Everything about train travel in the Netherlands

You don’t have to! Simply tap your contactless payment card when going into the station and again when you leave. You can even use your phone if that has contactless payments enabled. Perfect for an occasional trip.
However if you want to travel at a discounted price you need an OV-chipcard or buy tickets online.

An OV-chipcard is a card you can use on all public transit in the Netherlands. You can get either a personal one, or an anonymous one. The personal one has some extra benefits such as services at a reduced price (for example bike rental). However unless you are staying in the Netherlands for an extended period of time it is probably not worth getting them. As they are only sent by mail and there is a fee.

Yes! The interrail/eurail is valid on Dutch trains. Note that for the high speed line between Rotterdam and Schiphol a 3 euro supplement is required. If you don’t want to pay that though can just take a slightly slower train to avoid that. There is also a special Benelux interrail card (valid for Belgium, Netherlands & Luxembourg) which is a bit cheaper.

You don’t have to book a seat for most Dutch trains. Only some international trains that stop in the Netherlands require a seat booking. Such as the Eurostar and night trains.

Yes trains in the Netherlands are not cheap. It is possible to get discounted tickets in some cases. But if you are planning to travel a lot and don’t want to have to worry about it, I would recommend getting a interrail/eurrail ticket. This often comes out cheaper.

Children under 4 are free. Children from 4 to 11 can buy a railrunner ticket, which is €2,50 for a whole day. So if you are travelling with family

The official NS app works great and gives real time updates, even for the few trains operated by other companies. If you save your trip it can even send push notifications in case there are any delays or changes.
Google maps set to public transport routes also works really well in the Netherlands.

If you miss your planned train you can simply take the next train. Tickets are valid all day, so it doesn’t matter. However do know that if you travel at an off-peak discount and the next train is during peak hours your ticket won’t be valid.

Yes you can! There isn’t always a lot of room though, so try to take luggage that fit either under the seat or in the overhead luggage racks.

Yes you can take a bike on a Dutch train for an extra fee (8,50 for a day). You can only take your bike during off-peak hours.

Pets small enough to sit on your lap or fit in a bag are allowed at no extra charge. For bigger dogs you can buy a day ticket for 3,70.

Most intercity trains have a silent compartment. There are no other special compartments.

Schiphol Amsterdam airport is internally connected to a train station. Eindhoven & Rotterdam airport can be reached by a bus connection from the nearest station.

Monday to Friday from 06:30 to 09:00 and 16:00 to 18:30. Public holidays count as weekends. Make sure you know these if you are traveling with a discount because your ticket won’t be valid during these times.

It is safe to travel by train in the Netherlands. That is not to say nothing can ever happen. All trains are staffed at all times. There is also a special number that you can either call or message if something or someone is bothering you. Also Dutch people tend to speak up if they see someone bothering other people.

Level boarding is not available everywhere yet, but it’s improving! All newer trains have level boarding. If you require assistance with boarding trains you should contact employees ahead of time to be safe.

The biggest train operator in the Netherlands (NS) runs it’s trains completely climate neutral. All trains running in the Netherlands are electric. (with the exception of some heritage lines)

Yes all those working on trains in the Netherlands are able to offer assistance and answer questions in English.

Some cities have an older name and a new name, and some cities have a different name in English. This may cause some confusion for travelers. Here is a quick overview:
– The Hague – Den Haag (‘s Gravehage old spelling which you might find in old guidebooks)
– Den Bosch – ‘s Hertogenbosch