travel subscription netherlands

NS Dutch Railways Discount Cards (Explained)

NS Dutch Railways has a wide (and perhaps confusing) range of discount cards and season tickets available. These come as either travel with discount (reizen met korting) or unlimited travel (onbeperkt reizen) card products.

If you travel regularly by train in the Netherlands then these subscriptions could potentially save you a good deal of money. International visitors should note that these NS discount cards are aimed at residents rather than tourists.

If you are simply looking for the standard annual discount card (NS Dal Vordeel) then you can order the card here . Otherwise continue reading our complete guide on all NS discount and unlimited travel cards.

The NS rail subscription products are generally linked to a personal OV-chip card which includes your name and photo. Subscriptions can be managed online using the MijnNS portal.

There are 2 ways of paying the correct fare:

1. Using credit balance – You add credit to the card and need to check-in and check-out of your train journey as normal – the discounted or free fare will be automatically applied. A minimum of €10 balance is required for travel with a discount card. This option is now only available with the standard Dal Vordeel discount card (see below).

2. NS Flex – This allows holders to receive a monthly invoice for travel which is paid by direct debit. This means you no longer have to keep topping-up the OV-chip card balance. NS seems keen to move travellers over to this new system.

NS Flex is available for all subscription products. It includes a few more features such as the possibility of switching to 1st class after check-in, automatic correction if forgetting to check-out and an included OV-Fiets cycle subscription.

The NS discount cards are valid on the entire Dutch railway network, including on other train operators. They are also valid for travel within the Netherlands on Intercity Direct (supplement payable for Rotterdam-Schiphol), Intercity Berlin (no supplement needed) and ICE International (supplement payable). They are not valid on any Eurostar trains.

Most of the travel products make the distinction between ‘peak’ and ‘off-peak’ travel periods . NS designates peak hours (spitsuren) to be Monday to Friday 0630-0900 and 1600-1830. Off-peak times (daluren) are 0900-1600 and 1830-0630 on weekdays plus all of the weekend and public holidays.

For OV-chip cards it is actually the check-in time that counts, not the travel time. (This is not the case for discounted e-tickets – see below).

There is a 5 minute allowance for checking-in just before a change between peak hours. This is because check-in must be done at the card readers at the station (not on the train) so you may need a bit of extra time for that. That means off-peak rates are actually valid for checking-in before 0635, after 0855, before 1605 and after 1825!

Discount Codes for guests travelling with NS cardholders

One of the main benefits of the NS discount and unlimited travel cards listed below is 40% discounted travel for up to 3 guests during off-peak hours .

As of 2024, a co-travel code is required which links the main card holder to the guests travelling on discount.

The card holder can request and share a co-travel discount code through MijnNS. This entitles the receiver to travel with the off-peak discount if travelling with the cardholder (in the same carriage). The code remains valid until 0400 the following day.

With a valid code a Samenreisticket Dal e-ticket can be purchased online.

NS is phasing out the discount product on OV-chip cards and this will only be possible to place at a service desk, not a ticket machine. Also, it is not possible to buy a discounted disposable ticket at the station.

NS Discount Travel Cards

There are basically 3 discount travel card options. You pay a subscription fee which will then entitle you to travel at a discounted rate at various times. There is also a free travel days add-on available for resident seniors aged 60+. All the cards can be ordered online from NS directly. Prices are for 2024.

Dal Voordeel (off-peak discount card)

This is the most popular NS discount card option . For travel using credit on balance it costs €67.20 per year and offers 40% discount for travel during all off-peak hours. You get a personal OV-chip card for free if you don’t have one already.

For NS Flex, the Dal Vordeel costs €5.60 per month which is paid by direct debit and is cancellable anytime after the first month. Order the NS Dal Voordeel discount card here

Weekend Voordeel (weekend discount)

This NS Flex subscription gives a 40% discount at weekends and public holidays. The discount is valid from 1830 Friday until 0400 on Monday . It costs just €2.20 per month paid by direct debit. It can be cancelled any time after the first month. Note, there is a €10 administration fee to join if you don’t already have a NS subscription. Order the NS Weekend Voordeel here

Altijd Voordeel (anytime discount)

This NS Flex subscription gives a 20% discount for travel during peak hours and a 40% discount during off-peak hours. The Altijd Voordeel costs €26.70 per month which works out at €320.40 for the whole year. It can be cancelled any time after the first month. It should be considered if you travel at least twice a week during the peak times. Order the NS Altijd Voordeel here

Keuzedagen (optional free travel days) – Seniors 60+ who hold a Dal Voordeel card (credit on balance) can pay an annual supplement of €27.50 (2nd class) or €53.70 (1st class) to get 7 unrestricted free travel days known as keuzedagen .

keuze means ‘choice’ or ‘selection’ in Dutch; dagen means ‘days’.

A keuzedag is valid for travel at off-peak times on weekdays and anytime at weekends or public holidays.

