ov chipkaart unlimited travel

OV-chipkaart: Public Transport Smart Card in the Netherlands

The OV-chipkaart (OV-chip card) is the public transport contactless ticket system in the Netherlands which replaced most of the old paper-style tickets.

The OV-chip card is in use on all forms of public transport including trains, trams, buses and metros.

Note, ‘OVpay’ – travel using contactless debit/credit cards/mobile – was introduced in 2023 onto public transport providers in the Netherlands. This has given visitors another payment option.

The current OV-chip card will be phased out by 2025. In 2024 the ‘OV-pas’ will be introduced – a public transport pass which will be available digitally via a phone or on a physical card.

The OV-chip card system is rather complex and we will do our best below to explain how the system works.

OV-chipkaart Summary

• There are 3 types of OV-chipkaart (OV-chip card).
• [1] Disposable OV-chip card , one-time use cards like singles or day tickets.
• [2] Anonymous OV-chip card , an unregistered card option for visitors who will travel around a lot.
• [3] Personal OV-chip card , a registered card for Dutch/Belgian/German residents only.
• Anonymous and personal cards (empty) cost a non-refundable €7.50 , last up to 5 years.
• Load and top-up credit on the card’s e-purse (max €150) for travel.
• Passengers must check-in and check-out of every journey using card readers.
• Minimum card balance of €4 (public transport) and €20 (train) – taken off as a deposit on check-in.
• Correct fare deducted on check-out, deposit is refunded.
• Every traveller aged 4 or higher must have their own ticket.

“OV” stands for Openbaar Vervoer which means “public transport” in Dutch. Like London’s Oyster and Hong Kong’s Octopus, the OV-chip smart card system works using an embedded RFID chip inside the card.

Passengers need to “check-in” and “check-out” respectively, at the start and end of their journey. This is done by placing the OV-chip card onto the special free-standing card readers – these are found either at station platforms/halls, gate barriers or near the doors on board trams and buses.

There are 3 types of OV-chipkaart available:

1. Disposable OV-chipcard (Eenmalige OV-chipkaart)

This is a card which is bought as a single travel product only. Examples for GVB (public transport in Amsterdam) include the standard 1 hour ticket and multi day tickets (1 day to 7 days). For train travel there is the NS Dutch Railways disposable ticket which carries a €1 surcharge over the standard fare.

Disposable OV-chip cards are made from paper card and can be discarded after use.

If you are on a short visit to Amsterdam it’s probably best to stick with disposable tickets. There are various ticket options aimed at tourists/visitors which can be purchased online in advance and can offer really good value if used well:

Which tickets do I need in Amsterdam? For a full analysis see public transport ticket types in Amsterdam

If you plan a longer stay in the Netherlands or come here on multiple visits then you may wish to purchase an anonymous OV-chipkaart.

2. Anonymous OV-chipcard (Anonieme OV-chipkaart)

This is a plastic card which has a printed expiry date valid for 4-5 years. It costs €7.50 (non-refundable) to purchase an ’empty’ card with no credit – to this you can load travel credit onto the e-purse up to a maximum of €150.

The anonymous OV-chipcard can be used on any public transport in the country as long as you have sufficient e-purse credit – though some cards may need to be pre-activated for rail travel (see below).

Travel using the e-purse on metro/trams/buses is generally cheaper than buying single 1 hour tickets, especially for shorter trips. Travel on trains with the anonymous card saves paying the €1 disposable ticket surcharge.

It’s also possible to load one-off travel products (such as 24 hour tickets, night bus tickets) onto the card which are then automatically used instead of the e-purse balance.

An anonymous card can be shared between different people but not at the same time – everyone travelling together on a journey must have their own ticket.

An anonymous OV-chip card can be purchased by anyone, with no registration required. The card could be useful for (1) frequent visitors to Amsterdam or the Netherlands and (2) anyone planning to travel a lot on Dutch public transport. One advantage is that you don’t have to worry about buying a new ticket every time you travel so long as you have sufficient credit.

