The trip to Netherland was part of 21 days trip to Western Europe. It was my first time to solo-travel, and first-time Solo Travel in Europe. My main drive was just to see the Keukenhof Garden. However, the trip was expanded to not just seeing the Keukenhof, but also to travel Netherland and its neighbouring country in Europe. I allocated six days to discover Netherland (not just Amsterdam) and went to 12 cities in 6 days.
In this post, i would like to share little what i know about getting around Netherland (and of course, Amsterdam, the capital city of Netherland).
Table of Contents
How to get to City from Schiphol Airport
Not just Netherland, almost every country in Europe has a reliable means of transportation between countries and within its region. In Amsterdam, the capital city of Netherland, you can use train, bus, taxi, and Hotel shuttle.
By Train
It takes about 15 minutes to reach city center (Amsterdam Centraal Station) by using Train. It’s either by SPR Sprinter train or Intercity direct train, and it costs EUR 4,5 as per November 2020. Sprinter makes stop at Lelylaan, Sloterdijk, and Centraal Station. Meanwhile, Intercity train does not make stoppages, it’s direct to Centraal and duration difference between the two is only 3 minutes. The trains operate 24/7 with frequency every 15-20 minutes.
The ticket can be purchased at the ticket machine available at Arrivals floor, you can learn how to use the machine here. Locations of the ticket machine is at the center of Arrival hall, so it’s not hard to notice. One thing you must be prepared is the coins if you want to buy it by cash. It also receives credit card. Make sure you have euro coins ready, otherwise you can also buy the ticket from the ticketing desk. It opens from 6 am to 9 pm on weekdays, 6:15 am to 9 pm on Saturday, and 06:45 am to 9 pm on Sunday. The map of Schiphol arrival hall can be downloaded here.
Train Station in Schiphol is located below, and the escalator is near the ticketing machine.
By Bus
The duration from Schipol Airport to city by bus is 35 minutes. We can use express bus 397. Important things to note is that this bus does not go to Amsterdam Centraal Station, but it goes to Museumplein, Rijksmuseum, Leidsplein, and Busstation Elandsgracht. It costs EUR 6 one way and EUR 10 return. For other bus, you can check via google map or Netherland transportation journey planner. The big red bus is located outside arrival hall. If you travel with lots of luggage, perhaps it is wise to use taxi. (Source: Amsterdam-airport)
By Taxi
Taxi can be found outside arrival hall in front of Schiphol Plaza and it runs by meter. The travel time from Schiphol to the city is around 20 minutes. Taxi fares may cost up to EUR 40-50 to city center.
Other Options
Uber, Uber Black, and Uberx is available in Amsterdam, but you need your mobile phone to order it. You can also book private transfer.
There is also Conexxion Hotel Shuttle for 100 hotels in Amsterdam. It runs every 30 minutes from 6 am to 9:30 pm and available at outside arrival halls. It is shared services up to 8 passenger and costs EUR 20 per person. However, it is good to check with your hotel if they provide shuttle and whether its free or if it’s cheaper than those offered by Conexxion.
How to get Around Amsterdam (and Netherlands)
The means of transportation
Amsterdam has bus, metros, train, tram, and ferries. Other than that, you can always walk leisurely or biking while enjoying its narrow streets and canals. To me, i walked and used trams when I was exploring Amsterdam. And it was super easy and convenient. In fact, I travelled around Netherlands using its public transports.
The Ticket and how to buy it
If you prefer to use the public transports and plan to stay for few days, then you need to buy the OV-Chipkaart, the public transport Card. There are two type of the card: the anonymous card (for longer stay), and the disposable card for short stay or single use. Both of these tickets are available at counter or device, at airports, at stations and at newsagents or supermarkets. I bought the OV-chipkaart first time at Schiphol Airport.
Beside OV Chipkaart, you can also buy many kinds of paper/paperless ticket (to get the later, you need to have the app on your mobile phone).
