Train passes for the Netherlands
 

Searching for potential train passes for the Netherlands, and the only thing I find are train passes for the Benelux which are quite expensive ($373 per adult for 5 days within a month). We are planning to stay about two weeks in Amsterdam and use trains to visit other cities and towns. Are there any more economical fares than the ordinary train fares listed on train schedules and fares web sites?

In general I think not - there used to be some passes for summer but I have not heard of them lately. There may be day return tickets if you can wait to leave after 9:30 am weekdays (Daar retour) that give a very minor discount.

Scour www.ns.nl - the official site of the Dutch Railways for any possible passes.

You can save one euro a ticket I believe by using automatic ticketing machines in stations rather than going to the ticket window - American credit cards usually do not work in the machines so use euro coins or bills.

at information counters ask about kids fares and family fares - always ask!

You may want to base in another place besides Amsterdam that may be more central to some day trips - like Leiden, Delft, etc. and also get the smaller more real town feeling.

As for Amsterdam I have been going there on business and pleasure for years and here are some of my favorite things and others' inputs as well:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ite-things.cfm

Sorry, but there isn't any train pass you could buy. Even for residents the passes offering reduced fares have a lot of restrictions, and you just wouldn't make enough trips during your stay to make it worthwhile.

There is a Railrunner ticket for kids from 4 to 11, for €2.50. Also a group return for 4 people, which may or may not be cheaper, but otherwise you need to buy either an OV chip card and load a stack of money on it, or buy tickets for each trip. Having cash, or in Amsterdam a chipped credit card will mean you can use the machines.

some day trips are very cheap - Haarlem is as nice as any Dutch regional town and is only a few euros fare from Amsterdam - ditto for Zaanse Schanse - the windmill complex and Zuider Zee Museum - just a few euros - could do both in the same day as they are not far apart.

Hi, you can also try www.spoordeelwinkel.nl for discounts. And from time to time certain stores like Hema, Kruidvat and Blokker offer discounted fares like €17.50 whole day anywhere in the Netherlands. You can check their websites.

Using the OV Chipcard is indeed convenient but to get discounted fares (40%) then you would need a subscription. And that is not really practical for a 2 week stay.

Enjoy your stay here! Cheers!