International travel with a disability

Booking an international journey while travelling with a disability

If you travel with a wheelchair or mobility scooter, you cannot book international journeys online. Instead, please book your international journey via the NS International Service Centre by calling 030 - 2300023 or at an NS International desk in the Service Shop. 

Assistance during an international journey

Need help boarding and exiting the train? We're happy to help. First, book your trip via NS International. Next, request the assistance you require at least 24 hours before your scheduled departure (36 hours for Germany) by calling 030-235 78 22 (7 days a week, 24 hours a day). We recommend booking assistance immediately after you book your trip and keeping your booking details handy during the call.

Hearing impairment
If you have a hearing impairment, please use WhatsApp to send your assistance request to 0031 302 300 023. You can also request assistance via our social media channels.

Assistance abroad
We recommend requesting assistance abroad at least 1 week before your scheduled departure.

Travelling with a companion

The OV-Begeleiderskaart, is valid both in the Netherlands and abroad. Depending on the country in which you are travelling, the card may entitle you to a free ticket for your travel companion. See the overview below for the services available to passengers travelling with a disability.

Eurocity Direct en EuroCity

• Aboard the Eurocity Direct and EuroCity, the wheelchair seats are almost always located in the middle of the train.
• Companions of travellers with an OV-begeleiderskaart can travel for free on Intercity and regional services in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. 
• In order to fit aboard the train, in the lifts and over the mobile bridges, a wheelchair may not be larger than 150 x 85 cm (exterior dimensions).
• You and your wheelchair may not weigh more than a combined 250 kg.
• Need assistance boarding and exiting the train? Please book assistance by calling 030-235 78 22 (available 24/7)

Eurostar to Paris (formerly Thalys)

• The Eurostar train has 1 Premium seat reserved for wheelchair passengers, which can be booked for a special price. A wheelchair passenger may bring along 1 companion for the same special price. Passengers travelling 1st class are served a meal or snack during the journey. You do have to book this meal or snack in advance. Companions need a special companion card. 
• For safety purposes, wheelchairs may not exceed 75 x 125 cm, have a turning radius of less than 150 cm, and a maximum weight of 300 kg. Only manual or electric wheelchairs are permitted on board the Eurostar.
• There is no special price for visually impaired passengers or for their companions. Service dogs may accompany a passenger at no extra charge.

ICE International and Intercity Berlin

ICE International trains have 2 seats for wheelchair passengers and IC Berlin trains have 4 seats for wheelchair passengers in 2nd class, all of which are near an adapted washroom/toilet. Each wheelchair seat is accompanied by a reserved companion seat. The maximum dimensions of wheelchairs are 125 cm (l) x 70 cm (w), including leg room. These services offer limited options for travelling with a mobility scooter. For advice, please call 030 245 78 22 (7 days a week, 24 hours a day).

Eurostar

The Eurostar train has 2 seats reserved for wheelchair passengers in 1st class. A wheelchair passenger may bring along 1 companion for the same special price. Travellers with a mobility scooter may have it transported aboard the Eurostar in one of the special luggage compartments for no extra charge.

• The mobility scooter and/or wheelchair may not exceed 100 x 70 cm.
• Mobility scooters with flammable fuels are not permitted aboard the train.
• When travelling with a mobility scooter, please inform EuroDespatch (in English) by calling tel.: 0044 344 822 5 822 (available every day from 08:00 - 22:00).
• There is no special discount rate for visually impaired passengers, but special rates apply for travel companions (max. 1).

Assistance dogs can travel for free but must be registered in advance and must meet the requirements set by Eurostar. For more information,  please call +32 2 400 67 31(Mon-Sun; 9am-5pm) English speakers  can call:+44 3432 186 186 Passengers with an assistance dog can currently only travel on the Eurostar route from Brussel Zuid to London.

TGV

The wheelchair seat aboard TGV trains is accessible to both collapsible and non-collapsible (electric) wheelchairs and mobility scooters with maximum dimensions of 120 x 70 cm