Public transport in the Netherlands - What it's like and how to use it

It's very easy to get around the Netherlands

The public transport system in the Netherlands is excellent!

Whether it's the bus, train, metro or ferry, everything has been designed for the convenience of the local community and even tourists. There's always a place for suitcases, baby carriages and there are even USB ports for charging your cell phone on public transport.

From Schiphol Airport

Basically everyone who arrives in the Netherlands arrives at Schiphol, so it's important to know how to get from the airport to Amsterdam.

As I've already said, public transportation in the Netherlands is sensational. Leaving Schiphol Airport by public transport is very easy:

Train

The train station is just below the airport, just go down the stairs and tcharãm! At the station you'll find both national and international destinations. It's perfect!

Buses

Right outside Schiphol Airport is the bus terminal. That's how we decided, since we were actually heading towards Haarlem.

Note that even for Amsterdam, the bus is an option to consider.

The buses have USB ports for charging your cell phone and places to put your bags, but I didn't find much space, especially as it's a shuttle from the airport.

Private transfer or cab

Taxis are available in front of the bus terminal.

*This is the most expensive and comfortable option. Not necessarily the fastest.

Public transport in the Netherlands

Public transport in the Netherlands is really good and you have several ways to use it, so I'll describe and explain each one.

Train

This was the public transport we used the most in Holland, 7 days of lots of coming and going by train.
As we stayed in Haarlem and visited Amsterdam or nearby towns a lot, the train was our best option between Haarlem and Amsterdam. I was amazed at the quality of the trains, they are very comfortable and punctual.

You have to check in and check out to get in and out of the stations. Another thing to look out for is your class. We always went in 2, as it's cheaper and more traditional, but the trains also offer a first class service.

Ahhh, another cool thing is that there aren't just national trains! From Amsterdam you can go to many places in Europe, so the train is the second mode of transportation for those leaving and entering the Netherlands. I love these trains lol... that's what they call trains in Portugal, I'm already used to them #SQN.

Train from Amsterdam:

• Amsterdam - Haarlem (national) - 20 min
• Amsterdam - Leiden (national) 35 min
• Amsterdam - Brussels (international) 1 hour and 50 min
• Amsterdam - Paris (international) 3 hours 17 mins
• Amsterdam - London (international) 3 hours 37 mins
• Amsterdam - Frankfurt (international) 3 hours 47 mins

And there are many other options.

Tram

For us cariocas, it's nothing more than a tram, it runs on the surface, it's silent, it's electric and it's reminiscent of a subway. The right name for the Tram is bonde, that's right, our charming old friend the streetcar.
This was the second most used public transport option in Holland, and we used it a lot to save time in the center of Amsterdam between attractions. It was also ideal for escaping the cold and wind, which was unbearable!

There is a driver and a collector, but beware! They don't accept cash, so get an international card ready or buy your OV Chipkaart in advance, or even the prepaid cards for tourists that I'll talk about below.

Remember to check in and check out when you leave, this is very important!

Another nice thing for moms is that if you're carrying a stroller, you can go with peace of mind because there's space for strollers or wheelchairs. First world stuff, right?

Buses

There's not much to it and it's not that different from what we're used to. The difference is that, like Tran, they don't accept cash.

There are USB ports for charging your cell phone! I love it!

This was our third choice when it came to public transport in the Netherlands.
We only use it for more distant places and to get to and from the airfield, we don't use it in the city.
Ahhh, don't forget to check in and check out too!

Google maps is a good option for finding out how to get to and from places using public transport, but always check with a local if the route indicated by the app is really the right one. We made some unnecessary turns because of maps.

Ferry

This is a transportation option that is worth it just for the ride. The ferry connects Amsterdam to Amsterdam Noord and is free of charge.

Metro

Is there a metro in Amsterdam? Yes, but it's mostly used for distant places, like the Amsterdam Arena.
We only used this option once, as it was the closest to our destination according to Google Maps.
I remember how funny it was that the train station was closed and the metro station was wide open.

Payment methods

OV Chipkaart card

This card is a facility that all locals have asked for. It works on all types of public transport in the Netherlands, but there is no OV specifically for tourists. Some recommend getting an anonymous or disposable OV for this case, but these options come with limitations. Check beforehand.

Disposable OV

It has limited validity, can only be used for journeys within a single city and if you want to travel by train, you have to buy a different OV, which is only valid for that journey.

OV anonymous

It is recommended if you are staying longer in the city, costs EUR 7.50 and is non-refundable. You also need to have at least 20 euros of credit to use the train. The advantage is that you pay less for the sections you travel, in which case you are only charged for the exact distance covered.

You don't have to worry about having an international credit card when boarding and you don't have to waste time buying tickets.

Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

We used this option for the days we were really going to use public transport the most in the Netherlands. You pay a fixed amount and have unlimited tickets for the period you choose.

We opted for three days and paid 33 euros each, as with this option we could go all over Amsterdam, including to the airport.

Another decisive factor in choosing this card was that we were in Haarlem, so each train ticket cost us 9 euros per person round trip from Haarlem to Amsterdam.

Attention:

The pass doesn't last exactly 72 hours or 3 full days! The cycle always starts and ends at 4 AM. Huh? Let me explain, even though I bought it and started using it after midday, I couldn't use it until after midday on the third day, but until 4 AM. So it was actually two and a half days.

Another tip:

If you want to go to the Zaanse (windmills), Keukenhof and so on, buy the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket and not the Amsterdam Travel Ticket. It costs more, but it takes you all over Amsterdam. These places are outside Amsterdam.

SEE ALL THE OPTIONS HERE

IMPORTANT!

To take public transportation in the Netherlands, have your credit/debit card handy! You can't pay for the bus or tram with cash, only with a card!!!

The train is different, some machines accept cash and so does the customer service.

How was my experience with public transportation in the Netherlands?

I just loved it. I thought it was organized and even at peak times it was smooth. Priority seats were always respected.

You can get around absolutely everywhere in the Netherlands with good public transport,
As a mother myself, I've found all the transport I've used to be VERY good, there's always a place for the stroller open, a hand in the wheel for afternoon naps.

It's just not possible to put a baby carriage in this area if a wheelchair user comes along. In the hierarchy of priorities, the stroller gives way to the wheelchair, which is more than fair, since the stroller can be dismantled and is not a necessity.

Rota Amsterdam offers tourism for Brazilians in the Netherlands. They are Brazilian Guides in Amsterdam and run various tours in Portuguese. Tours on foot, by bike, boat or car. If you tell them you've come via our blog, you'll get a discount of 5 %! Just put the name 'Crispelomundo' in the "partner discount" tab when asking for a quote and you'll get a discount on any tour!

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