King's Day 2026
On April 26 and 27, the whole of the Netherlands will celebrate King's Night and Day! We will run longer trains, and some extra trains, to bring you to your favourite King's Day party. Remember to plan your outbound and return journeys in advance.
Pay with your debit card
If you do not wish to purchase a single-use chipkaart, you can check in easily using your contactless debit card, credit card or mobile phone. These tickets are valid for 2nd class, without a discount or season ticket.
Useful information
We would like everyone to have a safe and festive King's Night and Day. We have a number of measures to ensure this.
Alcohol ban
From 19:00 on April 26 to 07:00 on April 28, travellers are not allowed to bring alcohol to the station or aboard the train. The shops at the station also will not sell alcohol.
Accessibility adjustments
- On Utrecht Centraal Jaarbeurszijde all entrances will be closed from 1:00 on King's Night. You can enter the station via Centrumzijde.
- Amsterdam Science Park will be closed on King's Day.
Luggage lockers
The luggage lockers will be closed at stations:
Utrecht Centraal and Breda
From 19:00 on April 26 until 07:00 on April 28.
Bike
On King's Day (April 27) you are not allowed to take your bike on the train.
On the R-net route Alphen aan den Rijn - Gouda it is not allowed to take your bike with you on both King's Day ánd King's Night. This regulation applies from 26 April 19:00 to 28 April 01:30.
Student travel product
As a student with a weekly subscription, you cannot travel freely on King's Day; you travel on credit with a 40% discount. With a weekend subscription you can travel freely on King's Day.
Travel assistance
Due to the stations being more crowded than usual, we offer an alternative form of NS Travel Assistance at a number of stations:
King's Night (April 26)
- Den Haag Centraal starting from 23:00
- Utrecht Centraal starting from 20:00
- Arnhem Centraal starting from 18:00
King's Day (April 27)
- Amsterdam Centraal, Utrecht Centraal and Eindhoven: whole day
- Breda: starting from 10:00
- Amsterdam Zuid, Arnhem, Zwolle en Groningen: starting from 18:00
International travellers
The Eurocity Direct runs from/to Rotterdam Centraal on King's Day. Travellers with the Eurocity Direct from/to Lelystad Centrum or intermediate stations can transfer at Rotterdam Centraal.
Other arrival and departure stations of international trains are unchanged on King's Day. Travellers from Amsterdam who have to catch a plane or are travelling by international train are advised to leave in good time. Please take into account extra travel time due to the large crowds in the city. Plan your journey in advance in the NS Travel planner.
Additional information
King's visit to Dokkum
On April 27, 2026, King Willem-Alexander and his family will visit Dokkum to celebrate King's Day there.
