Discovering Zeeland's quirky ferry | Den Haag to Breskens

I can't resist a ferry ride and I noticed on the map that the Westerschelde Ferry is at the end of the line that crosses through the region of Zeeland. It seemed a great chance to get a look at this lesser known region of the Netherlands and also cross over on this quirky ferry to the little bit of Dutch Flanders that is stuck on the edge of Belgium.
Departure: Den Haag, The Netherlands
Destination: Breskens, The Netherlands
Operator: NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) / Westerschelde Ferry
Date of Travel: December 2023
Total Rail Distance: 155 km / 97 miles
On train duration: 2hrs 12mins
Motive power: NS VIRM electric multiple units (1994-2009)
Thank you to everyone that supports the channel by subscribing, liking, commenting or just watching these videos. I really appreciate it!

[@pearsonbrownenglishgrammar8099]

My dad did that crossing in the reverse sense in a landing craft under fire in 1944. Seems incredible now.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

A lot can change in 80 years for sure. Let's hope it doesn't repeat, although history does imply that it has a tendency to. We have been lucky to be born when we were. Thank you so much for watching 👍

[@jeohist]

There's a shortage of train drivers in the Netherlands, which means they'd rather have them moving passengers than moving through the train wash. Because they're being cleaned less frequently, the automated train wash doesn't get the job done which means manual cleaning, which means additional costs and delays. Makes you want to get a bucket and sponge and clean the windows yourself :)

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Haha yes! up in Scotland KZbinrs have wiped the windows of the trains on the remote lines when they stop at a station! On NS, you would also need to bring a ladder 😁 Thanks for watching 👍

[@PeteG143]

Lovely video, always professional level quality. Thank for taking us along on your journeys.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thank you Pete. Very kind of you to say so. Best wishes and thanks for watching 👍

[@colinriley123]

Good video. the "Dear Leader" comment had me in stiches! You have to have a certain eye for these things.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Haha! Pleased you liked that one Colin. I think because the room was empty, it felt like it was awaiting the next re-education class to file in. 😄 Hope you are well. Great to hear from you 👍

[@harriscouwenberg139]

Thanks Johnny! MIddelburg is worth a visit.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I shall remember that! Thanks for watching 👍

[@barvdw]

Absolutely. Lovely old town, some great modern architecture as well, and if you want to visit the surrounding villages and towns, some are great (Aagtekerke, Domburg, Veere, Vlissingen, too).

[@harriscouwenberg139]

I love Vlissingen too, stayed there a few nights on the 9th floor of an apartment hotel overlooking the estuary, was great.@@barvdw

[@Timstravels01]

The search for clean windows continues! A super watch as always.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

And there's no going outside to wipe them if you are upstairs! Thanks Tim 👍

[@SeverityOne]

The station in Vlissingen is one of the few Sybold van Ravensteyn's stations that _hasn't_ been pulled down. Although you did pass through Roosendaal, and plan to leave from Hoek van Holland-Haven, both of which are (partly) by him. It's very common in the Netherlands to name streets, canals, bridges, schools, etc, after the royals. It's far less common to name them after royalty itself. Let me clarify: you would find a 'Koningin Máximastraat', which translates to 'Queen Máxima Street', but a 'Koninginnestraat', or 'Queen Street', is less common, contrary to Britain. Plus, Máxima is the most popular member of the Royal Family by a country mile, so it's not surprising that they named a boat after her. And a bridge. And schools. And squares. And a canal (of _course_ a canal). And a fire station. And roads. And lanes. And countless streets. Before her, her late father-in-law, prince Claus, was the most popular. The only four-level stack motorway junction in the Netherlands is named after him. The moniker 'Koninklijk(e)', or 'Royal', can be bestowed at the discretion of the monarch upon a large company or organisation, usually if they have been around for a century or more. So Royal Philips, KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines), and before they left for Britain, Shell.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thank you so much for all that information! So very interesting. I am old enough to remember when they were called in English "Royal Dutch Shell". This is very much the time that structures from the mid twentieth century are now being demolished to make way for new ones and so i am always pleased when some remain. I thought Vlissingen station looked great, so i hope it remains for some years to come. Thank you so much for watching and commenting 👍

