Holland has a good network of train connections. Amsterdam Centraal (which is likely where you arrive in Amsterdam) is connected to Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam, The Hague, Delft, Utrecht, Leiden, Haarlem, Alkmaar, Hoorn, Enkhuizen, Zandvoort, Zaandam and many other train stations.

The basics:

- Almost all train connections are operated by the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS). Their website is available in English.
- trains go from early morning until about midnight, on all lines
- there are almost always at least 2 trains per hour to any direction
- Tickets can be bought at all train stations
- You must buy a ticket before you enter the train
- tickets can be bought from machines. They are operated with a touch screen, and you can choose English as a language.
- Payment is only possible with debit or credit card (not with cash)
- All trains have toilets, but not the trains that stop at each station (they are called 'Sprinter').
- Large train stations have public toilets
- Smoking is not allowed in any train
- Buying a return ticket can be practical (the return ride must be used on the same day)
- A return ticket is always double the price of a single ride (no saving there)

Starting July 9 2014, all train passengers must have an OV-chipcard. For tourists (and other incidental travellers) there will be a disposable OV-chipcard for sale (there is a surcharge for this).