Getting around the Netherlands

By train

The country is densely populated and urbanised, and train services are frequent. In the western Netherlands, the rail network is more like a large urban network, with up to 12 trains per hour on main routes. There are two main types of trains: Intercity trains, and trains which stop at all stations, often called 'Sprinter'. (The Intercity is not as fast as 'Intercity' services in some other countries, and it stops more often). Except for a few rural lines, the minumum weekday frequency is one train every 30 minutes. On some routes (e.g. Amsterdam to the North) there are no longer any direct trains, you must change trains (e.g. at Amersfoort). Because of the high service frequency, delays are quite common. However, they delay is usually not more than 5 or 10 minutes. Note though that the NS boasts a punctuality of 80-85% (meaning that percentage of trains departs/arrives within 3 minutes of the scheduled time), which could be higher than you're used to. Trains can be crowded during the rush hour, especially in the morning. The Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) [4] operates most routes. Some local lines in the north and east are operated by Syntus and Arriva and by Veolia in the south. Though tickets are available between all stations, NS and non-NS, and there is only one national tariff system. Tickets can be purchased from machines in stations using coins, debit card, or credit card. (Only credit cards with the Maestro symbol work). Only larger stations have a ticket counter - it costs €0.50 extra, per ticket. Ticket machines come in two kinds; an older version with an 2-line greenish LCD display, and a new version with a big touch screen. The latter has English-language menus available. If you have trouble using the ticket machine, ask someone else for help; almost everyone speaks English and will help you out. Tickets cannot be purchased cheaper in advance like in some countries. The ticket price is uniform and depends on distance. Note that you can buy a ticket without a date in advance, which has to be validated when entering the platform, but this doesn't make the ticket cheaper, it's just for convenience. Return tickets (retour) are 1.67 times the price of a single (or a single is 60% of the return price) and is valid only for return on the day itself, or in case of the weekendretour (same price as a normal return) between Friday 19:00 and Monday morning 4:00. Like in many countries, there is a difference between first and second class. A second class ticket is 60% of the price of a first class ticket. The main advantage of first class is that it's less crowded, also seats and aisles are generally wider. A common mistake made by foreigners is accidentally getting a 40%-discount ('korting') ticket from the machine. A special discount-card is required for these tickets, although you can travel on other people's discount cards too. (See Discount rail pass). You must buy a ticket before travelling - since 2005, you can no longer simply buy a ticket from the conductor, as in some other countries. If you buy a ticket onboard, you will have to pay the normal price plus a € 35 fine. If you have a valid reason (e.g. the ticket machines were defective), the fine might be refunded, but only by written application to the NS offices. The conductor is not allowed any discretion on this policy, which was widely criticised but still in place. If you do not have either enough cash, or a passport, you could be arrested. (The more you argue with the conductor, the more likely he/she will call the railway police). There is a convenient night train service (for party-goers and airport traffic) between Rotterdam, Delft, Den Haag, Leiden, Schiphol, Amsterdam and Utrecht, all night long, once an hour in each direction. However, travelling from Rotterdam to Utrecht this way takes nearly two hours (daytime 40 minutes). In the nights Friday onto Saturday and Saturday onto Sunday, North-Brabant is also served. You can get to 's-Hertogenbosch, Eindhoven, Tilburg and Breda. Discount rail pass Visitors planning to travel by train in the Netherlands should consider the Eurail pass with the Benelux package. This allows for unlimited train travel within Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg over multiple days. Europeans, not being eligible for Eurail passes, should look into Inter Rail Passes for their discount train travel. If two or three people want to travel around the Netherlands together for a few days during the summer, the Zomertoer may be used. This pass gives them two, not necessarily consecutive, days of unlimited travel. An add-on also allows you to travel on all other public transportation in the country. In autumn weekends, the Herfsttoer also gives some discounts. If you're thinking of staying a longer time in the Netherlands it can be a good deal to get the "Voordeelurenkaart" (Off-Peak Discount Pass), which gives the cardholder (and up to three additional persons travelling with him or her) 40% off for one year. 40% discount tickets are valid after 9:00 am on weekdays and the whole day in weekends, on national holidays and in the months July and August. Price 55 euro for one year (2007). The voordeel-urenkaart must be applied for in advance and can take some weeks to process. A temporary card, which can be used for four weeks, will be issued right away when you apply. Since 2007, applying for a card requires a photograph. If you're only in the Netherlands for one day and want to see much of the country by train, you may want to get an "OV-Dagkaart". It's on all-inclusive ticket for all public transportation for € 40 (2005). But note: it may be cheaper to just buy a ticket. For example: to get your money's worth on the OV-dagkaart would require about 6 hours train travel in one day. Slightly more adventurous is to make use of the extra advantages of 'Off-peak Discount Passes' or people who have a 'Year Pass' (most students or some cival servants). It is possible, but some people may be offended when asked by strangers. There is a way to travel cheaper without having a pass yourselves: find a student with an 'O.V.-kaart' (Year Pass for Public Transportation), or someone who possesses a 'Voordeel-urenkaart' who has the same end-destination as you. They are allowed to take up to three fellow travelers (this would be you) who can enjoy a 40% discount. You have to buy the discounted railway-ticket in advance (no need to show your Pass at the desk or buy it from an automatic ticket machine), but it won't be a problem to find someone accompanying you. This deal only works during weekends, or during weekdays after 9:00 am, on national holidays and in the summer months July and August. When the conductor asks for you 'cheaper' railway-ticket; the fellow who is accompanying you must show his 'Discount' or 'Year Pass'. It doesn't matter who it is as long as someone helps you out during your travel (when they come to check the tickets).