[@SeverityOne]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels Regarding Sybold van Ravensteyn, a lot of his stations were in the Brutalist style, with lots of exposed, grey concrete. Part of this was necessity: there was a lot of damage after WW2, but not a lot of money. Rotterdam CS was probably his best known station. Before the war, the situation with railway stations in Rotterdam was a bit of a mess, with several termini. The city was around six centuries old, so not exactly easy to build railways in. After the German bombardment of 14th May 1940, which destroyed a large part of the inner city, there was space to realign the various railway lines, and Rotterdam CS was conceived. The building had a curved façade, with the foyer having a curved ceiling as well. There were large letters spelling 'centraal station' over the entrance. Around the early 2000s, it became clear that Rotterdam CS would be too small for future passengers levels. Plans were made, the side wings were demolished, and the letters were rearranged to spell 'traan laten': shedding (a) tear. When my wife and visited, I made it a point to take in the architecture, because I knew it would be gone soon. The spectacular new station has retained the iconic letters, as a nod to the past. Interestingly enough, another one of his retained stations is Nijmegen. The station, and much of the historic centre of one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands (it dates back to Roman times), were destroyed during an _allied_ bombardment in 1944. And that's also the reason why the station in Vlissingen was replaced: it got irreparably damaged in 1944. Perhaps that's why so many of his stations got pulled down: WW2 has remained a national trauma for a very long time.

[@var67]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels "Royal Dutch Shell" is actually the merger name for Royal Dutch Oil (Koninklijke Olie) and Shell from London. From 1907, they operated as "Koninklijke/Shell Group" with the slash. That disappeared with the actual merger which came much later, surprisingly late perhaps, in 2004/2005.

[@elizabethhopkins8544]

Love your content found it very informative and entertaining keep it up

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thank you so much for saying so. I'm still enjoying the process so I will indeed "keep it up" 😃 And thank you for watching 👍

[@mattsqwrl]

I commute on these trains, wow I wish they would clean the windows more!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, it really makes such a difference... even if you aren't trying to record the view! Thanks for watching 👍

[@htt232101]

My Great Uncle is buried in Middelburg as his bomber was shot down by the Germans in WW2....have always meant to visit.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

How very poignant. Well, another commenter has said Middelburg is worth a visit, so maybe you should go and check it out. Thanks for watching 👍

[@htt232101]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels it's definitely given me the impetus having seen you do it 😀 Looking forward to your next travels All the best 😀

[@larsjarredspeetjens]

Normally the Amsterdam CS - Vlissingen train doesn't have this many disconnects. I take it every day from Goes - Roosendaal.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, there was some changes to the timetable that day. I had plenty of time so I was quite happy to make the extra changes 😀 Thank you so much for watching 👍

[@northernblue1093]

Excellent, well-narrated video.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thank you. How nice of you to say 😀 And thank you so much for watching 👍

[@clivelangham435]

Enjoyed this. Thanks.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

You are very welcome 👍 And thanks for watching too 👍

[@FrankvanderHeijden]

At the passage of Oudenbosch you can see the church wich is a smaller copy of St. Peters in the Vatican

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Oh thanks for that! 👍

[@christinehodge3608]

Do enjoy a ferry journey, fresh air,

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, I've really got into riding ferries since i started doing the channel!

[@hellombx]

nice tone and manner with your great explanations, love this video thank you :)

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

You are very welcome. Thank you so much for watching 👍

[@paulseoighemcgee5772]

Very interesting content , thanks !

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

You are very welcome. And thanks for watching 👍

[@w.c.b1573]

Vaak met de vravhtwagen op de oude boten geweest, die waren stukken warmer en gezelliger. Ook hadden die een restauratie aan boord, een welkome pauze was dat altijd.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, in the picture the old vehicle ferries were far larger (as you would expect). I suppose now, with the tunnel, people on the north and south sides feel more connected... and maybe some miss the sense of separation 😉 Thank you so much for watching and commenting 👍

[@horsehollerer]

A great little encore to your "dirty windows winter tour". Cheers!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

The lesser known Tina Turner tour... Yep, that's the end of that one. So we're back to Portugal for the next couple of vids..

[@peterdnreynolds777]

Excellent video, hope all is well, take care

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Peter 👍

[@racingweirdo]

You finally catch the virmm with flow design. Much beter thans the old ones.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Ah cool. Can you describe what you mean by "flow design"?

[@racingweirdo]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels full yellow, white logo, blue head. Refurbisch gen 3/4 virms.

