Travelling on trains in the Netherlands is ridiculously easy! You can use high-speed speed trains to get to all the major cities including Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. To travel to even more of Holland's beaches, cheese towns and beautiful fishing villages, you can use the country's really comfortable regional trains.

Train types in the Netherlands

You can travel throughout the Netherlands using trains run by the national operator NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) and several smaller railway carriers. High-speed trains connect the Netherlands to cities in neigbouring countries and beyond. You can find times for trains in the Netherlands in the Interrail timetable.

Route Map
DOMESTIC TRAINS
DOMESTIC HIGH-SPEED
International High-Speed

Map with main train connections in the Netherlands

Regional and Intercity trains in the Netherlands

Intercity (IC)

Connects major cities such as Amsterdam, Maastricht and Utrecht.
No reservation required.

Sprinter (RE)

Slower than Intercity trains, these trains link regional destinations to larger Dutch cities.
No reservation required.

Domestic high-speed trains in the Netherlands

Intercity direct (IC)

On this train, formerly known as Fyra, you can ride even faster between Amsterdam Central, Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam Central and Breda.

International high-speed trains in the Netherlands

ICE (ICE)

Connects Amsterdam with Frankfurt (Germany).
Reservations are optional. It's worth making one if you'll be travelling at a busy period.

Intercity Berlin (IC)

Reach Berlin from Amsterdam in 6 hours 20 minutes.
Reservations are optional only. We recommend reserving when travelling during a busy period.

Intercity Brussels (IC)

Connects The Hague and Rotterdam with Brussels (Belgium).
Reservations are not required.

Thalys (THA)

For travel between Amsterdam, Brussels (Belgium) and Paris (France).
Reservations are compulsory for these trains, which can get fully booked. We recommend making your reservation as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Popular connections

Domestic routes
International routes

Here are approximate train times between Holland's most popular cities. These routes can all be taken with Intercity trains and are free for holders of an Interrail Pass valid in the Netherlands.

Route	Duration
Amsterdam to Groningen	2 hours 10 mins
Amsterdam to Leeuwarden	2 hours 10 mins
Amsterdam to Maastricht	2 hours 30 mins
Amsterdam to Rotterdam	40 minutes
Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport	15 minutes
Amsterdam to The Hague	50 minutes
Amsterdam to Utrecht	27 minutes

You can travel to and from the Netherlands from popular cities in the following European countries:

Route	Which train?	Duration	Reservations
Amsterdam to Berlin (Germany)	Intercity Berlin	6 hours 20 mins	Optional
Amsterdam to Düsseldorf (Germany)	ICE	2 hours 10 mins	Optional
Amsterdam to Frankfurt (Germany)	ICE	4 hours	Optional
Amsterdam to Paris (France)	Thalys	3 hours 30 mins	Required
Rotterdam to Brussels (Belgium)	Intercity Brussels	2 hours 10 mins	Not required
The Hague to Brussels (Belgium)	Intercity Brussels	2 hours 30 mins	Not required

Reservations

How can I make reservations for trains in the Netherlands?

Online: using our Reservation Service.
At local railways stations: at the ticket offices.
By phone. Contact the NS International call centre Monday to Friday at local times: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (8:00 to 21:00) or Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (10:00 to 18:00).

What can I expect when calling NS International?

Call NS International on +31 030 2300023
You'll hear a menu in Dutch. Choose extension ‘1’ to hear services in English.
Next, choose extension ‘1’ to book the Thalys or ‘2’ for trains to various other European countries.
Only 2 reservations per call are permitted.
There is a €12.50 booking fee but no delivery costs.
Payment over the phone can be made with a Visa or MasterCard credit card.
Reservations made through the call center can only be delivered to addresses in the Netherlands. You can collect your reservations at a NS International ticket office or self-service machine in a main Dutch train station. To do so you'll need your booking code.

Get more info about reservations

Get your Pass for the Netherlands

With 1 rail pass you can conveniently explore the Netherlands without having to buy separate train tickets. All domestic trains in the Netherlands are covered, as well as more countries!

Interrail Benelux Pass

Offers you rail travel in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg
Discounts available for youth, senior and families
Additional benefits include a discounted ferry crossing from Hoek van Holland to Harwich (Great-Britain)
Prices from € 105

View Benelux Passes →

Interrail Global Pass

Travel by train as much as you like in 33 European countries including the Netherlands
Discounts available for youth, senior and families
Additional benefits include a discounted ferry crossing from Hoek van Holland to Harwich (Great-Britain)
Prices from € 185

View Global Passes →

Tips and tricks for the Netherlands

What are the main train stations in the Netherlands?

The Netherland's 3 main hubs have connections to many domestic and international destinations. They are:

Amsterdam Central Station
Rotterdam Central Station
Utrecht Central Station

The Netherlands' railway stations are extemely well developed with excellent facilities:

Lockers for storing your stuff
Cash machines and foreign exchange desks
Cafés, restaurants and shops
Tourist information offices
Elevators, escalators and access for disabled passengers

Spelling of names in the Netherlands

You'll usually find the local spelling of Dutch cities on train timetables and at train stations in the Netherlands.

Good to know:

Centraal Station = Central Station
Den Haag = The Hague
Hoek van Holland = Hook of Holland

Bicycles on trains in the Netherlands

One of the best ways to explore the country is by cycling shorter distances while riding the country's efficient trains between towns and cities.

Cycling is extemely common in the Netherlands. You can rent bikes from most large train stations.

Are there entry gates at Dutch train stations?: Yes. If you're travelling with an Interrail Pass, simply hold the square barcode on your pass cover against the scanner on the entry gate to open it.

Please make sure you're using the correct entry gate, as shown in the photo. It's recognizable by the arrow in the bottom right and the image showing a pink card (Dutch train chipcard) and a hand holding a ticket with a QR code.

If you attempt to go through gate that only shows the pink card, you won't be able to open it with your Interrail Pass.
Are there lounges at Dutch train stations?: Yes and best of all, holders of an Interrail Pass valid in the Netherlands can enter them for free! There are NS International lounges in the following Dutch railways stations:

Amsterdam Central Station

Breda Central Station

Rotterdam Central Station

Station Schiphol Airport
Can I take my bike on Dutch trains?: Yes. There are even guidelines for this:

You can take your bike on Dutch trains:

At weekends, on public holidays and in July and August.

On workdays, outside rush hour.

You need to buy a Bicycle Day Ticket and place your bike in the train's bicycle area (look for the symbol on the door).

Folding bikes can be carried as regular luggage, for free.

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Trains in the Netherlands