You can add the keuzedagen as an optional extra when buying a Dal Voordeel subscription on balance. If you already hold the card then you need to request the keuzedag from NS and load it onto your card. These are currently not available on NS Flex subscriptions.

You must use the keuzedagen within 12 months or they will expire.

NS Unlimited Travel Subscriptions

There are a number of unlimited travel (100% discount) card options available with NS Flex on a monthly basis. These may offer value to those who need to do a lot of travel by train. They can be ordered online, monthly payments are made by direct debit and they are all cancellable at any time after the first month. Prices are for 2024.

Weekend Vrij (Weekend unlimited travel)

This offers the cardholder unlimited rail travel during the weekends, valid from 1830 Friday to 0400 Monday. For 2nd class travel it costs €34.95 per month . In 1st class it costs €43.95 per month . For an extra €3.40 per month it offers the holder and up to 3 guests a 40% discount for off-peak travel on weekdays. Order Weekend Vrij here

Dal Vrij (Off-peak unlimited travel)

This allows unlimited free travel during the off-peak hours on weekdays and anytime at weekends. Up to 3 guests can travel with 40% discount during off-peak hours. For 2nd class travel it costs €119.95 per month . In 1st class it costs  €159.95 per month . Order Dal Vrij here

We have used this one ourselves – if well used the Dal Vrij subscription can offer fantastic value.

A Dal Vrij subscription for those aged 65+ costs €54.95 per month (2nd class) and €87.95 per month (1st class).

Altijd Vrij (Unlimited travel at anytime)

This allows totally unrestricted free travel for the holder at any time on the Dutch rail network. Up to 3 guests can travel with 40% discount during off-peak hours. For 2nd class travel it costs €353.80 per month . In 1st class it costs €601.50 per month . Order Altijd Vrij here

Maandkaart Vrij Reizen (Unlimited free travel month ticket)

It is also possible to buy the unlimited travel option as a stand alone Maandkaart Vrij Reizen (month ticket) rather than as a subscription-based season ticket. You can add this to a personal OV-chip card from the NS ticket machine and payment is made up front.

For 1 month the costs are €424.60 (2nd class) and €721.80 (1st class).

There is also a 3 month option which is €1,061.40 (2nd class) and €1,804.50 (1st class).

The Maandkaart does not offer guest discounts.

Traject Vrij (Season ticket for a fixed route)

If you are commuting over a fixed route you can purchase a specific season ticket on a monthly or annual basis. This also gives a 40% discount to the holder when travelling on other routes during off-peak hours. The subscription fee (from around €61 per month) depends on length of the route. Longer routes will simply defer to the Altijd Vrij subscription.

Kids Vrij (Kids free)

This subscription allows children aged 4-11 to travel free with an accompanying adult at any time. The Kids Vrij card is currently free (payment details are required) as a separate product. Up to 3 Kids Vrij subscriptions can be added to most of the above discount and free travel cards. Children require their own OV-chip card for travel.

It is also possible to have a basic free NS Flex subscription (€10 admin fee) with no discount features to be able to pay for travel with monthly direct debit.

Note, if you have NS Flex and board a train without checking-in you will be invoiced the €50 fine directly!

For more on tickets see our complete guide How To Buy Dutch Train Tickets

Note, international rail tickets can be purchased online at NS International

This article was originally published in 2011 and has been regularly updated. Last update 20 March 2024 .

Links on AmsterdamTips.com may pay us an affiliate commission.

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Holland Travel Ticket

Easy traveling across the netherlands, choose a peak or discounted off-peak ticket, what's included.

Unlimited travel

With the Holland Travel Ticket, Discover the best of the Netherlands in a day. Simply choose between peak and off-peak travel.

Train, bus, tram, metro and ferries

With each ticket you can travel in all trains, buses, trams, metros and ferries in The Netherlands.

A local map and suggestions for sightseeing is included, so you won't miss the highlights of Amsterdam and its complete region.

Explore Holland in peak hours

The Peak Travel Ticket grants you access for only € 70 to an unlimited number of public transport rides throughout the Netherlands within a calendar day.

Explore Holland in off-peak hours

If you won't be travelling at peak times, opt for the off-peak ticket. For only € 48, you can travel outside of 6.30 - 9.00am, Monday through to Friday (and anytime on weekends). Just like the peak ticket, the off-peak One Day Travel Ticket is valid for a whole calendar day.

Useful information

• You can choose for an all-day ticket including peak hours (€ 70) and an off-peak hour ticket (€ 48).
• An off-peak Holland Travel Ticket is valid from Monday until Friday, except between 6:30 am and 09:00 am. On weekends and public holidays this ticket is valid all day.
• The Holland Travel Ticket is intended for foreign tourists, but anybody can use one.
• Please order your ticket online. After you have purchased your ticket, you will receive a voucher via email. With this voucher you can collect your Holland Travel Ticket at any train station with a NS Tickets & Service desk.
• When you collect the Holland Travel Ticket you can choose the travel date with a maximum of 7 days ahead from the day of redemption.
• The ticket is valid on the chosen travel date until 04:00 the next morning.

