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Owning a car in the Netherlands can be very expensive. In addition to car insurance, road tax, and maintenance costs, gas prices have also been very high in recent months. A great (and often more affordable) alternative is traveling by public transportation. At first, however, it can be tricky to figure out how to get around. This blog is here to help you prepare for your first trip by public transportation in the Netherlands!
If you’re planning to travel a longer distance—for example, from one major city to another—traveling by train is the most popular choice in the Netherlands. It’s often the fastest, most reliable, and most comfortable option available. Trains are usually well on time and will never leave earlier than the scheduled departure time. So as long as you arrive at the station on time, you’re virtually guaranteed a seat on the train. Most railways in the Netherlands are operated by the NS. If you plan to travel by train, it’s a good idea to check the NS app or NS.nl/nl in advance. There, you can see if there are any service disruptions or scheduled maintenance for your route.
If you’re traveling a shorter distance—for example, to a smaller town or a nearby train station—taking the bus is the best option. The bus can be a real lifesaver on those rainy days when you don’t feel like biking! Buses usually arrive on time or a little late, but sometimes a little early. Fortunately, you can find real-time estimated arrival times via the 9292 Public Transportation App or 9292.nl/nl. 9292 OV can also help you find the best connections between buses and trains if you're planning a trip that involves using both.
Some major Dutch cities, such as Amsterdam and The Hague, also have trams and/or (subway) metro lines. These modes of transportation are usually even faster than buses and run very frequently. At some tram stops in Amsterdam, trams pass by about every 2 minutes during rush hour. Trams usually have the right of way, so they don’t get stuck in traffic as easily as buses. If you’re walking or biking around a major city, listen out for the iconic “ding ding ding” and make sure you don’t get in the way of a tram! 9292 OV (mentioned above) can also help you find tram schedules and connections.
A few years ago, the entire Dutch public transportation system switched from paper tickets to an all-in-one solution: the OV-chipkaart. It’s a reusable plastic card that lets you ‘check in’ for trains, buses, trams, and subways. You can load money onto your OV-chipkaart at special machines at train stations and in some supermarkets, which you can then use to travel.
Once you've checked in, be sure to check out when you arrive at your destination! If you forget to do so, the system will have to guess where you checked out and will often charge you more. If you forget to check out too often, your card may even be blocked.
To avoid checkout issues and make payments much easier, you can use the NS “Basic” subscription. It’s free (2022) and allows you to check out up to 6 hours later, or it automatically tries to correct a missed checkout for you. You don’t need to add money to your OV-chipkaart, because it automatically charges your debit card for you. Bus, tram, metro, bike rental (Public Transportation Bike) and bike racks (installation) are also automatically charged to your card. You will be billed once a month based on your actual usage.
If you travel by train a lot, you might want to consider an NS pass. For €2 a month (2022), you can enjoy a “Weekend Special” subscription, which gives you all the benefits of NS Basis, PLUS a 40% discount on weekends and holidays. During off-peak hours, up to 3 traveling passengers can take advantage of the 40% group discount. NS discounts apply only to travel by train.
For €5.10 per month (2022), you can enjoy a “Dal Advantage“Subscription that includes all the benefits of Weekend Voordeel, PLUS a 40% discount on weekdays during off-peak hours. This discount also applies to up to 3 traveling passengers. NS discounts apply only to train travel.
For €24.20 per month (€12.10 for the first 2 months) (2022), you can enjoy a “Always a Good Deal”A subscription that includes all the benefits of Dal Voordeel, PLUS a 20% discount during weekday rush hour. The 20% discount during weekday rush hour does not apply to traveling companions, but the other discounts do. NS discounts apply only to travel by train.
Last but not least, NS offers various unlimited travel passes For true train enthusiasts. NS discounts and passes are valid only for travel by train. For bus, tram, and metro passes, visit 9292 OV for season tickets.
If you use public transportation but not often enough to benefit from a pass, an NS “Day Trip” might be just the thing for you! These special offers combine a train ticket with, for example, a hotel stay, special attractions, restaurants, and more. The Dagje Uit website is only available in Dutch (2022), so you might need Google Translate to navigate it! If you’re looking for something fun to do, be sure to check out our 4 Must-Do Fall Activities in the Netherlands.
We hope this blog has cleared up some of the confusion and made using Dutch public transportation a little easier for you. Remember the most important thing: download the NS app for the train, and 9292 Public Transportation App for buses, trams, and subways. Have a safe trip and enjoy the freedom that Dutch public transportation has to offer!
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