Getting around The Netherlands without a car as a student is not only possible, it is genuinely easy. The Netherlands is home to compact, walkable cities where most destinations are within cycling distance, and the Dutch cycling infrastructure makes biking the default mode of transport for students. Public transport connects cities to the rest of the Netherlands, and for most daily needs, a car would simply be unnecessary.
For international students considering University College Roosevelt, understanding how student transport in The Netherlands works is an important part of imagining life on campus. The sections below answer the most common questions about cycling, public transport, and day-to-day mobility in The Netherlands.
Is The Netherlands easy to get around by bike?
Yes, The Netherlands is one of the most bike-friendly countries in the world, famous for its cycling culture. Cities are flat, compact, and crisscrossed with dedicated cycle paths. Most places a student needs to reach, shops, cafes, the campus, the train station, are within a ten-minute ride of each other.
The historic city centre of Middelburg, where UCR is located, is largely pedestrianised or low-traffic, which makes cycling feel safe and relaxed rather than stressful. Unlike larger Dutch cities where cycling can feel competitive or hectic, Middelburg moves at a gentler pace. Students regularly cycle to lectures, to the market, to the beach, and to social events without a second thought.
Cycling in The Netherlands also connects you to the wider Zeeland region. The province is renowned for its scenic cycling routes along dykes, through polders, and beside the coast. For students who enjoy outdoor activity, a bike opens up weekend adventures that go well beyond the city limits.
Where can students get a bike in The Netherlands?
Students can buy a secondhand bike in The Netherlands relatively easily and affordably. The most common routes are through local Facebook groups, student notice boards, and secondhand shops in the city. Buying secondhand is the norm among Dutch students and international students quickly learn that a solid, functional bike does not need to cost much.
New bikes are available at local bike shops in the city centre, where staff can also help with repairs and maintenance. It is worth investing in a good lock, bike theft is a reality across the Netherlands, and Middelburg is no exception. A sturdy frame lock combined with a chain lock is the standard approach.
Some students also explore bike rental options when they first arrive, giving themselves a few weeks to settle in before committing to a purchase. Once on campus, fellow students and the UCR community are a reliable source of practical advice on where to find the best deals locally.
What public transport options are available in The Netherlands?
Public transport in The Netherlands includes both bus services within cities and regional connections across the country. Arriva operates the regional bus network in Zeeland, connecting Middelburg to nearby towns such as Vlissingen, Goes, and Veere. For shorter journeys within the city, buses run regularly and are straightforward to use with an OV-chipkaart, the standard Dutch public transport card.
The OV-chipkaart works across virtually all public transport in the Netherlands, trains, buses, trams, and metros, and is the first thing most students set up when they arrive. It can be loaded online or at machines at the train station, and many students opt for a personal card that qualifies them for student travel discounts.
That said, for most day-to-day movement within Middelburg itself, students rely on cycling or walking rather than buses. The city is small enough that public transport within the city is rarely the fastest or most convenient option for short trips.
How do students travel from The Netherlands to other Dutch cities?
Trains are the primary way students travel between cities in the Netherlands. Middelburg has its own railway station, which is a ten-minute walk from the main UCR building, and trains run every thirty minutes. From Middelburg, students can reach Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Utrecht, and other major cities by train, typically with one or two connections.
Dutch students benefit from the NS student travel product, which offers free or heavily discounted train travel during weekdays or weekends depending on the subscription chosen. International students can also purchase standard NS tickets or multi-day passes, and planning journeys is straightforward through the NS website or app.
Weekend trips to Amsterdam, day visits to Ghent or Bruges in Belgium, or longer journeys to other European cities are all realistic from The Netherlands. The train connection means students are never isolated, even though Middelburg itself is a smaller city. UCR’s location in the heart of the city places the campus just a short walk from the station, which makes departing and returning from trips genuinely convenient.
Do students need a car to live comfortably in The Netherlands?
No, students at UCR do not need a car to live comfortably in The Netherlands. The combination of walkable city centres, excellent cycling infrastructure, and reliable train connections means that a car adds very little practical value for day-to-day student life. In fact, most students never feel its absence.
Groceries, social life, classes, and cultural activities are all accessible on foot or by bike. The city centre of Middelburg is compact and lively, with markets, restaurants, and independent shops within easy reach of campus. For longer trips across the Netherlands or to neighbouring countries, the train network handles almost everything students need.
Car ownership also comes with costs, parking, insurance, fuel, and maintenance, that make little sense for a student living on a residential campus in a small, walkable city. Parking in Middelburg is available in garages such as Kousteensedijk, Achter de Houttuinen, and Het Groene Woud for visitors arriving by car, but for students living on campus, these facilities are rarely relevant.
The honest answer is that a bike, an OV-chipkaart, and a pair of comfortable shoes cover almost every transport need a student will have during their time in The Netherlands.
How UCR supports student life in The Netherlands
UCR is designed around the idea that students should feel at home in The Netherlands from day one. As a fully residential college, UCR makes it easy to settle into student life in the Netherlands without the logistical stress that often comes with moving to a new country. Here is what UCR offers to support students beyond the classroom:
- Guaranteed housing for all students for the full duration of their studies, located in the heart of Middelburg
- A walkable, bikeable campus location that puts students at the centre of city life, not isolated on the outskirts
- A close-knit community of around 550 students and 50 staff, many of whom live nearby, making it easy to get practical advice on everything from buying a bike to navigating Dutch public transport
- Dutch language courses for international students, helping them integrate into local culture and daily life
- A Personal and Professional Development track that builds adaptability and confidence, skills that apply just as much to navigating a new city as to academic and career success
If you want to know more about what studying at UCR looks like, or have questions about life in The Netherlands as an international student, the UCR team is happy to help. Get in touch with UCR to start the conversation.
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