Train Tickets Hassle
The other day when I got my train ticket from the vending machine in the concourse of Centraal Station, I realised that these machines must be very inconvenient for foreigners. They don't accept cash or credit cards, only Dutch debit cards.
This means that you will have to queue (there always is a queue, whatever time of day) at the ticket office. Besides, an extra € 0.50 is added to the ticket price, unless you are over 60 and show your ID.
This procedure is especially annoying if you are heading for Schiphol Airport with a flight to catch.
There are two ways out of this predicament.
1. On arrival at Schiphol Airport (and I presume that's where you started) buy two tickets one Schiphol - Amsterdam and a second Amsterdam - Schiphol. Tell explicitely that the latter should be without a date. Don't forget to validate your undated dated ticket before you start your second journey. Stamp it in the yellow machine found on platforms near escalators and stairs.
2. Buy your undated ticket one day before you need it, but you will still have to queue. Validate it on the day of departure unless you are prepared to pay a fine for travelling without a ticket. (A not validated ticket is considered the same as travelling without a ticket).
Generally speaking the conductors show no clemency for foreigners. The fine is € 35 plus the ticket price.
The following will make life easier. These are the tickets issued by The Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch Railways).
single journey (from A - B) valid from 00.00 - 04.00 the following day
day return (from A - B and B - A on the same day) valid from 00.00 - 04.00 the following day
weekend return valid from Friday evening 19.00 - Monday morning 04.00
Railrunner, flat fare of € 2 for children from 4 - 11 year, accompanied by at least one adult (3 children per adult)
Day Card, flat fare of € 41.70, one day of unlimited travel.
All information (in English) about train travel can be found on http://www.ns.nl/.