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AIR: KLM Cityhopper (WA) operates between Amsterdam and Eindhoven. Transavia Airlines (HV) (80 per cent of which is owned by KLM) also runs scheduled flights. Martinair Holland (MP) operates passenger and cargo charter services. Enquire at KLM offices or at the Netherlands Board of Tourism for further information (see Contact Addresses section).
SEA: There are ferry services to the Wadden Islands (Texel, Vlieland, Terschilling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog) across the Ijsselmeer (former Zuyder Sea) and Schelde Estuary. There is also a service to the Frisian Islands across the Waddenzee. Boat Tours runs excursions from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Arnhem, Groningen, Giethoorn, Delft and Maastricht. Stena Line operates a daily service for private cars, freight and trailers.
Wadden Ticket: For travellers wanting to visit any of the five Wadden Islands, the Wadden Ticket allows return travel by bus, train and ferry to an island of choice. The pass is valid for one day of the departure journey and one day of the return journey, although the period between the two must not exceed one year. Contact the Netherlands Board of Tourism for further details (see Contact Addresses section).
RAIL: The highly developed rail network, of which about 70 per cent is electrified, is efficient and cheap, and connects all towns. Both Intercity and local trains run at least half-hourly on all principal routes. Rail and bus timetables are integrated, and there is a common fare structure throughout the country. NV Nederlandse Spoorwegen (website: www.ns.nl) is the state-owned rail company and operates all lines within the country.
Cheap fares: Holland Rail Pass allows unlimited travel in the Netherlands for either three or five days within a month. Reduced rates exist for senior citizens (over 60), travellers under 26 and children. Every second person travels half-price.Tickets must be purchased from International Rail before travel.
Summer Trip Passes are available between 1 July to 9 September and give two people three days of unlimited travel within a period of ten days for only a single fare. Summer Trip Plus Passes cover unlimited travel on all public transport buses and trams in town and country, and on the underground system in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Tickets cost between €45-72.50.
Euro Passes are available for travel in The Netherlands, or The Netherlands and Belgium. Three-day to eight-day passes are available. The Benelux Tourrail Card allows unlimited travel for any five days within a one month period, covering The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Inter-Rail passes are also valid in The Netherlands.
Children under four years of age travel free on all journeys within The Netherlands. Child’s Railrunner tickets, which cost €1, are available for children aged between four and 11 years travelling with a fare-paying adult (19 years or older), and include up to three children travelling with any one adult. Contact the Railway Authority of any of the participating countries for prices and further information.
ROAD: There is an excellent road system. Visitors to The Netherlands may use credit cards when obtaining petrol. The motoring association in The Netherlands is the ANWB (Royal Dutch Touring Club), Postbus 93200, 2509 XB The Hague (tel: (70) 314 1480). Bus: Extensive regional bus networks exist. Long-distance coaches also operate between the cities, but costs are generally on a par with trains. Taxi: Taxis have an illuminated ‘taxi’ sign on the roof and there are taxi ranks at railway stations and at various other points in the cities. Rather than hailing taxis in the street, it is more usual in The Netherlands to order a taxi by phone. Taxis should have meters inside to indicate the fare, including the tip. Car hire: Available from airports and main hotels. All European car-hire companies are represented. Bicycle hire: Bicycles can be hired from all main railway stations, but must be returned to the station from which they are hired. A refundable deposit is required. Driving regulations: Driving is on the right. Drivers should be particularly aware of cyclists; often there are special cycle lanes. There is a chronic shortage of parking space in central Amsterdam, and the rush hours (0700-0900 and 1700-1900) should be avoided throughout the whole country. Parking fines are severe. Headlights should be dipped in built-up areas, but it is prohibited to use sidelights only. Children under 12 years of age should not travel in the front seat. Seat belts are compulsory. Speed limits are 80kph (50mph) on major roads, 120kph (75mph) on motorways and 50kph (30mph) in towns. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is not required, as long as a driving licence from the country of origin is held. EU pink format licences are accepted. Trailers and caravans are allowed in without documents. A Green Card is advisable, but not compulsory. Without it, drivers with motor insurance policies in their home country are granted only the minimum legal cover in The Netherlands; the Green Card tops this up to the level of cover provided by the driver’s own policy.
