The Netherlands
There is a lot of public transport in the Netherlands. It is represented by trains, buses, trams, metro, ferries. In one of the cities there are trolleybuses.
Until recently, the only travel document was the OV-chip Smart card. All tickets and passes for all types of transport were loaded onto the card.
Note that there are several hundred different public transport passes in the Netherlands! We counted! Today, the OV-chip card system continues to operate successfully. Passes and discounts are loaded onto this card and onto the mobile applications of transport companies.
Innovations have appeared for paying for a one-time trip on any public transport. Now, to pay, you just need to have any contactless bank or wallet payment card. If the bank card is connected to your mobile phone, then a charged mobile phone is enough to pay for the trip. You check in before boarding and check out when leaving the transport. And so on throughout the country. For your convenience, we have published many links, company websites and applications, as well as transport route maps.
Train
Using this button, you can see a detailed map of the railway connection in the Netherlands. The map is also good because it illustrates possible train destinations abroad.
We publish for you links to applications of the main Dutch Railway company NS. If you are interested in purchasing a ticket for a trip around the Netherlands, then you use the NS application. If you are interested in a ticket outside the Netherlands in any direction, you use the NS International application.
It is very useful for traveling to create your own account on the NS website. For your convenience, you can connect this account with your applications, tickets, season tickets, discounts and many other opportunities.
Payment for travel by train
You can buy a Single Ticket for a trip
The single-use chipkaart
- Paper ticket that contains an electronic chip.
- Available at NS Ticket Machines, NS Tickets & Service shop and OV-service Tickets Shop.
- Valid on all rail carriers
- No need to top up your balance; simply check in and out.
- For most products you pay the full rate + a supplement of € 1 per single-use chipkaart.
- No supplement required for the Railrunner, Fietskaart Dal, ICE supplement one-way, Euregioticket and Intercity direct supplements.
- Only valid for the date of purchase, unless you are travelling to Germany, Belgium or Luxembourg.
As we have already said, all public transport passes in the Netherlands are loaded onto an OV-chipkaart.
The exception is loading passes for mobile applications of transport companies.
Only a personalized yellow OV-chipkaart is suitable for transport passes.
An unpersonalized OV-chipkaart is also suitable for paying for individual trips. In case of its use, the unpersonalized OV-chipkaart must be topped up with money. At least 20 EUR. This minimum amount on this card will allow you to pass through the turnstile at the station. If there is no turnstile at the station, it is important check-in on the platform.
You can choose between a personal or anonymous OV-chip card, both costing €7.50. The anonymous OV-chip card and the single-use chip card can be purchased at the NS-ticket machine. The personal OV-chip card can only be purchased online at www.ov-chipkaart.nl; it cannot be purchased directly from NS.
OV-Chip travel smart card
Payment by bank debit, credit card or mobile phone with integrated bank card
You no longer need to purchase a separate ticket. Your bank debit card now has the permanent quality of becoming your train ticket whenever you need it. When you check in using your debit card, you travel in second class with no discount. To travel with a contactless debit, credit card or mobile phone, you do not need to activate anything. At the station, when you check in, you hold the plastic card or mobile phone with the card to the reader-registrar.
That's it. You go to the train. After the journey, when leaving the station, be sure to hold the same card to the reader.
The cost of your trip will be debited from your bank account the next day. The cost of your trip will be debited from your bank account the next day. The payment always has a payment reference that begins with NLOV, followed by 14 numbers and letters.
Enter your debit card details in your ns.nl account at Mijn NS. This gives you immediate access to your travel history and expenses. If you do not have a Mijn NS account, register for Mijn NS or visit your trip overview at OVpay.nl.
If you have any season pass, you need continue to travel using your personal OV chip card.
* You can also continue to use OV-Chip card for other services, such as OV-fiets, bicycle parking or getting a travel discount at a P+R station.
