Rotterdam The Hague Airport is one of the more family-friendly airports in Europe, mostly because of its small size. There are no long terminal walks, no complicated connections, and no confusing signage. That said, the transfer into the city still requires some planning when you have children in tow.
Getting Through the Airport
The walk from the aircraft to baggage reclaim is short — usually under 5 minutes. Baggage reclaim is a small area with clear sightlines, so you can keep track of children easily while waiting for bags. Trolleys are available. The exit from the terminal to the pickup zone is about 50 meters, all on the same level with no stairs or escalators to navigate with a stroller.
Child Seats and Vehicle Options
Dutch law requires children under 1.35 meters tall to use an appropriate car seat. Taxis at the airport rank are technically exempt from this requirement, but that does not mean it is safe to skip it. If child safety is a priority — and it should be — book a private transfer and request the right seat type during booking.
Most transfer companies offer three options: rear-facing infant seats (for babies up to about 12 months), forward-facing child seats (roughly 1-4 years), and booster seats (approximately 4-12 years). Specify your child's age and weight when booking so the correct seat is provided. If you are traveling with multiple children who need seats, a minivan transfer is usually the best fit.
Strollers and Luggage
A family of four with a stroller, car seat, and holiday luggage can easily fill a standard sedan's trunk beyond capacity. Be realistic about what you are carrying. A minivan transfer gives you the extra space without the stress of trying to fit everything in. If you are taking a taxi, let the driver know about the stroller before loading — some sedan trunks simply cannot accommodate a full-size pram plus suitcases.
The Bus Option
Bus 33 to Rotterdam Centraal accepts strollers, but it gets tight during busy periods. If you have a compact folding stroller and one suitcase, it is manageable. With a full family setup — stroller, car seat, multiple bags — the bus becomes impractical and stressful. Save yourself the trouble.
Timing and Patience
Families should add about 15-20 minutes of buffer to any transfer timing. Between bathroom stops, snack breaks, reassembling strollers, and the general pace of moving with small children, things take longer than you expect. If you have booked a private transfer, the driver will wait — that is part of the service. With a taxi, the meter starts running as soon as you get in, so have everything organized before approaching the rank.
Practical Recommendation
For families with children under 5, a pre-booked minivan transfer with appropriate child seats is the clear best choice from RTM. The cost difference compared to a taxi (roughly EUR 15-25 more) is a small price for the safety, space, and convenience it provides.