Buying Train Tickets in the Netherlands
Types of Train Tickets for Train Travel in Holland
So you have arrived in the Netherlands and you want to explore. If you are not organised enough to have already purchased your train tickets....well don’t panic - Here are 6 ways to purchase your Dutch rail ticket.
1. E-tickets
These single-use tickets can be purchased online here via the NS (Nederlands Spoorwegen- the Dutch National Railway Company). These tickets will have your name and date of birth on them and can be downloaded onto your phone or printed out. They are valid with your ID. It is easy as that! These e-tickets are the best option if you are already at the station and want to travel immediately they are also €1 cheaper than buying from the ticket machine/shop at the station. There will be a QR code on the ticket that you can scan either from your phone or the printed page into the code reader on the gates in the train station to gain access. If you have any problems doing this (not all barriers have the QR reader), then there will be staff who can assist you with enter.
2. Single use OV ChipCard
The OV ChipCard is a Public Transport Smart Card. You can buy a single use card from the train staff at the station ticket desk or from the ticket machines in the train stations. A €1 service fee will be applied when buying this card from either the machine or the staff. The card is used like any other public transport smart card. You will need to 'check in' and 'check out' at your last station when using the card. When your trip is over the ticket is no longer valid - and you can throw it away.
3. The Anonymous OV Chipcard
This is a good option for non-Dutch residents who plan to travel around the Netherlands more than a few times. It is a plastic card (that costs €8.50) that is loaded with money and you use it to 'check in ' and 'check out' of train stations. Don’t forget you have to keep it topped up to a minimum €20. You can purchase your OV Chipcard from the station (at ticket desk or the ticket machines) or from some shops/supermarkets in the Netherlands.
4. The Personal OV-Chipcard
These really take the hassle out of travel as they offer various options and (discounts however they are only for residents of the Netherlands. There are various subscription options available as explained in the link above.
5. Oher Tickets
Some newsagents/grocery and hardware stores sell discounted tickets from time to time. These typically have their own set of rules regarding usage. You can read more about this link above. These are really good value is you are planning a one off outing or trip to a museum or park, or overnight stay in another city.
6. Rail Pass (InterRail or Eurail Pass)
Prices vary depending on where you purchase the pass and the class you choose from but range from €125 upwards.
Queues at the ticket desk in the airport can be long so a little planning ahead saves time and money
1. E-tickets
These single-use tickets can be purchased online here via the NS (Nederlands Spoorwegen- the Dutch National Railway Company). These tickets will have your name and date of birth on them and can be downloaded onto your phone or printed out. They are valid with your ID. It is easy as that! These e-tickets are the best option if you are already at the station and want to travel immediately they are also €1 cheaper than buying from the ticket machine/shop at the station. There will be a QR code on the ticket that you can scan either from your phone or the printed page into the code reader on the gates in the train station to gain access. If you have any problems doing this (not all barriers have the QR reader), then there will be staff who can assist you with enter.
2. Single use OV ChipCard
The OV ChipCard is a Public Transport Smart Card. You can buy a single use card from the train staff at the station ticket desk or from the ticket machines in the train stations. A €1 service fee will be applied when buying this card from either the machine or the staff. The card is used like any other public transport smart card. You will need to 'check in' and 'check out' at your last station when using the card. When your trip is over the ticket is no longer valid - and you can throw it away.
3. The Anonymous OV Chipcard
This is a good option for non-Dutch residents who plan to travel around the Netherlands more than a few times. It is a plastic card (that costs €8.50) that is loaded with money and you use it to 'check in ' and 'check out' of train stations. Don’t forget you have to keep it topped up to a minimum €20. You can purchase your OV Chipcard from the station (at ticket desk or the ticket machines) or from some shops/supermarkets in the Netherlands.
4. The Personal OV-Chipcard
These really take the hassle out of travel as they offer various options and (discounts however they are only for residents of the Netherlands. There are various subscription options available as explained in the link above.
5. Oher Tickets
Some newsagents/grocery and hardware stores sell discounted tickets from time to time. These typically have their own set of rules regarding usage. You can read more about this link above. These are really good value is you are planning a one off outing or trip to a museum or park, or overnight stay in another city.
6. Rail Pass (InterRail or Eurail Pass)
Prices vary depending on where you purchase the pass and the class you choose from but range from €125 upwards.
Queues at the ticket desk in the airport can be long so a little planning ahead saves time and money
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