DIY Ghent & Delft

[ikesyd]

We will be on MSC Northern Europe cruise in late October early November. Would like to visit Ghent on the day we are docked at Zeebrugge(have spent time in Bruges previously). Also the day we are docked in Rotterdam would like to visit Delft and The Hague. Any suggestions of the best way to do this. Happy to catch trains. 

[rsverdier]

Rotterdam to Delft or The Hague is very easy. For Delft: from the cruise port, just take the metro to Central Station (4 stops. You may also walk; this takes appr. 40 mins). From Central Stations, there are trains leaving every 5 to 10 mins to Delft. The trip takes 15 minutes, Delft train station is located directly on the edge of the medieval city center. Delft is a very small city; it is possible to walk the entire city center in 2 or 3 hours. 

 

From the cruise port to The Hague is even easier, since there is a direct metro from the cruise port (metro station Wilhelminahaven) to The Hague Central Station (metro line E). Total travel time is 40 minutes.

 

If you want to do both Delft and The Hague, it's probably best to go to Delft first, visit the city, then take a train from Delft to The Hague Central Station (trains leave every 10 minutes, total travel time is 15 mins). From The Hague Central Station, you can take the direct metro line E back to the cruise port in Rotterdam.

[ikesyd]

Many thanks for the info I can start some planning.

[rsverdier]

Small amendment: if you want to do both Delft and The Hague, it’s probably better to take a tram (instead of a train) from Delft to The Hague. In Delft, the tram stop is right in front of the station, and the tram will drop you off directly in the center of The Hague.

[ikesyd]

10 hours ago, rsverdier said:

Small amendment: if you want to do both Delft and The Hague, it’s probably better to take a tram (instead of a train) from Delft to The Hague. In Delft, the tram stop is right in front of the station, and the tram will drop you off directly in the center of The Hague.

Is there a day pass that we could purchase for the travel in both cities or should we just purchase single use tickets? Presume we just purchase at ticket machines?

Any recommendations for nice cafes for lunch/and or coffee in either places?