Netherlands Train Travel: How to Book Your Tickets and Use the Trains

The Netherlands is one of the easiest countries in Europe to navigate by train, making it ideal for day trips from Amsterdam to cities like Haarlem, Utrecht, and The Hague.

We traveled the Netherlands by train on a trip that took us from Amsterdam to Haarlem, Utrecht, and The Hague, and we loved how seamless the whole system was.

Trains run frequently, usually four or more times per hour between major cities, the stations are well-signed in English, and getting around without a car is genuinely easy.

In this post, we cover everything you need to know about Netherlands train travel: how to buy tickets, how the new tap-to-pay system works, and where to store your luggage at the stations.

Updated June 2026: Replaced the online booking walkthrough with current NS and NS International guidance. Updated the payment and ticketing section to reflect OVpay, the new contactless tap-in system that has replaced the OV-chipkaart for most visitors. Updated luggage locker details with current sizes, prices, and the new Amsterdam Centraal locker location.

Table of Contents

Should You Book Your Train Tickets in Advance?

Before I even get started on how to book your tickets online, the first question to answer is…is it even necessary.

If you are traveling by high-speed international train, such as the Eurostar from Amsterdam to London or Paris, you will need to book your tickets in advance, as these require a seat reservation.

However, for domestic trains within the Netherlands (Amsterdam to Haarlem, Utrecht, The Hague, Delft, and so on), you do not need to book ahead. You simply buy a ticket and hop on the next train, much like using a metro system. Trains run frequently enough that you will rarely wait more than 15 minutes.

I booked all but one of our tickets in advance.

Using the Automated Ticket Machines

The NS ticket machines at every station are straightforward, have prompts in English, and accept Mastercard, Visa, and American Express contactless. We used the machine at Haarlem station and had no issues at all with our credit card.

Note: There is a small service fee for purchasing tickets at the automated machines or ticket booths. Check current fees at ns.nl.

So, no, you do not have to book tickets for the local trains in advance.

However, there are several advantages to doing so.

Why Should You Book Your Tickets in Advance?

Booking your tickets in advance is not necessary but it does save a little bit of time in the train stations.

It’s so much nicer to walk right up to the train and board it, without taking the time to wait in line to buy tickets.

This advance planning takes away a tiny bit of the hassle while traveling and saves you waiting in line. In the end, it may only save several minutes. No big deal. But it’s nice just to walk right up and get right on the train.

Tim and I are planners. He’s an aerospace engineer and I worked in the medical field. We like to have things planned out in advance. It’s just the way we are. So, take advantage of our type A nerdiness and learn how to plan your travels in advance, if you’re the same way. 😊

You could argue that buying your tickets ahead of time eliminates spontaneity, and it does, but if you know with certainty your travel plans, why not book your tickets in advance?

How to Purchase Train Tickets Online in Advance

If you prefer to purchase your tickets before you arrive, the easiest option is to book directly through NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen), the Dutch national railway. You can book at ns.nl or through the NS app, which is available for both iOS and Android. The site and app are available in English, there are no booking fees, and tickets can be purchased using Mastercard, Visa, or American Express.

For domestic journeys, booking online gives you an e-ticket or mobile ticket. The NS app allows you to store your ticket directly on your phone, which is the most convenient option. Alternatively, you can print your ticket at home. Either way, you scan your ticket at the turnstiles to enter and exit the station.

For international trains, including the Eurostar from Amsterdam to London, Paris, or Brussels, book through NS International at nsinternational.com. These routes require a seat reservation, and tickets are cheaper when booked further in advance.

Note: Domestic train tickets in the Netherlands are date-specific but are generally valid on any train of the correct type on that date. You do not need to commit to a specific departure time. Confirm this when booking, as conditions can vary.

Ticket Options: Paper Ticket, Email Version, or Smartphone App

Once you purchase a ticket online, you have a couple of options for how to use it. The easiest is to download the NS app and store your ticket there. You simply hold your phone to the scanner at the turnstile. If you prefer, you can also print your ticket at home on standard paper. We printed ours and it scanned without any issues at the turnstiles and on board.

If you are showing a mobile ticket, make sure your phone is charged. Taking a screenshot of your ticket barcode as a backup is a smart precaution if you are concerned about connectivity.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Many trains offer free wifi, but the signal is rather weak and we didn’t always have the best luck getting it to work. We recommend having a backup screenshot of your ticket.

