Travelling with children on the train
Heading out with the children? Choose a relaxed and cost-effective journey by train. No stress about traffic jams, parking fees or looking for a parking space. With Kids Vrij, children aged 4 to 11 travel free with you, even during peak hours. Discover all the benefits and practical tips, and make the journey itself part of the experience.
• Children aged 4 to 11 travel free with you on Kids Vrij;
• Children up to 3 years old always travel free and do not need a season ticket;
• With an NS Flex season ticket you have always benefits that suit your journey;
• Travel relaxed to your destination: all your attention on each other;
• Travel without traffic jams and without parking fees to your destination.
Travel by train for less
NS offers several affordable ways to travel with your family.
| 0 to 3 years | Free |
| 4 to 11 years | Free with Kids Vrij |
| 12 to 17 years | Free NS Flex Dal Voordeel |
| From 18 years | Standard fare or a suitable NS Flex season ticket |
Are you travelling with multiple adults? Samenreiskorting is useful then: fellow travellers get a discount when they travel together.
Practical tips for a journey with children
Good preparation makes for a relaxed journey with children. If you travel outside peak hours, the train is quieter and it’s easier to find a comfortable seat. Off-peak hours on weekdays are before 06:30, between 09:00 and 16:00, and after 18:30, and the whole day at the weekend.
Take some food and drink and a book or a game to keep your child occupied on the way. Travelling with several children? Make sure everyone has their own OV-chipkaart and check that Kids Vrij is active. Checking in and out together is easiest if you show your children how.
Fun days out with children
The adventure starts as soon as you board the train. Discover family-friendly destinations together, such as children’s museums, zoos or theme parks. Many attractions are easy to reach by public transport, including interactive museums, zoos and theme parks. Enjoy the scenery on the way and don’t worry about traffic or finding a parking space.
On NS Dagje Uit you can often find offers that combine a train ticket and admission for a great-value day out.
Free travel with children: how Kids Vrij works
With Kids Vrij children aged four to eleven travel free with you, including during peak hours. As an adult you must hold a valid ticket. You can apply for the free season ticket easily online and load it onto your child’s personal OV-chipkaart. A maximum of three children may travel with Kids Vrij per adult. Children under four always travel free and do not need their own ticket. Once Kids Vrij is active on the OV-chipkaart your child can check in and check out by themselves during the journey.
NS offers several affordable ways to travel with your family.
| 0 to 3 years | Free |
| 4 to 11 years | Free with Kids Vrij |
| 12 to 17 years | Free NS Flex Dal Voordeel |
| From 18 years | Standard fare or a suitable NS Flex season ticket |
Are you travelling with multiple adults? Samenreiskorting is useful then: fellow travellers get a discount when they travel together.
Days out with the children
A day out by train
Discover how easy and enjoyable travelling by train with children can be. Explore an open-air museum together, step into a tropical jungle or walk past the windmills at the Zaanse Schans. Take the train and explore a new city together. Be inspired by our favourite destinations and make your day out an unforgettable experience.
Tips for travelling with children
With a little planning, travelling by train with children can be a real treat. Here are a few practical tips:
- Plan your journey in the NS app, check the expected busyness and turn on notifications for your planned journey.
- Bring games and colouring books to enjoy together on the journey.
- Pack a small rucksack with favourite snacks and drinks. Taking a short break on the way makes travelling much more relaxed.
- Prefer to start your journey by car? Park at one of the 270 Park and Ride (P+R). That way you avoid traffic jams or high parking costs.
