Transportation in Amsterdam / Netherlands
Jun 10th, 2019, 06:38 PM
#1
Original Poster
Transportation in Amsterdam / Netherlands
I'll be based with my wife in Amsterdam for 5-6 days.
We'll get around on foot and/or local transportation.
In addition we expect to go on day trips for two of the days.
How should we handle the transportation?
Thanks.
We'll get around on foot and/or local transportation.
In addition we expect to go on day trips for two of the days.
How should we handle the transportation?
Thanks.
Jun 10th, 2019, 06:53 PM
#2
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Where are you going?
If you are going to a place with a rail station, take a train.
If you are going to a place connected by bus only, take a bus.
If you are going to a place without public transportation, rent a car.
If you are going to an island, take a boat.
If you are going to a place with a rail station, take a train.
If you are going to a place connected by bus only, take a bus.
If you are going to a place without public transportation, rent a car.
If you are going to an island, take a boat.
Jun 10th, 2019, 09:32 PM
#3
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Take trams, trains etc. What is the information you are after?
Jun 10th, 2019, 11:06 PM
#4
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Jun 11th, 2019, 02:50 AM
#5
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Sorry I wasn't clear.
Are the same chip cards usable for both local Amsterdam transportation as well as for train service within the Netherlands?
If so, which type of card should I be using; Anonymous or disposable.
Can I share the same card with my wife as I don't see us both taking different forms of transportation at the same time.
Is the card used to buy trolley, bus, train tickets or do you just get on and swipe the card?
Any other question that would tell me things I should know?
Are the same chip cards usable for both local Amsterdam transportation as well as for train service within the Netherlands?
If so, which type of card should I be using; Anonymous or disposable.
Can I share the same card with my wife as I don't see us both taking different forms of transportation at the same time.
Is the card used to buy trolley, bus, train tickets or do you just get on and swipe the card?
Any other question that would tell me things I should know?
Jun 11th, 2019, 04:08 AM
#6
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If you read the link above it explains things to you. If you are using a lot of public transport, or think you will return to the Netherlands get the anonymous cards - you can always give them to someone else if you aren't returning. Day cards and disposables are generally more expensive.
You hold them against a scanner and it bleeps to register you, then you do the same when you leave. Generally you board at the front, scan and leave at the middle/rear after scanning. Don't forget to scan when you leave or it will get expensive fast. At stations you have to scan the card to get the gate to open. It is important to make sure the gate you are using is for the train company you will be using. You then scna agan on arrival to open the gate and leave, again checking the train company.
You hold them against a scanner and it bleeps to register you, then you do the same when you leave. Generally you board at the front, scan and leave at the middle/rear after scanning. Don't forget to scan when you leave or it will get expensive fast. At stations you have to scan the card to get the gate to open. It is important to make sure the gate you are using is for the train company you will be using. You then scna agan on arrival to open the gate and leave, again checking the train company.
Jun 11th, 2019, 07:03 AM
#7
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For lots on trains check www.ns.nm; www/seat61.com; BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com.
Jun 11th, 2019, 07:07 AM
#8
Original Poster
So the same card is used for local Amsterdam trolleys and inter city trains?
How is the card loaded with cash?
What happens to cash left over on a disposable card?
I'm less concerned with spending a little more on a whole trip than doing it correctly.
Are disposable cards available at many local stores and supermarkets, etc
How is the card loaded with cash?
What happens to cash left over on a disposable card?
I'm less concerned with spending a little more on a whole trip than doing it correctly.
Are disposable cards available at many local stores and supermarkets, etc
Jun 11th, 2019, 07:26 AM
#9
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Did you read the link?
You can out money on at machines at station and in some supermarkets and anywhere which displays the sign.
The anonymous card is valid for all public trnsport in all of the Netherlands. Disposable cards are for a specific journey and can be bought at stations on buses with a debit card and PIN or at the GVB or similar.
There are special tickets which cover teh NS train to and from Schiphol and all GVB buses trams and metros in Amsterdam but not outside or on Connexxion buses.
Read this and work through the site. https://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/ov-chip-and-use.htm
You can out money on at machines at station and in some supermarkets and anywhere which displays the sign.
The anonymous card is valid for all public trnsport in all of the Netherlands. Disposable cards are for a specific journey and can be bought at stations on buses with a debit card and PIN or at the GVB or similar.
There are special tickets which cover teh NS train to and from Schiphol and all GVB buses trams and metros in Amsterdam but not outside or on Connexxion buses.
Read this and work through the site. https://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/ov-chip-and-use.htm
Jun 11th, 2019, 02:07 PM
#11
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You might well want to buy a multi day travel card for travel inside Amsterdam if you want to use tram and metro a lot to get around.
For train travel, I'd buy disposable tickets from the yellow machines at the station.
(In addition to paying money to buy the card, you'll need a minimum of €20 on your anonymous chip card. If luck is against you, you might have quite some credit left over, so you'll invest substantially)
For train travel, I'd buy disposable tickets from the yellow machines at the station.
(In addition to paying money to buy the card, you'll need a minimum of €20 on your anonymous chip card. If luck is against you, you might have quite some credit left over, so you'll invest substantially)
Jun 11th, 2019, 04:05 PM
#12
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We are planning to arrive in Amsterdam next month.
Arriving at Schiphol @ 8:00 PM. Staying near Centraal station for 4 nights.
