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NS Ticket Machines

NS ticket machines can be found at almost every station in the Netherlands. There are 3 types of machine. All the machines have multiple functions, but there are differences between them.


NS Ticket Machine with the blue sign

You can recognise this NS ticket machine by the blue illuminated sign displaying the NS logo on top of the machine. In addition, this ticket machine has a characteristic 'rounded front'. There is at least one of these machines at every station. All functions are available at this type of ticket machine:

  • Buy a separate ticket (single-use chipkaart)
  • Buy an anonymous OV-chipkaart
  • Buy tickets to go abroad
  • Top up your balance
  • Pick up/terminate products
  • Class swap
  • View OV-chipkaart information, travel history and products on the card
  • Pay with coins (machine gives change)

NS Ticket Machine with the yellow sign

You can recognise this NS ticket machine by the yellow illuminated sign displaying the text 'OV-chipkaarthouders'. You can only use this machine with an OV-chipkaart. It can be used to:

  • Top up your balance
  • Pick up/terminate products
  • Swap class
  • View OV-chipkaart information, travel history and products on the card
  • Pay using your debit or credit card

NS Ticket Machine inside the gates

This NS ticket machine is becoming increasingly common at stations. It is possible that you have enough balance to check in, but not enough to pay for your entire journey. You will then be unable to open the gate. For this reason, you can find this machine inside the gates at the station, so that you can top up the balance on your OV-chipkaart. You can use this machine to:

  • Top up your balance
  • View OV-chipkaart information, travel history and products on the card
  • Pay using your debit or credit card
  • There is a special button for disabled passengers which causes the buttons on the screen to move to the bottom half of the screen