As of September 29, 2026, 1 USD ≈ 0.878 EUR ≈ 6.72 CNY, i.e., 1 EUR ≈ 7.65 CNY (Source: platform exchange rate data).

2. How do you get from the airport to The Hague city center? And how should you choose local transportation?

The Hague has Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) locally, but the vast majority of long-haul international flights land at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), and the ways to get into the city from the two differ greatly.

Airport to city center

• Option: Schiphol Airport (AMS) → Den Haag Centraal, direct NS intercity train, taking about 0.5h, with departures every 10–15 minutes during the day and night trains available at night; second class one-way is €12.00 (equivalent to US$14 / 92 CNY) (as of September 2026; source: Dutch Railways NS official website; real-time fares are subject to the NS official website).
• Option: Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) → Den Haag Centraal, first take RET bus 37 to Meijersplein, then transfer to metro Line E, taking about 0.7h, costing €5.50 (equivalent to US$6 / 42 CNY) (source: RET official website; real-time charges are subject to OVpay/the official website).
• Option: Schiphol Airport → The Hague city center (taxi), taking about 0.6–0.8h, costing €90.00–€120.00, with higher prices at night and during peak hours (subject to the meter or real-time quotes from ride-hailing platforms).

Intercity trains

The above are reference fares as of September 2026. Actual fares are subject to real-time查询 on the NS official website.

Local Transportation

Trams and buses in The Hague are operated by HTM, covering the city center, Scheveningen beach, Madurodam, and the various museum districts. A few of the most useful lines for travelers: Tram 9 runs along the route of Den Haag Centraal—Madurodam—Scheveningen; Tram 1 connects Scheveningen, the city center, and the Peace Palace area; Trams 16 and 17 go to Statenkwartier and the museum district.

For payment methods, since 2023 the Netherlands has fully rolled out OVpay, allowing you to tap in and tap out directly at gates or card readers using contactless bank cards or mobile wallets, with fares the same as the OV-chipkaart. As of September 2026, the anonymous OV-chipkaart costs €7.50 (equivalent to US$9 / 57 CNY), and must be topped up separately (Source: OV-chipkaart official website; HTM official website).

Ticket options for reference (HTM fares are adjusted annually; refer to the official website, Source: HTM official website): single short trip €2.00–€3.00; 2-hour ticket €4.50 (equivalent to US$5 / 34 CNY); 1-day ticket €7.50 (equivalent to US$9 / 57 CNY). Actual prices are subject to the real-time rates on the HTM official website.

Whether you need to rent a car: in most cases, no. Street parking in The Hague city center costs €3.00–€5.00/hour, with a daily cap of €25.00–€35.00, and the city has a low-emission zone (milieuzone), so before renting a car you need to confirm whether the vehicle model is allowed to enter (for parking information, refer to the The Hague municipal parking page). Only if you plan to visit rural areas with weaker public transport, such as Kinderdijk or Hoek van Holland, is renting a car more worthwhile.

3. Which area of The Hague is most suitable to stay in?

Accommodation choices mainly revolve around the two focal points of "museums and parliament" or "the beach," with noticeable price differences.

City center Centrum (around Binnenhof and Plein) is suitable for first-time visitors whose main goal is museums, with the Mauritshuis and Escher Museum within walking distance; mid-range double rooms are €150–280/night (equivalent to US$171–319 / 1,150–2,140 CNY).

Scheveningen (seaside) is suitable for summer and family trips, with beaches, the pier, and sea-view restaurants concentrated there; double rooms are €120–230/night (equivalent to US$137–262 / 918–1,760 CNY), and for July–August you need to book 2–3 months in advance.

Statenkwartier area Close to the Peace Palace, the Museon museum, and the Kunstmuseum Den Haag, the neighborhood is quiet with good greenery, double rooms €100–180/night (equivalent to US$114–205 / 765–1,378 CNY).

Around Den Haag HS Station Convenient transportation and friendly prices, but the neighborhood atmosphere is average, double rooms €70–140/night (equivalent to US$80–159 / 536–1,071 CNY).

Accommodation and hostel price sources: As of September 2026, publicly available bookable prices from the The Hague Tourism Board accommodation page, the Stayokay Den Haag official website, and the Booking.com The Hague page; actual room rates vary with dates, room types, and cancellation policies, and the real-time prices on the booking channels shall prevail.

