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Taking the train to one of these Dutch cities? Expect major delays and cancellations

Lottie Gale 🇬🇧
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Taking the train to one of these Dutch cities? Expect major delays and cancellations

NS and ProRail will carry out major track maintenance throughout July and August. Annoying? Yep — but perhaps they were counting on cursed Dutch weather to cause more disruption to passenger plans than their work.

But now the weather is finally picking up, all while the transport chaos continues.

Significant train delays and cancellations are expected for the cities of The Hague, Rotterdam and Amersfoort over the coming weeks, NU.nl reports.

No trains between Den Haag and Rotterdam

If the sun has you beelining for Scheveningen, you might want to double-check the trains.

From now until Thursday, 25 July, there will be no trains running between Den Haag Centraal and Rotterdam Centraal. 🚫🚄

On top of that, trains between Den Haag Centraal and Schiedam Centrum will not run from 25 to 27 July.

Allow extra time for alternative routes

Instead, you can travel by train via Gouda or the RandstadRail or catch a replacement bus between The Hague and Rotterdam.

The replacement buses will stop at all stations on the Den Haag Centraal – Rotterdam Centraal route.

@dutchreview But I’m already 3 cancellations deep 🫠 #dutchlife #thenetherlands #netherlands #dutchmemes #dutchreview #delays #travelnetherlands #amsterdam #holland #meme #memcut ♬ original sound – Kevin Solomon

Not only will the bus add about half an hour onto your journey, but the NS also advises avoiding rush hour for further delays.

“We expect large crowds on the buses. Also avoid RET metro line E between Rotterdam Central and The Hague Central due to limited capacity. Plan your trip shortly before departure with the journey planner for the most up-to-date advice.”

Amersfoorters also affected

Amersfoort passengers might have survived the summer of limited train services so far, but they’ll need to keep pushing on for a few more weeks.

Due to ProRail’s major track renewal around Amersfoort Centraal, no more trains will run there for two weeks, until 28 July. Disruption is also expected between 15 and 18 August.

You can reroute via Arnhem or Almere during this period or take one of the replacement buses running throughout the surrounding area.

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #26: Complain about the NS

OK, so what have we learnt after that mammoth travel catchup? NS and ProRail are BUSY. If you want to see all the planned work and consequences for passengers, check out the overview page on NS.

Will these summer travel disruptions affect you? Let us know in the comments below.

Summer is FINALLY arriving in the Netherlands: here’s what we can expect

Lyna Meyrer 🇱🇺
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Summer is FINALLY arriving in the Netherlands: here’s what we can expect

There is a rare sight to be seen in Dutch skies this morning: the sun! Even better, according to weather reports, it looks like the big, yellow ball is here to stay.

Yes, you read that right. After months of grey skies, rain and code oranges, summer is finally here — and not just today!

This week sets the tone

According to RTL, we’re in for a beautiful summer’s day today, with temperatures reaching up to 27 degrees Celsius. 🤩

Although there may be the occasional rain shower (of course), the rest of the week looks much the same, and temperatures will consistently rise above 20 degrees.

@arpine.films Niet normaal! but still vibin, i guess..😳✌️ I hope everyone was safe. #netherlands #nl #amsterdam #amsterdamsummer #netherlandstiktok #netherlandsweather #monsoon #rain #summerrain #europesummer ♬ original sound – jenselmans

August brings the real deal

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Only for the rest of the week?”

Well, yes and no.

The good news is that August will be the true month of zomer, and we can finally leave our raincoats in the back of the closet.

Weeronline expects longer dry periods and higher temperatures, reaching up to over 25 degrees.

So, folks, grab a bottle of water, lather on some sunscreen, and we’ll catch you at the beach. 😏

How will you be spending the warm days? Share some inspiration in the comments!

Surprise! Rain is forecast for the Netherlands this weekend (AGAIN)

Liana Risseeuw 🇱🇰
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Surprise! Rain is forecast for the Netherlands this weekend (AGAIN)

With rain, rain, and yet more rain on the cards for this damp Friday morning, a good umbrella or waterproof poncho will likely be your best friend. 🌧

Summer vibes have clearly gone on holiday, with Weeronline reporting that most of us in the south will wake up to gusty rainclouds and grey skies.

