How to Use the Public Transport in the Netherlands? (2026 Guide)

Have you ever arrived in a new country and felt totally lost because you don’t have the slightest idea how the public transport there works? I know how you feel. That’s why I have put together this guide to the public transport in the Netherlands, so that you don’t need to worry about getting from A to B, but actually enjoy your time in A and B. Read further to find out what are the best ways to travel around in the Netherlands.

The public transport in the Netherlands is pretty well organized. The city centres are easily accessible from the train stations and if you want to continue your trip by bus, the bus stations in the most cities are next to the train stations. In the last years there’s been heavily invested in the infrastructure in the Netherlands. Most of the major cities have got amazing train station makeovers, like Rotterdam, Utrecht, Tilburg and even Amsterdam.

Public transport in Dutch is called Openbaar Vervoer or OV in short. So if you see a sign or information with OV on it, it will most likely have a relation to the public commute.

In this useful guide you will find practical information about how to use the public transport in the Netherlands, as well as tons of extra tips that only locals know.

So, where do you start?

Which route planner to use in the Netherlands?

There are different transportation companies operating in the different parts of the Netherlands, each with their own timetable and information site. How do you find then your way? I have a good news for you.

If you are on a desktop, there’s one central website where you can check how to get from A to B and the relevant timetables and connections and this is https://9292.nl. If you want to by tickets online, then you will need the app version of the website, which is both available for iPhone and Android.

How to pay in public transport in the Netherlands?

Since 2023 things have changed in the Netherlands and the OV-chip card is not the only option to pay for the public transportation in the Netherlands. Now you can pay cashless with a credit or a debit card or via the dedicated apps.

Paying contactless in public transport in the Netherlands

If you are not a frequent commuter, or if you are a tourist, the best way to pay for the public transportation in the Netherlands is by using your credit or debit card, or your smartphone. This method has been introduced country-wide at the beginning of 2023, however there are still some places/regions where this is not possible. Check out this website to see whether your location is included in the service.

How do you do it then? You need to have contactless payment activated on your card and you just use it to check in and out at the gates or at the special check in/out terminals. One beep means you are checked in, two beeps – you are checked out.

Currently, the cards of the following banks are accepted:

• debits card from ABN AMRO, ASN bank, bunq, ING, Rabobank, Knab, Regiobank, or SNS;
• credit cards from Mastercard and Visa (issued by ICS);
• smartphones with contactless payment with a debit/credit card from the above-mentioned banks, and with Apple Pay and Google Wallet.

Important: When you pay contactless, take the card you want to use out of your wallet, otherwise all cards in your wallet will be charged! If you have your cards in the cardholder of your smartphone, take them out as well, otherwise all you cards and the smartphone will be charged!

Using one of the travel apps

There are two travel apps in the Netherlands where you can buy tickets for almost all types of public transportation in the Netherlands.

One of the apps is the 9292 app. However, they charge a service fee when you purchase tickets via them.

The other one is the Glimble app. The app is free of charge and they don’t see to charge a service fee. At least they haven’t announced so on their website, and when I used the price was the same as I would normally pay, although I don’t exclude they might charge for certain types of tickets.

Using the OV-chip card in the Netherlands

The so-called OV-chip card was for a long time the only option to pay for public transport in the Netherlands and it is still one of the most popular methods among the locals who commute often. Just load some credit on the card and you are good to go. The only thing you need to remember is to check in and out every time you use the bus, the train or the metro.

Website: www.ov-chipkaart.nl

How to choose the right OV-chip card?

There are three types of OV-chip cards – personal, anonymous and single use. Depending on how much you plan to travel and how long you will stay in the Netherlands, you can choose between the single-use card and the anonymous.

As the name suggests it, the single-use card can be used only once for a specific trip for a specific company. The anonymous one, on the other hand, can be loaded with credit and used everywhere. You can buy it at stations, newsagents, and supermarkets. In general, travelling with the anonymous card is cheaper than with the single-use one, but you have to consider that you will need to pay for the card itself if you buy the anonymous one. So, if you don’t plan to travel extensively in the Netherlands, then a single-use OV-chip card could be the better option.

If you don’t want to get an OV-chip card you can still buy tickets for the train, the bus or the metro.

How to buy a train ticket in the Netherlands?

The main train service provider in the Netherlands is NS, short for Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch Railways in English). They operate almost everywhere in the country. Some small local lines are operated by other providers, like the Kerkrade-Maastricht line in South Limburg is operated by Arriva, the line between Zwolle and Kempen is operated by Keolis. Connexxion and Qbuzz also operate a couple of local train lines.

Important: Each time you change train providers you need to check in and check out.

You need to buy your ticket in advance and you will need to check in and out each time you change trains. There are ticket vending machines in the train station halls or at the platforms if it’s only a train stop. The vending machines accept debit and credit cards and cash. When buying a ticket, you will need to indicate your destination, one-way or return ticket, 1^st or 2^nd class and the number of tickets. You’ll get a paper ticket with a magnetic strip.

