Trains Netherlands, Tickets and Timetables
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General Information about Train Travel in the Netherlands
Train travel is a popular method of transport in the Netherlands for both travelers and locals. The Dutch railway network, operated by NS, is one of the busiest in the European Union, serving numerous train routes in Benelux. From popular destinations and train routes to information about train companies and how to buy cheap train tickets, this page provides an overview of everything you need to know about train travel in the Netherlands.
Train Companies and Train Types in the Netherlands
Everything you need to know about Dutch train companies
Trains in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has one of the most efficient and well-connected train networks in Europe. Travelers are encouraged to use trains in the Netherlands, as they are one of the fastest and most convenient ways to travel around the country. Locals and travelers enjoy using the Dutch train network so much, that it is known to be the third busiest in the world, right after Japan and Switzerland. Most major cities can be reached directly with the trains, as well as cities in neighboring countries (Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and even France). The Netherlands has various types of trains and a few train companies that visitors may choose from while planning their trip. The main train company of the Netherlands is called the NS, which is short for "Nederlandse Spoorwegen." The NS offers various types of train services such as the NS International, the NS Intercity, and the NS Sprinter. If travelers decide to take a regional train, they are advised to check the schedule for "rush hours" and "normal hours," as ticket prices change depending on the time of departure. Additionally, there are several international train companies which have routes operating in the country, such as Thalys, SNCB, and Eurostar.
Booking with Omio
When booking train tickets to the Netherlands with Omio, you will be able to plan your trips efficiently and smoothly thanks to its journey app planner. To book a trip, first select where you want to travel to (in Europe, the U.S. or Canada) as well as the dates for your trip. Once you have decided on these details, you'll see clear and up-to-date information on which options are available to you including train types. At this point, you will have the choice to pay in different currencies, add on any personal discount cards, as well as having the chance to decide how to travel (i.e. slower for lower price or by picking the fastest travel time). Once booked, you will have access to all the tickets needed for your journey directly on a mobile device—no printer needed!
International train routes are usually operated by Thalys or Eurostar.
Popular destinations in the Netherlands
Train companies in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands there is one national train company that runs the majority of the routes nationally and internationally. Nonetheless, there are also a few international companies which offer routes coming in and out of the country. NS International is a high-speed international train company in the Netherlands, which also provides routes to Germany, Belgium, France, and Switzerland. The NS Intercity focuses on medium and long-distance routes mostly concentrated within the Netherlands. Similarly, the NS Sprinter is a commuter service providing short routes at high-speeds, perfect also for travelers that want to visit other cities with trains in the Netherlands. This service is used to connect the two biggest cities of the Netherlands, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. NS trains also provide routes that go directly from Amsterdam Schipol Airport, the biggest airport in the country, to a few of the major cities of the Netherlands, such as Rotterdam, The Hague, Amsterdam, Leiden, and Groningen. Moreover, travelers may also find other international train companies such as SNCB which provides a route from Belgium, Thalys which provides a route from Paris, and Eurostar which provides a route from London.
Popular Train Routes in the Netherlands
Popular International Routes by Train
Travelers that plan to visit the Netherlands using the train as their preferred method of transportation will find that Omio is a convenient tool to streamline their bookings. Here are two of the main cities in the Netherlands and the most popular routes that reach them:
- Rotterdam: The most popular international direct routes go from Rotterdam to Paris (Thalys), and Brussels (Eurostar, NS, Thalys).
- Amsterdam: The most popular international direct routes go from Amsterdam to Antwerpen (NS, Thalys), to Berlin (Deutsche Bahn), and Paris (Thalys).
Other international routes can be taken to reach the Netherlands by train which involve only one connection, for example from Rotterdam/Amsterdam to London (with a connection in Brussels).
When arriving
If travelers decide to visit the Netherlands they should be aware of the following information to ensure a smoother journey. If visitors decide to take trains while traveling around the Netherlands, they are encouraged to purchase an OV-Chip Card. The OV-Chip Card is the transportation ticket system of the Netherlands. Disposable tickets are also available, but if travelers wish to stay in the Netherlands longer and travel by train, bus, tram, subway, or even bike, they will find that the OV-Chip Card is extremely convenient and efficient. Moreover, it is important to note that the Netherlands is known as a biking country. Every city and town in the Netherlands is fully equipped with bike paths. Travelers are advised to watch where they are walking so they do not get in the way of one, which could lead to angry locals. Although Dutch is the main language of the Netherlands, English is widely spoken.
Most Popular Trains to Amsterdam
Most Popular Trains to Rotterdam
Most Popular Trains to The Hague
Trains in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is a beautiful country, famed for its tulip fields, canals, and windmills. It has an extensive railway network, and you can reach just about any large city or small town by train. In fact, you can get to just about any town in the Netherlands within 3h from either Amsterdam or Rotterdam. NS International operates most domestic train service in The Netherlands. You can take one of their high-speed between the country’s major cities.