[@ErikEvrard]

Before the Westerschelde tunnel was built, there were actually two ferry services: the one that you took, but also Kruiningen-Perkpolder. The station of Kruiningen-Yerseke was further away from the ferry terminal, so it wasn't as useful for train passengers, but this ferry also carried cars.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks for that extra info. 👍

[@dereckhasken9055]

Correction: before the roadtunnel under the Schelde you took the car/truck ferry from Kruiningen to Perkpolder the other ferry (Vlissingen to Breskens) was also in use but the Kruiningen-Perkpolder was much closer to Antwerp

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks for that. so most people would use that ferry. although I suppose people wishing to travel down the coast would cross at Vlissingen?

[@kubrabenelli9117]

The women said: Supersweet, i was wondering why i was wearing so little!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Ah thank you so much! And thanks for watching too 👍

[@volvo480]

And she had a typical Rotterdam accent. 😅

[@chrislaarman7532]

Ferry, cycling: I have made bicycle trips from Breskens several times. Taking the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Vlissingen, the ferry to Breskens, then unfold my Brompton and ride. - In summer (with long daylight...). Yes, these ferries do get crammed with people and bicycles at times! Me, I have made it into Brugge (Bruges), but I found following the coastline to the Zwin (nature reserve on the border) more interesting. Anecdote: Yes, a standard bicycle would be more comfortable than a folding Brompton (notably my older one). However, once when about halfway between Sluis (NL) and Damme (B), I got a puncture. Walking back to Breskens might well have had me miss the ferry connecting to my last train of the day. So I pushed my bike back to Sluis, just in time to catch an already loaded bus to Breskens. Hadn't I put its cover on the bike (turning it into just a piece of luggage), then the bus driver would gladly have refused me. - It just dawns on me: this is the origin of "undercover". ;-)

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I agree the Brompton does make it a lot easier to take the bike where people wouldn't let you take a bike!

[@phronsiekeys]

Great excursion in that good old Dutch weather. I hope you got a coffee or tea in Breskens.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I didn't get a cuppa in Breskens sadly. I just got wet. but it was all sorted at the railway station when I returned to Vlissingen 😀

[@-AlwaysSunny-]

Thank you for your travel report and your effort to pronounce the cities/stations etcetera in Dutch along the way. You are doing very well. Keep it up! ✨

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Haha - you are very kind and I'm sorry I make a mess of the languages of every country I travel to. So it is nice that you appreciate I'm trying 😀 and, of course, thank you too for watching 👍

[@Blackadder75]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels you actually do some very well indeed, only to butcher the next one ....

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@Blackadder75 ah that is indeed how I think it goes...

[@pannenkoekspek]

The state of the NS trains has really gone down hill the last 10 years. they used to clean them way more.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, it is a shame. Thanks for watching 👍

[@MrJimheeren]

For those that are wondering. The Netherlands just like Britain today used to have multiple train providers. Each with there own stations, infrastructure and trains. And yes I’m aware there are multiple train providers in the Netherlands today as well, but NS is the main one

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, I'm sure that is true. The 19th century was a time of private capital in many countries for things like railways. Of course, because road transport was so comparably poor in those days, there really was money to be made from building and operating railways!

[@volvo480]

​@@JohnnyHooverTravelsThere were two big companies, HIJSM or Hollandsche IJzeren Spoorweg-Maatschappij (Holland Iron Railway Company, this is where Den Haag HS got its name from) and Maatschappij tot Exploitatie van de Staatsspoorwegen (Company for Exploitation of State Railways), which despite its name was a private company and had Den Haag SS (now Den Haag Centraal) as its terminus. The State built railways, the companies got concessions to run trains on them. From 1917 on these companies started to cooperate, resulting in a merger to Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) in 1937. To date the NS is a privately held company, with the State as its only shareholder.

[@thomasrealist6181]

Super lief (super sweet) to see Roosendaal, the city of railway. longest platform in Europe! two trains could park in a line. Before Roosendaal was the only station to Belgium, sadly enough due to some mistakes the railway area has been bombed at WWII by the English. A lot of people died and it didn't make the area more beautiful

[@marcpalmen1994]

Voor het langste perron moet je naar Sittard gaan

[@malcolmpeel]

Or rotterdam by Germany

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

even if it isn't the longest, it really is long! As I had not researched it before I arrived I was really surprised to see just how long it was! Thank you so much for watching 👍

[@WINGSANDRAILS]

never took that ferry! or Den Haag! Thank for the vid

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

You are very welcome 👍

[@richardtalbot8769]

when i went many years ago there wasn't very much in Breskens as most people took the bus to Sluis or across into Belgium. i am learning dutch and its hard going but i when i travel by train in the NL i use train wifi as it lists the stops and onward connections. Yet the conductor will announce the connections a little before the train arrives at a station.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes. I find Dutch very difficult when people speak it so fast. But me and my friends speak English pretty fast too, so I'm not complaining about them! Best wishes to you 👍

[@ampersand.]

