How to Get Around Netherlands

Getting in. Schiphol, south-west of Amsterdam, is one of Europe’s largest hubs, with trains from the terminal to Amsterdam in fifteen minutes and direct services to most of the country. Eurostar and Thalys connect London, Paris and Brussels directly.

Trains are frequent, punctual and cover everywhere. Nothing is more than about three hours away. Buy an OV-chipkaart or use a contactless bank card, which now works on trains, trams, metros and buses nationwide — tap in and tap out, and remember the tapping out, because forgetting charges you the maximum fare.

Bicycles. Hire is cheap and universal, including at most stations through the OV-fiets scheme. Use the bike lanes, signal, do not stop in them, and be aware that Dutch cyclists are fast and unforgiving of tourists who wander.

Driving is easy on excellent roads and pointless in the cities, where parking is deliberately scarce and expensive. Park-and-ride at the edge of any city is the sensible approach.