The Ultimate Guide to Eindhoven on a Budget: Design, Tech & Insider Tips 2025

The easiest and most direct way is by bus. Line 400 and 401 are dedicated airport shuttle buses that run frequently between the airport and Eindhoven Centraal Station. The journey takes about 20-25 minutes. You can buy a ticket from the driver or use your OV-chipkaart. It's far more convenient than a taxi for most travelers.

Absolutely! Dutch Design Week (DDW) can be overwhelming. Our top tips: 1) Plan ahead by checking the official DDW website and mapping your must-see exhibitions. 2) Get a DDW ticket, which gives you access to almost all locations. 3) Wear comfortable shoes – you will walk a lot! 4) Don't just stay in the city center; the main design hubs are at Strijp-S, Sectie-C, and the Design Academy. Use the free Design Rides (official DDW taxis) to get between key areas.

The city center (Centrum) and the charming De Bergen district are very walkable. However, to experience Eindhoven's true character, you'll need to visit areas like Strijp-S. For this, we highly recommend renting an OV-fiets (public transport bike) from the station. It's the most Dutch way to get around. Alternatively, the bus network is excellent and covers all key areas efficiently.

Eindhoven has great free experiences! You can:

• Explore the industrial heritage and street art at Strijp-S.
• Wander through the Genneper Parken, a large nature reserve just south of the city.
• Visit the Heuvel Galerie and Piazza Center for some impressive modern architecture and window shopping.
• During the GLOW light festival (usually in November), many of the outdoor light installations are free to view.

While you can get great Dutch food anywhere, Eindhoven is in the province of North Brabant, famous for the Worstenbroodje. It's a soft bread roll with a spiced sausage meat filling, and it's the ultimate local snack. You can find them at almost any bakery ("bakkerij"). It's a simple, savory, and authentically Brabantian treat that you shouldn't miss.

Yes, Eindhoven is generally considered a very safe city. The main city center, Strijp-S, and De Bergen areas are well-lit and have plenty of people around in the evenings, especially on weekends. As with any city, it's wise to be aware of your surroundings, but visitors typically report feeling very safe and comfortable.

GLOW is an enormous, annual light art festival held every November. For about a week, artists and designers from all over the world create incredible light installations and projections that transform the city's buildings and public spaces. A walking route guides you through the artworks. It is absolutely worth visiting for; the city comes alive in a unique and magical way. It perfectly combines Eindhoven's focus on technology, design, and public art.

Eindhoven offers diverse shopping experiences. For major international brands and department stores, head to Demer and Rechtestraat in the city center. For smaller, independent boutiques, vintage stores, and art galleries, the charming streets of De Bergen (Kleine Berg, Grote Berg) are a must-visit. For concept stores and unique design items, explore the ground-floor shops in the old Philips factory buildings at Strijp-S.

Eindhoven's nickname, "Lichtstad" (City of Light), has a different origin than Paris'. It's not about romantic lighting but about industrial innovation. Eindhoven is the birthplace of the Philips electronics company, which started by producing incandescent light bulbs in 1891. The city's identity is deeply connected to Philips' history of innovation in light and technology, which is celebrated today through events like GLOW.

Yes, it's incredibly easy. Eindhoven Centraal is a major railway hub. You can reach other popular Dutch cities like 's-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) in about 20 minutes, and Utrecht or Rotterdam in under an hour by direct train. This makes Eindhoven an excellent and often more affordable base for exploring the southern and central parts of the Netherlands.