Getting around on public transport
The Netherlands has a wonderful, reliable and cheap public transport system that’s very well inter-connected and embracing of cyclists.
In many cases, you’ll need to use public transport to get to your starting point or back to the airport.
But even if your trip shouldn’t — in theory — involve any public transport, I’d urge that you’re at least familiar with how to use it and have a pre-paid card at the ready. You never know when a puncture, illness or downpours might mean you need to use it.
Payment: OV-chipkaart
All major forms of public transport — buses, trains and metro trains — now use the OV-chipkaart for payment.
There are different versions of the card, but the one that’s most appropriate for the occasional tourist is the anonymous card.
This can be picked up at train or metro stations, Schiphol airport or in supermarkets for €7.50 and can be topped up at Add Value Machines (AVMs) at most railway stations:
Alternatively, you can have a card send to your home address that’s ready-to-use as soon as you touch down in the Netherlands. I bought mine from the Public Transport Holland web shop.
To use the card, just tap in and out when boarding or alighting buses or when entering and leaving railway platforms using the pink machines.
The card must contain at least €10 before checking in (or €20 for trains).
Trains: NS
Trains are operated by NS within the Netherlands. Their web site includes a route planner to help you plan your journeys. A mobile app is also available for Android and iOS which allows you to check times and book mobile tickets.
Tip: to switch the NS app into English, go to the Meer option at the bottom-right, then choose Instellingen, then change Nederlands to English.
Unlike my native UK where train prices are constantly fluctuating and unnecessarily expensive a great deal of the time, Dutch train tickets are priced reasonably and you’ll always pay the same amount no matter when you travel.
One thing to keep in mind is that regular bikes need their own day ticket when carried on trains at a cost of €6.90 a day. This ticket allows you to take your bike aboard:
- any train journey of any distance within the Netherlands;
- between 09:00 and 16:00 and between 18:30 and 06:30 on weekdays;
- any time at weekends; or
- any time of day during July and August.
The bicycle ticket can be purchased online and downloaded to your mobile as a QR code ticket. NS say you can also purchase these tickets via their mobile app, but I can’t see that option anywhere myself!
Tip: A folding bicycle can be taken on any train at any time of day without charge provided it’s folded up. This was one of the reasons I opted to use a Brompton for my trips.
Buses and Trams
Bus routes are operated by various different companies throughout the Netherlands.
My favourite app for figuring out any routes from A to B is Moovit, which is available for both iOS and Android. This brings all the various bus companies together under one app.
However, regular bikes are not allowed on board buses and trams.
Folding bikes are OK provided they’re folded before boarding.
Again, another reason I choose to go with a Brompton.
Ferries
One of the more pleasant ways to get around — and something that’s just a wonderful novelty to most of us from outside the Netherlands — is a crossing by ferry.
I’m not talking about the overnight or long-distance kind — I’m talking about the ones that might only take 2 minutes to cross a river, or even ones that you power with your own muscles!
The Netherlands has hundreds of ferries across the country, though each can be operated by one of many different companies or communities.
The veerponten.nl web site allows you to track down a ferry crossing on a map and then drill down into further information, giving you operational times and links to operator web sites so you can check foot passenger and bike crossing prices.
Tip: not all ferries are operational throughout the year. Check before you travel, and be aware that Knooppunt route planners might include ferry crossings in your route that won’t be operational when you visit. Examine your route carefully!
Other ferries across narrow rivers are free and are operated by either pulling a rope or turning a handle.
Taxis and Uber
You could, of course, find a taxi or grab an Uber if all else fails, though you will again struggle without a folding bike.
For taxis, you’ll either need to Google for a local taxi company or use one of a number of different taxi apps available for iOS or Android.
Uber can be eye-wateringly expensive in the Netherlands!
