There are several ways of transportation in the Netherlands. We discuss options other than private cars.
Bicycle
A Bicycle is a typical Dutch mode of transportation. You can buy a bike, or rent one.
- Secondhand bicycle: € 50 – 150
- New bicycle: € 200+ (Electric bikes are way more expensive, ranging from € 600 - €10.000)
- Bicycle membership (Swapfiets): € 20 per month
Public transport
Public transport can be very expensive in the Netherlands, therefore please check with your employer if your travel expenses are covered. It may be advisable to take out a discount subscription. For example, the NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) offers different types of season tickets such as free travel during off-peak hours or unlimited travel (on a fixed route). Visit their website for more information.
For any form of public transportation (tram, train, bus, metro), you can pay by various methods:
- OV-Chipkaart (smart-card that can be used for all public transport). You pay a one-time fee of €7,50 to have the card made and it stays valid for five years.
- OVpay: payment system that allows you to pay for local public transport directly with your credit or debit card.
Please note that if you are a PhD candidate in the Netherlands, you are not considered a regular student for most services. This means that common student discounts on subscriptions, public transport or other student offers generally do not apply to PhD candidates.