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How To Buy Dutch Train Tickets
Dutch trains are run by the national rail company "NS" Nederlandse Spoorwegen and the network covers the country extensively. Travelling by train is convenient, reliable and reasonable value for money. There are a number of different types of rail tickets available in Netherlands - for either first or second class. |
You can purchase a Single, Day Return or Weekend Return to your destination on the day of travel. The return price is slightly cheaper than 2 singles so it is always worth buying if you are coming back. And unlike the UK where the one-way fare is almost the same as the return fare, the Dutch single is good value in comparison. For example, Amsterdam Centraal to Utrecht Centraal is €6.70 single and €13.00 return.
The Weekend Return ticket can be very useful for weekend trips - it is valid from Friday after 1900 until Sunday night and costs the same as a day return.
Some trains in Netherlands require supplements for domestic use - such as the ICE trains going to Germany and the new high speed 'FYRA' service between Amsterdam and Rotterdam. However with a standard ticket you can jump on any normal services such as the Intercity / stop trains - free seating is in effect with no reservation necessary.
You also have the choice of buying undated single or day return tickets in advance of the travel date - these need to be validated on the day (before the start of your journey) at one of the yellow stamping machines near the platforms. A 'Valid Today' ticket will not need stamping as it has the date printed on it.
Note, NS do not sell UK style 'open return' tickets where you take the first journey and then return on another day of your choosing. In that case just buy separate singles before travel.
Children: If you have children aged between 4 and 11 you can purchase a 'Railrunner' ticket which costs just €2.50 - this is valid the whole day and is great value. Kids 3 and under travel for free.
There are other ticket types available for sale: Dog tickets (€3), Bicycle Tickets (€6), unlimited travel for 1 day (trains only or all transport), upgrades to first class, and multiple stop roundtrip tickets.
Travelling by train to/from Schiphol airport is possible and you will pay the standard network fare for the journey - there are no premiums to pay like you find in some airports worldwide (such as Sydney, Australia for example). Check our Amsterdam Rail Network map.
Discounts: If you live in Netherlands you can purchase a discount card (this is known as a "voordeelurenabonnement" or "korting" card for short!) which entitles you - and up to 3 travel companions - to 40% off fares for travel after 0900 on weekdays. During weekends and July / August the discount is valid before 0900. The card costs €55 per year and can be acquired by filling in a form and making the payment at any station counter. You need to provide a photo which will be scanned onto the card - which can also be used as a personal OV-chipkaart. It takes a few weeks to arrive by post but you are issued with a temporary paper card to use in the meantime. Do not try to travel alone on a discounted ticket if you don't own a korting card! |
Where to Buy
You can purchase a ticket at one of the yellow & blue ticket machines. They have both a Dutch and an English language touch-screen interface - you can get to grips with it by checking out this handy demo. (The default start station on the demo is Rotterdam Centraal - click on the square to change station).
The machines accept payment by various means - all accept Dutch PIN chip cards, some accept euro coins but not notes. A few also accept Maestro and credit card payments with a €1 surcharge.
You can also buy your ticket at the "Tickets & Service" counter in the station and you will pay €0.50 surcharge for the privilege. At the major stations there are also special international ticket counters known as "NSHispeed" - see our guide to International Train Services To / From Amsterdam.
Some locals are using the OV chipkaart to travel on the rail network - tickets are sold as singles (you have to check-in and check-out for each trip) and are priced at half the return fare. This means there is a slight discount on the normal one-way tariff. You must have an activated personal or anonymous OV card to do this. Most visitors can still make do with the normal paper tickets.
The NS has also recently started to sell e-tickets online - payment is via Dutch bank transfer (iDeal) only - so it is only useful for residents at the moment. You print out the ticket in A4 format which will include your name and date of birth. You must have accompanying identification along with the ticket. The e-tickets cost the same as standard tickets and are valid on any train to the destination on the day of travel.
When travelling there are normally conductors on board the train and they often walk through the carriages checking and stamping tickets - so don't think about boarding without a valid ticket! They also carry a special machine that can read the OV chip card.
For more on the Dutch rail network: Dutch Railways Guide