How do we buy a voordeelurenabonnement (or can we) from the USA? Can we use it with a US ATM card or credit card to buy tickets once we are in the Netherlands? We read you need a Dutch PIN card to buy it at the train station. (But can't figure out how to open a Dutch bank account and get one in time from here). We want to travel in Netherlands and to Brugge, Belgium; about 5 - 7 days on trains during a trip less than 2 weeks long. Should we get a Benelux rail pass instead? We leave Friday.
We bought a Eurail pass from you 6 months ago for Germany.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9101 posts
You have to purchase them at the ticket counters at any Dutch train station. It costs 55 euros, and you get a 40% discount on most train tickets within Holland, and up to three people traveling with you can also use the discount. Dutch Rail does not accept our magnetic strip credit/debit cards either at the machines or the ticket counters....so all transactions will have to be with cash at the ticket counters.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32219 posts
Bette, As mentioned in the previous reply, unless you have a "Chip & PIN" credit card, you'll need to use cash for ticket purchases. I was there recently and there were signs at each of the ticket windows at Amsterdam Central stating that they ONLY accept "Chip" cards. I saw several people get turned away after standing in a long queue to reach the ticket windows. I'd suggest taking at least two ATM cards, as that will allow a larger amount for daily withdrawals. It will also provide a "backup" in case of any issues with your primary ATM card. Note that travel funds must usually be in a chequing account with a four number PIN. A Railpass may solve part of the problem, but keep in mind that these don't typically cover the compulsory reservation fees required on some trains (usually the fast trains). You would have to pay for reservations separately.
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
A Benelux pass is not worth the money IMO. Remember that rules regarding the <i>voordelurenabonnement</i> changed. Now, discounts are only valid up to 6h30; from 9h to 16h30 and after 19h (essentially, an afternoon peak time was introduced). Dutch ticket machines do not accept credit cards, or regular debit cards (except some at Schiphol airport). My suggestion: buy an anonymous OV Chipkaart, which is a RFID travel card that is now valid in all train travels and also is the ONLY valid way to travel on trams, buses or subways in Amsterdam. Den Haag and Rotterdam.