SlinkyDog

Does anyone know if there is either a luggage check or lockers at the Den Haag Centraal Station? If there are lockers, would they be large enough to fit a carry-on bag of U.S. standards (22" rolling bag)?

Thanks.

ronkala

See facilities at the station www.ns.nl.cs for size and cost.

If a station does not have lockers, luggage can be left at the luggage depot or bicycle shop or bicycle point.

SlinkyDog

Thanks! (The link didn't work for me, but www.ns.nl/en/ did, and from there I was able to find the info.)

TommieG

The answer btw is; yes there are lockers at Den Haag Centraal.
My guess is that a 22" would tightly fit in the large lockers.

SlinkyDog

Thanks, TommieG.

The site says that the dimensions for a small locker are 90cm deep x 45cm high x 40cm wide (about 35.5 inches x almost 18 inches x almost 16 inches). For a large locker, it's the same dimensions for deep and wide, but 60cm (about 23.5 inches) high.

So a 22-inch carry-on should fit, in theory, but if a lot is stuffed into it, and the top part is fully unzipped to allow for even more stuff to be stuffed in it, then I could see how it could be an extremely tight fit, or perhaps not fit at all.

hetismij

Don't forget you will need a credit card or a debit card with a Maestro logo and a 4 digit pin.

SlinkyDog

Thanks, hetismij. I completely overlooked that part.

It says on the site that for the Den Haag station, Mastercard and VISA are also accepted. So I guess we can use those in addition to PIN, CHIP and Maestro (which I had never heard of before, and don't have at this point)?

TommieG

About the measurements; it indeed should fit. If it isn't to wide. And sometimes with lockers my experience is that the doors can be a little unhelpful...

PIN and CHIP are Dutch terms for using your debit card with either your pin-number (PIN), or the attached chip on the card (without pin-number for paying small amounts). Maestro is on of the organisations/brands (from Mastercard I believe) used for international payments (like CIRRUS, VISA direct etc).

When are you going to the Hague btw? If you need tips, please ask, I live in the Hague.

SlinkyDog

Thanks for explaining that, TommieG. From what I've read, I think it's possible my VISA and Mastercard might not work, but it sounds like my debit card should work, as long as I have a four-digit PIN?

We won't be in the Hague until next summer. But I have to try to plan ahead because of the availability of frequent flyer tickets. I'm not sure we will do much justice to your city, though, as we will probably stop over just to see Madurodam! But Scheveningen and other parts of the Hague also look intriguing, so we may stay longer.

PalenQ

MasterCard and Visa are accepted except not in Dutch train stations as they don't have the necessary security strip or whatever

hetismij has clarified this before and i could be wrong but in Jan my MC nor Visa would work in lockers at Amsterdam C.S. and they told me why

TommieG

Your debit card should probably work. But since your trip isn't until next year, maybe they have fixed the problems with the creditcards also! I wouldn't worry too much!

Panorama Mesdag and the Mauritshuis are also worth a visit!

SlinkyDog

TommieG, Panorama Mesdag looks fantastic! Thanks for the tip!

SlinkyDog

Oh, and I normally don't plan this far ahead at all. But I'm trying to use FF miles and hotel points, and those have to be booked way in advance to make sure you get your first choice. So I'm trying to determine whether to stay in the Hague or stop and visit on the way to a stay in Amsterdam.

Having said that, I love to daydream about traveling, so I'm sure I'll be posting even more questions this far out!

PalenQ

Hague IME is dead as a doornail at night - Amsterdam always something going on - if that makes a difference, either way - Schevingen (sp?) is nice at night though in nice weather and there is a casino

but if looking for a base then Hague is great - Delft a short train or tram ride away - Rotterdam too - Leiden, etc.

SlinkyDog

Dead as a doornail is probably OK with me, but I'm not sure about my teen.

We may end up making the Hague a base for a couple of nights, though. I may want to go to the Kinderdijk as well as Madurodam, and I think I'd rather do these as a day trip from there than from Amsterdam.

TommieG

Dead as a doornail is a little bit exaggerated IMHO. Amsterdam is livelier than The Hague.
But, especially in the summer, there are more than enough cafes, bars, restaurants, tyerraces, cinemas etc to get through a few days!
Scheveningen (the coastal part of The Hague) is pretty lively (dozens of seaside bars and restaruants, casinog, large cineplex, shopping), even at night. This isn't the prettiest part of the Hague. Lots of concrete, but if you are looking at the sea, you don't see it!

And The Hague is indeed a good base for Delft, Kinderdijk, Rotterdam, Leiden etc.

PalenQ

Well no not dead as a door nail but compared to Amsterdam it is

All Dutch towns except Amsterdam i've been in pretty much roll up the sidewalks after stores close and they often close fairly early - but i guess extended shopping hours have helped.

Perhaps hague is an exception but many city centers become ghost towns when the shopping district stores close