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Travelling with NS

If you haven't travelled by train for a while or if this is your very first time, you can find all the information you need here, to help you prepare for your journey

Perhaps you've travelled by train in the past, but it's been a while. Or perhaps you're planning your very first train journey. Whether you're leaving your car at home due to road works or because you want to use the more climate-friendly option, it's a good idea to be well prepared before setting out. That's why we're happy to give you an extra helping hand by taking you step by step through the process of planning, paying for and making your journey with NS.

Preparing for your journey

To give yourself a relaxed travel experience, you can prepare a few things in advance so you'll know exactly what to expect when you arrive at the station.

  • 1. Find your station (click to open)

    Want to find the station closest to you? Find your station at Station information. You can also find out here what facilities and services there are at the station.

  • 2. Plan your journey (click to open)

    You can easily plan your journey from door to door in our Travel Planner in the NS app or on ns.nl. Simply search for the train to your destination and the departure time. You can also look up travel information during your journey, view the price of the train journey, and buy an e-ticket.

  • 3. Heading to the station (click to open)

    Travelling to the station by bike or car? All stations are easily accessible for everyone. There is always space to park your bike in one of the bicycle parking facilities or your car at a P+R.

    Did you know that if you park your car at a P+R and travel on NS, you receive a discount on your parking costs? This special daily rate applies in combination with a train journey on the same day, for which you check in and out with your OV-chipkaart or e-ticket. A nice bonus!

Start your journey in the NS app

The NS app is the easy way to plan your journey to any destination in the Netherlands. As well as keeping you informed about current travel information, it also enables you to check the availability of OV fietsen (public transport bikes) for example, or find the closest P+R if you're planning to make part of your journey by car. Download the NS app free of charge from the App Store or Google Play.

Choose your ticket type

When travelling by train, you need a ticket. This can be in the form of an individual ticket or an OV-chipkaart with a cash balance or an NS Flex season ticket loaded onto it. We'll explain the differences between these.

  • Season tickets (click to open)

    We have a season ticket to suit every traveller. For example, you can choose an NS Flex season ticket, or a balance-based season ticket. If you don't know which option suits your needs best, you can easily find out by using our selection tool. We will help you to choose.

    Start Selection Tool

  • OV-chipkaart (click to open)

    If you would rather not purchase an individual ticket for every journey, then you can opt for an OV-chipkaart. This enables you to travel on all forms of public transport on a balance basis using just one card. You can choose either a personal or an anonymous OV-chipkaart. We explain the differences between the two on this page. You can buy an OV-chipkaart for a one-time cost of € 7.50. Once you have received your card, remember to load it with a balance before travelling.

    Did you know that a personal OV-chipkaart is free of charge if you purchase an NS season ticket? You can request a season ticket easily at ns.nl/abonnementen.

  • Individual tickets (click to open)

    You can easily purchase individual tickets online, in the NS app, and from the ticket machines at stations.

Travelling with NS Flex

If you're planning to travel by train temporarily or travelling more often for a short period, then we recommend NS Flex. This enables you to travel flexibly and easily from door to door. Nothing is fixed. You can change or pause your season ticket without incurring costs, and you pay for your travel costs monthly in arrears. This means you don't have to maintain a cash balance on your OV-chipkaart. You can also make immediate use of the OV fiets and the bicycle parking facilities.

Choose your discount Our Selection Tool always helps you find the right season ticket

During your journey

Before boarding the train, you must always check in with your ticket or OV-chipkaart. You can do this at a pole or gate at the entrance to the station. Checking in is very simple. We explain it all below. Your NS journey is about to start!

  • Inchecken van je reis

    Inchecken met je vervoerbewijs. Zo werk het:

    1. Houd je chipkaart tegen de kaartlezer van het poortje aan je rechterkant.
    2. Zo check je in en open je, wanneer aanwezig, het poortje.
    3. Je hoort 1 piepje.
    4. Gelukt! Je bent nu ingecheckt.

    Reis je met een e-ticket? Dan scan je de barcode op je e-ticket.

  • Uitchecken van je reis

    Uitchecken met je vervoerbewijs. Zo werk het:

    1. Aan het eind van de reis check je op dezelfde manier weer uit als dat je incheckte.
    2. Je hoort dan 2 piepjes.
    3. Gelukt! Je bent uigecheckt.

    Reis je met een e-ticket? Dan scan je de barcode op je e-ticket. Dit kan alleen bij poorten met een barcode lezer.

After your journey

No matter where your destination is, travelling with NS is always the easy way to get there. When your train arrives at the station, you can easily rent an OV fiets (public transport bike) for a quick ride to your appointment. If you prefer a car, there are Greenwheels share cars available at more than 90 NS stations. And naturally, you can also continue your journey by bus, tram or metro.

Continuing on an OV fiets

This is the easy rental bike for the last leg of your journey. An OV-fiets season ticket is free of charge and simple to arrange online. You do need a personal OV-chipkaart for this, however. If you have an NS Flex season ticket, the OV fiets is automatically included. View all the details about the OV fiets here.

Obtain now, free of charge Find an OV fiets rental location near you

Arrange it yourself

  • Are you delayed, or have you lost something? (click to open)

    Unfortunately, it can happen that your train is delayed, or that you lose something on the way. We understand that this can be upsetting, and that's why we are happy to help you deal with these issues.

    • If you are delayed, you can ask for a refund. The applicable terms and conditions are available at ns.nl/geldterugbijvertraging.
    • If you've left something behind or lost something during your journey, report it to us as soon as possible at ns.nl/verlorenvoorwerpen.

  • Mijn NS account (click to open)

    Mijn NS gives you easy access to your travel information. You can also arrange your NS matters simply by means of a Mijn NS account. For example, you can see which journeys you've made on NS and how much they cost. You can also request a refund via your Mijn NS account in the event of delays, and you can view and change your season tickets. Very handy!

    Yes, I would like to create a Mijn NS account

Any questions?

You can easily find the answers to many questions yourself at the NS Community. However, if you still don't find what you need, feel free to contact our Customer Service department.