Your complete guide to train passenger rights
Delays, a missed connection or a cancelled train? You have more rights than you think. Find out what you're entitled to, and let us handle the claim for you, automatically.
What are you entitled to?
As a train passenger in the Netherlands you are well protected. These are your key rights in case of delay or cancellation.
Money back for delays
From 30 minutes' delay you get part of your ticket price back, regardless of the cause.
Alternative transport
During major disruptions the carrier arranges buses or an alternative route to your destination.
Food and drink
Stranded at a station or on the train for a long time? You're entitled to care such as food and drink.
Overnight stay
Can't travel on at night because of a cancellation? The carrier covers an overnight stay or a taxi.
Right to information
You're entitled to timely, accurate information about delays, connections and your travel options.
Assistance for disabilities
Passengers with a disability are entitled to free travel assistance, to be requested in advance.
How much do you get back?
At NS the 'Money back for delays' scheme applies. The amount depends on how late you arrived at your final destination.
30 – 60 minutes delay
of your ticket price for that trip
60 minutes or more
of your ticket price for that trip
Travelling on the Intercity Direct over the high-speed line? Faster thresholds apply: 50% from 15 minutes and 100% from 30 minutes delay. Amounts apply per single journey. If you travel on a season ticket or day pass, a fixed compensation per delay applies.
Does the cause matter?
No. Unlike air travel, with the train you get money back regardless of the cause of the delay, whether it's a signal failure, the weather or an incident on the track. You only need to show that you were actually delayed.
Common situations
Dive into the situation that applies to you.
Delay after a collision on the track: do you get your money back?
Was your train held up by a collision on the track? NS may call it force majeure, yet almost always pays out. What to do if your claim is rejected anyway.
Delay from a train fault: NS always pays out
A technical fault is not force majeure: NS maintains its own rolling stock. Arrive 30 minutes late or more and you get your money back as usual.
Delay from copper theft or sabotage: do you get compensation?
Copper theft, a signal box fire or sabotage: the cause lies with ProRail, but NS usually still pays out. How to claim your money back all the same.
EU rail regulations: what rights do you have as a train passenger in the EU?
EU Regulation 2021/782 entitles you to 25% of your ticket price from 60 minutes' delay and 50% from 120 minutes. Here is how that works out in the Netherlands.
Know your rights when your train is delayed: everything you need to know
In the Netherlands you get 50% of your fare back from 30 minutes' delay and 100% from 60 minutes. Every right you have as a train passenger, on one page.
Missed connection due to a train delay: here are your options (and your rights)
Missed your connection because of a delay and arrived 30 minutes late or more? You are entitled to compensation. What to do on the spot and how to claim.
Stranded by train at night: how to arrange a hotel or replacement transport
Stranded at a station at night? The order in which you arrange a taxi or hotel decides whether NS covers the cost. What NS must arrange, and what you do.
Train delayed by storm, snow or a disruption: do you get your money back?
NS may label storm, snow or a disruption as force majeure, but often wrongly. When a weather delay still gets you your money back, and when it does not.
How to claim it, hassle-free
Connect your trips
Link your OV-chipkaart or OVpay. We detect your delays automatically.
We handle the claim
For every delay we automatically file a claim with the carrier.
You get your money
We pay out approved compensation to your account every week.
90% of train passengers never check whether they are owed compensation.We check it for you in 2 minutes.
Link your card and we do the rest.
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