4. What are the must-visit attractions in The Hague?

4. What are the must-visit attractions in The Hague?

The tickets listed in this section are public reference prices as of September 2026, all given as exact amounts; the real-time prices on each attraction's official website shall prevail. Opening hours may be adjusted during holidays and special exhibitions, so it is advisable to verify on the official website before traveling.

Mauritshuis (Plein 29, city center parliament area) Mauritshuis: a Golden Age painting museum housed in a 17th-century Dutch classicist mansion, whose highlights include Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring and Rembrandt's The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, with a collection of about 800 paintings. Tickets are €20.00 (equivalent to US$23 / 153 CNY; subject to the real-time prices on the Mauritshuis official ticket page), opening hours are 10:00–18:00, and 1.5–2 hours is recommended. After opening, prioritize seeing Girl with a Pearl Earring to avoid the peak tour group crowds.

Escher Museum (Lange Voorhout 74, former Royal Palace) Escher Museum: Dedicated to exhibiting the illusion and mathematics-themed works of printmaking master Escher, the museum features interactive illusion installations, suitable for families with children. Admission is €11.00 (equivalent to US$13 / 84 CNY; subject to real-time prices on the Escher in Het Paleis official website). Open 11:00–17:00, closed on Mondays. Suggested visit: 1 hour.

Gallery Prince William V (Buitenhof 33, by the Hofvijver) Gallery Prince William V: One of the oldest art museum buildings in the Netherlands, built in 1774 by William V, Prince of Orange, to display his collection. It retains the 18th-century salon-style hanging, with Old Master works hung from floor to ceiling. The space is small and crowds are light. Suggested visit: 1 hour. About a 2-minute walk from the Mauritshuis.

Peace Palace (Carnegieplein 2) Peace Palace: Home to the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration, built from 1907–1913 with funding from American steel magnate Andrew Carnegie at a cost of approximately US$1,500,000 (in currency of the time). The building's exterior can be viewed at any time. The visitor center offers multimedia exhibitions and guided tours. Guided tours are €11.00/adult (equivalent to US$13 / 84 CNY; subject to real-time prices on the Peace Palace official website). Visitor center hours: 10:00–17:00. Suggested visit: 1–1.5 hours.

Madurodam (George Maduroplein 1) Madurodam: A miniature city featuring Dutch landmarks recreated at a 1:25 scale, with moving trains, boats, and planes. The park was built to commemorate a young resistance fighter who died in World War II. Tickets are €21.50 (equivalent to US$24 / 165 CNY; subject to real-time pricing on the Madurodam official website), open 09:00–19:00 with seasonal adjustments, suggested visit: 2 hours.

Museon Museum (Stadhouderslaan 33, adjacent to the Kunstmuseum Den Haag) Museon Museum: A family-oriented science museum, merged with Omniversum in 2021 to become Museon-Omniversum. Its themes cover Earth, life, humanity, and technology. The exhibits on climate change, refugees, and conflict are particularly distinctive. Tickets are €17.00 (equivalent to US$19 / 130 CNY; subject to real-time pricing on the Museon-Omniversum official website), suggested visit: 2–3 hours. It is the top choice for a rainy-day backup.

4. What are the must-visit attractions in The Hague?

In addition, the Binnenhof and the Hofvijver are iconic symbols of The Hague, with the lakeside walkway open free of charge; Scheveningen Beach is free year-round, with a seaside sculpture exhibition in summer; the Kunstmuseum Den Haag is known for its Mondrian works. For the latest opening hours and temporary closure information for each attraction, please refer to (as of September 2026, source: The Hague Tourism Board official website).

5. How to plan an itinerary in The Hague? 3-day, 5-day, and 7-day options

3-Day Plan (Core Essentials)

• Day 1 | City Center Art Route: Binnenhof exterior and Hofvijver, Mauritshuis (2h), Galerij Prins Willem V (1h), Escher in Het Paleis (1h).
• Day 2 | International Law and the City: Peace Palace Visitor Center (1.5h), Museon or Kunstmuseum Den Haag (2.5h), evening transfer to Scheveningen beach and pier.
• Day 3 | Miniature Holland and Wrap-Up: Madurodam (2h), Chinatown and city center shopping, return trip or stopover in Delft.

