How to get to and from the NN North Sea Jazz Festival

During the festival access roads and parking spaces get very crowded. We therefore advise you to use the public transport, with which Rotterdam Ahoy is easily accessible. Before you leave, please check the site for updated information about your mode of transport. The doors of Ahoy open at 2.30 pm.

Festival location

Train

Travel to Rotterdam Central Station and simply change to the metro to Ahoy, Zuidplein stop. The NS uses extra trains for the return journey in the evening/night.

Plan your trip in advance

ProRail works a lot on the track, especially during the weekend, so you can spend longer on the road. Therefore, plan your trip at www.ns.nl and check the most current travel advice shortly before departure for the exact departure and arrival times. You can conveniently check your trip along the way via ns.nl or NS app.


Metro/Bus

Rotterdam Ahoy is easily accessible by metro and various RET, Connexxion and Arriva bus lines.
Metro lines D (towards De Akkers) and E (towards Slinge) both stop at Zuidplein metro station. From there you can walk to the entrance of Ahoy in 5 minutes. The RET operates larger metros and a longer timetable due to the end time of the NN North Sea Jazz Festival. This means you can still travel to Rotterdam Central Station until late in the evening.

During the festival, the metros continue running until later and some also pass through The Hague Central Station. The special night timetable during the festival weekend will be announced later.

Plan your trip by public transport via ret.nl, the RET App, 9292.nl or the 9292 app.

OVpay is the new way of checking in and out of public transport in the Netherlands. At RET, you can also easily check in and out using your You don't need to activate anything. You can start traveling this way right away.

OVpay is available everywhere in the Netherlands. Also on all buses, trams, and metros operated by RET in the Rotterdam region.

How does it work?
1.  Hold your contactless debit card against the card reader, wait for the beep, and you're checked in. Make sure to take the card you want to use out of your wallet, so you're sure you're checking in with the right card!

 2.  Upon reaching your destination, you check out with the same card, just like with your OV-chipkaart. Again, hold your contactless debit card against the card reader, wait for the two beeps, and you're checked out. 
  • If your transportation ticket is checked, simply hold your debit card against the inspector's device. By the way, the inspector can only see your most recent check-ins.  
  • Pre-registering is not necessary, and your payment is automatic. The next day, the amount will appear in your payment overview with the description NLOV.
  • The price of your journey is the same as traveling with an OV-chipkaart without any discounts or subscriptions. This is how we make traveling smarter and easier.

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    For more information, visit ret.nl/ovpay.

    Rotterdam Ahoy is conveniently located near all major access roads.

    You can reach Rotterdam Ahoy via the Rotterdam Ring Road North (A20), East (A16), South (A15) and West (A4). Please note: there is extensive roadwork in the area around Rotterdam Ahoy. For up-to-date information before you travel, please check Van A naar Beter and/or Zuid-Holland Bereikbaar.

    Follow the travel advice shown on the information boards on the Rotterdam Ring Road, the signage around Ahoy, and any instructions given by traffic controllers regarding parking for North Sea Jazz.

    Parking

    We expect heavy demand and full car parks in the area. Due to high demand, there are several parking options, both close to Ahoy and further away. The options are listed below.

    Parking P1/P2 Ahoy

    Parking in the large P1/P2 car park at Ahoy is only possible with a valid parking ticket with a parking guarantee. Since 21 November 2025, a limited number of guaranteed parking tickets have been available for sale via Ticketmaster.

    Show your parking ticket digitally or printed to the Ahoy parking staff. Even if the signs indicate that the car park is FULL, you will still have access.

    Parking tickets Friday 10 July
    Parking tickets Saturday 11 July
    Parking tickets Sunday 12 July

    Parking at Q-Park

    There are several Q-Park parking garages close to Ahoy, such as Q-Park Zuidplein and Q-Park Hart van Zuid.

    Parking at P+R in Rotterdam

    Free parking a short distance from Ahoy? That’s possible too. You can use one of Rotterdam’s many P+R locations. We particularly recommend P+R Slinge (approaching from the East, South or West) and P+R Meijersplein (approaching from the North). From there, you can continue by metro using your OV-chipkaart. After your journey, scan your OV-chipkaart at the payment machine at the P+R location to convert your ticket into a free exit ticket. For an overview of availability, see the current availability of P+R locations .
    Note: free parking does not yet work with OV-pay (bank card). More information about P+R parking can be found on the P+R page on Rotterdam.nl .