Where to buy an anonymous OV-chip card? Cards can be purchased at any of the following locations:

• NS (Dutch Railways) stations – OV Service & Tickets shops/ticket desks or ticket machines • GVB (Amsterdam public transport) – Tickets & Info offices or ticket machines • Other transport providers – such as RET (Rotterdam), HTM (Den Haag), U-OV (Utrecht) • Newsagents – such as AKO, Bruna, Primera • Supermarket service desks – such as Albert Heijn, Dirk, Jumbo

Some outlets may sell cards already pre-loaded with credit.

At Amsterdam Schiphol airport you can purchase at the Tickets & Service desk, one of the yellow and blue ticket machines or at the AKO Newsagent.

At Amsterdam Central station you can purchase at the main service ticket desk, OV Service & Tickets office, ticket machines or the “GVB Tram Bus Metro” tickets & info office.

You will also find GVB Tickets & Info desks at Amsterdam Bijlmer-ArenA, Station Noord and Amsterdam Zuid stations. GVB has automatic ticket machines at all metro stations.

The anonymous card may be branded with the travel provider you purchased it from – however the card is valid as normal on all public transport companies.

How to load credit onto an anonymous OV-chip card? We recommend visitors immediately load some credit when buying their anonymous card at the NS or GVB ticket desk. To top-up the card either return to the desk, use a NS ticket machine (cards and coins only, no banknotes) or GVB ticket machine (cards, coins and banknotes).

Some sales outlets have small yellow machines which can be used to top-up credit – they only accept debit cards.

Once purchased and loaded with credit the anonymous card can be immediately used. Note, the anonymous card is not insured against any loss or theft.

You can view up the travel history of anonymous cards online at the ov-chipkaart.nl portal . Alternatively, you can see the last 10 transactions at ticket machines. You can do this by holding your card against the reader on the ticket machine.

For more on rail travel with the OV-chip card see How To Buy a Dutch Train Ticket

Refunding credit from an anonymous OV-chip card – Credit under €30 can be refunded with a €1 service fee at a transport company service desk. The procedure is a bit bureaucratic and you will have to fill in a form and show ID (so much for the name “anonymous” OV-chip card). Bear in mind that the initial €7.50 fee cannot be returned.

A credit refund can be requested online here – one requires a Dutch bank account to process such a refund.

3. Personal OV-chipcard (Persoonlijke OV-chipkaart)

This is a personalised OV-chip card available to anyone resident in the Netherlands who registers their details with the OV-chip card operating company (Trans Link Systems bv). Each personal card contains the holder’s name and a digital photograph. For security reasons, the holder’s date of birth is no longer printed on the card.

It costs €7.50 and lasts for 5 years.

Dutch residents can buy online at ov-chipkaart.nl and pay by iDeal, the domestic internet banking payment network. Expect the card to arrive within 6 working days.

As with the anonymous card, the e-purse of a personal card can be loaded with a maximum of €150 travel credit – standard transportation fares are exactly the same.

The so-called benefit of the personal card is that it can be linked to a Dutch bank account for automatic top-ups when the e-purse balance falls below a certain level, say €5.

Some travel companies (such as NS and GVB) have introduced various Flex products which allow travel using an OV-chip card without balance. You are invoiced monthly for your travel costs.

Personal card holders can register for the online “My OV-chipkaart” portal which shows all card use – this can be useful for employees claiming back travel expenses. Lastly, if you lose a personal card it can be blocked – you can then apply for a replacement card.

Only holders of personal OV-chip cards are entitled to travel with discount (if eligible) or travel on a monthly pass or season ticket. For example, resident children aged 4-11 and OAPs 65+ get a 34% reduction off the standard fare when using their personal cards. Students in further education can get a mixture of free or discounted travel.

This means most non-resident visitors are NOT entitled to discounted travel on Dutch public transport. Non-resident visitors 65+ need to pay standard fares on GVB public transport in Amsterdam.

Non-resident children aged 4-11 can travel on a GVB children’s day ticket (€4.50) in Amsterdam as long as they are accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket; they can also travel on the Dutch rail network all day with a RailRunner ticket (€2.50).

Can a non-resident purchase a personal OV-chip card? Yes, but only those who live or have an address in Belgium, Germany or Luxembourg. Initial payment for the card can be made by Paypal – however, automatic top-up is only possible via a Dutch bank account.

