Rotterdam Centraal
Stationsplein 1, 3013 AJ Rotterdam
Your Rotterdam Centraal station guide
Rotterdam Centraal Station is an iconic and ultra-modern building located in the heart of the city.
There are different departure processes at Rotterdam Centraal depending on whether you’re travelling to and from London, or on any of our other trains. You'll find everything you need to know below.
Ticket gates at Rotterdam Centraal
Using the ticket gates at Rotterdam Centraal
Please have your ticket ready when you arrive, as you'll need to scan the barcode to get on or off the platform in Rotterdam Centraal.
Using a mobile ticket?
If you have bank cards stored on your phone, avoid scanning a PDF or screenshot of your ticket.
Instead, please save your Eurostar ticket in your Apple Wallet or Google Pay Wallet to avoid an accidental charge on your card.
The station’s ticket gates are set up to read both ticket barcodes and digital bank cards, enabling commuters to tap in and out.
Occasionally, these gates may read a bank card stored on a phone rather than an on-screen image of your ticket’s barcode. This will result in an incorrect payment of up to €20.
Saving your ticket to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay Wallet or printing it out will help ensure that your ticket is scanned correctly.
If you're charged in error, please go to the OVpay website to find out how to get a refund.
Departure guide for travel between the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany
Please arrive at the station at least 20 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
Then, just look for your train on the departure board and scan your ticket to reach the platform.
When the train arrives, hop on and find your seat.
To ensure an on-time getaway, please be ready to board at least five minutes before the scheduled departure time.
Tickets issued by other carriers may not have a barcode, so you'll need to speak to a member of staff or press the (i) button next to the ticket gates for assistance.
Travelling to London with a change in Brussels?
Luggage and passport checks will take place before you board your train to London. Find out more about your departure experience in Brussels-Midi/Zuid
Departure guide for our direct trains to London
If you’re travelling to London with a change in Brussels, skip to the section: Departure guide for travel between the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany bellow. Luggage and passport checks will take place in Brussels before you get on your train to London.
When to arrive at the station
When leaving for London, your luggage and passport will be checked before you board.
For a smooth departure, please arrive at Eurostar departures at the time recommended on your ticket.
Each of our trains can carry nearly 900 passengers, so there are sometimes queues at busy times.
Don't worry though, our station team will be on hand to guide you through the departure process and off on your cross-Channel trip.
With border and luggage checks all done before you leave Rotterdam, you can step straight off the train and on your way when you arrive.
| Standard & Standard Premier | Business Premier | Special Assist | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How long before departure should I arrive? (mins) | 60-90 | 30-45 | 60 |
| How long before departure do Eurostar ticket checks close? (mins) | 30 | 20 | 30 |
Ticket checks
Make your way to the Eurostar departures building in the middle of platform 2 where you’ll be welcomed by our staff. Have your Eurostar ticket ready to be checked.
Security
Once you’ve had your tickets checked by Eurostar staff, there is a security check for you and your luggage.
Please make sure that you don’t go over the luggage allowance and that you don’t bring anything which is prohibited. There are no weight restrictions, as long as you can safely lift and carry your luggage by yourself.
If you have a pacemaker, please inform the security team before going through the metal detector. You may be asked to show your medical device ID card.
Passport/border control
Your passport will be checked twice – first by Dutch authorities and then by the UK Border Force.
Eurostar departure lounge
In the Eurostar departure lounge you’ll find the following facilities:
- Seating areas
- Plug sockets
- Tea and coffee facility
- Vending machines (for drinks and snacks)
- Toilets
NS International Lounge
Before departing, Business Premier ticket holders and Carte Blanche travellers can relax in the Regus NS International Lounge. It’s located on platform 2a, not within the Eurostar departures building. You’ll find the following facilities:
- Comfortable workplaces
- Free wi-fi
- Meeting rooms
- Free (non-alcoholic) drinks
Find out more about the Regus NS International Lounge.
Make sure you head over to the Eurostar departures building in time for ticket, security, and border checks.
Accessible travel
Booking Accessible Travel
If you’re travelling with a disability or reduced mobility, we can offer free assistance to help you get to and from the train.
You must book assistance at least 24 hours before you’re due to travel for guaranteed help.
If you're travelling to and from London, please use the accessible travel button on this contact form to get in touch at least 24 hours before departure.
If you're travelling on any of our other trains, please complete this form or call the accessible travel number on +31 20 124 78 22 at least 24 hours before the time of departure. Lines are open 24 hours a day.
You’ll find everything you need to know about accessible travel, including how to book, help with your luggage, parking and station facilities and much more on our accessible travel page.
Station details and facilities
- Cafés, shops and supermarkets
- Cash machines
- The NS International ticket office. See opening hours
- The NS International Lounge. See opening hours
- Baggage storage
- Self-service ticket machines
- Toilets with baby-changing facilities
- Bike rental and storage
The station is easily accessed by foot, bike or by public transport. It’s served by both metro and tram lines as well as a number of bus routes. To find out how to drive to Rotterdam Centraal, see Google Maps.
If you’ve lost something at the station or on board one of our trains that terminates at Amsterdam Centraal, you can file a claim with NS online.
Find out more about onward connections within the Netherlands, including information about train times and tickets. For local connections within Rotterdam, see Google Maps.
To get to or from the platforms at Rotterdam Centraal, you’ll need to scan the barcode on your ticket.
You can board your train up until to two minutes before departure, so there’s no need to turn up too early.
To find your platform, check the departure screens, then head up and hop on.
Once at Brussels-Zuid/Midi, you’ll go through the Eurostar departure process for your onward journey to London.
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