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Railway information
The Netherlands and Holland are two names for one small country in the centre of Europe.
Train services provided by the NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen), the Dutch Railroad Company, are very frequent and its network ranks among the densest in the world.
Fast InterCity trains operate between the main cities, whereas local trains are the links between smaller cities and villages. You can be sure that the main Dutch attractions can easily be reached by train.
Domestic Train Services
- In the west of the country at least four trains an hour between the major Dutch cities of Amsterdam, Den Haag, Rotterdam and Utrecht
- At least two trains per hour for further travels in the Netherlands
- For domestic trains reservations are not required (it is not possible to make reservations for a seat on a Dutch domestic train)
International Trains
- Thalys high-speed trains to Brussels and Paris from Amsterdam Central Station (5 times a day in about 4 hours)
- International trains from Amsterdam to Antwerp and Brussells (every hour)
- 5 ICE trains daily from Amsterdam to Cologne, Düsseldorf and Frankfurt with one proceeding to Basel, Switzerland
- 4 daily trains leave from Schiphol Airport to Hannover, with 3 proceeding to Berlin
Night Trains
Direct night trains run from Amsterdam to Munich (Germany), Zürich and Basel (Switzerland). Reservation of accommodation is compulsory on these night trains.
Treintaxi: Going Dutch
This is a typically Dutch means of transport, which implies that you share the taxi at a low price. It takes you from one of nearly 60 railroad stations to any address in the district and often in the surrounding village as well. There is a fixed fare of approx. 4 euro per person, irrespective of the distance. Treintaxi is not available in the larger cities. You can buy your ticket for this taxi at the ticket office in the train stations, from a ticket machine or for a slightly higher fare from the taxi driver.
Storing Luggage
If you want to spend a day cycling or if you would like to visit a city museum, you can leave your luggage in electronically protected lockers at main railway stations. The costs are approx. 3.50 euro for 24 hours.
Rent a bike
The Netherlands are the ideal country to explore by bike, with its excellent cycle paths in both towns and the countryside. Over a 100 railway stations allow passengers to rent a bike for approx. 8 euro a day or 27 euro a week. You'll need to show your passport and you will need to pay a deposit varying between 30 euro at small stations and 60 euro at Amsterdam Central Station.
Note : Smoking is not allowed on domestic trains in the Netherlands.
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