Unlimited travel pass
NS offers various discounts on travel and different tickets for passengers of different ages. There are tariffs for transporting animals and bicycles on trips. On the company's website you will find what interests you most. We will present you travel cards that offer you unlimited travel on all trains in the Netherlands, although depending on the time of day.
NS Flex
Weekend Vrij Price 34.95 EUR per mth
Train journeys:
- Unlimited travel at weekends
- Unlimited travel on public holidays
- 40% Co-travel discount during off-peak hours for up to 3 passengers travelling with you
NS Flex
Dal Vrij Price 119.95 EUR per mth
Train journeys:
- Unlimited travel during off-peak hours
- Unlimited travel at weekends and on public holidays
- 40% Co-travel discount during off-peak hours for up to 3 passengers travelling with you
NS Flex
Altijd Vrij Price 353.80 EUR per mth
Train journeys:
- Unlimited travel during peak hours
- Unlimited travel during off-peak hours
- Unlimited travel at weekends and on public holidays
- 40% Co-travel discount during off-peak hours for up to 3 passengers travelling with you
NS Flex
Traject Vrij Price depending on route
Train journeys:
- Unlimited travel on a fixed route
- 40% discount on other routes during off-peak hours
- 40% discount on other routes at weekends and public holidays
- 40% Co-travel discount during off-peak hours for up to 3 passengers travelling with you
app NS
app NS International
NS is the largest railway company in the Netherlands, but it is not the only one. In the country, passenger transportation on some sections is carried out by Arriva, Syntus, RReisNet company, Keolis Blauwnet.
Arriva
Arriva trains operate in many parts of the Netherlands. They even offer direct connections to Schiphol Airport. All connections are available on the company's website or in the Ariva app.
The Arriva Netherlands app. Plan your trip in real time with all public transport in the Netherlands.
Syntus
The name "Syntus" comes from the word "synergy" (SYNERGY between train and bus), which in this case refers to the interconnected network of bus and rail lines according to the "herringbone" model. The train is the backbone, and the bus ensures the arrival and departure of train passengers.
app SyntusFlex
Metro
There are currently three rapid transit systems in the Netherlands.
- The Amsterdam Metro
- The Rotterdam Metro
- The E RandstadRail line
The Amsterdam Metro, serving Amsterdam, Diemen and Ouder-
Amstel.Amsterdam Metrohas 5 lines and 39 stations.
4 of the 5 lines go through or end at Amsterdam Central Station.
The transport company that runs Amsterdam's public transport is called GVB. Part of it is the underground metro system. Other parts are trams, buses and ferries. GVB tickets are integrated and can be used for all of these types of public transport.
It is possible to transport bicycles on the Amsterdam Metro, but only outside of rush hours. Rush hours are Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 09:00 and from 16:00 to 18:30. You will need to buy a ticket for your bicycle. For nighttime travel, you can use Amsterdam night buses.
The GVB app is for travelling on trams, (night) buses, metro and ferries in Amsterdam and other parts of the Netherlands. It is your travel companion. Plan your trips around the city, to Schiphol Airport, etc. With this app you will always have the latest departure times at hand. In the app you can buy a ticket with a barcode for immediate travel.
Fixed time public transport tickets. Prices:
- Child 0-4 - free
- 1 hour 3,40 EUR
- 24 hours 9 EUR
- 24 hours (child 4-11) 4,50 EUR
- 2 days – 48 hours 15 EUR
- 3 days – 72 hours 21 EUR
- 4 days – 96 hours 26,50 EUR
- 5 days – 120 hours 33 EUR
- 6 days – 144 hours 37,50 EUR
- 7 days – 168 hours 41 EUR
The Rotterdam Metro, serving Rotterdam, Schiedam, Spijkenisse, Albrandswaard and Kapelle aan den IJssel.
The day ticket for the province of South Holland is popular. 1 day of unlimited travel on buses, trams and metro lines of Arriva, Connexxion, HTM, HTMbuzz, RET, Veolia and water buses in the province of South Holland.
