1. Bicycles
The cheapest and most popular form of transport in The Netherlands. Especially useful for short distances and around town. Many Bicycle shops in Maastricht sell new as well as second-hand bicycles. However make sure you buy a bike with a sturdy lock, or even better buy a chain and padlock, so you can fasten it to for example a lamppost or bicycle rack.
2. Car
As a temporary resident you may use your own drivers license as long as you are from one of the approximately 160 countries that are party to an international convention. However, it might be helpful to have an international license alongside your national one.
For more information about this you can contact the driving license department of the municipal offices (gemeente: afdeling rijbewijzen) or call the national agency for road traffic: 0793-458201
3. Public transportation
You will find that you can live very easily in Maastricht without a car. Trains, busses and trams run with high frequency.
3.1 Train
The Netherlands has a dense railway network, that offers frequent service, as well as the quickest way to travel between city centers. The carriages are modern and clean and there are hardly any delays. On the train you can choose first or second class carriages and smoker or non-smoker carriages.
Please note that announcements are not always bi-langual (Most of the times announcements are made only in Dutch)
You can visit
http://www.ns.nl for more information prices and time tables
3.2 Bus
You can use the same tickets in all of the busses, trams and subways throughout the country. It is called a 'strippenkaart' or 'strip ticket'. The entire country has been divided into public transportation zones and the fare you pay depends on the number of zones you travel through.
You can buy a 'strippenkaart' from the bus driver, but the tickets with 15 or 45 strips that you buy in advance are much cheaper. You can buy the latter from all railway stations and post offices and at many bookstores and cigarette shops.
Visit
http://www.9292ov.nl for more information on time tables and bus destinations
3.3 Taxis
All regular Dutch taxis use meters and all charge roughly the same rate. When you get into a taxi, the meter will already show a balance of several euro's , this ensures the driver of a minimum fare. If you need a taxi you either call or go to a taxi stand where taxis wait (for example at the main train station in Maastricht).
Please note that taxis in The Netherlands are quite expensive
By Train
To travel internationally please visit
http://www.nshispeed.nl this site is available in English.
By Plane
Please see
http://www.vliegtickets.pagina.nl , this page provides you the following information:
- different kinds of airlines
- low cost airlines
- possibility to reserve tickets on-line
- possibility to compare prices
- city trips
- info about airports
etc.