What is public transport in the Netherlands like? Which means of transport is the best to choose, where to check the timetables, and how much will you pay for tickets? When you choose to work abroad, the subject of public transport is likely to come up sooner or later. The Netherlands offers us an exceptionally wide choice in this regard. We invite you to read how to navigate the tulip country simply and safely.

Travel freely between cities

The public transport service in the Netherlands is of extremely high quality. You can learn very quickly to travel around the country so that it becomes comfortable. The most important thing is to get used to the available transport options and the ticketing system. The network of coach and train links makes it possible to travel between towns and cities, both large and small, very efficiently. For example, you can get to Rotterdam or The Hague from Bleijswik in less than an hour. If you are in Rotterdam and want to visit the famous Gouda, you only need to take a train (there are two train types in the Netherlands: Intercity and Sprinter) – you’ll reach your destination in just 18-24 minutes. Other smaller towns can also be reached easily by coach.

Public transport in the Netherlands - Haga

The challenge is still the rush hour: tickets are more expensive and there are delays. When starting your adventure in the Netherlands, it is better to plan your first trips for a less busy time or choose a different means of transport (e.g. a bike!). Many residents primarily associate public transport in the Netherlands with bicycles. And no wonder, as urban space is perfectly suited to two-wheeled travel. You can read about why you should choose to cycle in the Netherlands, especially over shorter distances, here.

The Netherlands attempts to keep making investments in its transport infrastructure and continues to make upgrades according to the needs of the population. In recent years, it has been focusing on the said railway development. Train stations in major cities and many carriages are adapted for people with disabilities. Most stations offer all basic services such as WCs, lifts, waiting areas, convenience stores, and cafés/snack bars. You can check out more details about the available amenities on the official website. Large cities also offer overnight connections – by train and coach.

Public transport in the Netherlands - Amsterdam

How to get around a big city?

Urban public transport in the Netherlands has indeed many options to offer, from classic trams to ferries. Trams and the metro, which you can use in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, are very popular with the Dutch. There are as many as five metro lines in Amsterdam, with four of the five going through the main node – Amsterdam Central Station. Overground metro service is also available. The Netherlands is making very strong efforts towards its development in the area of Rotterdam, from which you can even reach The Hague by metro. The above-mentioned trams are very popular, too: they can easily take you to the most important parts of the city and also allow for easy travel during rush hour. They run until midnight and are replaced by a night bus service after this hour.

Where to check the timetable?

Public transport in the Netherlands is very accessible – you can easily check timetables here. The website will show you exact routes with departure times and all possible means of transport: trains, trams, and even water transport. You’ll find everything you need in one place.

Public transport tickets

The ticketing system is primarily based on chip cards – the OV-chipkaart and the Ovpaycontactless payments. OVpay is convenient in that it allows you to pay for public transport with your credit or debit card or smartphone – you don’t need anything else. The advantage of the OV-chipkaart, on the other hand, is its universality – it can be used to pay for buses or the metro, as well as train travel. If you want to travel with OVpay, it’s advisable to check in advance whether it will be possible to use it on a particular route; although it is developing rapidly, there are still places where only the OV-chipkaart is used. Having said that, public transport in the Netherlands, including the ticketing system, is developing rapidly every year.

What about single tickets? They are recommended for those who intend to use public transport less frequently. They tend to be more expensive than OV-chipkaart/OVpay tickets, but as far as occasional travel goes, they can still be more cost-effective. There’s a choice of single-ride tickets, as well as periodic tickets, such as daily tickets. However, if you’re going to work in the Netherlands and will have to use public transport regularly, we suggest opting for the OV-chipkaart.

Practical information – we suggest you keep it in mind

Public transport in the Netherlands is based on easy and transparent rules, which, on the other hand, may take some getting used to beforehand. What should be kept in mind?

Every time you enter and then leave a bus or tram, you put your card in the machine (once accepted, a green light will come on).
On the metro, you hold your ticket/card against the reader at the entrance gate. You can leave the metro area in up to 20 minutes free of charge, remembering to check out with your card at the exit gate.
Keep in mind that when entering/exiting a railway station, you also always use your card. If you wish to abandon the idea of taking a train trip, you can leave at no extra charge in just one hour.
A basic, non-personalised OV-chipkaart can be purchased for 7.50 EUR and then recharged at train stations, vending machines, and selected kiosks.

Public transport in the Netherlands is a topic that’s definitely hard to exhaust in one short article, so in the posts to follow, we’ll tell you more about specific cities, ticket types, and means of transport.