Merwede Bridge closed? Dordrecht remains open!

Closure of the Papendrecht Bridge on the N3: Access to Dordrecht

The Papendrecht Bridge will be closed starting July 17, and the closure will last more than 9 months. Unfortunately, this closure is necessary, and during rush hour, there may be increased traffic on the detour routes. However, there are plenty of other ways to reach the city.

Waterbus accessibility transportation bicycle kids children public transit water Dordrecht city center

No bridge? No problem!

You don’t necessarily need a car; in fact, with the N3 closed, now is the perfect time to explore Dordrecht in a different way. From Papendrecht, Alblasserdam, or Sliedrecht, you can reach the heart of the historic city center surprisingly quickly by train or water bus.

Grab a shared bike—there are 500 extra shared bikes in the region to help you with the last leg of your trip;
Take the Waterbus—as always, a great alternative for traveling between Alblasserwaard and Dordrecht;
Take the bus and/or train; the schedule has been adjusted so you can easily get to Baanhoek Station and, from there, reach the city center with just one stop;
Take the extra ferry—there are two additional ferry services from Papendrecht and Sliedrecht to Dordrecht, one of which operates 24 hours a day. This ferry is for both cyclists and pedestrians;
Take advantage of discount offers on public transportation;
Download the Reiswijs app and earn points toward fun gifts. You can find the app in your app store.

All the alternatives at a glance

Tips for visitors from Papendrecht, Sliedrecht, and the Alblasserwaard

From Sliedrecht

The MerwedeLingeLijn train is your best friend and runs several times an hour. The train takes you from Sliedrecht to Dordrecht in about 15 minutes and from Sliedrecht Baanhoek to Dordrecht in about 10 minutes. It’s a nice walk from there to the city center.Insider tip! Youcan also take the extra ferry for free from the Rosmolenweg stop to Kerkeplaat.

From Papendrecht

The MerwedeLingeLijn is a great option; from Sliedrecht Baanhoek, you can get to Dordrecht in about 10 minutes. You’ll arrive at Dordrecht Station, which is within walking distance of downtown.Insider tip!All buses go through Baanhoek Station, so you can easily reach this station by public transit. Of course, you can also take the Waterbus to Dordrecht, and don’t forget the additional ferries that depart from Rosmolenweg or Huis de Merwede to Kerkeplaat.

From Alblasserdam

From Alblasserdam (Harbor), take Waterbus line 20 or 21 toward Dordrecht. The trip takes about 20–25 minutes, and you’ll arrive at Merwekade, right in the heart of the historic harbor district. Rent a bike or take a leisurely walk into the city.

Insider tip!You can always take the bus to Baanhoek Station in Sliedrecht and easily catch the train to Dordrecht from there.