Due to Holland's small size, domestic air travel is relatively limited. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL) (website: www.klmcityhopper.nl) operates domestic flights from Amsterdam to Eindhoven and Maastricht. Martinair Holland (MP) (website: www.martinair.com) operates passenger and cargo charter services.

There are regular ferry services to the Wadden Islands (Ameland, Schiermonnikoog, Terschilling, Texel and Vlieland) across the Ijsselmeer (former Zuyder Sea) and Schelde Estuary. There is also a service to the Frisian Islands across the Waddenzee. The main ferry operator is Teso (tel: 0900 9292, within The Netherlands only; website: www.teso.nl). Numerous operators offer river and canal cruises from main centres around The Netherlands. Note: No cars are permitted on Vlieland. Cruise ships regularly call at the Amsterdam Passenger Terminal (website: www.ptamsterdam.nl), close to the city centre.

Wadden Ticket: For travellers wanting to visit any of the five Wadden Islands, the Wadden Ticket allows return travel by bus, train and ferry to an island of choice. The pass is valid for one day of the departure journey and one day of the return journey, although the period between the two must not exceed one year. Contact The Netherlands Board of Tourism for further details (see Contact Addresses).

The highly developed rail network is efficient and cheap, and connects all towns. Both intercity and local trains run at least half-hourly on all principal routes. Rail and bus timetables are integrated, and there is a common fare structure throughout the country. NV Nederlandse Spoorwegen (tel: 0900 202 1163, within The Netherlands only; website: www.ns.nl) is the state-owned rail company and operates most services within the country. Regional railway companies include Syntus (tel: 0900 9292, within the Netherlands only; website: www.syntus.nl) and Arriva (tel: 0900 9292, within the Netherlands only; website: www.arriva.nl), which runs a network in the north of the country.

By 2010, OV-Chipcard will replace paper tickets for all modes of public transport.

Holland Rail Pass: available to those who reside outside Europe, the CIS, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Allows unlimited travel in The Netherlands for either three or five days within one month. Reduced rates exist for senior citizens (over 60), travellers under 26 years and children. Every second person travels half price. It can be purchased online through the European Rail Guide (website: www.europeanrailguide.com) and Rail Europe in the USA (website: www.raileurope.com). 

InterRail One-Country Pass: offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month within The Netherlands. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travellers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children's tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (website: www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).

Child's Railrunner Tickets: discounted tickets available for children aged between four and 11 years travelling with a fare-paying adult (19 years or older). The tickets include up to three children travelling with any one adult. Children under four years of age travel free on all journeys within The Netherlands.

Traffic drives on the right. All roads are well signposted with green ‘E' symbols indicating international highways, red ‘A's indicating national highways, and smaller routes indicated by yellow ‘N's. There is an excellent road system, although it can become very busy at times around major centres. There is a chronic shortage of parking space in central Amsterdam, and the rush hours (0700-0900 and 1700-1900) should be avoided throughout the whole country.

Bus: Extensive regional bus networks exist. Long-distance coaches also operate between the cities, but costs are generally on a par with trains. Interliner, operated by Connexxion, is the main coach operator (tel: 0900 266 6399, within The Netherlands only; website: www.reiziger.connexxion.nl).

Taxi: Taxis have an illuminated sign on the roof. Rather than hailing taxis in the street, it is more usual in The Netherlands to book by phone. Taxis should have meters inside to indicate the fare, including the tip. Train taxis (Treintaxis) are shared with others at a reduced price per person, serving many railway stations.

Car hire: Available from airports and main hotels. All major European car hire companies are represented.

Emergency breakdown service: The yellow cars of the ANWB/Wegenwacht (Royal Dutch Touring Club) (tel: 088 269 2222, within The Netherlands only; website: www.anwb.nl) patrol major roads 24 hours a day with qualified mechanics equipped to handle routine repairs. In case of emergencies, assistance is available (tel: 088 269 2888, within The Netherlands only).

Regulations: Drivers should be particularly aware of cyclists; often there are special cycle lanes. Speed limits are 120kph (75mph) on motorways, 80kph (50mph) on major roads and 50kph (30mph) in towns.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended for non-EU visitors, though is not compulsory, as long as a driving licence from the country of origin is held. EU pink format licences are accepted. 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.

Bicycle hire: Bicycles can be hired from all main railway stations, but must be returned to the station from which they are hired.

Amsterdam: The I amsterdam card (website: www.iamsterdamcard.com) offers free travel on all the capital's public transport, as well as parking and entry to museums and attractions for 24, 48 or 72 hours. Amsterdam has an extensive network of buses, trams, ferries and underground lines, operated by GVB (website: www.gvb.nl). Tickets are cheaper if purchased in advance of boarding. A ‘pay as you go' smart card, the OV Chipkaart, is available and will be valid throughout the country by 2009. Tickets are available at numerous outlets throughout the city. Trams: Amsterdam's 17 tram lines provide a fast, frequent and reliable service, making it the easiest way to travel around the capital. Metro: The four underground lines all originate at Central Station and serve the southeastern business district and the suburbs. Water travel: There is an extensive network of tour boats, water taxis and water buses plying the city's many waterways. Boat hire: Visitors can hire pedalos (also known as canal bikes) and boats to explore the canals. Bicycle hire: A popular option - there are numerous companies hiring out bikes.

Rotterdam: The city has excellent bus and tram services and a two-line underground network (website: www.ret.nl), which all work on a zonal system. Information is available from the Central Station.

The Hague: The Hague has good bus and tram services. Information is available from the Central Station, Koningin Julianaplein.

The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Amsterdam to other major cities in The Netherlands.

	Air	Road	Rail
The Hague	-	0.40	0.44
Rotterdam	-	1.00	1.00
Groningen	-	2.00	2.20
Maastricht	0.40	2.30	2.30
Eindhoven	0.30	1.30	1.25