How to get around when in the Netherlands (2024)

FAQs

How to get around when in the Netherlands? ›

When arriving in the Netherlands, you will notice that most Dutch people prefer to get around by bicycle. If they need to travel further afield, they go by train or bus. Of course some cities also have a tram or metro. The most convenient means of transport depends on what runs near you and how far away your work is.

One of the most efficient ways of travelling to and in the Netherlands is by train. Thanks to an extensive, well-maintained rail network you can enjoy comfortable rides with breathtaking views of the Dutch landscape.

Traveling by public transport

It is easy to travel throughout the Netherlands by train, bus, metro or ferry.

You can buy different types of tickets to pay for public transport. Most people in the Netherlands use an OV-chipkaart. With an OV-chipkaart you pay per trip. You load money on to the OV-chipkaart.

You'll find it easy to get around and communicate with locals. While you won't find any language barriers with English, it's always a good idea to learn some basic Dutch phrases. The language is very similar to English so you shouldn't have too much trouble remembering some of the local words and phrases.

For the first time, you can explore Amsterdam in two, three days. You see only the highlights. But if you also want to plan trips around, e.g. to Zaandam, Volendam and such, you will need more time. If you also want to visit musea, take a week.

Dutch people are very direct and open in their communication style. People from other countries and cultures may interpret this directness as being rude. But that's far from being true. Most Dutch people are actually extremely humble, welcoming, and friendly towards foreigners.

As an international resident in the Netherlands, you can use your current (foreign) driving licence for a certain period of time, after which you will be required to obtain a Dutch driving licence (rijbewijs).

Buses are usually the cheapest (if slowest) option. International operators such as FlixBus, with comfortable, well-equipped coaches, operate to destinations across the Netherlands.

Amsterdam boasts an extensive network of bike paths and a flat landscape that encourages discovering the city on foot. Walkability, the ease of accessing city amenities on foot, is a key feature of many of the world's “best” cities.

How do tourists use public transport in the Netherlands? ›

For visitors to the Netherlands, OVpay is the best way to check in and out when travelling by public transport. You only need your debit or credit card to easily travel throughout the country by train, tram, bus or metro.

UberX. It's a ride that needs no introduction: our flagship service, uberX, offers easy everyday rides at everyday rates, transporting riders in cities across the Netherlands.

Now what? (Tip: download the HogeNood app to find and rate Dutch toilets near you.) In most countries, public toilets are free and available. Whether they're clean is another thing. As it stands, most public bathrooms in the Netherlands require you to pay.

Using credit cards and debit cards in the Netherlands

Major credit cards and debit cards, such as Visa, Mastercard and American Express are widely accepted in the Netherlands at restaurants, hotels, and tourist destinations.

An all-purpose expression of thanks is dank je, which translated directly as "thank you," at a neutral level of politeness. It's not impolite, but not formal either, and is the most widely used Dutch phrase by far. Dank is pronounced as written, but je sounds like "ya."

This is absolutely no problem. You can stay here for as long as your tourist visa lasts without having to learn Dutch. And if you speak English, you will find that many Netherlanders speak English as a second language. But if you want to live in the Netherlands, you must learn Dutch.

For longer distances the main public transport in the Netherlands is the train. Long-distance buses are limited to a few missing railway connections. Regional and rural public transport, serving small(er) towns is by bus.

The Netherlands by train: easy and comfortable. The train could very well be the most enjoyable means of transport for your travels through the Netherlands. No matter your destination in our country, the train will get you there. From Amsterdam to Groningen, Maastricht to The Hague: just hop aboard!