Dutch public transportation

The public transportation system in the
Netherlands is designed to sufficiently cover
your needs. Depending on when and where, you
can catch a train, tram, metro, bus or night bus.
Note that metros, trams and buses usually run
from 06:00 in the morning till 24:00. For door-to-
door directions and exact timetables for all the
possible ways of moving around, visit 9292ov.


Metro, bus & tram

Transportation fees vary according to the travel
distance. Actually, charging based on distance
is the new Dutch policy. Just in case, spare a
couple of minutes to ask the driver, ticket
inspector, or the central station of your city.

You can purchase your tickets, which are
charged based on the duration of the trip, inside
a tram or at a station. Also, you can use the OV-
chipkaart, a new payment system based on
travel distance. As for the night buses, a single
night bus ticket can be purchased from the driver
for 3,50 euros (valid for 90 minutes including
transfers).

What is the OV-chipkaart?

The new payment method for the public transport
system is the OV-chipkaart. You can travel
anywhere within the main cities in the
Netherlands by loading your OV-chipkaart with
credit in a vending machine or a ticket office.
You can also buy a single or season ticket.
Loads with credit can be made by using your
bank card. Fares are calculated according to the
distance covered rather than zones crossed, and
credit is deducted from the card via a card
reader as you enter and leave a public
transportation means.


Railway

Using the train is the most flexible and convenient
way to reach major cities and airports 24/7. If you
plan to live in the Netherlands for one year, you
are strongly advised to acquire the Off-Peak
Discount Pass for 55 euros per year and gain a
40% discount. It is valid from 9 am during
weekdays and all day long during weekends, July
and August. What's more, the discount is valid for
up to three people accompanying you.

Detailed information can be found at the official
Dutch Railways website (Nederlandse
Spoorwegen aka NS).