5-Day Plan: Building on the first 3 days, Day 4 is a day trip to Delft (about 0.2h by train); Day 5 is a half-day in Rotterdam (Markthal, Cube Houses) or stay in The Hague for the Kunstmuseum plus a seaside sunset.

7-Day Plan: Add Day 6 as a day trip to Leiden (about 0.2h by train, or switch to Keukenhof from late March to mid-May), and Day 7 to Kinderdijk windmills or a day trip to Amsterdam.

Flexible Adjustment Tips

The must-see parts are the Mauritshuis, the Peace Palace exterior and Visitor Center, Scheveningen beach, and Madurodam when traveling with children. When time is tight, Galerij Prins Willem V and Museon can be skipped. When the weather is bad, Museon, Escher in Het Paleis, Mauritshuis, and Kunstmuseum Den Haag are all suitable indoor alternatives; when the weather is clear, schedule Scheveningen, Kijkduin beach, Haagse Bos, and Westbroekpark into the day.

Business Cooperation Information: If you need to bundle train tickets, admission tickets, and accommodation for The Hague and other Dutch cities, USITrip's destination consultation and booking services can serve as one reference channel.

6. The Hague Food Map: Where to Eat and How to Avoid Pitfalls?

Museon Museum in The Hague, Netherlands

The dining scene in The Hague has two distinctive features: first, the seafood tradition of a coastal city; second, the Indonesian and Asian culinary threads shaped by historical reasons.

The following price ranges are for reference as of September 2026, sourced from the The Hague Tourism Board dining page and publicly available menus from local businesses; actual prices are subject to the merchant's pricing on the day.

Street food and snacks: Raw herring (Haring) €3.50–€5.00 (equivalent to US$4–6 / 27–38 CNY), usually served with onions and pickles; fried cod bites (Kibbeling) €7.00–€9.00; deep-fried meatballs (Bitterballen) €6.00–€9.00; stroopwafel €2.00–€3.50; mini pancakes (Poffertjes) €5.00–€8.00. You can try them around Plein and Buitenhof in the city center, as well as at the fish stalls around the Scheveningen harbor area.

Main meals: The Indonesian rice table (Rijsttafel) is a specialty of The Hague, costing €25.00–€40.00 per person (equivalent to US$28–46 / 191–306 CNY); seafood main courses in Scheveningen are €18.00–€28.00. Chinatown (the area around Wagenstraat and Gedempte Burgwal) is one of the earlier-established Chinese neighborhoods in the Netherlands, with a concentration of Chinese restaurants and Asian supermarkets, costing €10.00–€18.00 per person.

For everyday expenses, coffee is €3.00–€4.50, beer is €4.00–€6.00, and a supermarket sandwich plus a drink is €5.00–€8.00. The dining peak is from 18:00–20:00, and for popular restaurants it is recommended to book a table one or two days in advance.

Scenarios where you're easily ripped off: Restaurants along the Scheveningen Boulevard that attract tourists with picture menus generally charge 20–40% more than those in the city center, and some serve small portions; it's advisable to walk one or two streets inland before choosing. Some food stalls in the city center don't display prices, so confirm the price before ordering. Dutch bills generally already include a service charge, and tipping is not mandatory—usually rounding up or adding 5–10% is sufficient.

7. Practical Tips: Safety, Language, Payment, and Communications

Safety: The Hague is generally safe, but pickpockets are concentrated at The Hague Central Station, The Hague HS Station, city center tram stops, and on trams 1 and 9 heading to Scheveningen on summer nights. The emergency number is 112, and the non-emergency police number is 0900-8844. At night, avoid walking alone on the back streets behind stations and in some southern neighborhoods.

Language: The official language is Dutch, but English is extremely widely spoken. Staff at hotels, restaurants, museums, and stations can basically all communicate in English, so language is not a barrier for independent travel.

Payment: Bank cards are widely accepted, and Visa and Mastercard can be used at most hotels, restaurants, and museums; some small shops and market stalls only accept Dutch local debit cards (Maestro/V Pay) or cash, so it's advisable to carry €50–100 in cash. UnionPay acceptance is limited, and American Express is even less accepted.