- Day Return ticket
- One Way Ticket (valid for 28 hrs, from 00:00 till 04:00 the next morning, you read that right)
- Railrunner (for children)
- Groupticket off-peak hours (EUR 8 per person). It is for 4-7 person, where you pay just € 1,50 for each additional passenger. This ticket is for singe journey and not valid in the morning or afternoon peak periods and main ticket holder must always present.
- Joint Journey Discount One-way ticket off-peak hours
- Day Ticket (EUR 54). This is for one whole day’s unlimited travel on trains and Valid for the date you want to travel. If you do not have an OV-chipkaart, use a single-use smart card or e-ticket. I used this card when i went to Lisse, Haarlem, and Leiden in one day.
- Amsterdam Travel Ticket (EUR 28). This is three-days unlimited travel across Amsterdam). However, there is 1 day unlimited travel at EUR 17 and 2 days unlimited travel at EUR 22,5. The ticket comes with a handy map showing places of interest in and around Amsterdam.
- Amsterdam Regional travel ticket (EUR 19,5). This option is cheaper than individual ticket. It gives unlimited travel in Amsterdam and throughout the region. 1-day ticket costs € 19.50, 2-day ticket costs € 28, and 3-day ticket costs € 36.50.
- Off-peak Holland Travel Ticket (EUR 42). This is 1 day’s travel in train, bus, tram and metro throughout the Netherlands. It valid only for intercity direct and ICE, Monday to Friday before 06:30 and from 09:00 onwards. This type of ticket also valid all day at weekends and public holidays.
If you are a type of meticulous traveller, you can determine which destination you want to go and input those destination in Netherland journey planner and check the individual price before purchase the right ticket. I had determined which places to visit day-by-day, and thus I combined several types of tickets for my 6-days travel in Netherland. I bought Off-Peak Holland Travel ticket, I Amsterdam 24 hrs ticket, Tram Day Pass for Den Haag, as well as Zuid Holland Tourist Day Ticket for Rotterdam.
My 6-day itinerary in Netherland
Here’s my 6-days itinerary in Netherland:
| Day | City | Places to Visit | Type of ticket used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day-1 | Lisse, Haarlem, Leiden, Amsterdam | Keuhenhoff Garden St Bavo Church Haarlem Teyler Museum Haarlem Haarlem Grote Markt De Valk, Rijksmuseum Van Oudheden | I used OV Chipkaart since all the required trip/transfer using public transport cheaper than any offered packaged ticket |
| Day-2 | Amsterdam | Multiple places of interests across Amsterdam City | I Amsterdam 24 hr City Pass |
| Day-3 | Broek in Waterland, Hoorn, Enkhuizen | Broek In Waterland Veermanskade hoorn , Rode Steen, Westfries Museum back to Hoorn Station Zuiderzee Museum, Drommedaris | OV Chipkaart |
| Day-4 | Zwolle Giethorn Groningen | Museum de Fundatie, Sassenport, Stdhuis Groningen Museum Reitdiephaven | Holland Travel ticket |
| Day-5 | Den Haag | City Hall of The Hague, Palais Noordeinde Binnenhof Palace Gemeentemuseum Vredespaleis Museum Voorlinden | Den Haag Tram Daypass |
| Day-6 | Kinderdijk Rotterdam | Kinderdijk Euromast Museum boijmans Van Beuningen Delfshaven Overblaak Development | Zuid Holland Tourist Day Ticket |
If you know which attraction you want to go, you can compare each individual trip versus the packaged pass or card, and choose whichever cheaper for your journey. Combined or packaged pass is not always cheaper than it promises, since it depends on which attraction you wish to go, and how many places you can check in a certain period offered by the pass.
Netherland is such a beautiful countries with windmills, canals, wonderful contemporary arts and architecture. It is supported with great transportation system, making every corner of this country easily accessible for traveller. Take your time to select which attraction you wish to go and choose the most economic and suitable means of transportation to get the best out of the experience. Enjoy Netherland!
