Dutch Railways are as trouble-free and efficient as you’re likely to find anywhere in Europe. There are frequent intercity services between all parts of Holland, at least once an hour. The short distances involved mean you can see most of Holland while based at one city. Be careful not to end up on the ‘stop-treins’ which do just that, before connecting up to the main intercity network. Supplements are only necessary on EUROCITY/TEEs and international express trains marked D or IC. Electric trains often consist of portions for two different destinations.
Eurail bonuses: Free passage on ships of BV Rederji NACO between Enkhuisen and Staveren or vice versa.
Train Information
There should be no problem with language as nearly everyone speaks English. Ask at the information desk for the booklet called ‘Holland by Rail’ which has a useful map with frequency times.
Train Stations:
Amsterdam has nine train stations.
Amsterdam Central Station: 10 minute walking distance from the Dam and Nieuwmarkt.
Amsterdam Muiderpoort Station: get off here for Amsterdam-Oost (Amsterdam east), Dappermarkt.
Amsterdam Amstel Station: this station is located next to the Rembrandttoren. The Amstel river is at a 10 minute walking distance.
Amsterdam Sloterdijk Station: 5 minutes by tram/bus to district Bos en Lommer.
Amsterdam Lelylaan Station: get off here for Amsterdam-West (Amsterdam west), districts Slotervaart/Overtoomse Veld.
Amsterdam RAI Station: get off here for the RAI and the Rivierenbuurt.
Amsterdam Zuid/WTC Station: get off here for the World Trade Center and Buitenveldert.
Duivendrecht Station: get off here for north entrance Amsterdam ArenA.
Amsterdam Bijlmer Station: get off here for south entrance Amsterdam ArenA, Heineken Music Hall, Woonmall Villa Arena and shopping centre Amsterdamse Poort.
Reservations: It’s not possible to reserve seats on inland trains. Also it’s not necessary to reserve seats on the international trains, despite what they might tell you at Amsterdam Train Information Office. Trains are often very full, so if the queues are small, go ahead and reserve one. If they are not, you could literally be waiting for hours in the summer to make your reservation.
Night travel: There are couchettes and sleepers on international routes only.
Eating on trains: All intercities have the usual mini-bars while only international trains have diners.
Scenic tips: If you’re fortunate enough to be travelling at any time from March to May through the bulb fields (Bollenvelden) region (on any runs between Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Delft, Leiden and Utrecht) you will be amply rewarded.
Bikes: Holland is ideal for cycling – it’s flat and there are cycle tracks everywhere. Most stations hire out bikes and give reduced rates if you show your ticket.
Rover tickets: The Rail Rover ticket is available in first and second classes for either 3 or 7 days. In addition, you can buy an optional Public Transport Link Rover which allows the ticket to be used on all public transport (including the Amsterdam and Rotterdam metros) in Holland.
The only service it is not valid on are KLM airport buses. Supplements still need to be paid for D, IC and TEE trains but it is valid on ordinary Netherlands Railways intercity services. The frequency of service in Holland is such that you should never need to use an international express train for a domestic journey. You can buy the tickets before you go from Netherlands Railways, 4 New Burlington Street, London W1X 1FE. If you buy it in Holland you need to show your passport and provide a passport-size photograph.
If you are travelling as a family it might be worth considering the Multi Rover Ticket for day trips, but there are restrictions on the ticket and you need to work out carefully whether it is worthwhile once you find out the price of the journey using standard tickets. The Multi Rover Ticket is valid for 4 out of 10 days but is available only in June, July and August and cannot be used in conjunction with Public Transport Link Tickets.
The Teenage Rover Ticket is available for those aged between 10 and 19 and has the same limitations as the Multi Ticket. Finally, there is the Benelux Tourrail which gives free rail travel in Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg (including Luxembourg country buses) on 5 out of 17 days. Valid for D trains with the extra supplement, it cannot be used with the Public Transport Link Rover, and is only valid when accompanied by a passport.
Public Travel Information: 0900 9292 / Euro 0.70 per minute.