Some regions may even see thunderstorms. 😬

Lucky ducks in the north should likely stay dry until late morning, after which time the rain clouds will have moved too far northwards for anyone to escape the dreary wetness.

Saturday: less rainy (unless you’re up north!)

Thankfully, tomorrow is predicted to be far less grey, bleak, and stereotypically Dutch. 🥳

@dutchreview “Summer” is testing us 🙃 #dutchlife #dutchmemes #learndutch #amsterdam #holland #thenetherlands #visitnetherlands #dutchreview #expatlife #Meme #MemeCut ♬ son original – Soso Phie

Although the day will start with a few rain showers, they’re expected to be light — and, for most parts of the country, will likely taper off by late afternoon.

For those living in northern coastal regions, however, a bout of rain showers could extend well into the late evening or night.

While those of us in the south may escape the rain, we’ll have strong winds to deal with. When the sun does manage to shine, temperatures will hit a maximum of 17 to 20 degrees.

Sunday: largely dry, with warmer temperatures

Living in the south? You’re in luck! Sunday is forecast to be much drier, with an alternating mix of sun and clouds.

The tail end of the weekend will bring temperatures of 22 to 24 degrees Celsius in North Brabant and Limburg — and highs of 19 to 21 degrees in the more northern regions.

How will you be enjoying this rather wet weekend? Tell us in the comments below!

Man dies and colleague hospitalised after cleaning NS trains in Utrecht

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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Man dies and colleague hospitalised after cleaning NS trains in Utrecht

One man has lost his life, and his colleague remains in hospital after they both became unwell upon finishing their shift cleaning NS trains on Tuesday morning.

According to De Telegraaf, the cleaners were employed by Vebego to clean NS trains at Utrecht Centraal’s marshalling yard.

However, after finishing their shift, both colleagues fell ill.

A spokeswoman for the NS tells De Telegraaf that other employees witnessed this and called emergency services. Both workers then lost consciousness.

Yesterday, the news came that one of the cleaners had lost his life.

A complete mystery

What exactly happened to cause the colleagues to fall ill remains a mystery.

The NS has described the news as a “big shock.” However, they have already determined that the work environment is safe:

“We know that the workplace was safe. But it is now up to the police to conduct further investigation,” a spokeswoman tells De Telegraaf.

According to the NOS, trains are still being cleaned at the site.

Want the latest Dutch news to come zooming through the internet to your inbox? Dat kan! Subscribe to DutchReview’s weekly roundup 📮

This Dutch city is building a swimming pool inside an old church (and it looks heavenly)

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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This Dutch city is building a swimming pool inside an old church (and it looks heavenly)

What do you do when you have a city with an empty church and no central swimming pools? The Dutch city of Heerlen had this exact problem — and the solution was simple:

You convert the church into a swimming pool.

That’s right, St. Francis of Assisi Church is over 100 years old, but now, the pews will be switched out for swimming lanes.

Construction is still underway, but a rendering of what the pool will look like is causing quite the splash.

Heerlen says ‘hallelujah’ to this solution

Once the diocese of Roermond decided to withdraw from the beautiful church building, the municipality saw an opportunity to fix one problem using another.

Heerlen was in desperate need of a pool that could be accessed easily, and this church was in need of a new purpose.

READ MORE | 14 forward-thinking things Dutch people do

Heerlen’s alderman for city development, Jordy Clemens tells Volkskrant about the decision:

“Here, in a special and serene atmosphere, you can swim laps in a 25-metre pool. That way, we preserve a national monument — and people who live in the city centre will once again have a swimming pool within walking distance.”

The pastors are in — literally

And the diocese has no objection to their church being repurposed. In fact, according to Clemens, “The pastor has already promised that he will take the first dip.”

Of course, some X users are making jokes about baptisms en masse.

Translation: “An opportunity for baptist movements to host splashy baptisms”

While this is certainly innovative, Clemens tells Volkskrant that this is typical Heerlen behaviour.

“In Heerlen, we often choose to swim against the tide. To do things differently than you might expect. That is absolutely the case with the choice of this location.”

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #13: Be innovative (and not be shy about it) 

According to the municipality website, that pastor won’t be able to take the first dip until 2026, but we’ll be right after him!