It should be noted that residents who do not wish to register their details should opt for the anonymous card or just use disposable tickets.

Using the OV-chip card on Public Transport (excluding Rail Travel)

To check-in hold the card once against the card reader. If check-in is successful a green light flashes accompanied by a single beeping sound.

A ticket inspector will require that you have a valid ticket – in this case a checked-in OV-chip card – so be careful not to miss checking-in and don’t check-out by accident!

If there is an error on check-in the card reader will beep 3 times.

When you check-in on public transport (buses, metro or trams) a deposit of €4 is taken off the e-purse balance – so you must always have at least €4 credit on the e-purse to check-in successfully. Some regional buses may take higher amounts (€8 or €12) if the journey is longer.

At the end of your journey hold the card against the reader again to check-out . If successful the card reader beeps twice and will show either the journey cost and the remaining e-purse balance or will display a check-out message if using a travel product. The cost of the journey will have been deducted but you get the €4 deposit back.

Note, if you fail or forget to check-out you will lose the €4 deposit which will likely be more expensive than the journey cost! You can rectify a failed check-out online here

If you have 12 failed check-outs in a 2 week period the card is disabled – it can only be restored by visiting a customer service desk.

The cost of a trip (using the card balance) has 2 components – a fixed boarding fee and a variable distance fee . The current boarding fee in the Netherlands for 2024 is €1.08. On top of this each transport company sets its own distance fare.

GVB in Amsterdam charges €0.196 per km travelled which during a journey is calculated every 50m. So this means e-purse journeys of 3km and 10km will cost about €1.67 and €3.04, respectively. Compare this with the GVB 1 hour disposable ticket which costs €3.40.

If you need to make a transfer you should generally check-out and then re-check-in. If this is done within 35 minutes, you will not be charged the €1.08 base fare again.

On the Amsterdam metro you can meet or say goodbye to someone on a station platform for free – as long as you check-in and check-out at that station in less than 20 minutes.

At all metro stations in Amsterdam there are additional blue card readers which only display the balance of your card. These are labelled “ Saldolezer ” (balance reader). They cannot be used to check-in and check-out – this must be done using the yellow card readers.

Once your card validity date expires you can no longer travel on it – you must invest in a new one. Also be wary about having other contactless cards close to each other in your purse or wallet.

Using the OV-chip card on NS Dutch Railway Network

The OV-chip card is in use for train travel with NS. To use a personal or anonymous OV-chipkaart for NS train journeys the card must be activated for reizen op saldo zonder NS-abonnement (pre-paid travel without NS subscription) unless it was initially purchased from the NS. This activation procedure can be done at NS service desks or ticket machines.

Train travel requires a minimum check-in deposit of €20 (for standard personal and anonymous cards) or €10 (with one of the NS discount cards which are effectively personal OV-chip cards, again only available to residents). At check-out the standard single train fare for your trip is charged and the deposit is returned.

During the initial card activation, the default class of rail travel for the OV-chip card is set to 2nd class. At a ticket machine you can change the default to 1st class if you wish (this can be done permanently or temporarily for a single day’s travel). Remember that 1st class fares will be about 70% higher.

You can check-in up to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of your train. You must complete check-out on the rail network within a maximum of 6 hours after check-in. Officially you are not allowed to backtrack, you must be travelling away from your check-in station unless it is an allowable route.

Check-in and -out at the same NS station – There may be occasions where after checking-in at a station you decide not to travel. In that case if you check-out within 1 hour you will not be charged. As a security measure you cannot check-out again within 100 seconds of checking-in. If you leave it longer than the hour you will lose the €20 deposit (unless you check-out at another station within the 6 hours).

Intercity Direct trains (Amsterdam-Schiphol-Rotterdam-Breda) require a small supplement for travel between Schiphol and Rotterdam. This costs €2.90 and can be paid by anonymous or personal OV-chip card e-purse balance by holding the card once against the special red supplement card readers. There is a discounted rate for using an OV-chip card during the off-peak hours (0900-1600 and 1830-0630).

Disposable OV-chip card tickets (singles and day returns) were introduced in 2014 replacing the old style paper tickets. Passengers are required to check-in and check-out of their journey to validate the ticket. These tickets carry a €1 surcharge in addition to the standard fare.

