From Britain the closest port to The Hague is the Hook of Holland (sailings to Harwich) 22km (13.5 miles) west. Other alternatives are the shorter crossings, but much longer drives, between Dover and Calais (327km/203 miles to The Hague), Dunkirk (288km/179 miles to The Hague) or Zeebrugge (210km/130.5 miles to The Hague). An excellent motorway network connects the Netherlands to the rest of Europe. A green 'E' indicate an international highways, a red 'A' a national highway, and yellow 'N' for smaller routes.

Driving is on the right. Speed limits are 120kph (75mph) on motorways, 80kph (50mph) on major roads and 50kph (30mph) in towns. Children under 12 years should not travel in the front seat. An International Driving Permit is not required, as long as a national driving licence from the country of origin is held. EU pink format licences are accepted. Trailers and caravans are allowed in without documentation. A Green Card is advisable but not compulsory. Without it, drivers with motor insurance policies in their home country are granted only the minimum legal cover in The Netherlands - the Green Card tops this up to the level of cover provided by the driver's own policy.

The yellow cars of the Royal Dutch Touring Club (ANWB/Wegenwacht) (tel: (070) 314 1420; website: www.anwb.nl), patrol major roads 24 hours a day, with qualified mechanics equipped to handle routine repairs.

Emergency breakdown service:
ANWB 0800 0888

Eurolines international coach services (tel: 954 907 844 or 902 405 040; website: http://www.eurolines.com/) operates a daily National Express service to Amsterdam taking between 11 hours 15 minutes and 12 hours 15 minutes.