- The tourist day ticket is valid on the day of first check-in.
- The tourist day ticket is not a 24-hour ticket. If you check-in at 11:00, you can travel until the last bus, tram, metro and water bus of the day. You cannot use it for travel between 11:00 on the first day and 11:00 the following morning.
- The ticket is a single-use chip card for public transport.
You must check in when you board and check out when you exit, as well as when changing trains. You cannot use the tourist day ticket on the train, the Driehoeksveer ferry, the public bus service, the night bus, the public taxi and the bus route 195/295.
This ticket can be purchased on the website www.touristdayticket.nl. On the website you can find a list of places where you can buy a ticket, which costs 15.50 EUR.
You can pay for your ride using:
a mobile app for contactless payment,
Apple Pay or Google Wallet,
Maestro, V PAY, Mastercard or Visa debit card
app Metro RET
Using the RET app, you can easily buy a mobile ticket for bus, tram and metro operated by RET using your phone. Ideal if you don't have your wallet with you or when there's no vending machine around. You can use the barcode to check in and out of the bus, tram and metro. View the fares on the product and pricing page.
To do this, check in when entering the transport, and check out when exiting the transport. Check-out is mandatory to avoid overpaying for the ride!
The E RandstadRail line, serving Rotterdam, The Hague and the suburbs in between, runs partly on the Rotterdam Metro and partly together with tram lines 3 and 4.Line The RET app is suitable for planning trip and buying tickets on this metro line.
The RandstadRail network consists of four routes: one metro line (E) between The Hague and Rotterdam and three tram lines (3, 4 and 34) between The Hague and Zoetermeer.
Bus
Both regional and urban public bus transport operates throughout the Netherlands. Due to the extensive rail network, long-distance buses are limited to a few interchanges where there are no rail connections or a significant detour is required. In the Randstad, lines with high frequencies and higher average speeds are designated R-Net.
Operators include Arriva, Connexxion, GVB, Hermes including Breng, HTM, Qbuzz, RET, EBS and Syntus.
Arnhem is the only city that still operates trolleybuses and maintains an extensive network.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment has mandated that all new buses must be emission-free from 2025.
Here we have published almost all links about the bus companies of the Netherlands. Together they offer a huge number of different tickets and passes depending on the region. See the location of the vehicle in real time and plan your trip quickly and easily.
Bus in Groningen, Drenthe
Keolis Nederland - AllGo, Blauwnet, RRReis, SyntusFlex - provides public transport in Almere, Utrecht and on the Amersfoort Central - Ede-Wageningen, Zwolle-Enschede and Zwolle-Kampen railway routes.
Bus services in many cities and towns in the Netherlands
Connexxion: 50 Bus ticket options all over the Netherlands
Rotterdam and Region
Den Haag and Region
The GVB app for travelling by tram, (night) bus, metro and ferry in Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands. Your indispensable travel buddy for frequent travellers or for just a visit. Quickly and easily plan your trip from home to work, a restaurant or the theatre or from Schiphol to your hotel or B&B. Check whether there is a diversion or delay on your route. You always have your favourite line’s up-to-date departure times at your fingertips. And now it’s also possible to purchase a barcode ticket for immediate travel.
Price 13,50 EUR per month
The more you travel with EBS, the greater the discount you get.
- Up to 99% off your bus fare
- Easy on your mobile
- A product for continuous travel
- Valid on all EBS buses in the region
Tram
Nederlandse steden met een stadstrambedrijf:
- Amsterdam - GVB Amsterdamse tram)
- Rotterdam - RET Rotterdamse tram)
- Den Haag - HTM Haagse tram)
- Utrecht - U-OV trams in Utrecht)
- Amsterdam tram network , serving Amsterdam, Diemen, Amstelveen
- Rotterdam tram network, serving Rotterdam, Schiedam, Vlaardingen, Barendrecht
- The Hague tram network, serving The Hague, Rijswijk, Leidschendam-Voorburg, Delft, Nootdorp, Wateringen
There are also two light rail networks in the Netherlands.