Want the latest Dutch news to come zooming through the internet to your inbox? Dat kan! Subscribe to DutchReview’s weekly roundup 📮

It’s all over for Oranje: England qualifies for the final with a late winner (and THAT penalty)

Lottie Gale 🇬🇧
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It’s all over for Oranje: England qualifies for the final with a late winner (and THAT penalty)

Dreams = crushed. Hearts = broken. Bottles = thrown. Fans = arrested. It’s all kicking off after yesterday’s disappointing 1 – 2 loss to England in the Euros semi-final in Dortmund.

Despite impressive support throughout the tournament, plus Links Rechts going viral, things turned sour for Oranje fans after the defeat, NOS reports.

In Dortmund, 26 people were arrested by German police.

Following the match, fired-up English and Dutch fans were involved in confrontations where bottles and chairs were thrown, and five people were injured.

Penalty? More like pain-alty

While the 100,000 Oranje supporters in Dortmund certainly made their frustration heard, they weren’t alone.

The entire country (and the world, if you count any anti-England supporters out there) feels betrayed by some of yesterday’s refereeing decisions.

Things started well with a fast goal by Holland’s Xavi Simons after no less than six minutes of game-time. But then came England’s penalty. 👀

Many football fans are debating the legitimacy of the equaliser, with the foul that led to the penalty causing most of the controversy.

But let’s move away from penalties and towards positivity: this Dutch team have given their fans lots to celebrate and look forward to. 🧡

Despite England’s Ollie Watkins scoring the winner in injury time, two Oranje fans told NOS, “We can be proud of what we have achieved”.

What do you think about yesterday’s result? Let us know in the comments below.

You’re paying too much for your Dutch internet: here’s why

Lyna Meyrer 🇱🇺
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You’re paying too much for your Dutch internet: here’s why

Feel like you’re drowning in bills each month? Same here. But even worse is the fact that we’re probably overpaying for some of them — like our internet.

Yep, the Dutch Consumentenbond (Consumer’s Association) believes that people in the Netherlands pay too much for their connection to the World Wide Web.

And why’s that, you ask? Because of the dominant market position of internet giants KPN and Ziggo.

Third-most expensive internet in the EU

As the Consumentenbond‘s research shows, KPN and Ziggo own about 75% of the Dutch market. In a large part of the Netherlands, they are the two only providers that have their own cable network for internet at home.

As a result, Dutch internet prices are too high — and among the highest in Europe.

READ MORE | Getting internet in 2024: 7 questions about getting WiFi to your Dutch house

While a subscription with 100 Mbits per second only sets you back around €17 to €18 in Sweden and Denmark, the same deal would cost you a whopping €30 in the Netherlands.

Out of the 27 countries in the European Union, only Belgium and Portugal have more expensive internet services than the Netherlands.

Something needs to be done

Now, the Consumer’s Association is asking for a change.

“The internet market is completely locked. KPN and Ziggo are increasingly dominating the market, and that gives consumers less choice and high prices,” says Sandra Molenaar, director of the Consumers’ Association. 

Therefore, “we urge the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) to intervene so that the internet becomes affordable again.”

How much do you pay for internet in the Netherlands? Is it reasonable? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Dutch and UK Prime Ministers will watch tonight’s semi-final together amid NATO meetings

Lottie Gale 🇬🇧
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Dutch and UK Prime Ministers will watch tonight’s semi-final together amid NATO meetings

When it comes to NATO meetings, you might picture important world leaders debating serious issues. But what about being huddled around a screen for a very different kind of head-to-head?

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and newly-appointed British PM Keir Starmer plan to watch some of the European semi-final between the Netherlands and England together this evening, De Telegraaf reports.

How, exactly? Schoof hopes he’ll “get a note every now and then” with match updates before a television screen is set up in a side room of the conference centre.

NATO waits for the Euros

Schoof and Starmer are in Washington for their first NATO summits as PMs, so they will probably miss out on some of the action due to, you know, big meetings.

READ MORE | That time the Dutch conquered Britain (ja, we’re serious)

“I assume I will have to miss the first half, but I can watch the second half together with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. That will of course be extremely gezellig,” Schoof tells De Telegraaf.

Tweet translation: Prime Minister Dick Schoof will watch the second half of the Dutch team in Washington on Wednesday with the new British Prime Minister.

The two PMs are channelling their countries’ world-renowned football fandom, with Schoof confident in an Oranje win and Starmer ready to attend the final in Berlin on Sunday evening.

