Delft

Delft was founded as a town in 1075. Its name is derived from the Dutch word 'delven' which means delve or digging. Delft's oldest canal is called The Old Delft (de Oude Delft). Delft expanded around it; later on many other city-canals were dug as life lines through the city. These grachten are still the pride of Delft.

In 1246 Delft received city rights, granted by Holland's Count William II. Delft grew prosperous and new neighbourhoods were added to the city. In 1355 it reached the size it would remain at until the 1900s.

In 1536 a great fire destroyed 2300 houses. The most likely cause was lightning striking the tower of The New Church. About 100 years later, in 1654, an explosion destroyed large parts of town; a warehouse with 36 000 kg of gunpowder blew up. A new warehouse (Kruithuis) was later built, outside the city perimeter.

Delft has long been a centre of art and science. With the foundation of the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (East India Company) in 1602, Delft also became a trading center. The VOC was at one time the largest trading company in the world, with a huge fleet and offices all over Asia. One of the Dutch offices was in Delft.

In 1842, the Royal Academy for Civil Engineering (Koninklijke Academie ter opleiding van Burgerlijke Ingenieurs) was founded. Now known as Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), it is Delft's biggest employer. About 13,000 students study in Delft.

1 VVV Delft (Tourist Information), Stationsplein 7, ☏ +31 15 215 40 52, vvv@delftmarketing.nl. April-September: Sun Mon 10:00-16:00, Tue-Sat 10:00-17:00; October-March: Sun Mon 11:00-15:00, Tue-Sat 10:00-16:00; closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. All you want to know about Delft. Sells maps, books and tours. (updated Jun 2024)

By plane:

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS IATA) is 45 min away by direct connection train. If you prearrange a taxi to pick you up at Schiphol, expect to pay at least €60 to Delft. As such, the train is the best option.

Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM IATA) is only a few kilometres away but since there is no direct public transport connection it takes around 45 minutes. Travel via Rotterdam Centraal station, where you can take a train. Either take bus 33 directly to Rotterdam Centraal, or the other direction to Meijersplein Metro where you can take metro line E to Rotterdam Centraal (direction Slinge).

When taking an airport taxi from Rotterdam The Hague Airport, expect to pay about €35 for the trip. Other, cheaper, options are prearranged taxis from Delft.

By train:

There are 2 railway stations in Delft.

1 Delft. Main station near the city centre and also the best for most of the university. Among the popular direct train connections run are: Den Haag Centraal (15-20 min) or Den Haag HS (Hollands Spoor, ~10 min), Rotterdam Centraal (~15 min), Schiphol Airport (~35 min), Amsterdam Centraal (~1 hr). (updated Nov 2019)

2 Delft Campus (formerly Delft Zuid). It serves the southern residential areas and the southern part of the University quarter, this station is also closest to the historic site 'Het Kruithuis'. Only served by sprinter (stopping train) service. (updated Sep 2023)

By tram:

On the trams you must use the OV-chipkaart or day-pass.

From The Hague:

Delft is a short tram ride from The Hague by tram. Tram 1 runs from Scheveningen, through the middle of The Hague and Den Haag HS to Delft. Travelling time is approximately 30 min from The Hague (Centrum) to Delft. From Scheveningen to Delft the journey takes 45 minutes.

From Leidschendam-Voorburg:

You can take tram 19 from Leidschenhage to its end point at Delft's train station. From Leidschenhage to Delft it takes 40 minutes. Leidschenhage is on the route of trams 2 and 6 .

By car: