What is the OV-chipcard?

OV is the abbreviation for Openbaar Vervoer, which is the Dutch for public transport. When you travel by bus, metro or train you can use an OV-chipcard for your travels. The card is loaded with cash and when you travel from your departure station you check-in (inchecken) and when you arrive at your destination you check out (uitchecken). The price of your journey is then debited from your card.

In buses, the check-in reader is usually on the bus beside the door or driver and at the train station the check-in reader can be either a free standing pole at the entrance of the station/on the platform or a reader is attached to the barrier gates. Some also have built in QR code scanners - you can use these for your mobile tickets too. If you are travelling with different train companies during your trip you can check in, when you switch trains you will need to check out from that company and check in again for the other train company - when you finish your trip you can then check out. If you are travelling with only one train company for your entire trip then it does not mater if you switch trains you can check in once and out once at the end of your trip. You can see a video on how this works here.

There are three types of OV chip cards that allow you to travel on the public transport system in Holland:

Disposable chipcards which you can buy at the ticket desk or from the ticket machine

Anonymous chipcards
Personal chipcards

See the above links for more information on where you can use/buy your chipcard and here for more information on how to use your chipcard