Public transport fares in the Netherlands are among the highest in the world, second only to Switzerland. With the upcoming price increases from 1 January 2025, a second-class return ticket between Breda and Amsterdam will cost nearly 50 euros. It is no wonder, then, that many people in the Netherlands are looking for ways to travel more cheaply. In this article we share five practical tips to lower your public transport costs, so you can travel around the country for less.
1. Just graduated? Keep travelling for another year with 40% off-peak and weekend discount
Have you just finished your studies and want to keep enjoying a discount on public transport? Once your student travel product ends, NS offers a handy alternative: the NS Flex Dal Voordeel season ticket. With it you travel at a 40% discount during off-peak hours, at weekends and on public holidays. This season ticket is designed specifically for former students and gives you access to the convenience of NS Flex, such as travelling without topping up a balance, using the bus, tram and metro, and even automatic corrections if you forget to check out. You can upgrade to first class up to 15 minutes after checking in, and you have the flexibility to cancel or change it on a monthly basis. You can read more about this season ticket on the NS website.
2. No longer a student? You can still benefit from the NS discount season tickets
Even after your student years, you can take advantage of the various NS discount season tickets. If you travel regularly by public transport, a season ticket can save you a lot of money. NS offers a range of options to suit different travel needs:
- Dal Voordeel: 40% off train travel outside peak hours and at weekends.
- Altijd Voordeel: 20% off during peak hours and 40% off outside peak hours and at weekends.
- Weekend Vrij: Unlimited travel throughout the Netherlands at weekends.
- Dal Vrij: Unlimited travel during off-peak hours and at weekends.
- Kids Vrij: Children aged 4 to 11 travel for free with someone who holds a season ticket.
So even without a student travel product, you can still keep travelling by train for less!
3. Got a fine for fare dodging?
Bad luck, you have been caught and the conductor has issued a fine. That is of course very annoying, because the costs can quickly add up to around 60 euros. Fortunately, once a year you can request leniency. All you have to do is contact NS Customer Service and ask whether they will waive your fine. With a bit of luck, you will not have to pay it!
4. Missed your check-out? Watch out, you can get money back!
It can happen to anyone: you step off the train and realise too late that you forgot to check out with your OV-chipkaart. Fortunately, you can easily request your money back via uitcheckgemist.nl if you were charged too much as a result.
In this case, a boarding or correction fare is automatically charged. Via uitcheckgemist.nl you can submit a request to correct the overpaid amount to the actual fare. This is quick and easy, but do note: it can take up to 48 hours before your missed check-out becomes visible and you can adjust it.
This way you do not have to pay for a small mistake and you get back the money you are entitled to!
5. Money back for delays. Students too!
Trains in the Netherlands unfortunately often do not run on time, but did you know you are entitled to compensation when there is a delay? Under European law, NS is required to pay compensation, depending on your season ticket, the length of the delay and the route you travelled. For example, with a half-hour delay on the Intercity Direct between Rotterdam and Amsterdam you quickly get around 21 euros back. As a student you are also entitled to compensation: with a 30-minute delay you usually get 50% of the fare back, and with an hour's delay 100%.
You can easily claim this via your NS account or this form, but it can be tricky to keep track of, because your journeys do not appear in your account straight away. Trein-vertraging.nl offers a solution for this: the platform automatically scans your travel history for delays and submits a claim on your behalf. Create a free account here!
Do keep in mind that you only have three months to submit a claim. After that period, your right to compensation for the delay expires.