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Voykit pocket guide · Netherlands
Ansen
Half a day is enough: ride the Nije-Brink horse tram from Ruinerdijk 21, eat at De 2de Kamer, then move on to Assen or Emmen for the night.
Ansen is a small village in Drenthe with one draw: the Nije-Brink horse tram, which runs round trips from Ruinerdijk 21 through the countryside near the Dwingelderveld. There is no station and almost nowhere to sleep, so most visitors come for a few hours from Assen or Emmen and leave the same day.
- Country
- Netherlands
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Avoid
- Jan–Feb (cold, tram out of season)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR). Cards dominate; some shops and cafés are card-only and a few supermarkets accept debit cards but not all credit cards, so carry both.
- Daily spend
- Budget €45–70 excl. bed · Mid €70–110 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- KPN, Vodafone and Odido run the networks; Lebara and Lyca sell cheap prepaid SIMs in supermarkets and at Schiphol.
- Emergency
- Police, fire and ambulance 112 · Police non-urgent 0900-8844
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · Standard continental two-pin; UK and US plugs need adapters.
- Tipping
- Café: Round up.; Restaurant: 5–10% for good service; tell the server the total when paying by card.; Taxi: Round up.; Hotel: Not expected.
- Water
- Tap water is among the best in Europe; restaurants may charge for it, so ask.
- Toilets
- Stations charge about €0.70–1; cafés expect you to buy something; free urinals (and a few public toilets) in city centres.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | €2–3 |
| Sandwich | €4–6 |
| Beer (pub) | €3–5 |
| Regional bus ride | €2–3 |
| Nije-Brink horse tram ride | €12 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- GRQ · Groningen Airport Eelde
- Bus and train via Assen, about 45 min; check
Typical fares
- Bus Ansen → Emmen
- about €3 each way (check)
- Nije-Brink horse tram
- about €12 per person (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
No station in the village: reach Ansen by regional bus or bike from Assen or Emmen. The horse tram departs from Ruinerdijk 21, south-west of the centre.
See and do
Known for
- Nije-Brink horse tram
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Assen | Bus or bike from Ansen, or drive the N371 | About 30 min |
| Emmen | Bus from Ansen, or drive via the N34 | About 45 min |
| Coevorden | Bus or drive south-east | About 1 h |
| Westerbork | Drive or bus via Beilen | About 45 min |
Sleep
- Assen
- Nearest rail station and the widest choice of hotels; about 20 min by road.
- Emmen
- Larger town to the east with hotels and museums; about 30 min by road.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Sorrysorry |
| Thank you | Dank udank u |
| How much is it? | Hoeveel kost het?hoeveel kost het |
| Where is the toilet? | Waar is het toilet?waar is het toilet |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Firm handshake with eye contact; three cheek kisses among friends; avoid: Hugging new acquaintances
- Directness: Say what you mean; expect honest, blunt answers; avoid: Taking bluntness as rudeness
- Punctuality: Be on time; diaries plan weeks ahead; avoid: Dropping in unannounced
- Money: Split bills; pay your share; avoid: Showing off wealth
- Homes: Bring flowers or a small gift; congratulate everyone at a birthday; avoid: Expecting dinner if invited for coffee
Scams and watch-outs
- The horse tram runs seasonally, roughly May–Oct, and by booking only: confirm dates and times before you travel.
- Eating options are thin — De 2de Kamer on Kerkdijk is the known address; check opening hours.
Ansen is a quiet rural village and feels safe; the real risks are narrow country roads shared with farm vehicles and cyclists, and dark unlit lanes after dusk.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Ansen yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Nije-Brink horse tram
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Netherlands Tourist Board: www.holland.com/global/tourism.htm
- Wikivoyage: Ansen, revision 5232912 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5232912
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/ansen). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.