Communications: The three major Dutch carriers are KPN, VodafoneZiggo, and Odido. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased at the airport or city center stores, with 10–20 GB plans costing €10.00–€20.00. Roaming surcharges within the EU have been abolished, and cards brought from other EU countries can also be used normally.

Other key points: The power supply is 230V/50Hz, and sockets are Type C/F European standard two-round-pin, so Chinese tourists need to bring a plug adapter; tap water is directly drinkable; the time zone is UTC+1, with daylight saving time at UTC+2, ending on October 25, 2026; most shops are open Monday to Saturday 9:00/10:00–18:00, with extended hours to 21:00 on Thursdays, and around 12:00–17:00 on Sundays; red asphalt surfaces are bicycle lanes, and pedestrians should not occupy them—when crossing the street, watch for traffic coming from the left and tram tracks; it is windy and rainy year-round, so it's advisable to bring a light jacket even in summer.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How many days is appropriate to spend in The Hague?

A: 3 days can cover the three main routes: the city center art route, the Peace Palace and the seaside, and Madurodam; 5 days can add a day trip to Delft or Rotterdam; 7 days can also include Leiden, Keukenhof (late March to mid-May), or Kinderdijk. If museums are the main goal, it is recommended to allow at least 2 full days.

Q2: Is the Dutch Museum Card worth buying?

A: As of September 2026, the Museumkaart adult annual card is €75.00 (equivalent to US$85 / 574 CNY; as of September 2026, the official purchase page still shows that it can be purchased online; the price and availability are subject to the Museumkaart purchase page). Within one year, it provides free entry to hundreds of museums in the Netherlands, including the Mauritshuis and the Escher Museum, while theme park-type attractions such as Madurodam are usually not covered. If your itinerary includes visiting 4 or more museums, buying it is usually more cost-effective (as of September 2026, source: Dutch Museum Card official website).

Q3: Should I use cash or card in The Hague?

A: Mainly use cards. Hotels, chain restaurants, supermarkets, and museums generally accept Visa or Mastercard, and OVpay contactless payment is the most convenient for public transport. However, some small restaurants, market stalls, and some parking lots only accept Dutch local debit cards or cash, so it is recommended to carry €50–100 in cash as a backup.

Q4: Can I travel independently without speaking Dutch?

A: Yes. The Netherlands has long ranked among the top in English proficiency, and The Hague, as a city with a concentration of international organizations, has an even higher rate of English use. Ordering in restaurants, asking for directions, buying tickets, and museum tours can all be done in English. Museums usually provide English exhibition labels, and some also offer Chinese audio guides or guidebooks.

Q5: Is it suitable to make a same-day round trip from The Hague to Amsterdam or Rotterdam?

A: Both are suitable. From The Hague Central Station to Rotterdam Central Station is about 0.4h, second class €8.00, and a half-day round trip is enough to visit Markthal and the Cube Houses; to Amsterdam Central Station is about 0.85h, second class €13.50, but Amsterdam has more to offer, so a same-day round trip is better suited to focusing only on the canal district and one or two museums. For both journeys, you can use OVpay to tap in directly at the station.

Practical Resources

Practical Resources

1. Reference Materials

• Dutch Government Official Website — Schengen visa, entry, and residence policies
• EU ETIAS Official Website — Who ETIAS applies to and its rollout progress
• Netherlands Railways NS Official Website — Intercity train schedules, fares, and transfer inquiries
• HTM Official Website — The Hague tram and bus routes, ticket types, and fares
• The Hague Tourism Board Official Website — Attraction opening hours, exhibitions, and local event information
• OV-chipkaart Official Website — Anonymous card issuance fee and purchase methods
• Museumkaart Official Website — Museum Card availability status and current prices

II. About USITrip (Business Cooperation Information)

USITrip was founded in 2004 and has long provided destination consulting and booking services for travelers worldwide. If you plan to connect The Hague with other cities in the Netherlands into a more complete itinerary, or need to verify combined options for train tickets, attraction tickets, and accommodation, you can learn more through the USITrip official website at https://www.usitrip.com/ The China region hotline is 400-998-8038, and the North America toll-free hotline is 888-887-2816.