Utrecht sneltram, operated by U-OV - Qbuzz, with lines connecting Utrecht Centraal railway station to Nieuwegein, IJsselstein and Uithof.
RandstadRail lines 3 and 4, serving The Hague, Zoetermeer and the suburbs in between, running partially on the lines of the Hague tram network and partially shared with metro line E.
Lijnen met een sneltrambedrijf:
- A Binnenhof – Capelsebrug en Schiedam Centrum – Vlaardingen West
- B De Tochten – Capelsebrug en Schiedam Centrum – Hoek van Holland Strand
- E Rotterdam Melanchthonweg – Den Haag Centraal
- 3 Zoetermeer Centrum-West – Den Haag Centraal
- 4 Lansingerland-Zoetermeer – Den Haag Centraal
- 11 Den Haag HS – Scheveningen Haven (Eerste sneltram van Nederland destijds, geopend in 1927)
- 20 Utrecht Centraal – Nieuwegein-Zuid
- 21 Utrecht Centraal – IJsselstein-Zuid
- 22 Utrecht Centraal – P+R Science Park
- 25 Station Amsterdam Zuid – Uithoorn Centrum
- 34 Lansingerland-Zoetermeer – Den Haag Centraal
Museumtramlijnen:
- Amsterdam – Amstelveen Electric Museum Tram Line Amsterdam)
- Rotterdam (Tram 10)
- Den Haag (The Hague Public Transport Museum/Tourist Tram)
- Arnhem (Tram line Dutch Open Air Museum)
- Katwijk (SKL)
- Ouddorp (RTM)
RegioTram Groningen
OV - PAY / OV-chip card
OV-pay app is the way of checking in and out in public transport. This is the app that goes with it, offering you an overview of all your trips.
Those who do not actively use the application use the Ov-chip card. This is a necessary smart card for paying for travel on public transport. There are 3 options of smartcard:
Single use OV-chipcard type
- Not possible to reload credit
- Can be bought at machines at metro stations and at central station kiosk
Anonymous OV-chipcard type
-
Can be reloaded with credit
-
Can be used by more than one person (not at the same time)
-
can be bought at machines at metro stations and at central station kiosk
-
The card itself costs €7,50 plus the loaded credit
- This is a blue card.
Personal OV-chipcard type
- Can be reloaded automatically from your bank account
- Can be used only by one person
- Can be used for season passes and discounts
- Needs to be ordered online on ov-chipkaart.nl
- This is a yellow card.
How to use the OV-chipcard
- You must check-in and check-out at every ride by placing the card next to a card reader.
- If you transfer from one vehicle to other, you must check-out and then check-in.
- You must have at least €4 on the card to be eligible to travel.
- If you forget to check out the maximum fee of €4 will be deducted from your card.
- It is possible to use the OV-chipcard for travel on NS - Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch Railways) trains. The minimum credit must be €20.
Where to get OV-chipcard
The single use and anonymous Amsterdam public transport chipcard ca be bought at machines at metro stations and at central station kiosk.
The personal Amsterdam public transport chipcard must be ordered online from the public transport authority on their website.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam: City & Region Travel Ticket
Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket. This convenient multi-use ticket offers unlimited travel on public transport: bus, tram, train and metro. You can buy your ticket online or at the I amsterdam Store and at selected transport ticket offices.
The card is available for purchase online or at the I amsterdam Store at Amsterdam Central Station, selected hotels and campsites and ticket counters of the participating public transport companies, including:
- GVB Tickets & Info: Amsterdam Central Station (Stationsplein), Bijlmer ArenA Station, Noord Station & Zuid Station
- EBS Tickets & Info: Amsterdam Central Station (IJ River side), Purmerend Tramplein, Edam bus station
- Connexxion Tickets & Info: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Schiphol Plaza)
- Tickets are valid for 1, 2 or 3 calendar days. A day in this context begins at 00:00 and ends the next day at 04:00.