Plan is to take one day trip to Haarlem & spend the rest of the time in Amsterdam & use the tram frequently.
Return to the airport on the last morning.
What type of card is suggested we purchase?
Arriving at Schiphol @ 8:00 PM. Staying near Centraal station for 4 nights.
Plan is to take one day trip to Haarlem & spend the rest of the time in Amsterdam & use the tram frequently.
Return to the airport on the last morning.
What type of card is suggested we purchase?
Jun 11th, 2019, 06:11 PM
#13
Original Poster
Menachem,
That's a great idea.
Train Tickets
This question has at least several possible answers.
a) Are the train tickets good for a specific time on a specific date
b) Are the train tickets good for any time on a specific date
c) Are the train tickets good for any time for a range of dates
Can the disposable train tickets be purchased anywhere other than at the train station?
Can the disposable train tickets be purchased a day or so prior to the day trip?
= = = = = = = = = =
Transportation within Amsterdam.
Our use of local transportation within Amsterdam may be rather erratic.
Can I buy Amsterdam tickets in a batch of 10 and use them as needed. I've done something similar to that in Paris.
That's a great idea.
Train Tickets
This question has at least several possible answers.
a) Are the train tickets good for a specific time on a specific date
b) Are the train tickets good for any time on a specific date
c) Are the train tickets good for any time for a range of dates
Can the disposable train tickets be purchased anywhere other than at the train station?
Can the disposable train tickets be purchased a day or so prior to the day trip?
= = = = = = = = = =
Transportation within Amsterdam.
Our use of local transportation within Amsterdam may be rather erratic.
Can I buy Amsterdam tickets in a batch of 10 and use them as needed. I've done something similar to that in Paris.
Jun 11th, 2019, 06:26 PM
#15
Original Poster
I just read that the train supplement can be purchased as a separate disposable ticket.
Does that mean I can purchase one of those and only use it if/when I end up using a purchased ticket for a train that requires a supplement?
Does that mean I can purchase one of those and only use it if/when I end up using a purchased ticket for a train that requires a supplement?
Jun 11th, 2019, 09:50 PM
#16
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You are overthinking this; if you want to take a train outside Amsterdam, just go to the dutch rail site www.ns.nl. Put in your departing station and where you are going, and click on 'ticket' to buy one online. That ticket is valid for any train that day. It;s cheaper to buy online than at the machine. And much easier.
There may be an option to take a Thalys or other high-speed train; the site will tell you that there is a supplement for that. No need to take these trains within the Netherlands. Just take a regular train without supplement.
For travel in Amsterdam; just get a card from a machine and put some money on. You can see the balance when you get on/off the tram and can then decide to add more money to it if needed. You will not need much public transport in Amsterdam, it's very walkable.
There may be an option to take a Thalys or other high-speed train; the site will tell you that there is a supplement for that. No need to take these trains within the Netherlands. Just take a regular train without supplement.
For travel in Amsterdam; just get a card from a machine and put some money on. You can see the balance when you get on/off the tram and can then decide to add more money to it if needed. You will not need much public transport in Amsterdam, it's very walkable.
Jun 12th, 2019, 01:31 AM
#17
Original Poster
Tulips,
Thank you. You answered part of my question.
Are the train ticket only valid for a specific date or can they be used on any day within some range?
I agree with you that we probably won't use the public transportation system that much. Probably mostly to quickly get from the hotel area to the train station and back.
So why not just but some single use tickets?
Thank you. You answered part of my question.
Are the train ticket only valid for a specific date or can they be used on any day within some range?
I agree with you that we probably won't use the public transportation system that much. Probably mostly to quickly get from the hotel area to the train station and back.
So why not just but some single use tickets?
Jun 12th, 2019, 08:58 AM
#19
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Menachem,
That's a great idea.
Train Tickets
This question has at least several possible answers.
a) Are the train tickets good for a specific time on a specific date
They're good for the entire day, until (i think) 4 am the next day
b) Are the train tickets good for any time on a specific date
They're valid all day, you can just walk up
c) Are the train tickets good for any time for a range of dates
No
Can the disposable train tickets be purchased anywhere other than at the train station?
No
Can the disposable train tickets be purchased a day or so prior to the day trip?
You can buy a ticket "without date/zonder datum", you validate by tapping in at the start of your journey
= = = = = = = = = =
Transportation within Amsterdam.
Our use of local transportation within Amsterdam may be rather erratic.
Can I buy Amsterdam tickets in a batch of 10 and use them as needed. I've done something similar to that in Paris.
That's a great idea.
Train Tickets
This question has at least several possible answers.
a) Are the train tickets good for a specific time on a specific date
They're good for the entire day, until (i think) 4 am the next day
b) Are the train tickets good for any time on a specific date
They're valid all day, you can just walk up
c) Are the train tickets good for any time for a range of dates
No
Can the disposable train tickets be purchased anywhere other than at the train station?
No
Can the disposable train tickets be purchased a day or so prior to the day trip?
You can buy a ticket "without date/zonder datum", you validate by tapping in at the start of your journey
= = = = = = = = = =
Transportation within Amsterdam.
Our use of local transportation within Amsterdam may be rather erratic.
Can I buy Amsterdam tickets in a batch of 10 and use them as needed. I've done something similar to that in Paris.
