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Kids Vrij: free travel for children

• Children aged four to eleven travel free when accompanied
• Valid during off-peak hours and peak times
• Also valid with other train operators

Request now for free

What is the Kids Vrij subscription?

With the Kids Vrij subscription children travel free and unlimited by train, including during peak times. Whether you take a spontaneous weekend outing or visit family during the week travelling by train together is easy. The subscription is valid on all NS trains and with almost all other train operators. Your child gets 34% off the standard fare on bus, tram and metro.

Who is Kids Vrij for?

Kids Vrij is for children aged four to eleven. You register the subscription on your child’s personal OV-chipkaart. You can currently order that card free! Travelling is only allowed together with you or another companion aged at least 12 who has a valid ticket. Children under four always travel free without a card or subscription.

Order Kids Vrij

How to request Kids Vrij quickly and easily:

  1. Order Kids Vrij or click 'Request now'.
  2. Log in to Mijn NS or create an account.
  3. First enter your own details.
  4. At step two enter the child’s details.
  5. Enter the OV-chipkaart number the child will use to travel.
  6. Proceed to payment and order Kids Vrij.

If you want to change an existing subscription to Kids Vrij you must first cancel the subscription and then order Kids Vrij in the webshop. By ordering you agree to the promotional terms.

You are ready for wonderful train adventures!

What are the terms and rules?

These are the rules for travelling with Kids Vrij:

  • Kids Vrij is for children aged four to eleven
  • Your child must always travel with a companion aged at least 12 who has a valid ticket
  • The subscription is registered on your child’s personal OV-chipkaart
  • Kids Vrij is valid on all NS trains and with almost all regional train operators
  • Your child automatically receives 34% discount on bus, tram and metro fares
  • If you plan to travel together to Belgium or Germany make sure the accompanying adult has an international ticket
  • The subscription is linked to a single child and is not transferable

If your child is under four they travel for free without a card

What happens when your child turns 12?

On their twelfth birthday Kids Vrij ends automatically. If you want your child to keep travelling at a reduced rate choose NS Flex Dal Voordeel. Young people aged 12 to 17 receive this subscription from NS at no cost. Your child then travels with 40% discount during off-peak hours, at weekends and on public holidays.

NS Droomtrein

Phileine (aged eight) drew her dream train covered in cheerful monsters. She won the NS drawing competition and her design will now really run across the Netherlands. You might see it on your next journey.

Keep an eye on the tracks because before you know it you could be boarding this unique dream train yourself!

Good to know

Is Kids Vrij free?

When you order you can add Kids Vrij free of charge to your child’s existing OV-chipkaart. If your child does not yet have a card you can temporarily request one for free. Your child can travel with you at no cost while the subscription is active. The subscription ends automatically on the child’s twelfth birthday.

Who is Kids Vrij for?

Kids Vrij is for children aged four to eleven. Good to know: children up to and including three years old always travel free and do not need a subscription.

The Kids Vrij subscription ends automatically when your child turns 12. After that you can order a free NS Flex Dal Voordeel subscription for young people aged 12 to 17.

What is the delivery time for Kids Vrij?

You will receive the OV-chipkaart with the subscription on it within one week. The child can start travelling immediately.

If the child already has their own OV-chipkaart enter that card number when ordering Kids Vrij. You can then collect the subscription at the NS Ticket Machine within one working day.

What is the difference between a Railrunner and Kids Vrij?

Railrunner
Ready to use immediately. Buy a Railrunner as an e‑ticket or load it onto an OV-chipkaart. Useful for a single journey. Costs € 2,50 per day.

Kids Vrij
With Kids Vrij your child travels free with you in the same class, including during peak times. You will receive the personal OV-chipkaart at home within one week. Extra benefit: your child automatically gets 34% discount on bus, tram and metro.

Kids Vrij terms
  • NS reserves the right to increase the subscription price. You will be notified several months in advance. In that case you have the right to cancel the subscription.
  • The subscription is taken out on an annual basis. After the first year you can cancel monthly.
  • If your child already has a personal OV-chipkaart the subscription can be added to it. If your child does not yet have a card you can request a personal OV-chipkaart free of charge.
  • We verify your bank account exists during the order process by making an iDEAL payment of € 0,01.
  • The subscription is only valid when the child travels with a companion aged 12 or older who holds a valid ticket.
  • The Kids Vrij subscription applies to children aged four to eleven.
  • The subscription is valid in the same class and on the same route as the accompanying person.
  • There is a maximum of three children aged four to eleven with their own valid personal OV-chipkaart per accompanying person.
  • Your child can also use the OV-chipkaart on bus, tram and metro when there is credit on the card.
  • The subscription is also valid with other train operators.
  • The subscription is also valid on domestic sections of ICE Frankfurt, ICE Berlin, Intercity direct, EuroCity and Eurocity Direct. Note: your child does not pay a supplement, the accompanying adult does pay a supplement.