In praise of OV-Chipkaart

[archambaut]

I see a lot of threads where folks talk about getting the GVB passes,
but I think the OV-Chipkaart is a much better solution for the regular
visitor.

They work on trams, buses and trains, not just in the Dam, but in
just about every town and city in the Netherlands.

You can pick up an anonymous Chipkaart at the station, and load it up
with cash. I t stays valid for several years, and any cash left on it is there
for next time you visit (no faffing around buying tickets at Schipol etc).

Couple of gotchas I have found:

i) if you forget to check out, you lose the deposit taken when you checked-in
(20E for teain, 4E for tram/bus).

ii) if you forget to check in, you could be liable for a fine. I have seen crews of
enforcement officers who check your card for this - so don't try it on.
The public transport system is such good value, why try anyway?

iii) topping upt with cash. The only place I know for sure this can be done is at the
ticket office of a main station - not a problem for me as I often go to one (especially
when staying in Haarlem). But could be a pain if it runs low when not near one.

Other than that I find it to be an excellent way of removing travel hassles, and
it means I have the freedom to ram outside the Dam without needing to get extra
train/bus/tram tickets.

Just thought I'd mention it, as few here seem to talk about it.

Arch

[Nimrod]

I have an anonymous chipkaart that I've used the past two visits. For the frequent visitor, it could be the way to go. It is for me.

You might be able to add € to your chipkaart at an Albert Heijn, but I'm not certain of that.

Can anyone confirm if the chipkaart can be used on the train to the airport, or just the Metro? I thought you needed an NS ticket to ride to/from Schiphol.

[archambaut]

I have an anonymous chipkaart that I've used the past two visits. For the frequent visitor, it could be the way to go. It is for me.

You might be able to add € to your chipkaart at an Albert Heijn, but I'm not certain of that.

Can anyone confirm if the chipkaart can be used on the train to the airport, or just the Metro? I thought you needed an NS ticket to ride to/from Schiphol.

I can't confirm it, but I've no reason to expect it to be any different
than any other train journey. The Chipkaart fare is the same as if
you would have paid for a ticket in all cases.

I think the only area of doubt is on the high speed train, where a fare
surcharge is levied.

[cattales1960]

we tried to use ours on the train to Den Haag and they said we needed a ticket.

[Marco]

You can use it on the train...BUT, it must have 20 euros or more on it at all times that you would want to ride a train. With the train, they don't know if you are going to the airport.....or Zwolle or Breda. So you need to have enough to cover a long trip when you check out.

[Balou]

It's okay but expensive, the strippenkaarts were a cheaper. Every local I've talked to deplores the OV.

Peace,
Balou

[Boner]

Yeah because they can't blag an extra stop using the card, I watched them all do it, they'd jump on the tram one stop out the centrum line and wait until the crossed the line before stamping their kaart.

[Pauli Wallnuts]

*

completely off topic,
your sigs

[Boner]

*

completely off topic,
your sigs

I knew you'd get it.

[matty223]

the 168 hr gvb card i think is the way to go , it cost me a fortune with my friend ov chip card, i went thru over 40 euro , and the 168 is the same and it covered the nightbus , which the ov didnt, thank god that night i had euro left i was wasted and need to get all the way to teh Dappermart
but that just me

[cattales1960]

we tried to use ours on the train to Den Haag and they said we needed a ticket.

after I rethought about this I dont think I had the reloadable one. I had one that we could use on all the transports in amsterdam unlimited. I think that is why it did not work on the train to Den haag

[Marco]

Love to OV, its really convenient. For train travel, it needs to be reloadable, plus have a minimum of 20euors at all times on it.

[Arsonist]

ii) if you forget to check in, you could be liable for a fine.

is that a fact?

[Marco]

ii) if you forget to check in, you could be liable for a fine.

is that a fact?

Yes, its like boarding without a ticket.

[Arsonist]

Yes, its like boarding without a ticket.

anyone have any stories about forgetting to check-in on the tram?