If your destination is not served by a high-speed train, you can pick up either an InterCity train, which stops at most cities and larger towns, or a regional train, which stops at all cities and towns along the route. There is also high-speed rail service to major cities in the countries surrounding The Netherlands, including Germany, France and Switzerland.
Booking your train ticket with Omio for the Netherlands
The journey planner app on Omio makes it easy to book your next train trip to the Netherlands. Start by selecting your departure and arrival train stations or cities as well as your travel date(s). Click the search button to see current information about the available trains, including train types, trip durations and prices. Too many choices? Use the filter to refine your search by selecting the number of stops, price, trip duration, train company, and/or train station. Once you’ve found the perfect train to fit your schedule, you can purchase your ticket. Simply select your travel class, pay for your ticket in your currency of choice, and add on any personal discount cards. Once your tickets are booked, they can be accessed using any mobile device.
Train companies in the Netherlands
NS International, part of Nederlandse Spoorwegen, is the primary train company in the Netherlands. It provides high-speed, InterCity and regional service to between cities in the Netherlands, and it coordinates scheduling for other companies that provide international high-speed service. NS International also operates some international routes on its InterCity and InterCity Direct trains. There are several companies that operate international lines in the Netherlands.
The InterCity Express (ICE) and InterCity trains that are operated by Deutsche Bahn (DB) connect major cities in The Netherlands, Germany and Sweden. Eurostar operates a line that travels between London and Amsterdam, with stops in Rotterdam, Brussels and Lille. Thalys operates daily services between Amsterdam and Brussels/Paris as well as between Amsterdam and Lille.
Netherlands Tulips. Source: Shutterstock
Popular international routes by train
Some of the most popular international routes carry passengers between the Netherlands and cities in France and Germany. For example, Deutsche Bahn (DB) operates an InterCity train route between Amsterdam and Berlin, completing the journey in about 6h 20min and stopping at all major cities along the way. It takes about 4h to travel between Amsterdam and Frankfurt on one of DB’s InterCity Express high-speed trains, which stops at major cities such as Cologne and Dusseldorf.
Passengers traveling between Amsterdam and Paris can take a Thalys high-speed train; the total trip takes about 3h 30min and stops at Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Brussels. NS International operates its InterCity trains between Rotterdam and Brussels (a 2h 10min journey) and between The Hague and Brussels (a 2h 30min journey). Eurostar’s daily high-speed train that travels between London and Amsterdam (with stops in Rotterdam, Brussels and Lille) reaches its destination in about 3h 52min.
When arriving by train in the Netherlands
Part of knowing how to plan a trip to The Netherlands includes knowing some key terms in the native language, Dutch. Some popular terms you may come across on your travels include Eerste Klas (first class) and Tweede Klas (second class), Den Haag (The Hague), Centraal Station (Central Station), and noorden (north), zuiden (south), oosten (east) and west, westelijk or westwaarts (west, western/westerly or westward). When planning your itinerary, be sure to plan your shopping excursions for the earlier part of the day (most shops close by 6:00 p.m.), and keep in mind that museums and other attractions are often closed on Mondays. Also be sure to carry a few dollars (well, euros) in change for the toilets, as you will have to pay a small charge to use the public restrooms.
Train Providers in the Netherlands
Almost all train routes the Netherlands are served by NS International, the national train company of the Netherlands. The NS International high-speed trains, known as InterCity Direct, operate on the HSL-Zuid railway line and make limited stops between Amsterdam in the north to Breda at the Belgian border, with some trains continuing on to Brussels (Belgium). Stops along this route include Schiphol Airport and Rotterdam, and it takes about 32min to travel between the end points of Amsterdam and Breda.
The NS International InterCity trains travel at speeds up to about 86 mph (140 kph) and connect the larger towns and cities in the country. It takes about 24min to travel between Rotterdam and The Hague and about 2h 24min to travel between Amsterdam and Maastricht on an InterCity train. NS International’s regional service is called the Sprinter, which is slower than the InterCity trains and stops at all stations on any given route. For this reason, the Sprinter trains are usually used for short trips.
Main train stations in the Netherlands
Utrecht Centraal railway station is one of the largest and busiest train stations in the Netherlands. Located at Stationshal 305, 3511 CE Utrecht, Netherlands, the station is conveniently situated in the city center, less than 0.5 miles (750 m) west of the Dom tower. If you don’t want to walk or bike to the Dom tower from the station, you can take an 11min ride on the #73 U-Link bus. Other U-Link buses to the city center include the #77, #50 and #28 lines. Amenities at the station include train ticket windows, automated ticket machines, luggage lockers, elevators, travel assistance, waiting rooms, currency exchange, restrooms, and shops and restaurants.
