Everything you need to know about navigating the Netherlands

Getting around the Netherlands is effortless. Its compact size eliminates the need for domestic flights, and the efficient, well-integrated public transport network of trains, buses, and ferries connects every part of the country.

The flat landscape and extensive cycling paths make it easy to explore entirely on two wheels. Here’s what you should know to get started.

Organize your public transport journey

To begin, if you plan to use public transport anywhere in the country (including within cities), journey planner 9292.nl offers real-time calculations for the most efficient routes, alerts for any disruptions, and cost estimates. You can access it online or download the app.

Trains are perfect for quickly covering distances

The heart of the Netherlands’ public transport system is its excellent rail network. Most lines, including the key routes, are managed by the national train service, NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen), which oversees all schedules and fares. Dutch trains are modern, comfortable, and offer frequent and reliable service throughout the country.

In addition to standard services, high-speed Intercity direct trains connect Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam, and Breda, with a surcharge for travel between Schiphol and Rotterdam. A fee also applies for domestic trips on the Amsterdam-Utrecht-Arnhem route aboard ICE International trains.

Medium and large train stations offer a wide range of amenities, but smaller stations may lack any services, including staffed ticket counters (if you haven't purchased tickets in advance, they can be obtained from vending machines; more details on ticketing to follow).

You can bring a bicycle on NS trains during off-peak hours (from 9 AM to 4 PM and 6:30 PM to 6:30 AM on weekdays, plus all day on weekends, public holidays, and during July and August). In addition to your ticket fare, you’ll need to pay €7.50 for a fietskaart dal (off-peak bicycle ticket).

Buses are useful for regional adventures

As part of the Netherlands’ integrated transport system, buses are great for short journeys and for connecting areas where the rail network is sparse, particularly in the northern and eastern regions where train service may be infrequent or absent.

Ferries provide picturesque trips in certain regions

Ferries operate in several local regions, allowing you to travel from the mainland to Texel Island and the Frisian Islands. During the summer months, some ferry services connect the most populated islands with each other.

In the southern region of Zeeland, passenger ferries navigate the Westerschelde. The Waterbus offers a speedy ferry service linking Rotterdam with Dordrecht and destinations like Kinderdijk’s famous windmills. Additional minor services also traverse the country's canals and waterways.

Cycling provides a straightforward and thrilling way to discover the Netherlands

To experience the Dutch way of life, jump on a fiets (bicycle). With its flat, often stunning landscapes, mild maritime climate, and excellent cycling infrastructure, the Netherlands is perfect for exploration on two wheels. Rentals are widely available at most train stations and throughout towns and cities across the country.

For short trips and day excursions, the fietsknooppuntennetwerk (cycle junction network) features knooppunten (junctions or “nodes”) where cycle routes meet, making navigation a breeze. You can use route-finding apps like the Fietsersbond Routeplanner for assistance.

For extended cycling adventures, consider the Landelijke Fietsroutes (LF routes), which are continually being developed and can be downloaded via a convenient app. While helmets aren’t required in the Netherlands, they can be life-saving; bike rental shops offer them for hire.

Driving allows you to access remote destinations

The Netherlands boasts modern infrastructure with smooth, easy-to-navigate roads. However, traffic can be congested on major highways and near larger cities, and parking can be limited and costly (often perilously close to canals).

Parking meters usually require you to enter your license plate number and pay using a credit card or a mobile app. In larger areas, a “Park & Ride” facility is often the most economical choice. Be cautious of wide bike lanes while driving and keep an eye out for cyclists!

How to purchase public transport tickets

Tickets for public transport in the Netherlands are priced based on the distance traveled and can be bought in various ways.

E-tickets (printable) and mobile tickets (downloadable to your phone via the NS app) can be acquired from NS online – simply scan the QR code on your phone at the gates. Be careful with purchases as they are non-refundable. Alternatively, you can buy tickets through the Trainline website, which charges a booking fee but allows refunds up to the day before your journey.

For single rides, you can get a disposable OV-chipkaart (which includes a €1 surcharge per journey in addition to the standard fare). For multiple trips, consider a reusable OV-chipkaart or using OVpay (although a new digital OV-pass is being introduced this year, the OV-chipkaart will still be in operation until at least 2025).

When using an OV-chipkaart or OVpay, make sure to tap it on the reader to “check in” when you board and “check out” when you leave, or you’ll lose your deposit.

A reusable OV-chipkaart costs €7.50 and is valid for five years. You can load it with credit at ticket machines, with a minimum amount of €10 for buses, €20 for trains, and €4 for other transport like trams. This amount is held as a deposit during your trip and refunded afterward. If you purchase it at NS stations, the card is automatically activated; otherwise, you may need to activate it at ticket machines or service desks for “pre-paid travel without NS subscription.”

Instead of a physical OV-chipkaart, you can use OVpay, which allows you to check in and out using a contactless debit or credit card (only Maestro, V PAY, Mastercard, or Visa). The benefit is avoiding the cost of a reusable card or disposable surcharge, but the drawback is that you can only track fares through your bank statement, with charges tallied and billed once daily.

Transportation Accessibility in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is actively working to ensure that all public transport is accessible for individuals with disabilities, and significant progress has already been made. Most buses, ferries, trams, metros, and trains are equipped with wheelchair ramps, wide doors, level boarding platforms, designated spaces for wheelchairs, priority seating, and accessible onboard restrooms for longer journeys.

The national train operator, NS, provides travel assistance at more than 100 stations across the Netherlands. If you're traveling to smaller locations, it's advisable to check with local tourism offices to ensure transport options meet your needs.

Tourist passes can simplify your travel and save you money

One of the easiest and often most economical ways to navigate the public transport system in the Netherlands is by purchasing a tourist day ticket.

Despite its name, the Holland Ticket provides access to the entirety of the Netherlands, not just the North and South Holland provinces. The standard Holland Travel Ticket (€70) allows for unlimited travel by train, bus, tram, and metro any day, even during peak hours. A more economical off-peak version (€48) is valid on weekdays before 6:30 AM and after 9 AM, as well as all day on weekends and public holidays. You can purchase it at NS ticket machines, service counters, or online.

If you're focused on a specific area, consider tickets like the Amsterdam Travel Ticket or the broader Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (which includes routes to and from Schiphol Airport), as well as the Tourist Day Ticket for South Holland, which covers transport in and around Rotterdam, Delft, The Hague, and Leiden, including Waterbus services.

Continue planning your visit to the Netherlands:

Use your tourist day ticket to discover our selection of the best places to explore. Check the Netherlands' social calendar to find the ideal time for your trip. Start compiling your must-see list with our overview of the top attractions in the Netherlands.