Group travel in the train in the Netherlands, how does it work?

Group travel in the train in the Netherlands, how does it work? - Grayscale Photography of People Walking on Concrete Pavement Hallway

I am planning some travel in the Netherlands by train and I found this ticket for groups which seems an intersting solution:

http://www.ns.nl/reizigers/producten/losse-kaartjes/groepsretour.html

It seems like a day ticket, but it's not very clear if you can return with the same ticket or if you need a new one.

How does this ticket work?



Best Answer

Translating/summarizing from the page you linked to:

  1. You order the ticket online, everybody must go to the same destination, which you have to enter in the order form.
  2. You (the “group leader”) receive an email with a “coupon” code and explanations about how each group member can get their ticket.
  3. Each group member fills in a departure station (you can even come from different places and meet at the destination) and gets an e-ticket to print at home.

In Dutch “retour” means return so you can certainly go back to your point of origin with the same ticket but it's not a day ticket (i.e. you cannot travel freely on the whole network, unlike many German group tickets).

The main conditions are:

  • Travelling after 09:00 on weekdays or in the week-end (you can't use it during the morning rush hour)
  • Ordering online and printing the e-ticket (it can't be bought or redeemed at the station). This also means you need a Dutch debit card with iDeal, you can't pay by credit card.

Until now, it's a temporary offer, running until August 2014 for travels before October 2014 (I write “until now” because it's been extended once and I imagine it could become a permanent things or maybe a recurring offer).

Note that Dutch railway cards offer a somewhat unusual discount (at least compared to other countries I am familiar with): Under some conditions yearly card holders can take up to 3 other travellers with them with a 40% discount (it's called Samenreiskorting). So if you are travelling in a group with a Dutch resident, you might want to ask them about it, it can also be an easy way to save money.




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How does the train system work in the Netherlands?

You can use a single-use chipcard or an OV-chipkaart (smart card) to travel by train in Holland. The single-use chipcard is perfect for incidental travellers. You can buy it at an NS ticketing machine or service desk. Single-use chipcards always cost 1 euro more per trip.

How do you pay for Dutch trains?

It can be bought at the desk or ticket machines at stations and is a disposable OV-chip card. You must check-in and check-out for each journey leg. The standard Holland Travel Ticket costs \u20ac64 (2022) and can be used anytime during the day.

What is Intercity in Netherlands?

Intercity trains are fast domestic train services which make limited stops between the major centres. If you are travelling from one city to another these are nearly always the best and quickest option. Sprinter Services are slower stopping train services which generally make stops at all stations between cities.

Can you travel by train in the Netherlands?

With over 400 train stations, traveling by train in the Netherlands is definitely an excellent way of exploring the country and once you know how it works, traveling by train is really easy.



How To: Trains in the Netherlands




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