    Parking along the Oldegaarde

    Paid parking has been in effect along the Oldegaarde (s124) since 3 June 2024. As a result, there is often more space available along this road. You can try parking here and paying by the hour.

    Remote parking

    This year, there is again a parking option at Waalhaven Zuidzijde Parking Garage. By showing your paid parking ticket (available online or on-site), you can take the free shuttle bus to Ahoy. Several shuttles depart each hour and the journey takes about 10 minutes. After the festival, the same shuttles will take you back. They run until one hour after the festival ends.

    On Friday, from 13:30 to 17:00, parking is only possible with an early parking ticket. After 17:00, you can park with a regular parking ticket, or buy a separate ticket at the entrance to the parking garage. On Saturday and Sunday, access is available from 13:30 for both parking tickets and on-site purchases. We do recommend buying a parking ticket in advance, so you are assured of a space, because once it’s full, it’s full.

    Parking and shuttle tickets are available via Ticketmaster.

    Is Waalhaven Zuidzijde Parking Garage full and you haven’t bought a parking ticket? You can still try parking in the marked bays around the Waalhaven industrial area. Set your navigation to Parmentierplein and look for a space nearby. You can then take the shuttle bus even without a parking ticket. Please note: it can be very busy in this area and there is no supervision or security.

    Other parking

    There are several other P+R locations around Rotterdam, including Kralingse Zoom, Alexander, Capelsebrug, Hoogvliet, Meijersplein and Melanchtonweg. If you continue your journey using an OV-chipkaart, parking at the P+R is free. You can also check the current availability of all P+R locations .

    You can find current traffic information at Van A naar Beter and ANWB Traffic Information.

    Parking spaces for people with disabilities

    Do you have serious health problems and a blue disabled parking permit? If so, you will always have access to the parking area, even if the signs show FULL. The parking area has 18 disabled parking spaces. If these are occupied, Ahoy parking staff will be happy to make space for you elsewhere on the parking lots. However, we cannot guarantee a space close to the entrance.

    Are you from (near) Rotterdam? Rotterdam Ahoy is easily accessible by bicycle. A free, monitored bicycle shed will be placed on the forecourt of Rotterdam Ahoy. Only store your bicycle/scooter in the designated shed. Motorcycles cannot be stored in the bicycle shed.

    PLEASE NOTE:It is not permitted to place bicycles and scooters on the forecourt outside the bicycle shed. You run the risk of it being deleted. Motorcycles are also not allowed to be placed on the forecourt.

    Rotterdam Ahoy is also easily accessible by shared scooter or shared bicycle. You can easily travel further from the various train and metro stations with shared transport. For example, you can look at the websites and apps of the providers Check, Go Sharing, Felyx and Donkey Republic. Shared bicycles and shared scooters are often available at major arrival locations. You can park the shared scooters and shared bicycles at the SAA building opposite Ahoy. Parking in front of the door in our bicycle shed on the Voorplein is not possible.

    Unfortunately, there are no options for charging electric vehicles at Ahoy.
    There is a large taxi stand on the Voorplein near the main entrance of Ahoy, supervised by taxi coordinators. Dozens of taxis are ready here to transport you to your final address. An attempt is made to maintain a constant flow of taxis for all guests, so it is not necessary to call your own taxi.

    Uber connects you with a reliable ride in minutes. One tap and a car comes directly to you. Your driver knows exactly where to go. And payment is completely cashless.

    As we've partnered with Uber, you're guaranteed your pick up and drop off will be comfortable, fast and safe via the special Uber Pickup and drop off point across the street.

     

    First time Uber-user? Download the Uber app, enter the code 'NORTHSEAJAZZ' and you will automatically get €10 discount on your first Uber ride in The Netherlands.

    More info about Uber 

    Unfortunately, it is not possible to park a coach in front of Ahoy in the large parking lot. It is possible to drop people off at Ahoy. However, collection is not possible. To pick up passengers we will send you to the buffer location at Sallandweg.

    Will you be dropped off or picked up? Then navigate to the front of Ahoy. Here you will be pointed out by the traffic controllers to a temporary parking spot where the driver can drop you off and pick you up (maximum 15 minutes of stop on the K&R). Click here for a link to the Kiss & Ride.

    Jacob Kleiboerweg 80
    3084 BA Rotterdam