Originally Posted by
xyzzy
Beware -- the train ticket machines that take credit cards do not like US cards that lack a SIM chip. Most of the machines take coins, but it can be difficult to find change.
It's not a SIM chip but a smart chip (credit cards can't be plugged into GSM phones, yet). Europe (trend start by France?) uses this secure(?) technology which requires a PIN to use a card - maybe more secure than a stripe-only card where a stolen/lost card can potentially (and actually) be used multiple times. I've noticed the ticket machines sometimes don't like non-NL Euro coins.
2) When you buy your train ticket from the airport to AMS, it's a little bit cheaper to buy a round trip same day ticket than 2 one way tickets. Also, the last couple of times I was there, there was someting like a 50 euro cents charge to buy your ticket from an agent at the ticket window vs from a machine - not really a big deal - just a thought!
Still a EUR 0.5 surcharge though if you plead it wouldn't take your CC, the agent may waive the fee. You can also buy discounted overnight return tickets which are cheaper than 2 OW tickets.