READ MORE | Three very important differences between Britain and the Netherlands

We’ll have to wait and see who returns to NATO consultations bolstered by a historic win and who pretends to be fine with third-place playoffs.

Who do you think will win this evening’s Euros semi-final? Let us know in the comments below.

Amsterdam is finally getting THE bike bridge it has waited years for

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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Amsterdam is finally getting THE bike bridge it has waited years for

After more than 200 years, and with almost 2000 other bridges already lining the city, the residents of Amsterdam are getting something they’ve always wanted (aside from less TikTok tourism).

The municipality of Amsterdam and the broader North Holland transport region will jointly finance and build a bike bridge across the IJ, connecting Amsterdam-Noord with the inner ring of the city.

READ MORE | Where to live in Amsterdam: the 2024 neighbourhood guide

Amsterdammers will soon be able to save 10 to 12 minutes by cycling across instead of waiting and taking the ferry.

But before we crack open the beers, it’ll be quite a few years before we can finally cycle across the IJ.

Financing and planning

Planning and funding have already begun, but construction will only start as early as 2031 and will be ready as early as 2034. 😬

3d-model-rendering-of-a-bike-and-pedestrian-bridge-over-the-ij-in-amsterdam-the-netherlands
Isn’t it beautiful? 😍 Image: Gemeente Amsterdam

The Oostbrug (East Bridge) is estimated to cost €300 million, of which the municipality and transport region will each pay half.

In addition, Amsterdam will also reserve money to build and improve the cycling routes to and from the bridge.

More and more travellers

“There are a lot of homes and workplaces built in the whole region. The number of people who want to cross the IJ is increasing. The ferries can’t handle it.” says Amsterdam Alderman Melanie van der Horst.

Translation: “Today, Rijkspont 8 made its last crossing and received a fitting farewell. This was our last diesel ferry. All our ferries are now electric.⛴️”

They expect between 20,000 and 25,000 people to use the bridge every day.

After the Oostbrug, the municipality already has plans for a Westbrug (West bridge) to connect the NDSM wharf in Amsterdam-Noord and the Danzigerkade in Amsterdam-West.

Would you use the bike bridges in Amsterdam? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

BREAKING: Today’s weather finally feels like July (until the CODE ORANGE storms, hail and heavy winds hit)

Lottie Gale 🇬🇧
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BREAKING: Today’s weather finally feels like July (until the CODE ORANGE storms, hail and heavy winds hit)

With this morning’s tropical temperatures, you’d be forgiven for heading straight for the beach. But today, you’ll have to be quick to beat the impending storms — which have now been upgraded to CODE ORANGE.

Today’s forecast might just be the mother of all Dutch weather mood swings, as shared by RTL.

Code ORANGE crashes the party: The KNMI has issued a Code Orange for the WHOLE of the Netherlands tonight, explaining that “we will experience intense thunderstorms, large hail, and heavy gusts of wind.”

Code Orange applies first in Zeeland from 16:00, followed by all other provinces as the storm moves across the country from the southwest.

It’s going to be rough. Expect lightning strikes, heavy rain and howling winds, which Erasmus says could reach up to 100 kilometres per hour.

Wild weather whiplash

The day begins sunny and reaches a tropical 31 degrees Celsius in the southeast — the perfect summer forecast we deserve after six months of winter.

But then, around 5 PM, the ultimate weather 360° brings SERIOUSLY heavy thunderstorms, strong winds, rain and hail, with Zeeland hit first.

@dutchreview The “prepare for all” wardrobe #dutchweather #dutchlife #dutchmemes #dutchreview #lifeinthenetherlands #expatsinthenetherlands #thenetherlands #MemeCut #Meme#Meme #MemeCut ♬ original sound – DutchReview

Of course, we’ll joke about today’s changeability because, let’s face it, we’re already mourning the short-lived sun.

But in all seriousness, you need to be careful in this evening’s stormy weather.

READ MORE | 11 must-have closet items to survive the Dutch weather

Hopefully, by midnight, it will be calmer as the showers make their way from Zeeland to the northeast.

And if you’re wondering how this might affect tomorrow’s semi-final viewing, don’t worry. Wednesday should be much drier and a sweet 24 degrees across the country.

Are you hoping to enjoy the sun before the storms later? Let us know in the comments below.

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