Engineering works around Leiden
In 2026, ProRail will be improving the railway and stations in and around Leiden in many places. See below what this means for your journey. And plan your journey 10 days in advance in the Travel Planner.
Improvements around Leiden in 2026
ProRail will also be making many improvements to the railway and stations in and around Leiden in 2026. As a result, there will be no trains running on the following routes:
- 17 January and 23 to 26 January: Leiden Centraal - Schiphol Airport
- 29 January - 8 February: The Hague Central Station - Voorburg / The Hague Ypenburg
- 29 January to 15 February: The Hague Central Station - The Hague HS
- 31 January and 1 February: The Hague Central Station - The Hague Mariahoeve
- 14 February - 19 February: Leiden Central Station - Haarlem
We will be deploying buses to replace the trains.
Please keep an eye on this page for the latest information about the works. We may update the page in the meantime based on new information we receive from ProRail.
Leiden Central Station - Schiphol Airport
We are working on an additional entry track at the staging yard in Hoofddorp. This will ensure a more reliable train service in the future.
For this reason, work will be carried out between Schiphol Airport and Leiden Central Station from 17 to 26 January.
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Saturday 17 January
There are no trains running between Schiphol Airport and Leiden Central Station due to track maintenance. NS is providing express and local buses on this route.
The high-speed line (HSL) between Schiphol Airport and Rotterdam Central Station is also temporarily out of service. Due to maintenance work at Amsterdam Zuid, there are also very limited trains running between Amsterdam Zuid and Schiphol Airport.
- Are you travelling between Amsterdam Central Station and Leiden Central Station? Please travel via Haarlem.
- Are you travelling from Amsterdam Zuid to Rotterdam Central Station? Please travel via Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena.
- Are you travelling between Schiphol Airport and Rotterdam Central Station? You cannot use the HSL.
Please also take into account that there are fewer trains between Schiphol and Amsterdam Central Station/Almere Central Station/Amersfoort Central Station.
Night trains are running via a different route and do not stop at Schiphol Airport. There is a shuttle train running between Amsterdam Central Station and Schiphol Airport.
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Sunday 18 to Thursday 22 January
From Sunday 18 January to Thursday 22 January, there will be a modified train service to, from and via Schiphol Airport. There will be fewer trains and you may have to change trains more often.
Due to the works, only one track will be available in Hoofddorp. As a result, far fewer trains will stop at this station from Monday 19 to Thursday 22 January.
- Are you travelling from Schiphol Airport to Hoofddorp? Then travel via Nieuw-Vennep.
- Are you travelling from Hoofddorp to Leiden Centraal? Then travel via Schiphol Airport.
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Friday 23 to Monday 26 January
There are no trains running between Schiphol Airport and Leiden Central Station due to track maintenance. NS is providing express and local buses on this route.
The high-speed line (HSL) between Schiphol Airport and Rotterdam Central Station is also temporarily out of service. Due to maintenance work at Amsterdam Zuid, there are also very limited trains running between Amsterdam Zuid and Schiphol Airport.
- Are you travelling between Amsterdam Central Station and Leiden Central Station? Please travel via Haarlem.
- Are you travelling from Amsterdam Zuid to Rotterdam Central Station? Please travel via Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena.
- Are you travelling between Schiphol Airport and Rotterdam Central Station? You cannot use the HSL.
Please also take into account that there are fewer trains between Schiphol and Amsterdam Central Station/Almere Central Station/Amersfoort Central Station.
Night trains are running via a different route and do not stop at Schiphol Airport. There is a shuttle train running between Amsterdam Central Station and Schiphol Airport.
Plan your journey in the NS app
Before you leave, plan your journey from door to door in the NS app or the Travel Planner. That way, you're guaranteed to have the most up-to-date travel recommendation. The app can also
- send you notifications about your journey;
- find an estimate of how crowded the train is.
Frequently asked questions about engineering works
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Can I get a refund if my trip is delayed?
When we schedule works, we also update the itineraries and travel time in the Travel Planner. Your travel time may be longer than usual. Because the works are scheduled in advance, we cannot offer a refund if you reach your destination later than usual.
You are entitled for a refund if your train is delayed by 30 minutes or more relative to the timetable given in the Travel Planner.
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How do I check in and out?
Do you have to travel around because of construction work? Then check in and out at the start and end stations as you are used to. You do not pay anything extra if you have to travel around because of construction work. If you check in and out at the same stations as normal, it does not cost more.
Do you have to check in and out at a different station in between because of the detour? Then you may pay more than normal. If so, you can claim the price difference back via customer service.
Taking an NS Bus as a rail replacement service?
Check out when you leave the train and transfer to the bus. There will be a temporary card reader near the bus. Check in before you enter the bus and check out again when you leave the bus.If you're transferring back to the train, check in again at the station before boarding the train.
Travelling with another public transport or train carrier?
You do not have to check in or out with other carriers if we recommend travelling with another carrier due to works. Your NS ticket also counts as a valid ticket with other carriers. Your trip will therefore cost the same.Example: if we recommend travelling by metro, you do not have to check in and out at the metro station. Only check in before you first board the train and check out at your destination.
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Can I take my bike on an NS bus?
No, you may not bring your bike with you on an NS bus. Regrettably, there is no space for bikes.
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Do detours cost more?
If you check in and out at the same stations as usual, your trip will cost the same.
Does alternative route means travelling with a different carrier?
You do not have to check in or out with the carrier if we recommend travelling with another carrier due to works. Your trip will therefore cost the same. Your NS ticket also counts as a valid ticket with other carriers.Taking an NS Bus as a rail replacement service
costs the same as regular train travel. We do ask that you check out when you leave the station and check in again when you enter the bus.Are your check in and check out more than 35 minutes apart?
Then you may have to pay more than usual, as the two legs of your trip will be seen as two distinct trips.Paid too much?
Answer these questions to figure out whether you are entitled to a refund. -
Do you have a mobility problem?
Please be mindful of the following:
- The vertical gap when boarding the bus
- Long walks to and from the bus
- Prolonged standing while waiting for the bus
If NS is running replacement buses and you are in a wheelchair,
you can use our free wheelchair taxi. Call NS Travel Assistance (on 030 235 7822) or chat with NS Customer Service.Are you visually impaired and do you need help?
We will help you get to and from the rail replacement service. Call NS Travel Assistance (on 030 235 7822) or chat with NS Customer Service.
See all of the frequently asked questions about engineering works.
