You Can Take a Train Through the Netherlands' Iconic Tulip Fields for $9-Here's How

"Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), the Dutch national railway company, gets people from point A to point B with ease. Its Haarlem-to-Leiden route takes just 21 minutes, with more than 100 trains departing daily, and tickets begin at only €7.80 (about $9). While it's not an over-the-top luxurious experience, the train is comfortable enough-and you'll be too focused on watching the tulip fields pass by to worry about luxury anyway."

"On this quick journey, the train travels through Noordwijkerhout, a town that comes into full bloom in the spring with thousands of flowers bursting through the soil. And it's not just the famed regional tulips on display here. As the community's official website explains, 'You can smell and see daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips everywhere.'"

"When you find yourself standing beside a brilliantly colored flower field, it can be all too tempting to charge in amongst the flowers. Resist the urge. The flowers and bulbs are fragile, and if you have any plant diseases on your shoes, you risk taking them in with you. This would be a pity for nature, but also a major loss for the growers."

The Dutch national railway company operates a 21-minute commuter train route from Haarlem to Leiden, with over 100 daily departures and tickets starting at €7.80. This journey provides an exceptional view of the Netherlands' famous spring flower displays, particularly through Noordwijkerhout, where thousands of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths bloom simultaneously. Visitors can extend their experience by taking a taxi or bus to Leiden station, then exploring the fields on foot or by bicycle using the town's interactive Flower Map. The community emphasizes respecting the delicate flowers and bulbs, as trampling or introducing plant diseases causes significant damage to both nature and commercial growers.

Read at Travel + Leisure