- You must check in and out with your card whenever you enter and exit a bus, tram, train or metro. Your ticket is activated from the first check-in.
- Tickets are valid on all metro, tram and bus lines operated by GVB, Connexxion, AllGo and EBS, including night buses.
- While the flowers bloom between March and May, you can use the ticket to travel from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Keukenhof Gardens (Arriva bus 858).
- Tickets are also valid on NS trains in the Amsterdam Area.
TICKET PRICES
- 1 day - €21,-
- 2 days - €31,50
- 3 days - €40,50
Amsterdam GoCity Pass
A good deal that includes many Amsterdam attractions and transport to them. Inside and outside of the city. The good thing of this pass is that you do not have to pick up a physical card from their office. You can just show the code from smartphone or paper when visiting an attraction. The code will come to your e-mail after purchase.
All-inclusive pass:
Time based version. Visit many attractions during validity time of the pass.
- 1 day - Adult 51€ / Child (3-12) 21€
- 2 day - Adult 69€ / Child (3-12) 36€
- 3 day - Adult 84€ / Child (3-12) 49€
- 5 day - Adult 99€ / Child (3-12) 64€
Explorer pass:
Visit count version. Counts visits during 60 days.
- 3 visits - Adult 43€ / Child (3-12) 17€
- 4 visits - Adult 56€ / Child (3-12) 23€
- 5 visits - Adult 68€ / Child (3-12) 28€
- 6 visits - Adult 79€ / Child (3-12) 34€
- 7 visits - Adult 89€ / Child (3-12) 39€
Choices of attractions, museums, transport and tours
I Amsterdam City Card
"I amsterdam city card" versions:
24 hours: €65
48 hours: €90
72 hours: €110
96 hours: €125
120 hours: €135
Gives you free access to many Amsterdam museums and tourist attractions, also the use of Amsterdam public transport. Added is a canal cruise and some other benefits.
Dutch Countryside Card
- Public transport in the Amsterdam region (train (2nd class), tram, metro, bus and ferry). Including Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Zaanse Schans, Volendam, Keukenhof, Zandvoort and many more highlights
- 1-hour canal cruise in Amsterdam
- Audio guide in Amsterdam with walking route
- 10% discount on all top attractions and museums in Amsterdam and the Dutch Countryside
With the Dutch Countryside Card you can visit the countryside around Amsterdam. With this tourist card you can travel for 2 or 3 days free on all public transport in the region around Amsterdam. You also get a free cruise on the Amsterdam canals, an audio tour with walking routes and a 10% discount on attractions, museums and excursions in Amsterdam.
Ferry in Amsterdam
Ferries are fast, simple and easy to use. Ferries across the IJ are free – you don’t need to buy a ticket before boarding. Digital countdown boards will tell you when the next ferry is due to arrive. Just board the ferry as you move forward.
It takes less than 5 minutes to get from Amsterdam Central Station to Buiksloterweg along a scenic road. The ferry is FREE and operates 24 hours a day. Just follow the sign for the IJ ferry. The ferry offers several destinations.
The main terminal
is at the rear of Amsterdam Centraal and from here you can take separate ferries to Buiksloterweg, IJplein, Ponsteiger and NDSM. There are additional ferry crossings from Ponsteiger to Distelweg and Azartplein to Zamenhofstraat.
Den Haag
The many modes of public transport make getting around The Hague easy and convenient. There are over 30 tram lines, over 60 bus lines and several train stations that connect you to the rest of the Netherlands. Platform 9292 - a door-to-door trip planner - will create a route for you in real time.
You can pay for ride using a mobile app for contactless payment, Apple Pay or Google Wallet,
debit or credit card, OV-chip card.
We publish links to the apps of the transport companies operating on The Hague Day. Each offers its own set of fares and passes. HTM, Ariva, Connexxion, EBS operate in the Hague region.
