when coming to Amsterdam, we are staying in Zaandam and will go to Haarlem.
Also planning a side trip to Bruges. My question: is the train/bus system in the area we are traveling comprehensive? Or do we need to purchase bus tickets separately from the train tickets (ie train from airport to Zaandam/ bus system in Zaandam).
I know we will have to purchase for our Bruges trip separately.
thanks
You can use a OV Chipkaart for nearly all aspects of public transportation --
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/OV-chipkaart
https://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/home-1.htm#/
I used the Chipkarrt for travel around Delft, Amsterdam and Arnhem.
I also found the 9292 journey planner app pretty useful planning transportation across the Netherlands.
You might also want to consider the Tripkey card, which works like an OV-chipkaart but is easier to use for foreigners because it automatically links to your credit card, so you don't have to worry about deposits, refunds, or topping it up. Either card is all you need to ride any bus or train in the Netherlands. For your side-trip to Bruges, the fastest way it to take a Thalys train to Antwerp or Brussels and then a local train from there to Bruges.
Thank you!
Very helpful advice