Special terms and conditions

• Only available for 2nd class.
• Unlimited travel at all trains, trams, buses, metro and public ferries.
• The Holland Travel Ticket is not valid on Eurostar and Nightjet.
• For traveling with Intercity direct and ICE only valid with a purchased supplement.
• The tickets are non-refundable.

Join NS Flex, the Dutch Railways subscription service and get discounts!

A cashless payment has been introduced to Dutch public transportation, making it easier for travelers to use trains and buses.

Simply hold your Credit card or Smartphone over the ticket gate to automatically pay, so you can take the train without purchasing a ticket at a ticket vending machine.

Of course, people who are living in the Netherlands can use public transportation with cashless payments. However, using OV-chipkaart can be used more economically on public transport.

The OV-chipkaart is a contactless smart card used for public transportation in the Netherlands, including trains operated by the Dutch Railways (Nederlandse Spoorwegen, NS).

There are two types of OV-chipkaart, Personal cards and Anonymous cards. Personal OV-chipkaarts are linked to an individual’s personal details and may have additional benefits, such as the ability to add subscriptions like NS Flex to the card.

By subscribing to NS Flex, you can ride trains at a discounted price.

NS Flex is a subscription you should subscribe to if you live in the Netherlands and want to explore the Netherlands by train.

Travelling in the weekend just once a month; Weekend Voordeel

Discounts on weekend and off-peak hours of weekday; dal voordeel, always advantage; altijd voordeel, unlimited on weekends; weekend vrij, kids free plan・kids vrij, don’t forget to change your plan to €0 for months when you don’t use dutch trains, tips for travelers, season tickets, economical and flexible travel with ns flex.

NS Flex is a subscription-based service offered by the Dutch Railways. When you have personal OV-chipkaart, you can easily link to their NS Flex subscription.

Instead of purchasing individual tickets, NS Flex customers pay a monthly fee based on their travel preferences and usage.

One of the advantages of NS Flex is the flexibility it provides. You can change or cancel their subscription every month without incurring penalties. Additionally, with NS Flex, passengers don’t need to worry about having enough credit on their OV-chipkaart for their journey as the costs are automatically calculated based on their travel activities.

(*The posted price is the price in June 2023.)

Weekend Voordeel is a low-priced subscription with a monthly fee of €2.20, and offers a 40% discount between 18:30 on Friday and 4:00 on Monday morning .

If you sometimes travel during weekends, for example a nice day out to see family or friends, NS Flex Weekend Voordeel soon works out as more economical than individual tickets.

For example, a return trip from Amsterdam to Rotterdam of €35.80 becomes €21.48 with the Weekend Voordeel discount. Save over €14!

The perfect subscription for a weekend trip on the Dutch trains at least once a month.

Apply for Weekend Voordeel >>

Dal Voordeel , which costs €5.60 per month, offers 40% discount weekend fares between 18:30 on Friday and 4:00 on Monday morning , in addition 40% discount during Off-peak hours on weekdays .

Peak hours are 6:30-09:00 and 16:00-18:30. Discounts are available on weekdays from 9:00 to 16:00 and after 18:30 .

Of course, anytime of weekends are discounted.

Dal Voordeel is a subscription suitable for people with irregular days-off and those who often go out on weekdays.

Apply for Dal Voordeel >>

Altijd Voordeel , which costs €26.70 per month, offers always discounted include peak hours on weekday .

40% discount weekend , 40% discount off-peak hours on weekdays , and 20% discount peak hours on weekdays .

Apply for Altijd Voordeel >>

Weekend Vrij , which costs €34.95 per month, is a flat-rate subscription for rides between 18:30 on Fridays and 04:00 on Mondays .

Even if you travel every weekend from Amsterdam to Maastricht, a city in the south of the Netherlands, the monthly price is a flat rate of €34.95.

For example, a round trip from Amsterdam to Maastricht would normally cost €58.80. Even if with the 40% off fare it would cost about €35.28. So Weekend Vrij is the best value.

Also when you go out by train more than twice a month, it often costs more than 40 euros.

Weekend Vrij is suitable for long-distance travellers on weekends or for going out more than once a month.

Apply for Weekend Vrij >>

Children ages 4 to 11 are always free. However you will need to create own OV-chipkaart for your child.

Create your child’s own OV-chipkaart and subscribe to Kids Vrij for €0/month and ride for free.

Apply for Kids Vrij >>

NS Flex of the Dutch Railways subscription is a monthly fee, so you will be charged for the subscription even if you do not use it.

It’s easy to forget because it will be debited from your bank account, but you need to change your subscription to Basis (basic plan) for €0 per month when you don’t use it.

When you don’t go out for a while, you can avoid paying unnecessary monthly fees by changing to the basic plan. It takes less than a minute to change your subscription. You can easily change it by NS app.

