Trains in the Netherlands | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Nederlandse Spoorwegen is state-owned, founded in 1938, and is the largest rail operator in the Netherlands
• NS train types include Stoptrein and Sprinter for local traffic, and InterCity for fast connections between major cities
• The Amsterdam–Rotterdam route is served every ten minutes and benefits from the HSL Zuid high-speed line
• Trains to Eindhoven from Amsterdam run every 10–20 minutes from 5:41 to 23:41, with a journey time of 79 minutes
• NS domestic tickets require no seat reservation; European Sleeper requires a compulsory reservation
• Wi-Fi is available on InterCity and Intercity Direct services; NS tickets can be booked up to one month ahead

Nederlandse Spoorwegen is a state-owned Dutch company founded in 1938 and is also the country's largest rail operator. Its trains reach almost every city in the Netherlands, divided into:

• Stoptrein - these are passenger trains serving local traffic. They stop at every station along the route.

• Sprinter - trains identical to Stoptrein, serving the Randstad conurbation, which includes the conurbations of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht.

• InterCity - fast trains, connecting the largest cities in the Netherlands.

The most popular routes for travellers with the national carrier are the 5 connections from Amsterdam to cities such as:

• Eindhoven - the route takes 1 hour 19 minutes, with trains departing from 5:41am to 11:41pm every ten to twenty minutes. On the way, they stop at Utrecht and 's-Hertogenbosch.

• Nijmegen - there are more than 30 trains a day to this German border town from the capital. The earliest leaves at 5:54 a.m., the last at 11:23 p.m. There is also one night service from Amsterdam Centraal station at 00:23 a.m. The journey takes about 1 hour 25 minutes, and along the way the train stops at Utrecht, Driebergen-Zeist, Ede-Wangeningen and Arnhem stations.

• Rotterdam - This is one of the busiest routes and is key to HSL Zuid, the high-speed railway line where trains can reach a maximum of 300 km/h. The journey takes around 1 hour 15 minutes. There are both Intercity and Sprinter trains on this route, which depart every ten minutes or so and between 1:46 and 4:46 every hour.

• Maastricht - is a city located in the south of the Netherlands, on the border with Belgium. There are 35 trains on this route during the day, on average every half hour, from 5:41 a.m. to 10:41 p.m. The journey takes about 2 hours 28 minutes. The trains follow the same route as to Eindhoven, with further stops in Weert, Roermond and Sittard.

• Groningen - there are 18 trains per day to this destination. Departures from Amsterdam Zuid station are every hour from 6:11 a.m. to 11:11 p.m. The journey takes 2 hours 1 minute and there are stations at Duivendrecht, Almere, Lelystad, Zwolle and Assen along the way.

As the Netherlands is famous for its countless cycle routes and the fact that there are more bicycles in the country than inhabitants, many transport their bikes by train. However, there are some restrictions when it comes to transporting bicycles on Nederlandse Spoorwegen trains.

• Bicycles can be transported on weekdays from 9:00 to 16:00 and from 18:30 to 6:30.

• On weekends and public holidays with the exception of King's Day, which falls on 27 April, and in July and August, bicycles can be transported without restrictions.

• Please make sure there is still room on the train before taking your bike.

• Each passenger is allowed to carry one bicycle.

• Ordinary bikes, mountain bikes, electric bikes and racing bikes can be carried.

• Carriage of cargo bikes and bicycle trailers is prohibited.

• Tandems, tricycles and bicycles for people with disabilities can be carried free of charge all day long.

• A folded bicycle that takes up less than 45 x 86 x 80 cm can be carried free of charge in the luggage compartment.

The bicycle compartment is marked with a special symbol on the door. You will need to purchase a special off-peak ticket for transporting your bicycle, even at weekends and on public holidays and in July and August.

One of the carriers that operates train services in the Netherlands is the Czech company RegioJet. At the moment, however, the company has no train lines in operation, only bus lines to Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and Eindhoven.

European Sleeper is a Dutch-Belgian start-up. This carrier operates vintage-style international overnight services adapted to today's standards. It is the perfect choice for anyone wanting a nostalgic adventure. There are 4 travel classes to choose from:

• Budget - compartmentalised or compartmentless carriages with seating. With the option to order breakfast and buy snacks and drinks from the train staff.

• Classic - compartment with five couchette seats with the option of a large table during the day. The couchette is equipped with a blanket, sheet and pillow. Mineral water is included in the ticket price, while breakfast and snacks and drinks can be purchased from the train staff.

• Comfort Standard - a place in a three-bed compartment with comfortable mattresses, sheet, duvet and pillow. In addition, there is a sofa and a large folding table in the compartment. Mineral water, breakfast and snacks as in the Classic option.

• Comfort Plus - three beds in the compartment. Facilities as in the Comfort Standard option, with the additional option to request a wake-up call at a time of your choice, breakfast, welcome drink and toiletries with towel included. In addition, there is a washbasin in the compartment.

Trains run on the Brussels-Prague route via: Antwerp, Roosendaal, Rotterdam, Den Haag, Amsterdam, Amesfoort, Deventer, Berlin, Dresden, Bad Schandau and Decin. As many as six stops are in the Netherlands. The journey on the entire route takes 16 hours 33 minutes. The train leaves Brussels Midi station at 19:22.

If you are wondering how to buy a train ticket in the Netherlands, there are several options. You can do it directly on the carrier's website, for example, but a more convenient choice is to use the PolishTrains portal. What is its advantage? First of all, customer service in Polish and the ticket price in Polish zloty. In this way, it is easier to estimate the costs of your journey, as well as to receive all the necessary information about the journey.

Buy your ticket quickly and conveniently:

• Search for your route on the PolishTrains homepage.

• Select a connection at your preferred date and time and enter your age so that the system can implement discounts.

• Select the carriage class and the appropriate ticket option (options with cancellation refunds cost slightly more).

• Fill in your details and pay for your journey.

If you have any questions or would like to pay for your pet's journey or bicycle, please contact our Customer Service team via:

• e-mail: kontakt@polishtrains.eu

• phone: +48 123 451 661 (charge as per operator's tariff), priority number: +48 703 402 010 (call cost 2.58 PLN inc. VAT/min.).

Customer Service operates daily from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Nederlandse Spoorwegen offers discounts for group rides during off-peak hours. You can buy a cheaper ticket for groups of 2 to 7 people. There is also a discount for children aged 4-11 years. As for European Sleeper rides, children up to 3 years old travel free, and it is also possible to get discounts for group rides, but you will need to contact the operator to arrange a personalised offer.

The Netherlands is an excellently connected country by rail. The frequency of connections is very high and you can easily get to all major cities and towns by rail. International connections are also thriving.

Does Wi-Fi work on Dutch trains?

Wi-Fi is available on most NS trains. All Intercity and Intercity Direct trains have this facility. European Sleeper does not offer internet access on its trains.

Are trains in the Netherlands adapted for people with disabilities?

Nederlandse Spoorwegen trains are fully adapted for people with disabilities, while European Sleeper trainsets are still working on full adaptation. It is possible to take a folding wheelchair. It is also possible to get a special price for a person accompanying a person with a disability, but after contacting the carrier directly.

How far in advance can I buy train tickets in the Netherlands?

At Nederlanden Spoorwegen you can buy tickets one month in advance, at European Sleeper it is six months.