By bus

Bus travel in the Netherlands is very unconvenient for longer distances. Buses are mainly used within towns or small regions, not between them. Usually bus lines are convienient for distances up to 10 kilometres. A cheap way to get across the Netherlands is to buy a "buzzer" ticket. It costs 10 euros a day, and is valid after 9am on every single Connexxion bus for two grownups and up to three children. On weekends and holidays it is also valid before 9am. Because Connexxion has a near monopoly on the bus market, you can get from Groningen to Zeeland this way in a day, and it undercuts the train. A big downside though is that bus lines are very indirect. For example, if you want to travel from Amsterdam to Rotterdam, you have to change at Schiphol, Haarlem, Leiden, Den Haag and Delft to get all the way there.

Other public transport

In the major cities Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague you can use the tram, bus and metro, outside these cities you can use the bus and train. Travel plan information can be found at 9292OV Reisinformatie. Information about the trains can be found at Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) (=Netherlands Railways). Both of these sites can plan a trip for you using public transport ('Openbaar Vervoer' or 'O.V.'), but 9292OV includes almost all public transportation types. The NS website only has the trains, but it is able to display up to date information about train delays and detours. (National) Strippenkaart (multiple-strip-/zone-card) For information about the strippenkaart, this 'foldable ticket' in various lengths to be used in bus, tram and metro (but not trains), go to OV-Info. Strippenkaarten of 15 or 45 strips are available for around €7 and €20 respectively, and one trip on the bus within a city (including all transfers within 90 minutes) is usually 2 or 3 strips of the card. Buying tickets on the bus is more expensive, unless you don't want to use the buses more than once or twice. You can get these multiple-strip-/zone-tickets-card(s) in many places, including bus stations, post offices, cigar/magazine shops and some supermarkets (at the service desk or from a vending machine). You can use it also for multiple-party travel for yourselves and other persons at the same time; in general these 'card' is valid up till one year after new pricing. If you are eligible for discount (due to the fact that you are a Dutch student with special student-O.V.-card, or under 12 or over 65) you can buy special reduced - cheaper - pink ones, which will get you the same mileage for a better price. Special bus-tickets of 'park-and-ride-(travel-)tickets' Some towns and cities have special cheaper bus tickets, for outside rush hours, usually a return ticket (to the centre and back). When using the strippenkaart, it is often most convenient to tell the bus driver your destination, and he will stamp the card in the right place. You can do it yourselves as there is a special automat-machine available. In general one basic-strip+strips according to amount of zones to be travelling. O.V.-chipcard The strippenkaart is being replaced by a pre-paid swipe card system (i.e. O.V.-chipcard) on all forms of public transport ('Openbaar Vervoer'). The system is now operational on the Amsterdam and Rotterdam metro, and will be introduced on buses and trams during 2007. At first both systems will operate in parallel. In 2008/2009 it will be expected the only way of paying your travel in Netherlands metro-/bus-/tram- and railway-system. The O.V.-chipcard will come in three pre-paid-versions: a 'throwaway' version with the amount in euros for 2 or 3 travels. An 'unpersonal version' directly available at a special O.V.-counter for a basic-fee + re-usable and rechargable top-up-amount in euros (valid up till 5 years) for multiple travel for one person at the time. It may be handed over to some-one else for another travel at a different time; in case of theft or loss it cannot be replaced. And a 'personal version', to be registred and applyed in advance with passport-sized photo and copy of I.D. and (Dutch) bank-account. This version will be only valid for the bearer of the personalized O.V.-chipcard and works similar to the unpersonal version, but also will register all your travels and movements in the Netherlands. In case of theft or loss it can be replaced. Night-buses Amsterdam and some other big cities offer public transport at night. In general it requests extra payment on top of the ordinary ('day-time') strippenkaart or special night-bus tickets. In some cases the ordinary 'strippenkaart' is not valid at all and only to be used for daytime-travels. (N.B. how it will work out with the O.V.-chipcard on night-busses is not determined yet.)