*You can change your subscription up to once a month.

For joining to NS Flex subscription, there is an initial cost of €10. However, it is not expensive at all because you can receive more discounts.

NS Flex is a subscription that you should know before traveling and sightseeing in various parts of the Netherlands.

NS Flex Subscription >>

If you do not have a personal OV-chipkaart, you can get a 10% discount if you purchase your ticket online 4 days in advance.

Off-Peak Early Booking >>

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ACCESS NL > Relocating to the Netherlands > First three months > Transportation Netherlands > Are there any subscriptions to travel cheaper by public transport?

Transportation Netherlands

I find it difficult and expensive to park my car in many major cities. Is there a way for me to park my car easier and cheaper?

There is a severe lack of parking space in most big cities in the Netherlands. In an effort to reduce congestion, many cities have a park and ride scheme (P+R- locaties). The driver parks at an organised, out of town location and then finishes the journey via public transport to the city centre. ANWB (the Royal Dutch Touring Club) lists all park and ride schemes in an area. This scheme is very helpful to many people for finding a parking space more quickly as well as for spending less on parking fees. You find the parking space via the routeplanner of ANWB on https://www.anwb.nl/verkeer/routeplanner?displayType=instructions.

Each city in the Netherlands has a Municipal Parking Department for all affairs related to parking such as parking permits. Please contact your municipality for further details.

Subscriptions are available for a particular route, for a discount outside rush hours, for unlimited travel by train or by other means of public transport as well. If you don’t know which subscription fits best, you can use the information on the Dutch Railroads (Nederlandse Spoorwegen – NS) website. It is the principal passenger railway operator in the Netherlands: www.ns.nl/en/season-tickets .

It is highly advisable that you drop into a service counter and ask for help when deciding which subscription would be the most adequate for your situation. For more information visit the NS website.

What is the OV-chipkaart?

The smart-card system, the OV-chipkaart (chip card used to pay for public transport), is the form of paying for public transport. OV stands for openbaar vervoer (public transport). It resembles a bank card and contains an invisible chip and must be topped up before the start of any journey. The OV-chipkaart can be used on public transport all over the Netherlands.

For further details visit the website of the OV-chipkaart and select ‘English’ at the top right corner of the site to change the language: www.ov-chipkaart.nl .

How does the OV-chipkaart work?

The OV-chipkaart ( chip card used to pay for public transport ) must be purchased before you travel. To find a point of sale nearby visit the following website: https://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/en/service-points-finder

This address finder is very useful to find out where all specific OV-chipkaart services are located because services differ from location to location. Additional credit can be loaded onto your OV-chipkaart at vending and add value machines or at OV-chipkaart service points.

Cards must be validated at both the beginning and the end of a journey, by holding the card up to an OV-chipkaart reader. You can find them in various parts of the buses and trams. The card readers for trains are located on the platforms or at the entrance of the station. At the start of your journey, hold your OV-chipkaart up to the screen. The sound and light signal indicates your card has been read. When disembarking, check out by holding your card up to the screen. Checking in and out is also required when you transfer from one form of transport to another, except when you transfer from train to train.

When using trains, you always need to have at least a certain minimum credit on your card to be able to check in. T he boarding fee can differ from one transportation company to another. The latest information can be found on https://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/en/travelling-on-balance

When you check out, the boarding fee will be refunded and you will be charged for the number of kilometres you travelled. If you do not check out, you will pay the full boarding fee. If you fail to check in or buy a valid ticket, you face a fine plus the fare for your journey.

What types of OV-chipkaart are there?

There are three different types of OV-chipkaart (chip card used to pay for public transport) to choose from:

• Personal OV-chipkaart: this card is intended for the frequent traveller. To apply for a personal OV-chipkaart, you can pick up a paper application form at the counters for public transport companies or apply online at the Ov-chipkaart.nl.
• Anonymous OV-chipkaart: designed for the infrequent traveller, this allows the holder to travel immediately, once you have added money to your card . It can be purchased at sales devices in stations, newsagents, supermarkets and public transport companies’ counters.
• Business OV-chipkaart: the business OV-chipkaart. This card is offered to employees of companies by business card providers. If you have a business OV-chipkaart and have a question, please contact your business card provider. The contact details can be found on the front of your card.

How can I find out which tram, bus or train I need and the departure times?

Via the website 9292.nl /en , you can plan your journey from door to door. All options, bus, tram, train, metro and ferry for your journey are given here. 9292 provides a helpful app in English. Bear in mind that most information in the public transport system is announced in Dutch.

How can I go to the railway station or from the railway station to my destination?

There are several ways to travel to and from the railway station:

• By bus, tram or metro
• By bike or moped
• By car (shared or rental)
• By taxi or shared taxi

For more detailed information about this topic, please visit: NSinternational.nl/en/to-and-from-the-station.

It seems that everybody is biking in the Netherlands. Where can I buy a bike for myself?

