Groningen's New Central Station Is Open—But the Work Isn’t Over Yet
After a 64-day shutdown, trains are running again and major upgrades are visible, but more work is on the way through 2026.
Groningen officially opened its renovated Central Station on Sunday, July 13, following 64 days of non-stop construction. The first NS Sprinter from Zwolle arrived just after midnight, marking the return of train service and symbolising a major milestone in one of the city's most ambitious infrastructure projects to date.
A symbolic ceremony on Sunday morning — complete with speeches, a ceremonial key, and breakfast in the new underground passage — formally opened the station, which now operates not as a terminal but as a through station for regional trains.
A New Era for Groningen’s Rail Hub
The heart of the renovation is the underground passenger passage, which now allows seamless access to the platforms via escalators and also functions as a pedestrian corridor between the city centre and the Rivierenbuurt. This passage is open to the public even without a train ticket, making the station more integrated into the city's daily movement.
Passengers will also notice the return and redesign of the platforms. The historic steel canopies have been restored, and two new roof types have been added — one monumental and one modern — creating an architectural blend of old and new.
What’s more, Groningen is no longer a terminus for Arriva trains. Connections like Leeuwarden to Europapark or Delfzijl to Veendam can now continue through the station. While NS trains still end their route at Groningen, Arriva passengers benefit from coupled trains that remove the need to transfer — a change expected to save considerable time.
Much Achieved, More to Come
Despite the celebration, much of the surrounding infrastructure remains under construction and will be delivered in phases over the next 1–2 years. The project is built around four major milestones, two of which have now been completed:
The underground passenger passage — now fully operational and enhancing both train access and pedestrian flow.
The through-station functionality enables continuous routes for regional trains without backtracking.
The remaining two milestones are well underway:
The new bus station on the south side, including a major underpass, is structurally in place but not yet functional. The blue bridge and old tracks were removed during the 64-day closure to install the centre section of the underpass. Work on the surrounding roads and final construction will continue into mid-2026, when the bus hub is expected to open.
The bicycle tunnel and parking facility — a future highlight with space for 6,000 bikes — is partially built. However, the final section under the historic station building is delicate and will take an estimated two more years to complete due to monument preservation work.
Construction Continues This Week
From July 17 to 23 (excluding the weekend), the next round of heavy work resumes on the north side of the bus tunnel, where sheet piles will be driven between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. This phase will pause for the summer holidays and resume in the fall.
Meanwhile, temporary footpaths and staircases guide travellers through ongoing construction zones, and shops on the new station square are still being fitted out. But despite the clutter and cranes, passengers are already enjoying the benefits of a brighter, faster, and more future-ready Groningen Central.