
Trains in the Netherlands
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

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 your Pass for the Netherlands
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
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.
FAQs
- 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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