Trains and buses in the Netherlands and Belgium

Posted by Nickelini (Vancouver, BC) on 06/24/22 02:15 AM

I'm looking at flexible travel in the Netherlands for 2 weeks in late August-early September for myself and my 22 year old daughter. When I was in my 20s I had a 2-month Eurail Pass and it was great. Recently I've done a similar thing in Switzerland. Reading through comments here, and going to the Eurail Pass website (which gave me very little information), I'm seeing that the Eurail Pass isn't like "the good old days" and not worth it.

I love the flexibility of jumping on a train or bus without having to buy a ticket every single time. Does something like that exist?

Posted by Jazz+Travels

Chicago

06/24/22 02:38 AM

8164 posts

Well everyone has smart phones nowadays compared to when you were in your 20; and if you can afford the cost of using data internationally you can just download an app for Dutch and Belgian rail and book tickets quickly on the go that way. You still have to take time to figure out where you are going so you don't waste time hoping on the wrong train; not many can or find it unwise do things like they did in their youth. moreover, Dutch and Belgian owned trains do not require a seat reservation; It is only the private companies Thalys and Eurostar that run high speed trains between Amsterdam and Brussels that require a seat reservation if you have a Eurail Benelux pass. Just avoid those if you don't want to have to make a seat reservation if you can figure out how the Eurail passes work.
Oh yeah I forgot there is a one day Holland travel ticket (good on all public transportation) where you can just hop on also https://www.ns.nl/producten/en/onbeperkt-reizen/p/holland-travel-ticket

Posted by Nickelini OP

Vancouver, BC

06/24/22 03:39 AM

381 posts

That might be a solution . . . that's what my daughter who lives in Switzerland does. I've only ever relied on Wifi in Europe, but I'll look into that.

Posted by Dutch_traveler

The Netherlands

06/24/22 05:56 AM

1587 posts

For public transport in the Netherlands you can buy an OV chipkaart. This is an electronic purse in the form of a credit card shaped card. You load money onto the card and then you can use it to pay for all your public transport throughout the entire country.
If you followed the advice you were given earlier on this forum, your daughter has enquired with the university if she qualifies for a so-called “student OV-chipcard”. This card, paid for buy the Dutch government, lets her travel for free either during the week or during the weekend. If she doesn’t qualify, she will still need an OV chipkaart to pay for public transport during her time here. So no matter what, your daughter should learn about the OVchipkaart and how to use it.

Posted by Nickelini OP

Vancouver, BC

06/27/22 01:43 AM

381 posts

Oh, great info, DutchTraveler - That is exactly what I need to know

Sorry if I seem a bit scatterbrained. I'm planning this trip in between moving house in the first time in 26 years, so most of my brain cells are focused on that ("eek, I don't have time to plan a trip! Can I just show up at the airport?" Sadly, those days are over). Thank you for your helpful and patient answers.