The Platform Guy did a fair bit of yomping there - might he be in training for any `ride out-walk back` vids this summer? :D Lovely informative journey, thank you.

[@LuukvdHoogen]

This is like a top chef reviewing fast food, its just the daily intercity mate

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I see your point. But it was new to me and many of the viewers 🤷🏻‍♂. I certainly enjoyed discovering the trains and places of the Netherlands. Lovely country 👍

[@user-gt2ud2gw9e]

Years ago I did that journey. From Vlissingen you can connect with ferry and bus to the terminus of the famous Belgian Coastal Tramway. And now, in this day and age with every opportunity at your disposal, you can then continue onwards with a local bus to Dunquerque and then finally to Calais (there's even a train linking the two). For Dutch map, check NS maps, if you want all the buses, check Connexion Zeeland (excellent map). For on-line Belgium map, check De Lijn (flemish Belgium). In France, check individual towns plus "plan de réseau de bus", but for all local rail, I use "TER plan du réseau" and then you put in your area so, here it's "Nord Pas de Calais". I believe SNCF have now changed the title, so it's TER plan du réseau Hauts de France. And there you have your entire journey mapped out for you.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

That's all excellent advice! I was looking at the Belgian coastal tramway and that looks like something i should do in the future. Thank you 👍

[@fmcb269]

​​@@JohnnyHooverTravels- It must be twenty years since I last rode the coastal tramway, but I don't suppose it's changed much. I'm sure you'd enjoy it. Early morning ferry from Dover, a short walk to Calais Ville station, then the 05.30 commuter train to Dunkirk. A bendy bus from the station forecourt to Adinkirke, then onto the coastal tram. Often on a dedicated tram track, but sometimes sharing town streets with other traffic. Most enjoyable. - And cheap!

[@jwslijm7278]

Small mistake. You have to change busses in Westkapelle, Belgium. Veerhaven, Breskens (line 42) 12.15 Westkapelle 13.08 / 13.20 Knokke (line 41) 13.38

[@jwslijm7278]

A Day pass off peak is now € 17,15. You can travel in the whole of Zeeland, but not the lines into Belgium. Just to the border and not from Hulst to Breda. You can use it also for the busses going through the Westerschelde Tunnel. The issue of the toilets on the trains is a well known thing by people making videos about traintravel. You are not the only one. Looking at the clocks in Roosendaal and Vlissingen; you had some delay. Even if you made that connection in Roosendaal, than you still had to wait 30 minutes extra in Vlissingen. / BTW in the 70's i went for the first time on a real foreign trip from Groningen (depart 5.10) to Vlissingen to take the ferry with Olau to Sheerness and than to Dorking. A return trip from Windsor to Slough was my first traintravel in the UK.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thank you for all that extra information! And also those excellent memories of the old ferry service. and thank you too for watching the video 👍

[@erik_griswold]

The additional luggage space in the VIRM used to be an elevator for the catering trolley/cart back when NS offered food for sale on board.

[@jwslijm7278]

Correct!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

how very interesting. Thanks for adding that detail 👍

[@jptv5726]

Nice video. You did actually not bad with your dutch pronunciation. The virm trains actually drive a intercity service all tho the name virm makes you think otherwise. They were originally meant for interregio service, but that train type never started by NS, sow now the virm's are the backbone of the IC trains in the Netherland.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Very kind of you to say that I at least got close to the Dutch names and words... but I'm sure it is still painful to hear! The virms are ok... and they look pretty smart when cleaned and without graffiti Thank you so much for watching and commenting 👍

[@user-gt2ud2gw9e]

How much of the route you can now do in one day, I'm not sure, but I know connections have improved a lot since the time I did the trip. A lot will depend on what time you plan to arrive at Calais. Another benefit of these days - in France, many départements have ridiculously cheap bus fares for 1 euro which suggests to me the possibility of doing the whole French section of the route for 2 euros.!!! The Dutch - Any domestic ticket(s) are much cheaper once you step across the border. Any international ticket (like from Brussels to Rotterdam) are more likely to reflect "British style pricing".!!!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Well I'm certainly going to have a look at that route up the coast. It sounds fun on a sunny day! Thanks again for all the information 👍

[@leneeanderson4848]

Was.... the bathroom supposed to look like that? 😆 Fantastic description, btw!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I think it is bringing street art to the masses... Thanks for watching 👍

[@john07973]

Nice video. I took the car over from Sheerness to Vlissingen a few times in the early 90s) Olau Line decent night service, killed off by the Channel Tunnel I guess. A shame the graffiti vermin had been at it in that toilet .

