Going to Netherlands in mid. Sept. and will be in Rotterdam for 5 nights then go to Bruge for two days. Questions as to if I should purchase train ticket now to save money? Which site should I use to buy train ticket if I should buy it in advance? Also, after Bruge, I will be going to Haarlem and not going back to Rotterdam. Should I be buying a one way instead of two way train ticket, since coming back to Netherlands I can stop in Hague then transfer to Haarlem (will be staying there for 3 nights)? I have looked up different site and am trying not to take Thaly train since from reading Rick Steves travel guide it's more expensive, but I don't want to take bus because it is too long. Not sure how to best go about this? I have been looking up train schedule to Bruge and all the transfer to different platform it is around 5-7 min. Is that really enough time? If I do missed the train because of unfamiliar with finding the platform, would I be able to get on anther train in different time or I basically have to buy a new ticket again?
Another big questions are what is the best options for transportation passes since TripKey is no longer available at this time. I also read up other forums and mentioned about OV-chipkarrt. I found that to be confusing and bit more on a expensive side. I know my friend and I will be doing a lot of walking but traveling to different city such as to Delft, Hague, Leiden, and to Amsterdam we would need to take train. Of course, will probably take tram if we are tired of walking.
Thank you in advance for your advice and help!
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
You can buy your tickets Rotterdam-Brugge and Brugge-Haarlem at NS International or Trainline. Both give you a choice of connections, with differences in price and travel time. The Intercity Brussel is the cheapest at EUR 30,00, when bought in advance, and has the additional advantage of being valid for all trains that day.
The OV Chipkaart costs you a non-refundable EUR 7,50 for the card. Usable on all sorts of public transport it is, however, very practical. Keep in mind that you need a minimum balance of EUR 20 to use it on the trains, and not more than EUR 30 at the end of your trip, to be able to get your balance refunded at a railway station.
Added.
It is no problem missing a connection with a domestic train, such as the train to Gent or Brugge at Antwerpen or Brussel. Just take the next one. Your ticket is valid on all trains, and they run frequently. Missing the Thalys or Eurostar is a different story. They come with a compulsory reservation and a cheap discounted ticket is train-specific. Take an earlier train to be sure to get that connection.
Posted by
307 posts
Good advice from others regarding the trains.
However don't discount the use of the Thalys.
Yes you do have a reservation and you are committed to that reserved time, but it is faster and not necessarily more expensive.
Prices vary depending upon the time of day; off-times are less expensive.
the earlier you purchase your ticket, the less expensive it will be.
We used Thalys between Amsterdam and Antwerp this past spring.
We upgraded to first class on the outbound because it was just a few dollars more.
You will have plenty of time to change trains. they run on time and are reliable.
The stations are compact with lots of signage. You should have no problem.
The OV chipkart will work.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you so much for your reply!
Questions about visiting Leiden. If I'm not mistaken Pilgrim museum and Market in Leiden only open on Wed and Sat. We are trying to go visit there right after we landed in Schiphol airport on Sat. I'm wondering if Leiden central station have lockers for large luggages? Not sure how far the Pilgrim museum is from Leiden central station or how far the walk. Also, if you have visited these places how long does it take for visiting museum and going to the market place? Are there any other must see sights in Leiden that you would recommend?
Thank you again.
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
It is a 10 to 15 minutes' walk from the railway station to the Pilgrim Museum (see this zoomable map). From the museum to the market is 15 seconds: the market is on both sides of the Nieuwe Rijn canal.
The best part of Leiden is probably around the Pieterskerk (St Peter's Church), which can be visited, with the nearby Rapenburg the most beautiful canal. An all time favourite is the windmill museum de Valk: a few minutes from the railway station and difficult to overlook.
Leiden Centraal has luggage lockers. I have never used them, so I can't tell about the size of luggage they take.