HTM is the main operator of buses, trams and the metro-RandstadRail in The Hague.
When traveling by public transport, it is important that your OV-chip card is topped up with the required minimum amount of money before the trip. Be sure to hold the card to the readers at the beginning and end of each trip. Failure to do so when boarding a vehicle may mean that you are travelling without a ticket. If you check in at the beginning of your journey and forget to check out at the end of your journey, your OB card or bank card may be charged more than the required amount for the journey. If this happens, you can contact the company and get part of the money back, providing proof of where you actually got off. A bank payment card is accepted for payment of the journey.
HTM
Within one app you can now manage your entire public transport journey, from door to door.
- Plan your journey and get updates in case of disruptions
- Buy digital tickets
- Discover shared transport in the region
- Get in touch with our customer service
With the Regio abonnement, you travel unlimited by public transport in an area of your choice.
You need this map to determine the price of the ticket that suits you. Don't be confused by the abundance of numbers on this map. They will come in handy when you need to buy a ticket, indicating the start and finish zone on the ticket.
So, determine where your journey begins. Determine your destination. See how many zones your route passes through. If the route passes within one or two zones, then you need a ticket for zones 1-2. If the route passes through several zones, for example, through 5 zones, then you need a ticket at the price for zones 5-6, etc.
* Please note that if you choose a multi-zone pass, it is valid from your start zone to all nearby zones in a 360 degree direction.
This cards gives you unlimited travel all day on HTM trams and buses:
- 2-hour ticket 4,50 EUR
- HTM day ticket 8 EUR
- HTM 3 day ticket 20 EUR
- Subscription for elderly people from Haagse Ooievaarspas 0,00 EUR
- Subscriptions for young people - 12 and 17 years old - The Hague with a Ooievaarspas 0,00 EUR
- Subscription for the elderly of Rijswijk with an Ooievaarspas 0,00 EUR
Traveling by train
Painted in bright blue and yellow, NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen - Dutch Railways) is the Dutch railway company. With a train network spanning the entire country, travelling by train is a great way to get around the Netherlands.
Utrecht
Utrecht City, Bunnik, De Bilt, Houten, IJsselstein, Nieuwegein, Stichtse Vecht, Vianen, Zeist and Vijfheerenlanden.
U-OV ticket
You can pay for a one-time trip in two ways, namely: by check in OV travel card or by registering your debit or credit card at the entrance and exit of the bus or tram.
The U-OV ticket can be purchased at U-OV ticket machines in Utrecht, at tram stops.
The U-OV ticket is valid on U-OV buses and trams and Syntus Utrecht buses.
1-2 zones
The ticket is valid for 60 minutes. During this time, you can change. Price 3.10 EUR
3-4 zones
The ticket is valid for 90 minutes. During this time, you can change. Price 4.80 EUR
5-6 zones
The ticket is valid for 120 minutes. During this time, you can change. Price 7.10 EUR
7 zones and more
The ticket is valid for 150 minutes. During this time, you can change. Price 8.05 EUR
Based on the number of unique zones your route passes through, you will know which ticket you need to buy.
You need this map to determine the cost of your ticket, which is right for you. Don't be confused by the abundance of numbers on this map. They will come in handy when you need to buy a ticket, indicating your start and finish zone on the ticket.
So, determine where your journey begins. Determine your destination. Look at how many zones your route passes through. If the route is within one or two zones, then you need a ticket for zones 1-2. If the route passes through several zones, for example, through 5 zones, then you need a ticket at the price for zones 5-6, etc.
Passes and discounts in the Utrecht region
U-OV Star subscription
Free travel on all U-OV and Syntus buses and trams in the chosen zone area
Unlimited travel in an area of your choice
Also valid at Syntus Utrecht
Prices starting from 37.95 EUR per month
U-OV Gemak Utrecht Region
Free travel with all U-OV buses and trams and NS trains in the Utrecht region.