Another main train station is Amsterdam Centraal (Stationsplein, 1012 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands) in the city’s center. You can take the #2, #12, #13 or #17 tram lines or the metro’s Blue line (#52) from the station to points in the city center. The station features train ticket windows and automated ticket machines, luggage lockers, elevators, travel assistance counters, waiting rooms, a passenger lounge, car rental counters, restrooms, and many shops and restaurants. Rotterdam Centraal station (Stationsplein 2, 3013 AJ Rotterdam, Netherlands) is a modern station that offers train ticket windows and ticket machines, luggage storage, elevators, assistance for travelers, waiting rooms, currency exchange, NS International lounges, restrooms, and a variety of shops and restaurants.
Rotterdam Centraal is located in the city center, about 0.7 miles (1.1 km) northwest of the Stadhuis (Town Hall). Public transportation options from the station to the city center include the D and E metro lines and the RET tram lines 7, 8, 12, 21, 23, 24 and 25. Travelers using the Den Haag Centraal train station (10 Koningin Julianaplein 1st floor, 2595 AA Den Haag, Netherlands), which is The Hague’s largest station, will find amenities such as train ticket windows and automated machines, luggage storage, elevators, travel information and assistance, a waiting room, currency exchange, restrooms, a hair salon, and shopping and dining options. From the station, it takes less than 10min to reach the Hague’s Binnenhof government offices in the city center using the #3A, #15, or #16 trams.
At the Schiphol Airport Railway Station (Arrival passage 1, 1118 AX Schiphol, Netherlands), located about 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Amsterdam’s city center, travelers will find train ticket windows and ticket machines, elevators, travel assistance, a waiting room, currency exchange, an NS International lounge, and restrooms. Passengers can take a Thalys or InterCity Direct train into Amsterdam. GVB’s 69, 245, 246, 247 and 369 bus lines as well as Connexxion’s 397 airport express bus are also good options.
Popular journey in the Netherlands
You can travel between most train stations in the Netherlands in under 3h on an NS International train, making trains a convenient and affordable option for travel within the country. The InterCity Direct trains from Amsterdam to Breda take about 32min to reach their destination, with tickets from $28. The trip from Rotterdam to Arnhem on an InterCity train takes about 2h 24min and starts at about $26. It costs only about $7 to travel from Rotterdam to the Hague, and the trip takes less than 20min. It takes about 2h to travel from Utrecht to Maastricht; tickets for this scenic route cost about $33. Travel between the two largest cities of the Netherlands, Amsterdam and Rotterdam, takes about 40min on an NS International InterCity Direct train or a Thalys high-speed train; tickets start at about $21.
Amsterdam. Source: Shutterstock
Popular train routes from the Netherlands
The train system in the countries surrounding the Netherlands is well developed, making international travel from the Netherlands fast and convenient. Eurostar passengers can travel from London to Amsterdam in about 3h 52min from about $72. It takes only about 1h 53min to travel on a Thalys train from Brussels to Amsterdam, with tickets starting at about $34. Thalys also offers trains from Paris to Amsterdam, with tickets starting at about $90 for the 3h 20min trip. NS International offers several daily trains from The Hague to Brussels; tickets for the 2h 30min trip start at around $27. Travelers coming from Germany can catch a Deutsche Bahn InterCity Express train in Frankfurt, reaching Amsterdam in just over 4h at a cost of about $50.
Good to Know
Train travel is cheap and easy in the Netherlands, and with hundreds of train stations in the country, you can get to just about anywhere using the railways. If you’ll be doing a lot of traveling by train while traveling around the Netherlands, you’ll need to purchase an OV-Chip Card, which you can buy in any of the stations and in tobacco shops. The OV-Chip Card (or “OV-chipkaart” in Dutch) is the smart card for travelers using the country’s trains, buses, trams, and metro services.
The Netherlands is very friendly to bicyclists. If you’re planning to bring a bike with you on the train, you’ll be happy to know that you can bring your bike on board the NS International trains. You may need to book a spot for your bike in advance if you’re traveling in July, August and September, and you’ll want to make sure you can bring your bike on board if you’re traveling during peak travel times (such as morning and evening rush hours).
The Netherlands by train—travel tips
Tulip fields. Wooden shoes. Windmills. Canals. These are just some of the things brought to mind when thinking about traveling in the Netherlands. Netherlands is certainly a beautiful country filled with plenty of things to keep you busy, no matter what your interests are. For history and architecture buffs, there are palaces, cathedrals and unique buildings in every city. You can admire the royal palace in Amsterdam, St. Martin's Cathedral in Utrecht, or the cube houses in Rotterdam. Foodies can take a food tour to sample such Dutch delights as their famous cheeses, Dutch fries, Stroopwafels, Stamppot, and chocolate.
Amsterdam is known for its extensive canal system, and a great way to see the city is on a cruise thru the canals. The country has a number of national parks, where residents and tourists alike can enjoy the natural surroundings. In parks such as the Hoge Veluwe National Park, visitors can hike or bike through the park to see the sights. You can take a trip back through time to see what local life was like in the 17th and 18th centuries at Zaanse Schans, which features five of the country’s iconic windmills.
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