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Regional trains across the border

Alongside Intercity and high-speed lines, you can also travel internationally on various regional trains. These trains call at multiple stations, provide an affordable connection, and are perfect for short trips just across the border.

Travel on regional cross-border connections

In the Netherlands, you simply travel on these trains using your OV-chipkaart. You check in and check out with the operator running your journey.

Are you crossing the border? Then you need to buy an international ticket. You can get this via NS, NS International service desks, the NS International Customer Service, or from ticket machines of foreign operators at border stations, such as NMBS, DB, Arriva, VIAS Rail and Keolis.

Regional train connections to Belgium

In the Netherlands, you simply travel on these trains using your OV-chipkaart. You check in and check out with the operator running your journey.

Are you crossing the border? Then you need to buy an international ticket. You can get this via NS, NS International service desks, the NS International Customer Service, or from ticket machines of foreign operators at border stations, such as NMBS, DB, Arriva, VIAS Rail and Keolis.

Local trains to Antwerp and Liège (NMBS)

  • Local train to Antwerp and Liège
  • Local train to Düsseldorf
  • Local train to Herzogenrath and Aachen
  • Local train to Mönchengladbach, Düsseldorf and Hamm
  • Local train to Gronau, Münster and Dortmund
  • Local train to Bielefeld

Season tickets

If you travel via Roosendaal, combine NS Flex Traject Vrij (Roosendaal border point) with a Belgian season ticket

NMBS offers season tickets up to Roosendaal and Maastricht

Regional train connections to Germany

Arnhem – Düsseldorf (VIAS Rail)

  • Local train every hour via Zevenaar, Emmerich, Wesel and Oberhausen
  • Tickets available from the VRR ticket machine in Arnhem/Zevenaar or online
  • Note: a VIAS Rail ticket is not valid on the ICE between Arnhem and Düsseldorf

Heerlen – Herzogenrath – Aachen (Arriva / DB)

  • Hourly train to Herzogenrath and Aachen
  • Check in with Arriva in the Netherlands and at the card readers in Germany
  • Tickets available at the DB ticket machine in Heerlen or online
  • The Euregioticket is also valid here

More information about the Euregioticket

Venlo – Mönchengladbach – Düsseldorf – Hamm (Keolis)

  • Hourly regional train
  • Buy tickets from DB ticket machines in Venlo or online
  • If you depart from a station other than Venlo, always buy your ticket online

Enschede – Gronau – Münster – Dortmund (DB Regio)

  • Hourly connection to Münster and Dortmund
  • Tickets available from DB ticket machines or online

Hengelo – Bielefeld (Keolis)

  • Hourly train to Bielefeld
  • Travellers from Hengelo and Oldenzaal buy their tickets on the train
  • From other stations, you can buy your ticket online

Travelling with NS Flex Traject Vrij up to or beyond the border

If you travel frequently to Belgium or Germany, NS Flex Traject Vrij combined with a foreign season ticket offers a cost-effective option. You pay in advance for the Dutch part of your journey up to the border and can travel unlimited on that section.

Valid up to the border points:

  • Hazeldonk
  • Roosendaal
  • Emmerich
  • Bad Bentheim

And to various border stations, including Weener, Leer, Gronau, Emmerich, Herzogenrath and Aachen.

Read all about NS Flex Traject Vrij here