A Day of a Commuter

Hoi, allemal! While applications for 2020/2021 academic year are still open, I would like to give you some insights about how does it look like to commute between The Hague and Leiden every day. As a commuter myself already for half a year, I am very confident to say that it is doable. Therefore, for those of you who consider to move into The Hague while studying in Leiden; just do it!

Contrary to ordinary, I do not have a bike! So, my day starts with a tram ride instead. I really like the tram I am taking every day due to its historical look. Also it passes from the city centre, so I have the chance to observe what is going on in the city every day! If I see something interesting on my way back home, I just hop off and join the crowd.

After the tram, I take the train to Leiden from Den Haag Centraal. The journey takes 12 or 18 minutes depending on the type of the train you take. If you are in a rush, or just a lazy person like me, and had to the skip the breakfast, you can always get something to eat from the station. My favourite breakfast nowadays is ham and cheese croissant with a juice. Instead, you can connect to Wi-Fi in the train and study for the first class of the day or just enjoy the view while listening to your music. It is all up to you!

I arrive to Leiden Centraal in half an hour after I leave my place. As Law and Digital Technologies master’s program students, we have our lectures at Kamerlingh Onnes Building (KOG). Therefore, I walk, approximately, 15 minutes from Leiden Centraal to KOG.

On my way to KOG, I see the famous De Valk windmill every day. While people are taking pictures of the windmill on the bridge, or just chilling on the grass if the weather is nice, I am listening to my music to put myself in the mood for learning and studying! Here, you can find a playlist of mine that I usually listen to on my way to school.

Apart from the historical De Valk, Academiegebouw and the tree which I assume planted by King Willem-Alexander once, I also come across with lots of wall poems on my way from various artists and languages.

After approximately 45 minutes of commuting, I arrive to KOG to attend the class, go to library for studying or just to hang around with my friends at the café. During the week, I spend most of my time here at KOG. After all, here is my second home in The Netherlands!

As I said, commuting between The Hague and Leiden is very doable. Of course, like anything else, it comes with its downsides as well but it is up to you to turn them into your advantage. Although some of my friends consider this journey as exhausting, for me it is very refreshing and helps me to get ready for the day!

Do you also commute between The Hague and Leiden as well? Let us know about your experiences in the comments below!