When arriving in the Netherlands, you will notice that most Dutch people prefer to get around by bicycle. If they need to travel further afield, they go by train or bus. Of course some cities also have a tram or metro. The most convenient means of transport depends on what runs near you and how far away your work is. Read on to find out your options.
If you have a valid non-Dutch driving licence, you can use it for up to 185 days after moving to the Netherlands. After this period you can only drive in the Netherlands with a Dutch driving licence.
If you live and work in the same city, a bicycle or e-bike may be the perfect means of transport for you. This is normal in the Netherlands and it is a safe, fast way of getting around. And it not only keeps you fit and healthy, it's also cheap!
If you need to travel somewhat further afield, you may prefer to go by car or public transport. Although the Dutch often complain about public transport, services are generally good and convenient. The train and bus are most frequently used, but the tram and metro are also good options in certain cities. To plan your route by train, bus, tram, metro or ferry, simply go to: https://9292.nl/en .
Dutch cities and villages are connected by an efficient rail network, running two types of train: intercities, which only stop at larger stations, and sprinters, which link up smaller stations (in villages, for instance) or different areas in large cities. You can opt for a first-class or second-class ticket, with first class being more expensive. There are also special ‘silent’ carriages, where you are not allowed to talk or make telephone calls. Plan your train trip by calling +31 (0)30 751 5155 or visit https://www.ns.nl/en .
Buses also take you almost anywhere you want to go. There are routes that run only in cities, but also ones that will take you into the countryside. Most buses are reasonably new and comfortable.
Trams run in Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Rotterdam, taking you in all directions from the city centre. Trams are perfect for short trips through the city, but are also useful for longer journeys to other parts of the city. There are sometimes even fast trams that link small villages or suburbs up to the city.
Amsterdam and Rotterdam both have an underground metro network that runs out to the suburbs. This can be a fast and efficient way to travel.
Some cities have ferries across a river or canal.
You need a public transport smart card (OV-chipkaart in Dutch) in order to use public transport. There are three different cards to choose from: anonymous (anonieme), personalised (persoonlijke) and disposable (wegwerp):
Taxis can be useful for getting to and from the airport, at night when public transport has stopped running or when you’re running late. However, depending on the traffic at peak times, public transport may get you to your destination even quicker and a lot cheaper.
The information on this page is a brief explanation. You can not derive any rights from this.
