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Train Stations

The Netherlands has one of Europe's most densely used rail networks relative to its size, operated primarily by NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen). Despite the country's small area (41,500 km2), the NS carries around 1.1 million passengers daily on over 400 stations. Intercity Direct (ICE) services connect Amsterdam to Rotterdam in 40 minutes and to Breda via the dedicated HSL-Zuid high-speed line, where Thalys and Eurostar services continue to Paris and London respectively. The Amsterdam-Rotterdam-The Hague triangle is one of Europe's busiest rail corridors. NS trains are powered entirely by wind energy -- a world first achieved in 2017. The OV-chipkaart (public transport smart card) is used across all trains, trams, metros, and buses in the Netherlands, making multi-modal travel seamless. A single tap-in/tap-out system automatically calculates the correct fare. International connections include Thalys to Paris (3h20m from Amsterdam), Eurostar to London (3h41m), ICE to Frankfurt (3h45m), and IC Berlin to Berlin (5h50m). NS offers advance OV-chipkaart discounts, a Dalkorting (40% off-peak discount) on subscription, and the NS Flex subscription for frequent travelers. Foreign tourists can buy e-tickets on the NS website or use the NS app without requiring a Dutch OV-chip. Eurail/Interrail Global Pass covers NS trains. The supplement for Thalys and Eurostar services must be purchased separately.

414

Stations

Main Stations

Operators

High-Speed Rail

Rail Infrastructure

Track Gauge

1435 mm

Electrification

1.5 kV DC

Operators

NS

National · 160 km/h

Popular Routes

Amsterdam-Centraal Rotterdam Centraal

58 km

Amsterdam-Centraal Utrecht Centraal

35 km

Amsterdam-Centraal The Hague

51 km

Rotterdam Centraal Utrecht Centraal

48 km

The Hague Rotterdam Centraal

20 km

Stations

Station	City	Type	Connections
Rotterdam Centraal	—	Major	778
Amsterdam-Centraal	—	Major	778
The Hague	—	Major	778
Utrecht Centraal	—	Major	778
Leiden Lammenschans	—	Major	778
Veenendaal Centrum	—	Major	778
Amsterdam	—	Standard	0
Castricum	—	Standard	0
Apeldoorn	—	Standard	0
Delft	—	Standard	0
The Hague	—	Standard	0
Den Helder	—	Standard	0
Deventer	—	Standard	0
Dordrecht	—	Standard	0
Dronten	—	Standard	0
Ede-Wageningen	—	Standard	0
Eindhoven Centraal	—	Standard	0
Enschede	—	Standard	0
Gouda	—	Standard	0
Groningen	—	Standard	0
Heerlen	—	Standard	0
Heerenveen	—	Standard	0
Leiden Centraal	—	Standard	0
Leeuwarden	—	Standard	0
Maastricht	—	Standard	0
Naarden-Bussum	—	Standard	0
Nijmegen	—	Standard	0
Roosendaal	—	Standard	0
Sittard	—	Standard	0
Tilburg	—	Standard	0
Goes	—	Standard	0
Helmond	—	Standard	0
Hengelo	—	Standard	0
Hilversum	—	Standard	0
Haarlem	—	Standard	0
Hoofddorp	—	Standard	0
Amsterdam Amstel	—	Standard	0
Amsterdam Sloterdijk	—	Standard	0
Amsterdam Zuid	—	Standard	0
Amsterdam Lelylaan	—	Standard	0
Bad Nieuweschans	—	Standard	0
Duivendrecht	—	Standard	0
’s-Hertogenbosch	—	Standard	0
Oss	—	Standard	0
Schiedam Centrum	—	Standard	0
Flushing	—	Standard	0
Almelo	—	Standard	0
Alkmaar	—	Standard	0
Arnhem Centraal	—	Standard	0
Assen	—	Standard	0

Frequently Asked Questions

The OV-chipkaart is the Netherlands' national public transport smart card. Tourists can use an anonymous OV-chipkaart (available at stations for EUR 7.50 deposit) or buy single-journey e-tickets via the NS app or website. Contactless bank cards can also be used on many urban transit systems but not on NS trains.

Yes. NS became the world's first national railway to run entirely on wind energy in January 2017. All NS electric trains are powered by wind-generated electricity. This means traveling by NS train produces near-zero operational carbon emissions.

Yes. Thalys trains (now branded Eurostar) between Amsterdam and Paris/Brussels require a Eurostar/Thalys reservation supplement (around EUR 30-35) even with a valid Eurail or Interrail pass. Book as early as possible as Eurail quota allocations on Thalys are limited.

The Intercity Direct (ICE surcharge: EUR 2.60) on the HSL-Zuid high-speed line takes 40 minutes. Regular Intercity trains via Dordrecht take about 1h05m. Both services depart multiple times per hour from Amsterdam Centraal. The IC Direct supplement is charged automatically via OV-chipkaart or added to the ticket price.

Yes, with a Dagkaart Fiets (bicycle day ticket, around EUR 7.50), valid for the full day on all NS trains. Bicycles are prohibited in peak hours (Mon-Fri 06:30-09:00 and 16:00-18:30) except on Sundays and public holidays. Folding bikes are allowed free at all times.