By car

A car is a good way to explore the countryside, especially places not connected by rail, such as Veluwe, Zeeland and The North Sea islands. Driving in the Netherlands is normally quite pleasant - the motorway network is dense, roads are well-signposted, and Dutch drivers are among the least aggressive in Europe. However, this one of the most densely populated countries in the world, so be prepared for heavy traffic and congestion in all but the northern part of the country. When driving in cities, always give priority to cyclists when turning across a cycle lane. If you are involved in a collision with a cyclist, you will be automatically assumed to be guilty (until proven innocent). If you only wish to see cities a car is not the best option. Due to limited road capacity and parking, cars are actively discouraged from entering most bigger cities. Line bus have the priority when leaving a bus stop, so be careful as they may pull in front of you expecting that you will give way. Drive on the right. The speed limit in built up areas is 50 km/h with some zones limited to maximum of 30 km/h. Outside of towns speed is limited to 80 km/h (this includes most N-roads). On some local roads the speed limit is 60 km/h. On the highways the limit is 120 km/h except on some roads where the limit is 100 km/h. On a few highways in the west of the country the speed limit has been reduced to 80 km/h since 2005. During rush hour signs above many roads indicate the current speed limit. On semi-highways and some of the N-roads the speed limit is 100 km/h. Your speed will be checked nationwide by the police. Pay extra attention to Trajectcontrole signs: that means that in the road you're driving there is an automatic system that checks your average speed on a long section. Radar detectors are illegal devices to have in your car. They will be impounded and you will be fined 250 euros. Keep in mind that the police use so-called radar detector detectors to track down radar detector users, so it is best to turn them off while in Holland. Drinking and driving is not allowed and this is enforced strongly. Breathalyzer tests occur frequently, both on an individual basis (i.e. you get pulled over and the police see it necessary for you to undergo a breathalyzer test) as on a bigger scale (i.e. the police has set up a designated control checkpoint on a highway). A unbroken yellow line next to the sidewalk means no stopping, a broken yellow next to the sidewalk means no parking. Some crossings have "shark teeth" painted on the road, this means you have to give way to the other traffic. Note that police also use unmarked traffic surveillance cars, especially on the highways. They have a video surveillance system and often they don't stop you right after doing a violation but they keep on following you. That means if you do more violations, you'll be fined for everything you did. Note that the policemen in unmarked cars are obliged to identify themselves after pulling you over, which means you shouldn't have to ask. Policemen in marked cars only have to show their ID when you ask them for it, but they too are obliged to show it when asked. If your car breaks down on the highway you might go to the nearest roadside emergency telephone; these "praatpalen" can be recognized as they are about 1.5m high, yellow and have a rounded bunny-eared cap on top. This is the direct connection to the emergency and assistance services. Alternatively, you might use a mobile phone to recht the ANWB autoclub via toll-free number 0800-0888; your membership of a foreign autoclub might entitle you to discount rates on their services. Leased (business) cars and rental cars are usually serviced by the ANWB services included in the lease/rental price; but you may want to check any provided booklets. If you are involved in an accident, both drivers need to complete and counter-sign a statement for their respective insurance companies (damage form/"schadeformulier"). You are required to have this form on hand. The police need to be notified if you have damaged (public) property (especially along the highways), if you have caused any sort of injury, or if the other driver does not agree to sign the insurance statement. It is illegal to hit and run. If the other driver does this, call the police and stay at the scene. The emergency telephonenumber is 112 (tollfree, will even work from disconnected mobile phones); the telephonenumber for non-emergency police presence is 0900-8844. Road signs with directions are plenty, but having a map is useful, especially in cities where there are many one way streets, and getting from one part of the city to another is not always so straightforward. Be careful not to drive on buslanes, often indicated with markings such as Lijnbus or Bus, nor on cycling paths, marked by the picture of a bicycle, or by a reddish color of asphalt. Also, do not use the rush-hour-lanes (Spitsstrook) when the matrix display above the designated lane indicates a red "X" - this means they cannot be used. Fuel is easy to come by. Along highways many gas stations are open 24/7. More and more unmanned gas stations can be found, even along highways, selling petrol for a lower rate. These unattended stations accept all common debit and creditcards. All gas stations sell both petrol and dieseloil; the "premium" brands have the same octane level (they alledgedly contain compounds that improve fuel efficiency to offset the higher price). Liquid Petroleum Gas is sold at relatively many gas stations along the high ways, but it is never sold in built-up areas. The symbol for LPG gas is a green-colored gaspump-icon, set beside the general case black-colored gaspump-icon. LPG fueled cars need regular petrol to start the motor, and can also be operated using strictly petrol, though it is more expensive. If you come in the Netherlands with your LPG fueled car, probably you will need an adaptor. If you buy in your country, ask for the specific Dutch adaptor. The plug sold as "european" (screw style), is used in Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany but won't fit Dutch pumps. Do not use diesel oil pumps meant for trucks to fuel your cars; while the diesel oil is the same, the pressure is much higher. Parking fees within cities can be pretty hefty. When considering to go to bigger cities, especially Amsterdam, but also cities such as Utrecht, Rotterdam or even Groningen, seriously consider going there by public transport to avoid traffic jams and the great difficulties involved in finding a parking spot. Many cities use clamps or will tow away your car if it is parked too long (or in a handicapped spot). P+R park and ride facilities are available at the outskirts of bigger cities; you can park your car cheaply there, and continue your journey via public transport. Note that Amsterdam and the Hague (though only during weekends) are the only cities that offer public transport at night, apart from the night trains.