All cities have one or more shops that sell and repair bikes. For a tweedehands fiets (second-hand bike) you can search online or visit one of the online auction pages such as Marktplaats.nl.  Bike shops often have second hand bikes too.

I have hardly any knowledge of biking. How can I learn to bike?

There are several bike schools all over the country that offer fietslessen (bike lessons). Most of them are called ‘ fietsschool’   or ‘ fietscollege’  (bike school).

Can I travel by public transport if I don't have an OV-chipkaart?

It is possible to travel by public transport without OV chipcard. You can pay wireless with your bank card (pin pass) or mobile phone  if you don’t have any discount or subscription. This applies to all buses,  trams, trains  a  metros in the Netherlands. If you travel by train you can only pay with your bank card or mobile phone if you are travelling 2nd class and don’t have a subscription. More information is available on https://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/en

Alternatively most of the train companies operating in the Netherlands offers the option to purchase your ticket online (e-ticket). For instance NS, the principal passenger railway operator in the Netherlands, offers not only the option to print your e-ticket but also to download it on your smartphone. For this you will need the ‘NS Reisplanner Xtra app’.

I am a student. What is the student OV-chipkaart?

What kinds of tickets are available for the train.

For the train you can use either paper cards or the OV-Chipkaart ( chip card used to pay for public transport )  The main tickets available are:

• Single ticket
• Return ticket
• Day travel card for the train
• Day travel card for all public transport (called Holland travel ticket)
• Bicycle day travel card
• Rail runner (cheap ticket for children aged 4 to 11 accompanied by an adult)
• Group ticket off peak hours (single ticket)
• Joint discount ticket off peak hours

You can find an overview of available tickets on https://www.ns.nl/en

Should you experience a delay of 30 minutes or more, you might be entitled to a refund.  Read more about this on the website of the Dutch Railways .

What is the minimum age to ride a moped in the Netherlands?

If you want to ride a brommer  or snorfiets (moped), you need to be at least 16 years of age. You also need to have a bromfietsrijbewijs (moped driving licence). A driving licence for a car is category B, for a moped is category AM. If you have a driving licence category A or B, you can ask to add category AM when you renew your driving licence. You don’t need to pass an exam for this.

What kinds of bikes are available?

The most common type of bicycle is the omafiets  (grandma bike). However, you will see a lot of other types of bikes, including the following: stadsfiets (city bike), sportfiets (sport bike), elektrische fiets (electric bike), bakfiets (cargo bike), and mopeds.

Grandma bikes and city bike  are most often used for everyday trips, including going to school and/or work, and running errands around town while a sport bike is a more convenient bicycle for longer trips.

An ATB (All Terrain Bikes) is most convenient for those who bike on difficult terrain. A special type of ATB is the MTB (mountain bike), which is not often used in the Netherlands because of its flat terrain, but it is convenient for cycling in the mountains.

An electric bike offers the possibility to get trapondersteuning (electric support while cycling). It is especially useful when it is very windy because you do not require as much strength for pedalling. Trapondersteuning means that you have to bike yourself, but the electric motor will support you. Depending on the type of electric bike, you can choose between no support, little support, average support or a lot of support.

A moped is a snorfiets  when it has a light blue licence plate. A b romfiets rides on the roadway and can reach a maximum speed of 45 km/h. They have a yellow licence plate. By law, children younger than 8 years old can be passengers on a moped only when they are provided with a proper, safe seat that gives them adequate support for their back, hands and feet. It is not permitted to hold a mobile phone while operating a moped or any other electronic device. You are only allowed to use any device handsfree. This also applies to pedestrians . If you ignore this rule, you may get a fine.

Cargo bikes or  bakfietsen are transport bikes with three wheels and a large front bucket. It is common to see parents transporting children around because the box is low to the ground making it is easier to transport more weight.

There are also four-wheeled vehicles, but they are not allowed on bike paths and have to follow the same rules as mopeds. They look like small automobiles and must have an overall weight of less than 350 kg (excluding the weight of the battery in electric vehicles). They can reach a maximum of 45 km/h and can be distinguished by their small size and a 45 km/h sticker that is displayed on the back of the car.

Are there any special traffic rules for cyclists?

The following laws apply specifically for cyclists:

• Cycling is not allowed on sidewalks or pedestrian-only areas
• Use hand signals when preparing to make a left or right turn. Simply put your arm out in the direction you want to turn
• It is allowed to ride alongside another bicyclist, but cycling with three people in a row is not permitted
• Bicyclists share the bike paths with snorfietsen (mopeds). Be prepared for them by cycling on the right side of the bike path so that they can pass you.
• Brommers (mopeds with a speed of maximum 45 km/hour) are no longer allowed on the bike path.   They have to use then main road. Snorfietsen (mopeds with a speed of maximum 25 km/hour) are not always allowed on the bike path. Signs indicate if this applies.
• Cycling is not allowed on highways
• Tunnels may or may not be accessible for cycling. If they are, there is usually a separate bike path
• Bicycle lights are mandatory, white or yellow in the front and red in the rear. You can get a fine when cycling without lights in the dark, at dusk or in poor visibility

Are there any special traffic rules for mopeds?