Most flexible Travel by bus, tram and train in the Utrecht region
Prices starting from 103,80 EUR per month
U-OV Gemak Utrecht Stad
Free travel with all buses and trams of U-OV and the trains of NS in the city of Utrecht.
Perfect for traveling within the city. Travel by bus, tram and train in the city of Utrecht.
Prices starting from 70,80 EUR per month
Netabonnement / Neta subscription
Free travel on all buses, trams and metros throughout the Netherlands.
Valid throughout the Netherlands
Attractive for long distances
Prices starting from 221.40 per month
U-OV Dal Voordeel
40% discount on balance travel in all buses and trams of U-OV and Syntus in the province of Utrecht.
40% discount during off-peak hours
Also valid at Syntus Utrecht
Extra discount for travelers with age discount
Prices starting from 9,99 EUR per year
U-OV Dal Vrij
Free travel on all U-OV buses and trams during off-peak hours and all day on weekends.
Free travel during off-peak hours. Free travel on weekends
Price 461,10 per year
Always Discount
Always 20% discount (40% for young people) on balance trips by bus, tram or metro throughout the Netherlands. Discount on the entire fare. Also valid during rush hour. Prices starting from 21.55 per month
The most popular app for planning trips in the Netherlands
Map of bus routes in the Utrecht Region
Rotterdam
Rotterdam has an excellent public transport system, provided by the RET.
You can get all over the city by bus, tram and metro. To travel on any of these types of public transport, you only need the RET app.
Metro
Rotterdam has 5 metro lines (A-E) that will take you where you need to go quickly and reliably, and the E line goes all the way to The Hague! Most of them run from 5:00 to 0:15. On Sundays, from 07:30 to 00:15.
Bus
The RET bus network offers many routes and stops in and around the city center of Rotterdam. Rotterdam's night bus, the BOB bus, offers transport on 13 routes through the city center and the suburbs. It runs on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Tram
There are many tram lines, and most of them go through Rotterdam Central Station (7, 8, 21, 23, 24, 25). They usually run from 5:00 to 0:30. On Sundays, they start running from 7:00 am. There is also a historic tram (line 10) that runs for a few months of the year as a tourist attraction.
Any ticket or pass purchased in the transport system RET can be used for travel on the metro, bus, and tram.
You can pay for your ride using:
- a mobile app for contactless payment,
- Apple Pay or Google Wallet,
- a Maestro, V PAY, Mastercard or Visa debit card.
To do this, check in when entering the transport, and check out when exiting the transport. Check-out is mandatory to avoid overpaying for the ride!
Water bus in Rotterdam and surroundings
Pay for trip by Apple Pay, Google Pay, debit, credit cards, apps and OV-chip card.
The Blue Amigo Water Bus is the main daily fast ferry in the Rotterdam-Dordrecht area. In the center of Rotterdam there is a stop next to the Spido excursion boats at the Erasmus Bridge. The Water Bus runs between Rotterdam and Dordrecht (line 20). There is also a direct boat connection between Rotterdam and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kinderdijk (line 21).
Water Taxi
In the immediate vicinity of Rotterdam you can also cross the Maas River by ferry. The ferry from Maassluis and Rozenburg departs every 20 minutes. During rush hour the ferry departs every 10 minutes.
On the water at 50 km/h with a water taxi! And with 50 stops in the capital Rotterdam, sometimes it’s actually the easiest way to get from A to B. The Watertaxi fleet has 5 eight-seater and 5 twelve-seater boats with stops all over the city of Rotterdam and Schiedam. The area is divided into three zones and you pay a fixed price per person. Longer distance trips or excursions can be arranged on request.
Water taxi Ferry Services also provides ferry services for pedestrians and cyclists:
- In the West zone between RDM/Heijplaat and Marconistraat/M4H
- In the Centrum/Centre zone between Charloisse Hoofd and Katendrechtse Hoofd
- In the Oost/East zone between Plantagelaan and Piekstraat.
