The Netherlands’ international airport is Schiphol, but most travellers chug into the country on a Eurolines bus or on a train (slightly more expensive than the bus). Highway connections to the surrounding bits of Europe are extensive.

The Netherlands has just one main international airport, Schiphol, about 10km southwest of Amsterdam. Although it’s one of Europe’s major international hubs, flights to London or Brussels are usually cheaper than flights to Amsterdam, and many travellers do the last leg to Amsterdam by train or bus. There is a small percentage departure tax included in the cost of tickets from Dutch airports.

Amsterdam’s Centraal Station has regular and efficient rail connections to all neighbouring countries, but the bus will always be cheaper unless you’ve got a Eurail pass or equivalent.

Long-distance Eurolines buses connect Amsterdam to most European cities, as well as to North Africa. Eurolines and Citysprint buses travel across the channel to Britain, usually through France (make sure you’ve got a visa if required).

If you’re driving from the UK it’s a fair bit cheaper to put your car on the ferry than hop on the shuttle through the Tunnel, though the latter might save a few hours travelling time from London. Most travellers go overland through Belgium and France to pick up a boat to England, but ferries also run between Hoek van Holland (Edge of Holland) and Harwich, UK; Europoort (near Rotterdam) and Hull, UK; IJmuiden (near Amsterdam) and Newcastle, UK; and IJmuiden and Kristiansand, Norway.