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks! Yes there's lots of old routes here and there. Nice to hear about that one. 👍

[@erik_griswold]

For window situations like the one at 8:35 which I encounter on Amtrak, a packet of Windex wipes can be a thing to pack in one’s bag.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Haha yes, I have thought the same when travelling before. however, I'd need a ladder with these trains! Best wishes and thank you for watching 👍

[@chrislaarman7532]

@@JohnnyHooverTravelsSome NS train driver on KZbin mentioned that there are staff shortages in the trainwashing department, and that a trainwash amounts to €1000. For what it's worth... (pun intended)

[@pianistsdream]

Enjoyable video as always. Try Sayland instead of Seeland.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks! I shall try to get (a bit) better with my dutch pronunciations. Thanks for the kind words and for watching my video 👍

[@bosoerjadi2838]

And 'diep' (as in Hollandsch Diep or Hollands Diep) is pronounced as deep, (not so) coincidentally having the exact same meaning. 'ie' in Dutch is almost always pronounced as 'ee' in English.

[@MagereHein]

Ah yes, having to run to change coach - or even miss departure. Every NS passenger's been there. 😆

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks! I feel your pain now! And thanks for watching 👍

[@chrislaarman7532]

Anecdote from Christmas Eve 2007 (or 2008): I had to travel from Amsterdam Centraal to Bergen op Zoom (and back, only to enter my signature with a notary at Tholen). My train consisted of two or three of these VIRM sets, and the rear one would stay at Roosendaal. At the time, this service would run via Schiphol Airport (instead of Haarlem), but leave Amsterdam westward. Just before departure, some obstruction occurred on our route. Never mind, we got rerouted to reach Rotterdam via Breukelen and Gouda. Near Breukelen, an English-speaking passenger wondered when we'd reach Schiphol, as he had a flight to catch. (My memory tells me that he and some others had a taxi arranged by NS from Rotterdam Centraal.) There also was this elder couple with big trolleys. They had taken care to board the frontmost carriage of the train, as they would take the ferry from Vlissingen to Breskens. But now they found themselves (like me) in the very rear of the part of the train that would stay at Roosendaal... If you think you'd be wise to always board the frontmost EMU of NS: I once found myself locked in not the frontmost part of my intended train but the rearmost part of the train reversing at Amsterdam Centraal. So I waited for a train driver to enter the "front" cabin, knocked on the inside door, and asked to be let out. Obviously, my intended train had be unable to depart, but it had become rather busy. (Afternoon peak hour, train to Den Haag Centraal, a terminus.) Last month, it would have happened to me (on my way to Goes), hadn't I had this earlier experience.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@chrislaarman7532 haha - I'm pleased that even locals have problems like mine sometimes!

[@katashworth41]

Was there a mystery voice to go along with the laser display board?

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Only voiceover man...

[@MrJimheeren]

That what I love about Rotterdam. You can see all these different cargo trains with the funky color schemes and rare trains

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes. I did see more freight trains than the video shows as I have to edit my recordings down to a somewhat viewable length!

[@chrislaarman7532]

⁠​⁠@@JohnnyHooverTravelsMany of the cargo trains don't pass through "Rotterdam proper". There is this huge Kijfhoek yard that you filmed passing, but the port area is on the South side of the Nieuwe Waterweg, and the main train routes are to the South (across the Hollands Diep, then diverging) and East (along the Betuweroute, a dedicated cargo line) to Germany via Zevenaar. Rotterdam Centraal station will only see the cargo trains passing into Germany via Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA(!) and eventually Bad Bentheim. And the odd cargo train staying within the Netherlands. For those interested: there are several Dutch cargo drivers posting cab views here on KZbin. Their trains often are international, and then mostly using multi-system electric locomotives.

