Train information
Geert Jan de Groot posted the following information on the 78 attandees mailing list:
From Schiphol Airport, recommendation is to use Dutch Railways.
http://www.ns.nl/cs/Satellite/travellers to travel to Maastricht.
On mobile devices, http://mobile.ns.nl/planner.action is probably easier
The MECC is actually close to 'Maastricht Randwijck', not 'Maastricht'.
From Maastricht station you probably want a taxi and from Randwijck station it is a couple of minutes walk.
If you travel to to Maastricht Randwijck, you'll need to change at Maastricht as well.
All these trains run several times per hour so should you miss a connection, just take the next one.
The train to Maastricht does split up in Sittard and they will announce train numbers for each direction. There will be travellers who can help you identifying the right cart, you can also ask for help when you change in Amsterdam or Utrecht.
In case of delays, disruptions etc, the "KPN" hotspot at each station does allow access to http://www.ns.nl/ free of charge.
Or, just ask NS staff if in doubt.
Ticket machine
http://www.ietf78.nl/practicalities/how-to-purchase-a-trainticket.html
The ticket machines (big and yellow) at Schiphol do accept credit cards.
NS ticket vending machines elsewhere in the Netherlands do not accept credit cards.
You can buy tickets for 'today' or 'undated' tickets. Buy one ticket 'today' to Maastricht, and an 'undated' for the return trip.
You will need to validate the 'undated' ticket in a stamp machine, a small yellow box on a pole. Ask NS staff for help.
If this is all too complex, you can buy tickets at the NS ticket counter at Schiphol, unfortunately surcharge for buying at the counter is EUR 0.50.
What not to do:
- Do not buy 'reduction fare' (if you need these instructions 'reduction fare' probably doesn't apply to you)
- Do not buy 'return ticket' because both trips need to be at the same day
- Do not buy 'OV chipkaart' as it is not valid everywhere yet (and a paper ticket is)
Price single fare:
2nd class: EUR 27.50
1st class: EUR 46.80
(prices valid as of 16 june)
Maastricht <--> Maastricht Randwyck is run by 2 operators, a paper ticket is valid in both.