Brommers (mopeds) must use the main road rather than the bike roads. They are allowed on the bike lanes only if explicitly indicated by the blue traffic sign displaying a bicycle and a moped symbol. Both drivers of a moped and passengers are required to wear a helmet.

Mopeds have bells for a reason! Use the bell to warn bicyclists that you are approaching them and need to pass them, use it to warn pedestrians who are blocking the bike path, or to warn anyone else who might be in your way! Do not park your moped in places that have signs posted saying “ Geen fietsen plaatsen ” (no bike parking).

How can I arrange a parking space lot near my house?

Parking space is limited in the Netherlands. In general you need to request a parking licence near your house from the municipality. This gives you the right to park near your house but you need to look for a place every time you want to park your car. In addition, you can see if there is a parking garage nearby and try to rent a place there. It is best to check with your municipality for further detail.

How are parking spaces lots organised in the Netherlands?

In most places it is paid parking. This is indicated along the road. You need to get a ticket from the ticket vending machine and pay on your return for the time you parked your car.

Sometimes there is a parking meter. Here you need to decide in advance how long you intend to park your car and pay for that time. If you park longer than expected, you need to add money to the meter to avoid getting a fine.

In areas where paid parking is not in force, you may find there is a Blue Zone. Within this zone, you are only permitted to park for short periods of time by clearly displaying a blue parking disc. You can buy them at large department stores. Before leaving your car, mark your time of arrival on the blue parking disc. You can recognise a blue zone by a nearby road sign. On this sign you can see the maximum parking time permitted, as well as any additional conditions such as specific hours during the day.

Can I import my car to the Netherlands?

It is possible to import a car to the Netherlands if you are at least 18 years old and are registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP).

You can find a step-by-step description of the process on the website of the government .

Are there any special traffic rules in the Netherlands ?

In order to participate safely in Dutch traffic it is important to know the unique rules, regulations and signs in the Netherlands . You can read more about this in a brochure of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.  In addition there is an English overview of all rules, regulations and traffic signs.

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Paying for public transport in the Netherlands

Most destinations in the Netherlands can be reached by public transport, For your convenience, use Ovpay or an OV-chipkaart to check in and out. It’s quick and easy to use, so let’s get started.

• Easy to purchase at service points in larger stations, NS vending machines or various newsagents.
• Use your debit card, credit card, smartphone or wearable to check in and out.
• Use for travel by bus, train, metro, OV-fiets and ferry.

OVpay: use your smartphone, debit card, or wearable to pay for public transport

For visitors to the Netherlands, OVpay is the best way to check in and out when travelling by public transport. You only need your debit or credit card to easily travel throughout the country by train, tram, bus or metro. Please note that when travelling by train, this is only valid for second class, and that any existing season tickets cannot be used.

OVpay provides a direct connection between your ride and your payment account. It works just like cashless payments in the supermarket, with the important difference being that you also have to check out to calculate the proper fare. With the OVpay app you can monitor whether you have checked in during the trip and you can look at your travel history.

If you're on holiday, this is the cheapest and most practical solution because you do not need a separate card and are not tied to an unnecessary the cost of an OV-chipkaart.

Remove the card you want to pay with from your wallet so that you are sure that you are checking in and out with the correct card. If you want to pay with a debit card, this is currently only possible with a Dutch card, so international visitors are advised to use a credit card.

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The OV-chipkaart

To use public transport in the Netherlands you need an OV-chipkaart: a small card that looks like a credit card that can be used to travel by bus, train, metro, OV-fiets (public transport bike) and even ferry. The chipkaart is therefore an efficient solution to traveling with numerous paper tickets – a traveler only needs one card to get around instead of dozens of tickets from various different transport companies.

The card can be fully personalized, but it’s not a requirement. Since there is no separate OV-chipkaart for tourists, a visitor to our country may use a disposable chip card or an 'anonymous OV-chipkaart'.

Single-use chip card

The single-use chip card can be used for a short period of time with a limited period of validity for travel by bus, tram or metro in a city and is mainly intended for single journeys. For example, you buy a separate single-use chip card for the train that is only valid for one specific journey.

If you then go elsewhere, you will need a new single-use chip card. Which isn't very practical and certainly not sustainable. A train journey in the Netherlands with a single-use chip card is also always one euro more expensive than when you use an anonymous OV-chipkaart.

Anonymous OV-chipkaart

An anonymous OV-chipkaart costs a few euros and will not initially have any credit loaded on it. You have to top-up the card at a service counter or a vending machine at one of the many stations. The payment options differ per machine, but you can usually pay with your debit card, credit card or telephone. Some machines still support cash, but not many. Once loaded, you can use the OV-chipkaart immediately.

Important tip: if you want to travel by train, there must be at least €20 on the chipkaart.