By taxi

Taxi service was traditionally a tightly guarded monopoly. In recent years, the market was deregulated, but prices are still high. Taxi drivers are licensed, but they do not, as of yet, have to pass a proficiency exam, providing they know the streets. This is planned in the future, since the taxi market is being re-regulated. Some taxi drivers refuse short rides (e.g. under EUR 10). This is illegal, but it's hard to enforce this prohibition. There is a maximum tarriff, and it's built into the taxi meters. If you negotiote a price before you get in, the price you have to pay is the negotiated price, or the metered price, whichever is lower. Getting in a cab without enough money to pay for the ride is illegal, so it's wise to negotiate a price. All legal taxis have blue license plates. So do some other vehicles for group transport, such as minibus services for the handicapped.

By thumb

Generally okay. Not okay for a quick travel from small towns or non-highway due to lack of traffic; sometimes you will get help from hospitable locals. But gas-stations at highways are quite good places. So try to stay on the highways/motor-ways! However, the large amount of highway crossings in the Netherlands and the lack of fuel stations between them in the Randstad makes it difficult to travel fast over long distances. At the beginning of or where it leads to highways/motorways it is not officially but mosttimes allowed as long as you stay before the traffic-sign highway/motorway on a spot where cars have slow-speed and it is possible for drivers to let you quickly step in. Also traffic-lights are sometimes an option. There are official hitchhiking spots (liftershalte(s)) (lift-stops) at the center or edge of 7 major cities: Amsterdam

• Prins Bernhardplein , before NS Station Amsterdam Amstel (on east side of the river Amstel) (past the bus stop). Leads to the ramp of the S112 of the A10, direction E231-A1/E35-A2. It is recommended for the directions Middle-/East-Netherlands. For other directions/routes try also alternative spots.

