Getting around in the Netherlands

Congratulations on the big move to the Netherlands! For many, moving internationally is an exciting change. The next challenge will be working out how you and your family can get around in a new country. Check out Crown Relocations’ guide for some helpful tips on getting around when you arrive.

Travelling by train

The train system in the Netherlands is known to be one of the best in Europe. The main railway in the Netherlands is operated by Nederlandse Spoorweegen (NS), which covers the majority of the country. For international travel, there is the Eurostar that connects to Belgium as well as London.

Train tip: Consider buying tickets online instead of at stations, this will likely save you money. Also, remember that you’ll need to check in at the station which will put a time stamp on when you used your card. Failure to do so could result in a fine if you're caught by the train inspector!

The Dutch metro

When it comes to the metro system in the Netherlands, you will find one in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and The Hague. Taking the metro is of course much quicker than taking the bus or the tram and will connect you from the city centre to the suburbs.

Metro tip: Consider investing in an OV Chipkaart if you’ll be frequently using public transport. This is a travel card that you can either add credit to or pay for a monthly pass or season ticket. Just remember to check in and out at the start and end of your journey.

Cycling in the Netherlands

Even if you’ve never travelled to the Netherlands before, you’ll know this is the most common way of travelling around the country. Bikes are one of the easiest, most eco-friendly and affordable ways to travel around the Netherlands. Many of the roads in the country are set up with separate bike lanes, so it’s not as daunting as it may sound or look if you’re not a regular bike user!

Bike tip: If you are not sure whether to make the commitment just yet there is the option of bike hiring services. When you are ready to take to the roads with your bike be sure to keep as far to the right as possible in the bike lanes, stop at red lights and be on the lookout for trams! When you encounter tram lines, be sure to cross them diagonally or horizontally so as to avoid your wheel(s) getting stuck in the tracks.

Driving in the Netherlands

With a well-maintained road network, it’s easy to see the appeal of driving in the Netherlands.

Car tip: If you are planning on importing your car over, you should be aware of the limits of driving with a foreign license. If your driving license was issued in an EU / EFTA country, you can continue using your foreign license for 15 years. However, if your license was issued in a country outside an EU / EFTA country, you can only use your license for 185 days after you first register at your local municipality in the Netherlands.

Now you know the transport methods available, what do you think you’ll be using to get around? If you need any help settling into the Netherlands, or you need some advice about how to get started over here, check out Crown Relocations. They have handy guides to countries all over the world, and their experienced team are on hand to offer you personalised advice for every stage of your move.