[@garrytuohy9267]

I hadn't heard of SWATH Hulls before. Have you tried a SeaCat? This trip did remind me of the first time I took a train in the Netherlands. I had to change at Duivendrecht. But with the correct Dutch pronounciation I was left with no idea what the first letter was in the name of the Station. Then I saw a Conductor on the Platform and though I would ask if I was on the correct platform and hopefully get a second chance to hear Duivendrecht. He did tell me to change at that station, but I was completely none the wiser about which station. Luckily, there were announcements in the train that sounded the same. Anyway, Duivendrecht isn't a pretty station but it is interesting. It has two sets of train tracks that cross each other at right angles. At least, I have never seen another like it.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I often record the conductor's train announcements to get an idea of pronunciation. But the Dutch ones were really hard to make out where one word ended and another started! Not tried SeaCat on the channel but I think I went on it to Guernsey years ago? Thanks so much for watching 👍

[@barvdw]

There are a few other like it, e.g. you could say Berlin Hbf has a similar vibe, but due to its size, not totally comparable, quite a few Berlin -Kreuz stations (Ostkreuz, Südkreuz, Westkreuz) have stations on 2 levels, Osnabrück Hbf (one on the line from Bremen to Cologne, the other from the Netherlands to Berlin, it's where you change to get from Amsterdam to Hamburg, for instance), there's Flintholm and Danshøj stations in Copenhagen...

[@garrytuohy9267]

@@barvdw I am sure I have been through Ostkruez and never noticed. The "Kruez" should have been the clue, but "Cross" in an English station's name usually suggests a rail-road crossing, not a rail-rail crossing. Anyway, it is good to know where to look out for other rail-rail crossing stations.

[@andrewjameson5918]

You seem to be using an interrail ticket, this seems to have covered most if not all of your travel in the NL, can you tell me how you got this and how much.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

It all depends what you want, where you live and how old you are. Prices and details are all here www.myinterrail.co.uk/interrail-passes/

[@andrewjameson5918]

@@JohnnyHooverTravelsthanks

[@barvdw]

Do remember, depending on the country and the type of train, you might need an extra (paid) reservation, although, not in the Netherlands. Prices differ a lot, e.g. Eurostar, a reservation from London to Paris or Brussels is €30 on top of your Interrail pass. And sometimes, especially for shorter trips, just buying a domestic ticket is actually cheaper. But apart from the mandatory reservations on some trains, Interrail is wonderful for its flexibility, you can't beat just heading to the station and deciding then and there where you're off to.

[@MLWitteman]

Great video once again! Sadly, the NS are very poorly staffed since the COVID pandemic. So cleaning the trains is not a priority at the moment. Which is a real shame, because the princes for the tickets are going up nonetheless.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, I realise the train gets you there with or without dirty windows. But the perception of an efficient and well run service is given by these details. Thanks for watching 👍

[@thebackyard7661]

somehow NS barely has time to clean their trains anymore, i often joke about our trains having a new gray livery.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

It is a shame as the NS colours are iconic. When they are clean, the trains look really sharp. Thanks for watching 👍

[@MVHens]

Did you notice the typo at 4:01 ? The correct spelling is 'Schiedam Centrum'.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes. A couple of other people have mentioned it. I cannot change it now. My apologies. Thanks for watching, I hope my typing error didn't spoil it too much! 👍

[@garybroadhurst3548]

Johnny, I've been catching up on all your videos for a couple of weeks since discovering your channel. I, and I'm sure many others, would really appreciate a video just generally about using the InterRail ticket in Europe as you seem to do that regularly. I'm British but living abroad in the EU which gives me the luxury of being able to Interrail around the UK when I visit - I've done that twice now and will be there again in a couple of weeks. I've not done one in Europe yet and the main thing I worry about is seat reservations. They seem to be a LOT more of an issue in the rest of Europe (you basically don't need them ANYWHERE in the UK). Do you always make reservations when they are supposedly needed? Also, there must be other quirks and problems as well as benefits I haven't thought of. Do you ever have problems with ticket inspectors not recognising the ticket? Do they actually bother to scan the barcode (they rarely do in the UK)? Do you actually enter EVERY journey into the app? I do, but the barcode never seems to change. It was seeing you use your barcode at an automatic ticket gate that made me think of this. I'm sure you know this NEVER works in the UK! The videos available by young 'look-at me!' KZbinr-backpackers are a bit... basic, and don't really cater to the rail enthusiast. I'm sure you could do us proud as everything I've seen of your channel so far has been excellent. Thank you!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks for catching up on all the videos. Good job 👍 Wrt Interrail I will have a think. For sure it is confusing but I'm not sure how I might explain it and cover everything. The Man in Seat 61 does a pretty good job on his website, so I might be reinventing the wheel. But let me think...