Check in and check out: how the chip card works

So how exactly does checking in work? When boarding the bus, tram, metro or train , hold the OV-chipkaart (or your debit card, smartphone, or wearable if using OVPay) in front of the screen of a post or gate. It will indicate with a green light and a beep that the anonymous OV-chipkaart has been read. You check out in the same way when exiting. On the display you can immediately see how much credit the trip has cost and how much you have left.

At smaller stations, the gate is on the platform and larger stations often have separate gates (which open when you check in). Important: you cannot check in once you are on the train. So don't forget!

An anonymous OV-chipkaart is valid for a maximum of five years. The end date is usually printed on the outside of the card. The credit remains valid, so if you want to use your OV-chipkaart again at a later stage, you can. You can also request a refund for the remaining balance.

Finally: you cannot block an anonymous chipkaart in the event of loss or theft. Therefore, never put too much money on it. Once it’s gone, it’s gone!

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Student travel product

• Switching subscription
• Eligible for how long
• Reimbursement additional travel expenses
• Compensation
• OV-chipkaart lost, defective or expired

With the student travel product you can travel for free or at a reduced rate by train, tram, bus and metro throughout the Netherlands. You can choose either a weekday or a weekend subscription. You arrange the student travel product along with your student finance. Unless you are studying at MBO and are not yet 18, in which case you will not receive student finance yet. You must then apply for the travel product separately.

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Last changes made on 20 augustus 2024

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HTM day ticket € 8

This card gives you unlimited travel all day on HTM trams and buses.

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3 Day Pass € 20

This card gives you 3 days of unlimited travel on HTM trams and buses.

Purchasing tickets online

The ease of buying tickets online.

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No booking fee

• Easy and safe method of payment

Travelling with a mobile ticket

• Printing tickets yourself

Find and book

You can purchase tickets online to thousands of destinations. By filling in your destination and preferred date of travel into the search field, you can buy tickets online quickly and easily. Tickets can be booked for groups of up to 9 people to destinations in The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, France and England (London). The remaining destinations maintain a maximum of 5 people. There is a maximum of 5 people on an online reservation.

Prices depend on the time of booking, degree of flexibility and the time of travel. We offer different rates, with the lowest rates often limited. If the cheapest tickets are sold out, the "stock" will automatically sell slightly more expensive tickets. The price can also depend on the degree of flexibility, just like in aviation: if you want to be able to change or cancel your ticket later, you pay a little more. And: the busier the train, the more expensive the tickets will be. So be quick and book your train ticket as early as possible. You will then have the best chance of getting the lowest prices.

The costs of booking an international train ticket online is also lower because you don't have to pay a booking fee.

Safe payment online

To ensure secure payment, all our Internet payments run via a secure connection with our payment provider. We don't have access to your credit card details. Online tickets can be purchased in two ways:

• Via iDeal (no additional fee will be charged)
• By credit card (American Express, Eurocard/MasterCard or Visa, no additional fee will be charged)
• Via Bancontact and Sofort

Tips booking cheap tickets online

With these tips you can always book the lowest rate:

• Tickets in the lowest price category are limited. So be quick. Tickets can already be purchased online four months before departure.
• Boek vanaf een station bij u in de buurt. U ben dan vaak goedkoper uit dan wanneer u boekt vanaf het internationale vertrekstation en reist met uw OV-chipkaart. En het is makkelijker: het scheelt een keer in-en uitchecken!
• Set up a booking alert. If you can’t book your ticket yet, but you want to be quite sure that you can book the lowest price, then ask for a free booking alert and we will send you an email when it’s possible to book your ticket.
• Travel on cheaper days. Travelling in the evenings is often cheaper. And if you are going for a weekend getaway it’s often a lot cheaper if you travel on Sat-Sun-Mon instead of Fri-Sat-Sun.More tips to find the best rates.

More about the best rates

Good to know

Sitting together.

If your booking is for more than one person, you'll be sitting next to each other most of the time. Only when the train is very full, this may not be possible. If you would like to check your assigned seats, you can take a look at the  seating plan for the train you booked .

Changing tickets

Tickets purchased online or by telephone can be cancelled online. Other bookings can be cancelled by telephone, or, if purchased at a travel agency, via the original outlet. And only if the ticket rate conditions allow for this. Read more about changing tickets

When making an international trip, you can use a mobile ticket and won't need to bring a hard-copy ticket with you. With a mobile ticket, you also won't need to check in or out when you've booked a ticket from the station that you board the train.

How does it work?

• Download the NS International App
• Open the confirmation email and click on the link leading to your mobile ticket
• Your ticket will automatically be saved in the NS International App, under the header 'My tickets'

Print your tickets at home

For practically all train tickets that you can purchase online, you are given the option of printing your ticket at home yourself. That's great if you're travelling today or tomorrow. With your printed ticket, you can open the gates at the station . Homeprint tickets can be purchased with any station in the Netherlands as the departure station. Please note: You must be able to show identification when your ticket is checked on board the train. More information about homeprint tickets

Print tickets at NS International desk

Would you like to have your tickets printed? You can print your tickets at an NS International desk for € 5. Check the Service offices opening hours .