Pro tip: If you want to save 1 EUR on your NS train ticket, and believe me you’ll want, as train travel in the Netherlands is very expensive, then you should buy your tickets online.

Another indispensable app if you plan to travel by train in the Netherlands, is the NS app. Their app is super handy as you can check connections, it has a wallet where you can store your tickets and will provide information about your trip in real time, so that you can’t miss your stop. And you’ll save 1 EUR on your ticket price! Oh, and you won’t need to worry in which pocket you’ve put the ticket.

When you buy your ticket via the website of NS or via their app, it can also include a leg operated by another company. Let’s say if you want to travel from Amsterdam to Kerkrade, you need to change train companies in Heerlen. Your ticket bought via NS includes also the last leg from Heerlen to Kerkrade that’s serviced by Arriva. Isn’t that super handy?

How to buy a bus ticket in the Netherlands?

Buses in the Netherlands are cashless. You can still buy a ticket with the driver, but you can’t pay cash anymore. Buses accept both debit and credit cards. You can buy a ticket only for your ride, let’s say to get from A to B, but you can also buy a return ticket. Another option is the day ticket that will allow you an unlimited number of rides within a city’s perimeter. When you buy a day ticket, you should check in advance how far you can go with it.

The big cities in the Netherlands, like Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague, have their own public transportation networks. From the websites/apps of these companies you can also buy digital tickets for the public commute in these cities. There are options like one hour unlimited travel, or multi-day tickets.

How to buy a ticket for the metro/underground or the tram in the Netherlands?

There are only two cities in the Netherlands which have metro/underground lines: Amsterdam and Rotterdam, and trams are found in four cities: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht. Trams function more or less like buses, so you can buy a ticket with the driver, and metros function like trains – you need to buy your ticket in advance.

How to buy a train ticket to Belgium or Germany from the Netherlands

If you want to make a day trip to the neighbouring countries Belgium or Germany or you plan to travel internationally after your stay in the Netherlands, then you will need to get an international train ticket.

You can’t buy an international train ticket from the regular NS website or app. If you want to travel beyond the borders of the Netherlands, you need to buy your ticket from NS International.

NS International serves also ICE International and Eurostar, and Thalys, as they are now part of Eurostar since 2023.

If you are travelling from the Netherlands to Belgium or Germany you can also buy a ticket from a vending machine at a train station.

Tips about using the public transport in the Netherlands

• Wave for the bus to stop
  If you see your bus line approaching the bus stop, raise your hand or wave to make a sign for the bus to stop. At bus stops with multiple lines, it may happen that the bus driver will not stop if you don’t wave.

• Check in and check out
  Do not forget to check in and out. For the bus and the tram you have to do it inside the vehicle. For trains and metros there are check-in/-out poles or gates at the stations. If you are using multiple train operators you will need to check-out and check-in again when changing trains. If you are using the same train company, for example NS, you won’t need to check out and in when changing trains.

• Push the button to open the train/tram door
  Train and tram doors don’t open automatically when the train or the tram stops, so you will need to push the button to open the door.
• Push the button to signal you want to get off from the bus/tram
  You need to signal to the bus/tram driver that you want to get off on the next stop. To do so, you need to press the red button with ‘stop’ on it before your stop.
• With a digital train ticket you don’t need to check in and out
  If you buy your ticket online with NS, you won’t need to check in and out even if you change train operators. This is super handy if your transfer time is on the short side. However, you will still need your ticket to open the gate if any at the train station.

Useful travel apps for the Dutch public transport

• Glimble

Glimble is an app developed by Arriva, one of the public transport service providers in the Netherlands. It’s available for both Android and iPhone:

Website: glimble.com

• 9292 route planner

I have already mentioned about this app. Click on the image below to go to the website. On the home page they have links to their apps on Apple/Google Play app stores.

• Dutch Railways – NS

Another indispensable website/app is the NS one. Via this website/app you can check train time tables and buy tickets for your travels. The app has a digital wallet where you can store your ticket, so that you can easily access it at check-in/check-out or when asked by the train conductor.

Website: www.ns.nl

• Amsterdam’s Public Carrier – GVB

If you are staying in Amsterdam, GVB is your best friend. This website includes bus, tram, metro and ferry transport in and around Amsterdam. The travel app has also a digital wallet to store your tickets there.

Website: gvb.nl

• Rotterdam’s Public Carrier – RET

Just like Amsterdam, Rotterdam has its own public transport network, which includes trams, buses, metro, ferries and water busses. For a digital ticket, you’ll need the RER Barcode App.

Website: www.ret.nl

Do you need some extra help to plan your trip to the Netherlands? Join the dedicated Exploring the Netherlands Facebook Group, where you can get tips from other travellers and locals. Or perhaps you have questions or comments? Join the group and I’ll be happy to answer them.