New NS fares as of January 1, 2025

Everything will become more expensive as of January 1, 2025, including train travel. On average by 6,18%, but with significant differences per product. If your employer reimburses your commuting costs 100%, then there is no problem. But if you If you travel privately for appointments, family visits, to see friends, or simply for a day out with the whole family, you will be shocked by the total price. That is just the way it is. Also, as of December 15, 2024, more trains will be running. You will find detailed explanations in the links at the bottom of the blog.

New rates 2025: average price up 6,18%

The price of train tickets and subscriptions will increase by an average of 6,18 percent starting January 1, 2025. The increase of more than 12 percent, which was previously assumed out of necessity, has consequently been halved. For children up to and including the age of 11 and travelers with unlimited travel during off-peak hours (Dal Vrij subscription), the price will remain the same in 2025.

Travelers will be personally informed about the new price of their train ticket via email or letter in the coming weeks. Around 230.000 children currently have a Kids Vrij subscription with NS. In addition, about 125.000 children travel each month with a Rail Runner ticket costing €2,50. NS believes it is important for children to be introduced to train travel at a young age. For this group of young travelers, the price will remain the same in 2025. The price will also not change for travelers with a Dal Vrij subscription. They travel unlimitedly during off-peak hours, on weekends, and on public holidays for a fixed monthly fee. In this way, NS hopes that more travelers will choose the quieter off-peak hours.

Key changes to NS fares in 2025:

• The price of train tickets and most subscriptions is increasing by 6,18 percent.
• The Kids Vrij subscription, which allows children to travel for free, remains free.
• Rail Runner (unlimited travel for children for €2,50) remains the same
• The price of Dal Vrij, which allows travelers to travel unlimitedly during off-peak hours, remains the same.
• Off-Peak Advantage, 40% discount during off-peak hours, goes from €5,60 to €5,95 per month.
• Youth Off-Peak Day Ticket, 1 day of unlimited travel during off-peak hours: from €7,95 to €8,50
• The price for renting an OV-bike goes from €4,55 to €4,65.
• Surcharge for Intercity Direct increases from €2,90 to €3,00
• Surcharge for a physical train ticket increases from €1,00 to €1,50

 

New timetable starts: more trains than in peak year 2019

The NS timetable will be significantly expanded this coming Sunday, December 15. For the first time, more trains will run than in the peak year of 2019. Among other things, more trains will run during rush hour, in the evenings, and on weekends. For instance, on numerous routes, NS will run the first train earlier in the morning or the last train later in the evening. It is the biggest timetable change in years. Therefore, things will change for many travelers.

Wouter Koolmees, President and CEO of NS: “Being able to go wherever you want is a choice millions of travelers have thanks to public transport. The better our timetable, the more the Netherlands benefits from the train. In this first timetable of the new concession for the Main Rail Network, we are running 1600 more trains per week than we currently do. A significant improvement for our travelers. By continuing to Lelystad and Amersfoort with faster Intercities on the high-speed line, major cities in our country are better connected than ever.”

 

<strong> More info: </strong>

The fares for other public transport (bus, tram, metro, local bus, R-net, regional trains, etc.) as of January 1, 2025, vary and are determined by the decentralized authorities (provinces, MRDH, Amsterdam Transport Region). You can read on their websites by what percentage the fares will increase and how much your journey costs per region. Dutch railways Travel planner, rates, products, day out, customer service etc: https://www.ns.nl/ More trains as of December 15, 2024: https://nieuws.ns.nl/nieuwe-dienstregeling-van-start-meer-treinen-dan-in-topjaar-2019/ New rates 2025, average price up 6,18%: https://nieuws.ns.nl/nieuwe-tarieven-2025-gemiddelde-prijs-618-omhoog-prijs-voor-kinderen-en-dal-vrij-abonnement-blijft-gelijk/   DOVA (Association of Decentralized Public Transport Authorities): https://dova.nu/