Getting around | Study in NL

Public transport

The Netherlands is a small country and public transport will take you almost anywhere you want to go. You can check in and out with OVpay, by using your bank card, credit card, or smartphone with NFC chip. You can also buy the OV-pas, a new travel card that you can use for most public transportation. On your online OVpay account, you can top up the balance for your OV-pas and view your past journeys. Travel subscriptions are also available, but you will need the older OV-chipkaart for this (the OV-chipkaart is slowly being phased out for the new OV-pas).

Apart from OVpay and the OV-chipkaart, you can also buy a single ticket at a station's service desk or at a ticket machine.

The Netherlands has a dense railway network that offers frequent service and is the quickest way to travel between city centres.

For public transport travel information, including detailed travel directions, visit the 9292 door-to-door journey planner.

Bikes are everywhere

The bicycle is the cheapest and easiest way to get around, especially if you live in a city. There are special cycling lanes on almost every road and other road users are used to cyclists.

Most Dutch people, regardless of their profession or status, have a bicycle. Buy a second-hand bike rather than a new one to save money. But also be sure to buy at least one strong lock!