Amsterdam how to save on train/bus fare?

You might consider getting an anonymous OV ChipKaart. Cost is 8.50 EUR plus however much money you want to load on it. It will save you 1 EUR on each journey, as otherwise you have to pay an extra 1 EUR for a paper ticket. So that saves 1 EUR on the connexxion bus to Haarlem and 1 EUR for each oneway trip to Amsterdam and back. It also saves time since you do not have to stop at a ticket machine and buy a ticket. Just scan it to open the turnstile to the platform and scan it when you exit you destination station. Automatically deducts the cost from the amount loaded on the card. One way fare Haarlem to Amsterdaam Centraal is 4.90 EUR. Buy a paper ticket and the cost is 5.90 EUR.

The card for tourists is called "anonymous OV-chipkaart" and costs €7.50 to buy just the card, then you add funds to it to use on transport. When I was researching last year I believe you had to keep a minimum balance of €20 on the card to ride the trains. I used the trains there quite a bit and just found it simpler to buy at the machines at the time I needed. Plus, I didn't want to have to take time to get a refund on funds left on the card before I left.

https://www.ns.nl/en/travel-information/traveling-with-the-ov-chipkaart/different-ov-chipkaart-variants-ns-business-card.html

So with the OV Chipkaart needing a 20€ minimum for train travel, would it be best to put 40€ initally as we will be taking the train into Amsterdam on two days for sure?

I read something about a refund for any balance on the chipkaart. Where is that done?

Thanks

There is no longer a need to get an OVchipcard. You can now use your debit or credit card to tap in and out. You pay the same fare as you would when using an OVchipcard, but you don’t have all the hassle of a minimum balance, leftover balance etc. etc.

So just forget about the OVchipcard and use your debit or credit card instead. See here for more information; https://ovpay.nl/en

Thanks! Seems simple enough to use our chip credit card. :)

Purchase a Travel Pass: If you plan on using public transportation frequently, consider buying a travel pass. The Amsterdam Travel Ticket or the OV-chipkaart offer unlimited travel on buses, trams, and metros for a set period of time.

If you tap in make sure you always tap out, if you forget the fee I believe is 20e.
I am going to purchase the 3 day travel card for Regional Amsterdam which will include Haarlem, Amsterdam, Keukenhof, beaches includes trains, trams, busses. Finishing my research now but I believe I can get it in Schiphol.

“ the OV-chipkaart offer unlimited travel on buses, trams, and metros for a set period of time.”

This is totally incorrect and false information. The OV-chipcard does NOT offer unlimited travel on public transport. The OVchipcard is a card that you need to load money on. However as I already explained above, the OVchipkaart has become somewhat redundant now that you can use your debit or credit card to tap in and out.

This is good information, especially in light of the need to maintain a 20 EUR balance on an OV Chipkaart to ride the trains. Refund is to your bank, which is awkward if you do not have a European bank account.

“Refund is to your bank, which is awkward if you do not have a European bank account.”

I’m sorry, but this too isn’t correct. If you have a valid OVchipkaart with a balance lower than €30, you can go to a staffed NS-desk and have the balance paid out in cash. You can do this for instance at the NS-desk at Schiphol Airport.

Dutch Traveler is correct. We took our OV-chipkaarts to the NS Office at Amsterdam Central and paid a small refund fee on each of our cards and got the remaining balance in Cash(Euros) plus we got to keep the physical cards (For next time you visit- said the clerk)

Hmmm....3 day travel card for regional Amsterdam, good on busses, trains & trams?!

Does this card have a name??

It's just called the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket-

https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/tickets/amsterdam-region-travel-ticket

Arrivals hall 2 in Schiphol may have a I Amsterdam location, says open 7-2200 daily. Also says there is something in from of the train station in the airport too. I hope this is the case since this will be my first international trip since Covid, when it seems like some thing have changed. If I have to I’ll train it into Amsterdam Central Station and find the main office there. I find I’m needed to do a lot of digging for information. I too have an expired anonymous OV chip card and will attempt to get a cash refund.

Thanks, everyone for being so helpful!

You need to do the math first to see whether or not the Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket works out for you. If you use your debit or credit card to tap in and out, your daily train trip from Amsterdam to Haarlem and back will only cost you €9,80. The city center of Amsterdam is very compact and walkable, so you might not even need other public transport.

Also you don’t need to go to a counter or desk to buy the ARTT. You can also buy it at various ticket machines at Schiphol. Both the yellow NS ticket machines and the grey ticket machines sell the ARTT. These machines can be found at Schiphol Plaza, which is the area right above from where the trains depart. But there are also ticket machines in the bagage claim area. So while you wait for your luggage to arrive, you can already buy your public transport tickets.

Great suggestion on buying the ARTT card while waiting for our luggage!

We are toying with taking a day and going to Kinderdijk. I assume that since it is out on the “region”, this card couldn’t be used, correct?

Yes Kinderdijk is well out of the region.

Dutch traveler you have been extremely helpful with all your information and links. Spot on thank you. I am planning 3 nights including breakfast in Hoofddorp/Schiphol much less expensive than Amsterdam, good travel links to Amsterdam, Haarlem, Keukenhof plus many other towns on the tulip route. I purchased Keukenhof annual pass so I can go a few days plus the freedom to come and go the same day. The ARTT will be a considerable savings for me. And I can keep my credit card safely tucked away. If you arrive international you must wait for your luggage then walk through the nothing to claim section, once you are in the terminal can purchase your ARTT.

“ Dutch traveler you have been extremely helpful with all your information and links. Spot on thank you“
You’re welcome!

“ If you arrive international you must wait for your luggage then walk through the nothing to claim section, once you are in the terminal can purchase your ARTT.”

As I wrote in my earlier post, there are ticket machines right next to the luggage carrousels. So you don’t have to wait for your luggage before you can buy the ARTT. You can already buy it while you wait for your luggage. You can also buy it in Schiphol Plaza which is the landside area of Schiphol directly above the train station.

Dutch_traveler: thank you very much. I am delighted to hear we can just use our debit or credit card for public transport. When last we were in the Netherlands, 5 years ago, we used TripKey, but it went away.

Thanks again. I'm finding all of your posts very helpful.