Getting Around Netherlands
Getting Around in Netherlands
OV-Chipkaart is a chip card that can be used on all public modes of transportation including trains, buses, trams and the metro. It comes in three forms -Disposable chip card (only for specific journeys, cannot be recharged); Anonymous chip card (reusable, cannot be used for discounted travel); Personal chip card (non-transferable, entitled to discount). Choosing the type of card depends entirely on one's purpose of travel and duration of stay. They can be recharged upto the amount needed by the traveler.
Getting Around Netherlands By Air
No domestic flights connect the country due to its small size and the existence of an established railway network.
Getting Around Netherlands By Rail
Three types of trains operate through the Netherlands: Intercity trains, Sprinters and Sneltrein, all charging about — 0.25 per kilometer. In addition, there are a few high-speed trains as well such as •Intercity Directê which are slightly expensive. Travelling all the way from Groningen to Maastricht takes about 4.5 hours. Trains arrive at an interval of approx. 15 minutes with delay of 5-10 minutes at times. Most routes are operated by The Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS). A fixed national tariff system operates across all forms of train travel hence; tickets are valid both on sprinter and intercity services with no price difference. Tickets are easily available through ticket machines in stations and must be bought before starting the journey. Single tickets (2nd class) can cost somewhere between — 30 and — 60 for very long distances. Amsterdam and Rotterdam also have an extensive metro-rail network that can be used by tourists. Further, a large city-wide network of trams operates in parts of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague.
Getting Around Netherlands By Road
By Bus: Netherlands has a frequent and well-installed bus-network that connects small villages as well. Connexxion, Veolia, Arriva and Qbuzz are the four prominent bus operators in the country. However, for long distances buses are slow and inconvenient. Fast long-distance buses ply on very few routes and go my different names and tariffs. Valid on every single Connexxion bus, a –buzzer” ticket costing —10 a day is a cheap alternative to travel in buses. By car: An extensive network of motorways and highways connects the various parts of the country. Hiring a car can be useful in exploring the more remote regions like Veluwe, parts of Zeeland and The North Sea Islands. However, parking and traffic rules as well as speed limits should be kept in mind.
