Train
In the Netherlands the train is a very common form of transport as the distances are not that far and it is possible to avoid the traffic jams. The name of the train organisation is “Nederlandse Spoorwegen” or also abbreviated to “NS”.
Before you buy any ticket, go to the service desk of the train station first and ask for a “voordeelurenkaart”. This card is valid for 1 year and will give you 40% discount on all your train tickets within The Netherlands (from Monday to Friday after 9.00 a.m. and all day during the weekends and during July and August). The card will cost around € 55.
If you wish to travel outside the Dutch borders, you can add the “RailPlus” for € 15 which will give you 25% discount on international journeys.
Be careful: this card is often automatically renewed after one year. So do not forget to cancel it at least 1 month prior to your departure from the Netherlands.
Also, it is not possible to buy a ticket on the train itself. So if you are caught travelling without a ticket you will receive a € 35 fine on top of the normal price of the ticket. Inspections are often carried out.
To check the train timetable visit the NS website.
Bus
In order to take the bus, you can buy a ticket on the bus itself from the driver (between € 0.50 and € 1.50 depending on your destination). It is easier to buy a “strippenkaart”. You can obtain these cards from the service desk at the train station and at magazine/cigarette shops (but not on the bus itself). They start from € 7.60 for 15 stamps and € 22.50 for 45 stamps (1 ride within one suburb is 2 stamps).
To find out how to get to and from a specific destination using public transport click here to plan your schedule.
Find out all about the international student discount card.
