Most folks buy online or from automated ticket machines but many American credit cards or debit cards at last notice would not work in the machines - you can always go to a manual ticket counter and pay I think a euro or two more if your card doesn't work - the staff could process the card to manually I believe.

Looks like I will want a three or four day pass as single tickets are 4 Euros.

<<Train tickets are validated by sticking them in cancelling machines at the entrance to the tracks or on the platform - date-stamp them so they cannot be used again - if you do not do this you may be considered to be riding without a valid ticket - not all trains have conductors and are on the honor system with rather frequent checks by controllers (especially on trams IME).>>

No longer the case. We've now converted entirely to chipcards. The tickets you buy from the machines are in fact disposable chipcards. A few stations are fully gated and you use your card to both check in and check out. If you're at a non-gated station remember to check in before you board the train. The conductor cannot validate your ticket, not even if you warn them in advance and they are obligated to fine everyone if they find them without valid ticket. "I didn't know" doesn't cut it with your average conductor. I've seen ugly scenes play out.

Closing the Loop. The OV Chipkard worked great and was super easy. However, credit card fees, 7.50 fee to buy and 2.50 fee to redeem extra credit at the end were annoying. But, it was redeemable on all forms of transport, and a lower cost for sure than single fares.

Day One was Delft (loved this city, great walking around, and the Vermeer Museum was awesome), Marithuis at the Hague (a bit underwhelming and small, to be honest), and Schveningen, where the winds were so fierce I took a very quick walk, had dinner near where the tram left me off, and left.

Day Two was back to the Hague for Prins William and Bredius and the Passages, and then Rotterdam. Got absolutely soaked first thing in the day and feet were cold and wet for 10 hours and remained so for days. So, that part wasn't fun at all. However, I really enjoyed Rotterdam. I loved the port cruise, and the Bojimans Van Beuningen Museum was maybe the trip highlight. Easy to access and understand, great art, not crowded. I skipped Euromast because it would have required way too much walking at that stage, and had an amazing burger at Ter Marsch.

It was an awful weekend. Glad to hear you had a great time nonetheless.

did you get a national museum ticket and if so did it give you priority entrance at museums? Curious?

Yes the museum pass was amazing and a great investment. Good for all of Holland. Only a few places wouldn't take it, and those that wouldn't gave a small discount. Did mean I often didn't have to stand in line to buy tickets, which helped, although lines were not super crazy. I did not go to Anne Frank House, as I wasn't able to buy a ticket in advance.

Joe - thanks for the report - the museum pass is a great deal - I always go to many more museums than I would have if I had to pay each time - some minor museums that really delighted me. too bad it does not give priority entrance to Anne Frank though it does cover the basic entry fee.

Thanks for your comments and advice. I'll close the loop soon on my other thread recapping my 4 days in Amsterdam.