Watertaxi Rotterdam provides all public transport by water in Rotterdam and Schiedam.
Watertaxi Rotterdam carries you quickly and comfortably to 50 stops in Rotterdam and Schiedam. Prices start at € 4.50. Plan and book your journey with this app.
International Ferry
Shipping companies operating sea passenger transport services to the Netherlands.
Stena Line is one of the largest ferry companies in the world, based in Gothenburg, Sweden. The company operates 17 routes between the Netherlands and Great Britain, as well as on the Irish Sea and the Baltic Sea between Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Poland and Latvia.
P&O Ferries is a British shipping company based in Dover. The company operates ferry routes between Great Britain, France, Ireland, Holland and Belgium. With a fleet of 20 ships, it carries nearly nine million passengers each year.
DFDS is a Danish shipping company based in Copenhagen and a subsidiary of the Danish logistics group DFDS. Founded in 1866, the company operates numerous ferry routes in the North Sea and Baltic Sea, primarily to Scandinavia and Great Britain, as well as to the Baltic States.
The German shipping company AG Ems, based in Emden, operates ferry services from Emden and Eemshaven to the North Sea island of Borkum. Modern car ferries and a high-tech catamaran are used to transport passengers, motor vehicles and cargo. In addition, the shipping company offers various excursion trips during the summer months, such as trips across the Ems to Borkum, island tours and trips to the seal banks.
Ferries from the Netherlands to England
There are three direct ferry connections from Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Hoek van Holland.
The Danish shipping company DFDS operates a sea route from Amsterdam to Newcastle. There are 7 sailings per week.
P&O Ferries operates between Rotterdam and Hull with 7 sailings per week.
Hook of Holland ferry port in Holland connects with Harwich in England with a choice of up to 14 ferry crossings per week. The crossing is operated by Stena Line.
Ferry connections: The Netherlands - Germany
Ferry connections: The Netherlands - Norway
Since 2022, there has also been a ferry connection from Eemshaven to Kristiansand in Norway (exceptionally from Emden or Cuxhaven in Germany in 2023).
The port of Eemshaven connects the Netherlands with Germany. The Eemshaven - Borkum route is offered up to 4 times a day by the AG EMS shipping company. The journey takes around 50 minutes.
Borkum Island
The North Sea island of Borkum is a popular holiday destination with a maritime tradition and one of the East Frisian Islands. It can be reached from mainland Germany via Emden and from the Netherlands via Eemshaven by ferry. Borkum has been a town in the Leer district since the mid-1950s and is located in the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island is a state-recognized North Sea resort with around 5,000 residents and many visitors, especially in the summer months.
Ferry Eemshaven to Kristiansand
The Eemshaven to Kristiansand ferry route connects Holland with Norway. Currently, only one ferry company operates this ferry service, Holland Norway Lines. Ferries operate up to 3 times a week and the sailing time is approximately 18 hours.
The duration and frequency of the Eemshaven to Kristiansand sailing can vary depending on the season, so we recommend that you check the live information to get the most up-to-date information.
Eemshaven Travel Guide
Eemshaven is a seaport located in the Groningen region along the northern coast of Holland. This major port connects the Netherlands with Norway, with a direct ferry service to Kristiansand across the North Sea. There are many tourist attractions here, including the Strand Paviljoen Delfzijl. Also here is the Nordkapp, a long walking path with incredible views of the Wadden Sea.
Stena Line routs with Eurail Pass and Global Pass
- Travel between Great Britain, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Poland, and Latvia.
- Save a travel day on your Pass when traveling with Stena Line. This benefit can be used with a valid Pass even if your travel days are over.
- Get up to 30% discount valid on Economy, Flexi and Premium passenger fares for both 1st and 2nd class Pass holders.
- To make your travel more comfortable, you can add cabins, meals, vehicles, and other extras separately.
- Traverse the Irish sea, Baltic sea, or North Sea with stunning sea views from the sun deck or panoramic ferry windows.