[@garybroadhurst3548]

@@JohnnyHooverTravelsfair enough. I actually think Interrail is quite simple, to be honest. I was really worried the first time but the app. is excellent and it was a breeze, once you get used to the quirks. It would be good to inspire more of your subscribers to give it a try and teach them some of the 'tricks'. I bet many don't realise how cost-effective it can be doing what you do.

[@TheJG3870]

I use Interrail for all my travels around Europe, on the whole I manage to avoid seat reservations as I filter the planner for "no seat reservations" and it plots a route without seat reservations. You can nagivate the whole of the Netherlands without seat reservations, however there is a high speed line between Rotterdam and Amsterdam which requires a €2.99 supplement but the Interrail app tells you that but you can avoid the high speed line by taking the classic route which is what I do to avoid the supplement when I'm in the Netherlands. In regards to ticket checks I've never had an issue with the e-ticket, the onboard inspector may ask to see your I.D. and they may want to see the journey you are making on the app. The QR code scanned at all the ticket gates I used in the Netherlands 🇳🇱👍

[@Kulla1berg]

I did not know that there was still a ferry link from Villsing south, a funny and very exciting adventure you did. You do not need to travell to Asia to find an adventure Now we all wondering where you will be going next, first I thought Belgium but I suspect somewhere in UK, could it be something connected to Mr Brunnel?

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Well, that trip ended with getting the Stena back to the UK. Of course I then used the last 3 days of my Interrail with a quick trip to Portugal. There's two more Portugal trips left to put on the channel... ...later this month I have my second Interrail ticket of the year. This time I am going to be in Switzerland ! But more of that in the weeks to come 😉

[@Kulla1berg]

We are looking forward to that

[@volvo480]

The in-train information is appalling. Many times the OBIS (On Board Information System) displays are broken so you have no clue where you are or why everyone is suddenly leaving the carriage. Sometimes they announce it through the speakers but that's not always the case. Zeeuws-Vlaanderen is quite an outpost of the country, they managed to keep it after the cessation of Belgium in 1831, effectively controlling the Scheldt estuary you were crossing with the ferry.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Haha - well announcements in Dutch would not help a daft Englishman like me anyway! I think I proved that on this trip! Nice to know some background on why NL has that sliver of land... and no surprise that the reason is "politics". 😃 Thank you so much for watching 👍

[@zephyrus339]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels It's history actually goes back a bit further. The border between 'Zeeuws-Vlaanderen' and Belgium is basically the frontline where prince Fredrik-Hendrik van Oranje Nassau's attempt to capture Antwerp ended before he died in 1647 and peace was concluded with Spain in 1648.

[@ivardewit]

by schiedam you sayd scheidam, the ei mispelled 😉

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thank you. Yes, someone else has pointed it out too. My apologies, because I cannot edit the text now the video is uploaded 🥲 And, of course, thank you also for watching 👍

[@DrErikEvrard]

You spelled "Schiedam" wrong at 4:00 (by inverting the 'e' and 'i' the pronunciation changes completely).

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I'm sorry that was just a silly mistype. Thank you for pointing it out. At least I pronounced it Skee-dam" this time! Thanks for watching and putting me right 👍

[@ErikEvrard]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels Dutch isn't the easiest of languages. If you have the chance to do this trip again in the summer (or probably in the spring, with sunnier weather but still not too many crowds), you really should make it a full circle and take the bus to Bruges (and from there, back to Antwerp and The Netherlands). Or, you might change busses in West-Kappelle for another one to Knokke (where there's also a railway station). But in Knokke you can also board the world's longest coastal tramline, which goes practically from the The Netherlands to France (although on neither side it crosses the border, but it's really close nonetheless). There are multiple train connections on the way. At the southern terminus in De Panne you can take a train to Ghent. Note that in Flanders you can just tap a contactless card to pay in all busses and trams, but a day ticket will cost you €7.50 - good value for money, too. If fact, if you tap in multiple times, it will automatically cap at the price of a day ticket.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@ErikEvrard thanks for that! That's excellent information. I really appreciate it. ❤️

[@vanderquast]

NS quality in terms of cleanliness really is ashame 😢

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes it is. Rather lets the product down. Thanks for watching 👍

[@harriscouwenberg139]

and maybe metnion the walk from Vlissingen station to the ferry is about 20 mins?

