Rotterdam Centraal is the city’s main railway station, completely redesigned and inaugurated in 2014 to replace the 1957 building. Conceived as an ultramodern transport hub, it combines sleek design, accessibility and multimodal connections to accommodate more than 100,000 travellers per day.
Galerie photos
Jan Oosterhuis, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A modern and accessible hub
The new station, the result of a design competition won by Team CS (Benthem Crouwel, MVSA, West 8), stands out for its open volume, expansive roof and transparent glass façades that flood the interior with natural light.
History and reconstruction
The original station, built in 1957 by Van Ravesteyn, was demolished in 2008 to make way for a monumental project launched in 2004, including widened tunnels, bicycle parking facilities, shops and smooth pedestrian passages.
Intermodality at the heart of the city
- Direct access to national trains (Intercity, Sprinter) and international services (Eurostar, Thalys, European Sleeper).
- Seamless connections with the metro (lines D & E), numerous tram and bus lines, both daytime and night services.
- Impressive cycling infrastructure: an underground bicycle parking area with over 5,000 spaces and an on-site repair workshop.
Services and comfort
The station is designed as a lively urban space: shops (supermarket, HEMA), fast-food options, lounges, seating areas and charging points — a true city centre concentrated into a single building.
Remarkable architecture
The 250-metre-long roof, open spaces, clear signage and modern materials make it a benchmark of contemporary design in the European railway landscape.
Practical information
Located on the Stationsplein, Rotterdam Centraal is accessible on foot, by bike or via public transport. Immediate connections allow travellers to reach nearby districts and start exploring the city as soon as they exit.
Visit tips
- Perfect stop for fans of architecture and modern engineering.
- Enjoy the comfort of the station to grab a coffee or have lunch in the passenger area.
- Use it as a starting point to explore Rotterdam: the city centre, Markthal, Erasmus Bridge.