Using the Tickets

In most stations, we had to scan our tickets to get through the turnstiles to enter and exit the station. Make sure you hold onto your tickets until you exit the station!

On some (but not all) of the trains, there was a ticket attendant on board who would scan everyone’s tickets.

An Alternative to Booking Train Tickets: OVPay

Rather than buying individual tickets, many visitors to the Netherlands now simply tap in and out of the transit system using a contactless credit or debit card, no separate transit card required. This system is called OVpay, and it works on trains, buses, trams, and the metro throughout the Netherlands.

To use OVpay, you tap your Mastercard or Visa (credit or debit) at the card reader when you enter the station, and tap again when you exit. The fare for your journey is automatically calculated and charged to your card. It is important to always tap out. If you forget, you may be charged a higher flat-rate fare.

Note that American Express is not currently accepted for OVpay.

The older OV-chipkaart, a dedicated transit card you bought and loaded with credit, is being phased out and will be fully retired by the end of 2027. It is being replaced by the new OV-pas (€6), a physical card that works the same way as the OV-chipkaart but is loaded and managed online rather than at a ticket machine. For most visitors making a short trip, OVpay with your contactless credit or debit card is the simplest option and requires no advance purchase.

OVpay is not valid for international train journeys. You will need a separate ticket for those.

Finding Your Train

Once in the station, how do you know where to find your train? Look for the departure screens, which list the platforms, the destinations of the trains, and the times of departure.

This is where knowing your departure time comes in handy. If you want the 8:37 am train to Utrecht, look for the 8:37 am train on the list. Departures are listed in order of time and rarely will two trains have the same exact departure time. Confirm that the 8:37 am train is going to Utrecht and then walk to the appropriate platform.

Luggage Storage

Most major train stations in the Netherlands have luggage lockers, typically signed as “Bagage” or “Luggage Lockers.” At Amsterdam Centraal, the luggage lockers moved to a new location in February 2025. They are now in a structure on the western edge of the station, near the entrance to the Cuyperspassage pedestrian tunnel, which is outside the main station building.

Lockers are paid by card (no cash), and you receive a printed receipt with a barcode to reopen your locker.

Lockers in Amsterdam Centraal come in three different sizes:

Small locker: 85cm deep, 45cm high and 35cm wide; €10 for 24 hours
Large locker: 85cm deep, 60cm high and 35cm wide; €16 for 24 hours
XL Locker: 85cm deep, 95cm high, and 35cm wide; €25 for 24 hours

Measure your suitcases or backpacks before you travel to make sure they will fit. The large locker can hold a large backpack or a medium-sized suitcase.

Note that lockers at Amsterdam Centraal can fill up during peak travel times. If that happens, third-party services like Lockerpoint (located nearby in the Q-Park garage) offer an alternative.

Similar lockers are available at Rotterdam Centraal, Utrecht Centraal, Den Haag, and other major stations. Prices and availability vary by location, so check the current details at ns.nl before your trip.

Put your belongings in the locker. When you close the locker door, the computer will ask you to insert your credit card. This pays the fee and then the locker will lock. Take the printed ticket and you will use this to reopen your locker when you return to the train station.

And now, go out and enjoy the Netherlands!

More Netherlands Travel Inspiration

Planning a trip around the Netherlands by train? Here are our guides to the destinations that are easiest to reach.

Getting to know Amsterdam → Our Things to Do in Amsterdam covers the essential experiences for first-time visitors, from the Rijksmuseum to the canal rings.
A perfect day trip by train → Our One Day in Haarlem guide covers one of the most charming cities in the Netherlands, just 15 minutes from Amsterdam by train.
Another easy day trip → Our One Day in Utrecht itinerary covers one of the Netherlands’ most underrated cities, with canals, the Dom Tower, and a completely different feel from Amsterdam.
A bigger Europe trip by rail → Our 10 Days in Amsterdam, Brussels & Paris Itinerary connects three iconic cities entirely by train and makes a perfect first trip to Europe.
All of our Netherlands content in one place → Visit our Netherlands Travel Guide.

If you have any questions about using the trains in the Netherlands, let us know in the comment section below.

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