Netherlands Public Transport Help Please

[Cheshire Scot]

We are to spend a few days in Rotterdam in early/mid December and will be looking to use Public Transport within and beyond the city.

We are far removed from the cutting edge of modern technology so whilst downloading e-tickets to a PC to print is within our capabilities any potential solutions using phones would be non starters for us so please bear in mind this limitation in any responses.

Our plans include day trips by train to Utrecht on one day and to Den Haag on another day, I see this as reasonably straightforward, two passengers with FIP Coupon tickets and associated gate passes and a third paying normal public fares for which a 'trial' on the NS website indicates single and return tickets can be purchased as e-tickets to print at home (and noting the passenger name must match their ID).

It is possible one of our day trips might start at Rotterdam Blaak rather than CS but we may wish to alight at Rotterdam CS on the way back, if a return ticket is purchased from Blaak would this present problems at the barriers at CS or would it be easier to buy single tickets for each direction?
I also noticed cheaper fares for advance purchase off peak tickets, are those for a specific train or valid on any train in off peak hours?

Within Rotterdam we also plan to travel by Metro, and by Tram, and also by Tram in Den Haag.
We have read/been told that there are tickets machines at Metro stations and Tram tickets can be bought on the Tram at least in Rotterdam. We are however unsure how accurate or current this information is, perhaps someone can advise - also for Trams in Den Haag.
If this is the case presumably this would be the simplest way to buy tickets on the day but any advice on this would be appreciated, also methods of payment, cash (Euros or UK credit card being our options).

We did look at the RET Day Tourist Ticket (which includes both Rotterdam and Den Haag) but would be unlikely to make sufficient journeys in one day to get value from this.

Thanks in anticipation of some useful info. and hints.

 

[Myb]

For any train/tram/bus/metro in NL, no need to buy tickets any more (not taking into account any FIP coupon specifics here), you can simply touch in and touch out with a contactless credit card. The amount charged takes connections into account.

 

[Beachcomber]

Please note that every passenger needs a contactless debit- or credit card for touching in and out. Alternatively of course, multiple tickets can be bought at ticket machines with a single card. Do not count on being able to buy a ticket on board the vehicle.
As long as a (railway) station is along the regular route, you can board or alight at any station covered by your ticket. Rotterdam Centraal is on the regular route from Rotterdam Blaak to both Utrecht and Den Haag. There is no reduction for return tickets over two single tickets.
Off-peak early-booking tickets give a 20 % reduction on train travel only, but you must book at least four days in advance and travel outside monday-friday rush hours. You can use any train, but you cannot get your money back when travel plans change.

 

[Struner]

This may be of help: https://www.ovpay.nl/en

 

[DanielB]

I also noticed cheaper fares for advance purchase off peak tickets, are those for a specific train or valid on any train in off peak hours?

The NS Voordeel tickets, which are the only discounted tickets available without a subscription, are only valid within a specific timeslot. So, you aren't tied to a specific train but you should complete your journey within the timeslot mentioned on the ticket. But do be aware: e-tickets cannot be exchanged, so if plans change and you'll travel at another time you might need to buy new tickets.

Within Rotterdam we also plan to travel by Metro, and by Tram, and also by Tram in Den Haag.
We have read/been told that there are tickets machines at Metro stations and Tram tickets can be bought on the Tram at least in Rotterdam. We are however unsure how accurate or current this information is, perhaps someone can advise - also for Trams in Den Haag.

Rotterdam indeed has ticket machines on the metro stations. On trams you can buy tickets at the guard, though according to the website only 2-hour tickets.
In The Hague there are ticket machines on the trams.
Payment only by card, so you might be better off using the debit/credit card to touch in and out as this will be generally cheaper

If this is the case presumably this would be the simplest way to buy tickets on the day but any advice on this would be appreciated, also methods of payment, cash (Euros or UK credit card being our options)

The cheapest option, when a day ticket is not economical (RET also has one valid only for their own network), is for sure touching in and out with the credit card. But each person travelling would require his/her own card.

 

[Cheshire Scot]

Thanks all for useful contributions which will be very useful in planning our trip.

Thanks again.

 

[dutchflyer]

Additional for local transit:
RET is the Rotterdam urban operator, incl the now as metro run former raillines to den Haag ( via Pijnacker-Hofpleinlijn) and to ´the HOOK=old ferry port. They offer daytickets (not 24 hrs).
For NON-train (that means NS) transport in the whole province, so also including the HTM=den Haag urban operator=tram+Bus, there is a tourist day ticket for 15,50. These might cover also as alternative these planned trips.
Both den Haag and Rotterdam have tramway museums, only open weekends. Other touristy historic lines do not operate in winter.
Note that these train discount off-peak tickets do mean one cannot sit in trains in those peaks: before 9.00 and from 16.00-18.30. I would simply forget them, as discount is not that high.

 

[DanielB]

They offer daytickets (not 24 hrs).

Which was already mentioned

For NON-train (that means NS) transport in the whole province, so also including the HTM=den Haag urban operator=tram+Bus, there is a tourist day ticket for 15,50. These might cover also as alternative these planned trips.

The OP already mentioned this wasn't worthwhile for him

Note that these train discount off-peak tickets do mean one cannot sit in trains in those peaks: before 9.00 and from 16.00-18.30. I would simply forget them, as discount is not that high.

NS Voordeel tickets only have one time limit: the timeframe printed on the ticket
In the peak, they're simply not offered.