Currency
From January the 1st of 2002, the currency in circulation is the euro. There are some notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros. The nominal values of the coins are the following : 1 cent (or 1/100 of euro), 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, 1 euro and 2 euros.
Business hours
Banks are open from Monday to Friday and from 9.00 to 16.00 or 17.00.
Transportation
Road
The highway network is dense, free and well-maintained but it is often jammed (lorries traffic). Secondary roads can be taken,... unless you are in a hurry. Exceeding the speed limit is severely punished (fine, disqualification from driving, seizure of vehicle). Because of important risks of accidents due to numerous cyclists in the cities, the drivers who are not used to such situation are advised to be even more carreful when turning right. Tramways have the priority, it is therefore necessary to look to the right and to the left before moving to any direction on the roads, either when walking, driving or cycling.
Rail
The network is in good condition; there are a lot of stops which are compensated by the high frequency of services between all connected points of the country.
Air
There are a few domestic lines because of the small size of the country. KLM covers a worldwide network with competitive prices and serves the Netherlands Antilles (Curacao, St Martin, Bonaire) and Aruba.
Internet
The Internet suffix is:
.nl
Basic conversation guide
Yes = Ja
No = Nee
Thank you = Dank u
Hello = Goede dag, Hallo
Goodbye = Tot ziens
I do not understand = Ik begrijp het niet.
What is the price? How much does it cost? = Hoeveel kost het ?
I would like to buy = Ik zou graag kopen.
Do you accept credit cards? = Accepteert U creditcards? Mag ik betalen met een creditcard?
Where is? = Waar is?
Post office = Het Postkantoor
The bank = De Bank
The police station, the police force = Het politiebureau
The pharmacy = De apotheek
An airport = Een vliegveld
The station = Het treinstation
One ticket to ...., please. = Een kaartje naar..., alstublieft.
Would you have any vacancies for tonight? = Heeft u nog een kamer vrij voor vanavond?.
Official language: Dutch. Commercial languages: English, German and Spanish. In the Netherlands, the official language is Dutch. However, it is important to note the growing use of English, German and Spanish in business.