Alternative spots / other directions: (It is recommended for the directions West-/South-Netherlands)

• Amstel (on the west side of the river Amstel) near traffic-lights/Utrechtsebrug and near beginning-/end-stop of Tram-line 25. Leads to the ramp of the S111 of the A10, directions E35-A2-E25/E231-A1.
• Junction S109 of the A10, close to NS Station RAI (RAI Congress Centre; specially when there are large events or congresses). Leads to the ramp of the S109 of the A10, directions E35-A2-E25/E19-A4/E231-A1.

Enschede

• Westerval, at the Parkweg, direction A1.

Den Haag

• Utrechtsebaan next to the northside of the Malieveld, at the beginning of the E30-A12 towards Utrecht. Also possibilities towards E19-A4 Delft-Rotterdam or E19-A44 Leiden-Amsterdam

Alternative spots / other directions:

• edge northwest-side of Malieveld/crossing Zuid-Holland-laan/Utrechtse baan/Benoordenhoutseweg, towards Leidsestraatweg N44 and Leiden E19-A44 and Amsterdam E19-A4.

Groningen

• Emmaviaduct (200m west of Centraal Station), on the road to A28

Maastricht

• at the beginning of A2 near the soccer-football stadium 'De Geusselt', to E25-A2 (Eindhoven) and A79 (Heerlen).

Nijmegen

• Graafseweg (Venlo and Den Bosch), at the major city-centre roundabout (verkeersplein) Keizer Karelplein
• near the Waalbrug/before the bridge in direction Arnhem,
• at the Annastraat, close to the Radboud University (RU)/University Medical Centre (UMC)

Utrecht

• close to petrol station and ramp of the Waterlinieweg near 'De Galgewaard' soccer-football-stadium, north to A27/A28, south to A2/A12/A27.

By bicycle

There are four ways to use a bicycle:

• if you are staying in a city, you can use the bike as a means of transport, to get from A to B. This is the way local people use it, for short journeys it is faster than car, bus or tram. You can use the bike to get to places near the city, which may not be accessible by public transport.
• you can cycle around on the bike, in a city, or in the surrounding area. The bike is then a means to see places and landscapes. The many signposted cycle routes are designed for this, most of them are octagonal and take you back to the starting point. Some rural routes go through areas inaccessible by car. Signs for bicycle routes are usually white, with a red border and lettering. One thing to note that mainly in the southern part of the Netherlands, it's possible to create your own routes by connecting marked and numbered points called "knooppunten".
• you can take the bike on a train, for a day trip to another city or region. It costs € 6, and you may not travel with a bike in the rush hour. As an alternative, you can easily hire bikes at (or near) stations. You must carry a supplementary ticket, which is easily obtained from the automated kiosks. Folding bikes can be taken on board for free when folded.
• you can load your tent on the bike, and set off across the country. For this you do need to be fit, and not afraid of rain. The national long-distance cycle routes are designed for this type of holiday, see Cycling in the Netherlands Long-distance routes.

Bike theft Bike theft is a serious problem in the Netherlands, especially around train stations, and in larger cities. Never park a bike near a station, use the guarded bike parking ('stalling'). In general, use 2 locks of different kinds (for example, one chain lock and one tube lock). This is because most bike thieves specialize in a particular kind of lock, or carry equipment best suited to one kind of lock. Ideally, you should lock the bike to a lamppost or similar. Bike thieves have been known to simply pickup unattached bikes and load them into a pickup truck, so they can crack open the locks at leisure. In cities, most bikes are stolen by drug addicts, and they sell most stolen bikes too. In fact they simply offer them for sale to passers-by, if they think no police are watching. Buying a stolen bike is itself illegal, and police do arrest buyers. If you buy for a suspiciously low price (e.g. € 10 to 20), or in a suspicious place (in general, on the street), the law presumes you "know or should have known" the bike was stolen. In other words actual ignorance of the bike's origins is no excuse. Sometimes even the police themselves sell those bikes to arrest potiental buyers. Bike shops are the best place to buy a second-hand bike legally, but prices are high. Some places where you can rent bikes will also sell their written off stock, which is usually well maintained. Most legal (and often cheap) second-hand bike sales now go through online auction sites like marktplaats.nl - the Dutch subsidiary of Ebay.

By plane

Even though it's not common to use air travel within the Netherlands, the following carriers offer domestic flights:

KLM (Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport, Maastricht/Aachen Airport)

VLM Airlines (Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport, Groningen (Eelde Airport))