commute from hague-amsterdam on 4-day stay?

You could do. Does it make sense to you?

question for those with experience on those trains: how easy is that commute, in the sense that the station in amsterdam is convenient to center, in the sense that the trains usually are on time (i figure they are), and how much would you resent having to spend two hours a day going back and forth?

I would not do it. I like to go back to the hotel during the day to rest or change, leave a purchase, perhaps pick up or off a jacket and the like depending on the weather, etc. If you are sleeping in the Hague and spending the day in Amsterdam then when you leave in the morning you need to bring with you everything you might want (or do without). After a day walking around I like to shower and rest a bit before dinner, which also will be off the table if you plan on eating in Amsterdam. There is no iron-clad rule that's right for everyone, but if it was me I'd prefer to stay in the city I wanted to visit for 3 days rather than just about an hour away (more than an hour, really, because you need to get to the train station from wherever you end up in Amsterdam, and back to your hotel in The Hague). You can look on google maps to get a sense of distance. It's maybe a 15-30 minute walk to the center area in Amsterdam, or a 10 minute tram ride (take the tram!). The time involved isn't just train time, its getting to the train (at the time it wants to leave, not the time you want to leave), some waiting before it departs unless you like jumping on trains as the doors close, etc. Consider, too, that most sights are open 9-6 or so. Unless you leave 1+ hours earlier each day you'll be trading 10-20% of your sightseeing time for a train ride. All in all I'd say your 2 50-minute rides will cost you about 3.5 hours per day. BTW you'll love The Hague. We did it as a day trip from Amsterdam, very friendly folks at the TI office in town, wonderful museum in town with a few Rembrandts. Then took the inter-city tram to Delft, and train back to Amsterdam (this is in the RS book).

I agree 100% with John's answer. I wouldn't do it, but it is certainly possible. Only you can answer the question of whether you would mind the commute. The trains are frequent, and even run through the night. But spending that much time on a train, each way, each day, would not be how I'd want to use valuable vacation time. If you are based in the Hague, you can easily get to Delft, Rotterdam, and Leiden, which are all worthwhile (while Rick seems to like Delft best, it was actually my least favorite).

Thanks to all. Exactly the reality check that you can only get this way.

To me it would be similar to train from Baltimore to 30th street station in Philadelphia. Takes about an hour then you have to get to sights you want to see and at end of day do the reverse. For one day, it is fine, for two or more, would not, in my opinion.

Den Haag is served by two main train stations and several smaller ones. Which one your hotel is near will determine not only when trains will run but if you have to change and if you have slow or fast trains. Den Haag is actually quite spread out. Amsterdam Centraal is central to some things but not to most. Dutch trains tend to be reliable. Sometimes very crowded, especially in rush hour. A disadvantage of staying remote and commuting is you either go at peak times and perhaps (probably on some) stand rather than sit or you lose a lot of your day waiting until after 9:30 or so.

"Amsterdam Centraal is central to some things but not to most." To elaborate, it's central to the red light district and Jordaan, but not most of the other sites tourists come to see. However, trams run very frequently from the station throughout the rest of the city. If Amsterdam is still too expensive, another option would be Utrecht.

Its probably because I'm not most travelers. I have before now gone to Amsterdam Centraal and not taken a tram. Gone for a cup of coffee (koffie verkeerd) and a pastry; stroll over to the Jordaan; catch a tour boat or museum boat; walk down to the palace; wander over to Nemo; or my my favourite, take a free boat from the back of the station out into the Ij. As I say, I'm not the normal traveler. Sorry.