Page 446 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

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By Rail
The Netherlands can easily be
reached by train from most
European countries, although
visitors from further afield may
have to change trains several
times en route. Eurostar runs
from London via the Channel
Tunnel to Brussels, where you
change for Amsterdam.
There are direct trains from a
number of European stations.
For example, Brussels, Paris,
Berlin, Zurich, Vienna and
(seasonally) Milan have direct
rail links to Amsterdam Ferries serve Rotterdam, Hook of Holland and IJmuiden
Centraal Station (CS) and
Utrecht CS. From Brussels and travel on the national rail Seaways serves Newcastle
from Antwerp there are trains networks of any three to five and IJmuiden. Other
to Amsterdam all day, bordering countries out of 18 convenient ferry ports for
stopping at Roosendaal, European nations, including visitors from Great Britain are
Rotterdam, The Hague and the Netherlands. Calais and Boulogne (from
Schiphol, including five Folkestone and Dover) in
journeys daily by the Thalys By Coach France. Crossing times by
high-speed train from Paris. ferry range from 16 hours
Many other towns, For travellers from many (Newcastle–IJmuiden) to 75–90
particularly those in the border European countries the minutes (Dover–Calais). Ticket
regions of Belgium and the cheapest way to reach the prices depend on the speed of
Netherlands, can easily be Netherlands is by coach. Most crossing. In summer it is a good
reached by train. Hook of long-distance coaches have idea to book in advance.
Holland is connected by trains toilets and make regular stops.
which connect with ferries In summer in particular there Motoring in
from the UK port of Harwich. are large numbers of
coaches from Holland
other countries The good
Special Tickets
serving a system of
Tourists from other EU whole range of roads in the
countries can purchase towns in the Netherlands
cards in their countries that Netherlands. A Eurolines coach makes all
will entitle them to special Eurolines offers a very parts of the country
reductions. An Interrail card extensive network of coach easy to reach by car. Beware,
for people aged 26 and connections. It has coaches however, in the Randstad
under, along with a slightly running from many European region: you may have to put up
dearer version for the cities to the Netherlands at with traffic jams during the
over-26s, allows travellers to least once per week. Dozens rush hour.
use the entire European rail of points in the Netherlands To drive in the Netherlands
network at a discount. Eurail (depending on the point of you need to have a valid
Selectpass offers unlimited departure and route) are national driving licence. In
served by them. From Brussels addition, if in your own car,
and Antwerp there are coaches you will need to have your
to places such as Breda, vehicle log book and insurance
Rotterdam, The Hague, papers with you.
Utrecht and Amsterdam. Roads in the Netherlands are
divided into three cate gories.
Provincial roads are designated
Ferries
with the letter “N” before the
A number of ferry companies road number, national
serve routes between Britain motorways are designated
and the Netherlands. These with an “A” before the number
include P&O Ferries that sail and international highways
between Hull and Rotterdam/ have the letter “E” before the
Europoort, while Stena Line number. All Dutch motorways
sails between Harwich and are equipped with emergency
The Thalys high-speed train Hook of Holland. DFDS telephones from which

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