The Netherlands is one of Europe's most visited countries, and Dutch people are among the world's most passionate travellers. Whether you are navigating Amsterdam's canals by bike, catching a train to Rotterdam, or heading to Schiphol Airport, this travel vocabulary guide will get you where you need to go â in Dutch.
đ˛
Wist je dat?There are more bicycles than people in the Netherlands! With over 23 million bikes for 17 million people, cycling (fietsen) is far more than transport â it is a cultural identity. Even government ministers cycle to work!
đ Types of Transport
| Emoji | Dutch | English | Note |
|---|
| đ˛ | de fiets | bicycle / bike | THE essential Dutch vehicle! |
| đ | de auto | car | |
| đ | de bus | bus | intercity and city buses |
| đ | de tram | tram / streetcar | common in Amsterdam, Den Haag |
| đ | de metro | metro / subway | Rotterdam, Amsterdam |
| đ | de trein | train | NS is the main train operator |
| đ | de taxi | taxi | |
| âĩ | de boot / het schip | boat / ship | |
| âī¸ | het vliegtuig | airplane | Schiphol is the main airport |
| đŗī¸ | de veerboot | ferry | popular to UK, Scandinavia |
đ At the Train Station
| Dutch | English |
|---|
| het station / het treinstation | train station |
| het perron | platform |
| het spoor | track / line |
| het kaartje / de treinkaart | ticket |
| de ov-chipkaart | public transport chip card |
| inchecken / uitchecken | to check in / check out |
| de dienstregeling | timetable / schedule |
| vertraging | delay |
| enkele reis / retour | single / return ticket |
| eerste / tweede klas | first / second class |
âī¸ At the Airport
| Dutch | English |
|---|
| de luchthaven / het vliegveld | airport |
| de gate / de vlucht | gate / flight |
| het paspoort | passport |
| de bagage / de handbagage | luggage / hand luggage |
| de douane | customs |
| vertrek / aankomst | departure / arrival |
đ¨ Accommodation
| Dutch | English |
|---|
| het hotel | hotel |
| het hostel / de jeugdherberg | hostel / youth hostel |
| de camping / het kampeerterrein | campsite |
| inchecken / uitchecken | to check in / check out |
| de reservering / een kamer boeken | reservation / to book a room |
đŦ Essential Travel Phrases
| Dutch phrase | English |
|---|
| Hoe kom ik naar...? | How do I get to...? |
| Waar is het station? | Where is the station? |
| ÃÊn enkele reis naar Utrecht, alsjeblieft. | One single to Utrecht, please. |
| Is de trein op tijd? | Is the train on time? |
| Ik heb mijn tas verloren. | I have lost my bag. |
| Rechtdoor / links / rechts. | Straight ahead / left / right. |
| Hoe ver is het? | How far is it? |
âī¸ Practice Exercises
Translate into Dutch:
- How do I get to the train station? â Hoe kom ik naar het station?
- One return ticket to Amsterdam, please. â ÃÊn retour naar Amsterdam, alsjeblieft.
- Is there a delay? â Is er vertraging?
- I want to book a hotel room for two nights. â Ik wil een hotelkamer boeken voor twee nachten.
- Where is the nearest bus stop? â Waar is de dichtstbijzijnde bushalte?
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