URBAN: Public transport is very well developed in the cities and large towns. A strippenkaart national fares system exists – strips of 15 tickets each are widely available at railway stations, post offices and some tourist offices. These are accepted anywhere in payment of standard zonal fares. There are also individual and multi-day tickets for the cities. For more detailed information on travel within Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague, see below.
Amsterdam: Amsterdam has an extensive network of buses, trams and underground (GVB), with frequent services from early morning to about midnight. There are less frequent services throughout the night at a higher fare. Full information on services (including a map), day tickets and strippenkaart (strip-tickets) can be obtained from the GVB office in front of the Central Station (0700-2230 daily) or the GVB Central Office at Prins Hendrikkade 108-114. Tram: Amsterdam’s 17 tram lines provide a fast, frequent and reliable service, making the tram the best way to travel around the capital. Trams operate from Mon-Fri 0600-2400 (from 0630 Saturday and 0730 Sunday). The tram system (as well as the buses and the underground) enables reasonably quick travel even during the busiest periods of the day. Trams leave from Central Station: 1 and 2 traverse the main canals, 19 takes a route to Museumplein and Concertgebouw and 9 and 14 to the Muziektheater and Waterlooplein market. The Circle Tram operates through central Amsterdam, taking in major attractions and hotels. Underground: Amsterdam’s underground lines all originate at the Central Station and serve the southeastern business district and the suburbs. Trains run from Mon-Fri 0600-0015, from Sat 0630 and from Sun 0730. The GVB is easy to use. Taxi: These are fairly expensive. Taxis can be ordered by phone or picked up at taxi ranks (Central Station, Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein). Fares are indicated by the meter; a small tip will be appreciated. Car hire: The major European firms, including Hertz and Avis, are represented. Cars can also be hired through most hotels. Parking regulations are quite strict and failure to park in prescribed areas or to pay the parking fee can result in a fine and the prospect of the car being clamped or towed away. Water travel: Canal Buses (every 25-45 minutes between Central Station and Rijksmuseum; children under the age of five travel free); Watertaxis (Mon-Sun 0900-0100, carrying eight to 25 passengers); Museum Boats (departing from Prins Hendrikkade every 30 minutes in summer and every 45 minutes in winter) and Waterbikes (for two to four people, with a route map provided) are all available. Boat hire: Visitors can hire pedalos (also known as canal bikes) and boats to explore the canals. Bicycle hire: This is an excellent way to travel around Amsterdam, and it seems nearly everyone is doing it. Cycle lanes are clearly marked by white lines – but visitors are advised to watch out for trams, cars and pedestrians. There are numerous companies hiring out bikes.
Rotterdam: The city has excellent bus and tram services and a two-line underground network, which all work on a zonal system. Information is available from the Central Station. Car hire: The major European firms, including Avis, Hertz and other international agencies are represented.
The Hague: The Hague has bus and tram services. Information is available from the Central Station, Koningin Julianaplein. Car hire: Avis and Hertz, and other international agencies, are represented.
TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Amsterdam to other major cities in The Netherlands.
| | Air | Road | Rail |
| The Hague | - | 0.40 | 0.44 |
| Rotterdam | - | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Utrecht | - | 0.25 | 0.30 |
| Groningen | - | 2.00 | 2.20 |
| Arnhem | - | 1.10 | 1.10 |
| Maastricht | 0.40 | 2.30 | 2.30 |
| Vlissingen | - | 2.00 | 2.45 |
| Eindhoven | 0.30 | 1.30 | 1.25 |
| Breda | - | 1.30 | 1.50 |
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