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Do you mean the walk from the town to the ferry? The railway station is right next door to the ferry terminal.

[@harriscouwenberg139]

that is weird, I clearly remember having to walk quite a way to get to the ferry terinal, strange, but even better :-)@@JohnnyHooverTravels

[@racingweirdo]

@@harriscouwenberg139 Vlissingen have two stations, picking the right one is key.

[@ErikEvrard]

It really is just a minute walk from the railway station to the ferry terminal. They are practically next to each other.

[@racingweirdo]

@@ErikEvrard nog when you taken the wrong station

[@kevanhubbard9673]

You say that V as an F which is where the English got Flushing from.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Brilliant- now that makes absolute sense! Thanks for that 👍 And thanks for watching too 👍

[@DT-wp4hk]

I miss going to Roosendaal by train. Belgium has become so boring.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Well i found Belgium interesting enough. Although NL has more food choices for vegetarians like me 🤷‍♂️ Thanks for watching 👍

[@Martin-on2pp]

Seems like a typical Dutch toilet. Unfortunatelly...

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes i think you might be right about that 🥲 Anyway, thank you so much for watching 👍

[@marcelmoulin3335]

Ja, u heeft groot gelijk. Afschuwelijk! "We Dutch must do better."

[@user-gt2ud2gw9e]

The onward possibilities of your trip to South Nederland seem to have aroused a lot of response from your viewers. Firstly, if you want to pick up the coastal tramway, don't take the Bruges bus that you saw. There's a bus to take you to the tram terminus (the tram does not go to Bruges). You also need a ferry, don't you? - unless there's now a bridge (anyway, I think you know all about that part). What I want to pick up on, is what some viewers in the know have mentioned - it may be the cheapest way of getting to Holland - hugging the coast from Calais. The one golden rule to remember is - never buy any cross border (International tickets). Just pay individually on each transport. De Lijn, and NS both have day tickets. The Dutch ticket takes care of absolutely every type of transport known to mankind!!! However, you may not even need a rover. Buy whatever ticket you need as soon as you step across each border, not before.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thank you. That is brilliant! 👍

[@val-schaeffer1117]

Rail services in NL is only slightly better than Germany and substantially worse than in Switzerland, but costs more than the latter.

[@enthusiastisch1922]

Well, Germany has the D-Ticket that covers all of Germany. Can't complain about that.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Well i will have a chance to compare as i am going to Switzerland in about a weeks time ! And thank you for watching 👍

[@SandersStuff4u]

LOL @ North Korean vibe indeed.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes it did make me chuckle at the time. Thanks for watching 👍

[@1aapmens]

English people are allowed to call it Flushing

[@erik_griswold]

That’s what they call it in New Amsterdam.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

fair enough. I shall try to keep referring to the place by the name on the departure board. But in a terrible English accent, for which I apologise! 😃

[@reinhardmarkner6823]

And The Hague, obviously

[@geoff1201]

Aitch S, not Haitch S 😂

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Haha! Depends where you are from! 😉 Thanks for watching 👍

[@jooproos6559]

Its MAAS in Dutch.Meuse is Belgian.

[@thierry5878]

No, Meuse is not Belgian, it's French for Maas.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Of course, you are correct. My apologies. I was alluding to the fact that in a previous video on the same trip, I had been by the same river (then the Meuse) when I was in French speaking Belgium. Thank you for watching - apologies for all my bad Dutch! 👍

[@SeverityOne]

It's also Meuse in English. You can't exactly fault him for speaking his native language.

[@SeverityOne]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels Nah, you're Dutch pronunciation is very much OK. The one time you over-corrected was 'Hollands Diep': the 'ie' is pronounced more or less as 'ee' in English. If the two letters were pronounced separately, it would have been spelt as 'Diëp'. Dutch is very orthogonal in its pronunciation, meaning that orthography and phonology are closely linked. ...except if the word is of foreign origin. Of which there are an awful lot. Dutch uses foreign words and leaves the spelling and pronunciation the same. Only some French words have had their spelling and/or pronunciation slightly changed. Dutch even uses the Latin plural for Latin words such as 'museum'. The real fun begins when a loanword, such as the English verb 'to race' is conjugated via Dutch grammar rules.