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Public Transport Chip Card

€  8,50 – €  60,45

The OV-chipkaart is the means of payment used for public transportation throughout the Netherlands. There are two types: the anonymous or personal OV-chipkaart. You can use the OV-chipkaart to travel on GVB vehicles as well as other transportation companies in the Netherlands. And, it also works for the train. Order your OV-Chipkaart including travel credit now at public-transport-holland.com!

• Description
• Additional information
• Reviews (9)

In Amsterdam and throughout the Netherlands, the public transport chip card (OV-chipkaart) is used for travel on trams, buses, metros and trains. Residents in Amsterdam typically own a personalised card that can be recharged with credit or other travel tickets. However, it is also possible to purchase a non-personalised card that can be reused and recharged with credit at any time.

Choose your credit for the Public Transport Chip Card

If you buy your OV-chipkaart in a store in Holland you will notice that it is not charged yet and you are not able to travel before you charge it. This is a problem that is easily solved by ordering your card at public-transport-holland.com, we can charge your OV-chipkaart with credit of your choice for a small fee so that you can use it immediately.

Furthermore, if you want to be able to travel by train you should activate your OV-chipkaart for either first or second class before traveling. This is a time consuming process, for this matter we give you the opportunity to order a card that is pre-activated for either first or second class.

Purchasing a public transport chip card

Non- personalised (rechargeable) cards : Available at our webshops and supermarkets.

The most important tip for using your public transport chip card is to always remember to check in and check out ! At the start of your journey, hold your card up to the card reader until you see a green light and hear a beep. Do the same every time you leave the tram/bus/metro (also required if changing to another bus or tram). In buses and trams, card readers are located inside the vehicle next to each door. If travelling by metro or train, you need to check in and check out at the card readers located on free-standing poles near the entrance/exit of each station.

On all forms of transport, look for the OV-Chipkaart logo (pictured above right). If you forget to check out, your card may no longer be valid for the subsequent part of your journey, and if you forget to check in you risk being fined by the transport operator.

Please note: if travelling on local public transport with a rechargeable card, the card must contain enough credit to complete a single journey. And for train travel, it is necessary to have a minimum of €10 credit on the card before checking in. For traveling with NS trains a minimum of € 20,00.

Plan your travels with the OV-chipcard

If you are going to the Netherlands, then it’s highly recommended to plan your travels ahead! This way you can make sure you ride comfortably with Public Transport. See the website 9292 . This is very reliable application for travel plans with public transport for your OV-chipcard

Personal OV-chipcard

Are staying in the Netherlands for a longer time? Then you might want to check out a Personal OV-chipcard . With this card you can load travel subscriptions. With subscriptions, you can travel with a higher discount then you usually do with travel credit!

9 reviews for Public Transport Chip Card

Shawn O’Neal (verified owner) – 5 December 2016

Dear PTHS staff,

I want you to know that I had no problem receiving the OV-chipkaart this past Friday. I thank you for an easy transaction and good service. Kind regards,

Shawn O’Neal Brevard, NC, USA

David Nutt (verified owner) – 4 May 2017

Rapid despatch of OVChipkaart

Cyril Dance-Jedliczka (verified owner) – 10 August 2022

Perfect service. The Card arrived litteraly within just a few days. And the instructions for the activation of the

Lorrayne Smith (verified owner) – 20 October 2022

Brilliant – I wish I had found this earlier. Ordering the card was super easy, it arrived within 1 week and was pre-loaded with 10 Euros so I could use it straight away before finding an OV machine where I could load the additional 40 Euro credit I had purchased. Using OV card stops me having to pay credit card foreign exchange transaction fees on my credit card every time I travel (as the bus does not accept cash, you have to use a card) and saves the language barrier as I can just tap in and out. I would recommend this to anyone going to Netherlands if they are planning on using public transport.

Nicolaas de Groot (verified owner) – 29 December 2022

Fast & easy, perfect!

Stuie (verified owner) – 18 January 2023

Two refunds for our expired cards arrived promptly and the two new cards arrived soon after. The process was easy and smooth. Haven’t had the chance to activate them yet, but I’m certain that will be painless as well. Mant thanks.

Maria V (verified owner) – 6 April 2023

Fast process on purchasing. Also easy to collect at the collection point at Schiphol airport. Done and ready to be used in minutes.

M Johnson – 13 May 2024

Easy to use, perfect for travel in the nederlands.

Jannes Höke (verified owner) – 16 May 2024

Very convenient. Sending the card without credit on it seems smart, picking up the credit was very easy. Would recommend this to anyone who wants to use public transport in the Netherlands.

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• [Translate to English:] RET Zakelijk

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You can purchase a regional monthly subscription or net monthly subscription from:.

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