Trams and Buses in The Hague, Rotterdam, Maastricht

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Trams and Buses in The Hague, Rotterdam, Maastricht

Holland has four types of bus service for travel throughout the country.

• City bus: serves large towns
• Regional bus: covers main cities and their nearby towns
• Express Service: runs in and around the main cities with fewer stops than a regional bus
• Interliner: long distance connection between selected towns (makes very few stops)

Buses and trams run generally from 06:00-00:00 although on Sundays and public holidays, transport services may start a little later. 

Tickets: Strippenkaarten and the OV-chipkaart

The OV-chipkaart or "public transport chip card" will replace ticketing on public transport across the Netherlands. It is a credit card-sized smartcard which allows for electronic payment. Use of it is still in the roll-out phase with Rotterdam and Amsterdam only making use of the new system on all city transport. Until the system is available nationwide, other, traditional forms of ticket are still available and acceptable. 

• For details on the roll-out schedule across the Netherlands: Click here

The OV-chipkaart is a personal, rechargeable smartcard which can be used to pay for for multiple trips on various types of transport. A disposable OV-chipkaart is available for occasional travel. This can either be loaded with a set amount or a travel product, or a card can be bought for a single trip, short-term use or use on specific transport. To use the card, hold it up to the card reader at the entry and exit barriers of transport: the price of a trip is automatically deducted.

The OV-chipkaart website (in English) is comprehensive and explains how to use it - whether for regular or occasional travel.

• For details on where to buy an OV-chipkaart: Click here

Other tickets

Tickets are available from the drivers or can be bought in advance (this is usually cheaper). Ticket strips (strippenkaarten) can be bought at post offices, railway stations, and local shops displaying the strippenkaarten sign in the window and are valid on buses, trams, metros and some rail routes. The Netherlands is divided into zones for bus and tram travel, and crossing one zone will cost one strippen.

• Public transport travel information
  Tel: 0900 9292
• Interliner information
  Tel: 0900 899 8998

Buses and Trams in The Hague

Buses are provided to the The Hague and surrounding areas by Connexxion. 

Trams in The Hague and some of the surrounding areas are run by HTM. This covers the following areas: The Hague, Delft, Rijswijk, Voorburg, Leidschendam, Nootdorp and Wateringen. HTM buses allow small pets to travel free of charge, provided they are in a suitable basket or bag.

Bus and Tram Routes and Tickets

Connexxion routes and rates can be found on the website in English. First select your area by region name and/or postcode. Then click the flag for an English timetable or journey planner.

• To search Connexxion for routes and timtables: Click here 

HTM has an interactive route map Lijnennetkaart, providing an overview of all routes, with street names. The fares can be paid using a strippenkaart. Crossing one zone for bus and tram travel, will cost one strippen. A season ticket is available for the various zones in the region. Annual season tickets are also available and allow twelve months travel for the price of ten. Season tickets can be bought at any time of the year and users will receive a reminder before their ticket expires.

• For information from HTM on the tickets, zones, lost and found and more in English: Click here

• To use the interactive map or plan a route see the Lijnennetkaart: Click here

HTM offices Strippenkaarten and other tickets:

• HTM Klantenservice, Wagenstraat 35 (centre of The Hague)
• HTM Klantenservice, Den Haag Centraal Station
• HTM Klantenservice, Hollands Spoor Station

Buses and Trams in Rotterdam

Public transport in the Rotterdam area is run by RET

• RET
  At: Vasteland 80, 3011 BN Rotterdam
  Tel: 010 447 6911
  Fax: 010 447 5215
• To use the interactive route map for the Rotterdam area: Click here
• The OV-chipkaart can be used to pay for travel on all public transport in Rotterdam: Click here

Buses in Maastricht

The Maastricht City bus service is run by SBM (Stadsbus Maastricht)

• Stadsbus Maastricht
  At: Parallelweg 59, 6201 BM Maastricht
  Tel : 043 350 5700

Buses in South Holland and Zeeland

Connexxion is the largest public transport company in the Netherlands and serves most of Holland including South Holland and Zeeland.
The Connexxion website gives information on departure times and schedules, provides a travel planner and also supplies maps for the walking routes between specified addresses and their stops. Maps of the various lines can be found at bus stops and can also be obtained from some information offices.

• For further information: Click here

Related Information

• Dutch Journey Planner (in English)
• See AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Trains & Railways in the Netherlands
• See AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Airports Contacts Southern Holland

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