Travel with NS in simple language

Single ticket

If you travel infrequently, buy a single ticket at the NS Ticket Machine.
You can pay with your payment card (and on some machines with coins).

If you need assistance, call the free number on the machine. A service staff member will ask for the machine number and assist you.

OV-chipkaart

If you travel regularly by train, bus, tram or metro, an OV-chipkaart is useful.

• You buy the card for € 7.50.
• You load credit onto it.
• For journeys by train, you need at least € 20 credit on the card.
• You can add credit to your OV-chipkaart at the NS Ticket Machine. You can also check your balance there.

Travel with your payment card

You can also check in and out with your payment card or credit card. This is handy if you travel occasionally.

You can buy a ticket or add credit to your OV-chipkaart at the NS Ticket Machine. You can also check your balance here.

Before boarding, check in at a gate or card reader.

• Hold your OV-chipkaart or payment card against the scanner.
• You will hear a beep, and the gate will open.

If there is no gate, use a card reader post instead.

Note:

• Gates open only if there is a green arrow.
• A red cross means the gate is closed.

If it does not work, check the screen for errors, check your balance, or ask for help. You can also press the blue button on an information pillar.

Always check out when you arrive at your destination.

At major stations, each platform has a display showing:

• Departure time
• Final destination
• Intermediate stations
• Any delays (in red)

Smaller stations also have displays with this information.

• OV Service & Tickets shop: for questions about your ticket or journey.
• Information desk: available at major stations.
• Information pillar: press the blue button for questions or the red button in an emergency.

Toilets are available at most stations. Payment is with a payment card. Follow the signs marked ‘WC’.

Every NS train has a free-to-use toilet. Longer trains have several toilets. Follow the pictograms to locate them.

If you change from NS to another operator, such as Arriva, first check out with NS, then check in with the other operator. The card readers are located together on the platform.

The numbers 1 or 2 indicate the location of 1st and 2nd class.

• 1st class: wider, more comfortable seats.
• 2nd class: standard seats.

You need a more expensive ticket for 1st class.

You must not talk or make calls in quiet coaches. You can recognise them by the large sticker saying ‘STILTE’ or ‘SILENCE’ and the icon of a person holding a finger to their lips.

Most trains offer free wifi. Select ‘Wifi in the train’, accept the terms and conditions, and you will be online.

The screens show:

• which train you are on
• the current time
• when you will arrive
• useful tips and station information

When entering a station, look out of the window. The station name is displayed on a blue sign to let you know exactly where you are.

Do you need help boarding, changing trains or disembarking? Book NS Travel Assistance. This service is free of charge.
You can book via:

• the NS app
• ns.nl/reisassistentie
• by phone: 030 – 235 78 22

An assistant will help you at the station and with boarding and disembarking.