Trains in the Netherlands are frequent, clean and quick, but they are not always cheap. The good news is that there are several ways to bring the cost down. This guide to cheap train tickets Netherlands visitors and residents can use covers discounts, ticket types and a few habits that save money.
Cheap train tickets netherlands: how Dutch train fares work
Most domestic trains are run by Nederlandse Spoorwegen, known as NS. Fares depend mainly on distance and on whether you travel in first or second class. You can pay with a contactless bank card or phone at the gates, with an OV-chipkaart, or with a paper or digital ticket. Fares and rules change, so check the NS website or app for the current prices.
Ways to pay less
Off-peak discounts
A discount pass for off-peak travel gives you reduced rates outside rush hours, usually on weekdays after 9 a.m. and on weekends. This is the most common way for frequent travellers to save. The pass has a monthly fee, so calculate whether it pays off. For occasional visitors who only make a few trips, it may not.
Day tickets and groups
Special day tickets, sold by NS and by partners, can offer a cheaper way to travel in a group on a certain day. Some supermarkets and retailers run short promotions on discount tickets, but you need to read the conditions closely.
Group discounts
Travelling with three or more people can sometimes lower the price per person with a group ticket. Check the details on the official app, as offers vary.
Student products
Dutch students receive a free or discounted travel product from the government that gives free travel on weekdays or weekends. This applies only to people who qualify, and international visitors do not.
Children
Young children travel free or at a much lower rate when accompanied by an adult, according to rules that change. Check the current terms.
OV-chipkaart and contactless payment
The OV-chipkaart is a rechargeable card used across public transport. Tourists can buy an anonymous version and load credit. Remember to check in and out at every trip. Forgetting to check out leads to a high default charge. Many travellers now simply use a contactless bank card, which is easier, although foreign card fees might apply. Use the same card for check-in and check-out.
Cheap ways to travel to the airport
Trains between Amsterdam Centraal and Schiphol Airport are frequent, and a single ticket is usually cheaper than a taxi. The journey takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Buy your ticket at a machine or tap in with a card.
International travel
Cheap tickets to Belgium, Germany and France are available if you book ahead.
- Intercity trains to Brussels and Paris: advance fares can be low. Compare the prices of different operators.
- Trains to Germany: regional day tickets can be cheap when shared among a group.
- Night trains and long-distance services: check availability.
- Buses: often cheaper, but slower and less comfortable.
Always book early for international trains to get the lowest fares.
Smart habits
1. Travel off-peak: avoid commuter hours when you can.
2. Choose second class: it is perfectly comfortable and much cheaper.
3. Use regional lines: some slower local trains cost the same as intercity ones, but the speed difference is small on short trips.
4. Plan ahead: use the NS app to compare times and see platform changes.
5. Avoid paper tickets: single paper tickets carry an extra fee.
What not to do
Do not travel without a valid ticket. Inspections are frequent, and fines are high. If you board without a ticket, you may buy one from the conductor, but a surcharge usually applies. Also keep an eye on the signs for the correct platform, as trains to different destinations sometimes depart in different directions.
Regional alternatives
Buses, trams and metro systems in cities are operated by different companies, but the OV-chipkaart or contactless payment works across most of them. Bicycles can be taken on trains with a separate ticket, but they are restricted during rush hours.
Final thoughts
You do not need a complicated plan to find cheap train tickets Netherlands wide. Travel at off-peak times, choose second class, use contactless payment and check the official app for deals. For a trip with many rides, compare a discount pass with pay-per-trip pricing. And before you buy anything, check the current rules, since prices and discounts change from year to year.
More like this: browse our Netherlands section.