There are other smaller rail companies in the Netherlands which operate train services. These have their own card readers so you must always check-in and check-out of one company first before using another.

Most of the larger Dutch train stations have gate barriers installed. Smaller stations tend to have the self-standing card readers.

OV-chip card criticisms

The OV-chipkaart system has attracted a significant amount of criticism and privacy concerns over the years.

The obvious attraction to the transport companies and the authorities is the ability to log and analyse all public transport journeys down to the individual level. Even the holder of a so-called “anonymous” card could likely be tracked and identified by cross-referencing various data sources.

The OV-chip card was also brought in for revenue protection purposes. The transport companies wanted to reduce the ability of people to ride for free, something which was endemic on the Amsterdam metro. Some passengers still try to get round the system by checking out early (before their stop) or by using children’s day tickets.

However if you are caught without a valid ticket you face a standard fine of €50.

At €7.50, the OV-chip card has always been too expensive, particularly for short-term visitors. The whole transport ticket system has become overly complex with over 27 different ticket options in Amsterdam .

Another criticism of the system is that large groups travelling together (such as a teacher with students) must each buy separate cards and all check-in and check-out individually. Only since 2021 have some transport companies been offering a single group ticket for school children and teachers!

Additionally, by requiring all travellers to have sufficient pre-paid credit the transport companies are effectively getting an interest-free loan on any unused credit. There has been tens of millions of euros in unused credit going unclaimed by travellers with expiring cards.

Finally, people can easily make mistakes by not checking-in or out properly, thus losing the deposit or risking a fine.

OV-chip Card: The Future

The Dutch government is expected to phase out the OV-chip card by 2025.

In 2024 the replacement to the OV-chip card will be rolled out – the OV-pas (OV pass) which will have a digital version through a smartphone as well as a physical card version.

This article was originally published in 2010 and has been regularly updated. Last update 11 December 2023 .

Links on AmsterdamTips.com may pay us an affiliate commission.

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OV-chipkaart

• 1.1 Disposable cards
• 1.2 Anonymous OV-chipkaart
• 1.3.1 OV-fiets
• 2 Restrictions
• 3.1.1 Supplement IC-Direct
• 3.1.2 Supplement ICE
• 3.1.3 First class travel
• 4 Minimum and Maximum balances
• 5.2 Transferring
• 5.3 Missed check-out
• 6 Unused credit
• 7.1 Contactless payments
• 7.2 Online or mobile tickets

The OV-chipkaart is a contactless smart card system used for all public transport in the Netherlands. The OV-chipkaart is available in a disposable, single-use form (for occasional passengers, such as tourists) and reusable versions (for frequent travellers, either in anonymous or personalised forms) with a stored balance.

OV-chipkaart is short for openbaar vervoer chipkaart , meaning public transportation chipcard.

For many years, an OV-chipkaart provided the only way to pay transportation fees in the country. However, as of June 2023, fees may be paid by using a contactless credit or debit card. Many travellers find their credit or debit card easier than buying and keeping track of an OV-chipkaart, as they do not have to obtain, maintain, and monitor the balance on the contactless card. User procedures (tapping in and out) on both kinds of cards are the same. See the section on other payment methods at the end of the article for more information.

Types of cards [ edit ]

The OV-chipkaart comes in three versions:

• Disposable OV-chipkaart is a single-use ticket. It can not be reloaded. Some public transport companies in cities offer 1-, 2- or 3-day tickets offering unlimited use in certain regions.
• Anonymous OV-chipkaart is the most commonly used smart card. The purchase price is €7.50 (as of 2021) and is non-refundable. These cards are available at ticket offices and vending machines valid up to 5 years. This card is reusable and reloadable.
• Personal OV-chipkaart is useful for anyone entitled to travel with a discount or monthly or annual season ticket. However, because this card requires a Benelux or German residential address or bank account, it is not usable for most tourists. This card features the holder's photograph and date of birth.

Disposable cards [ edit ]

The disposable card ( wegwerpkaart ) is for one-time or short-period usage. The card is in many ways like a paper ticket. Credit cannot be written to the card. The card is only valid from the origin to destination written on the card in the case of a one-time usage (though getting off and back on at intermediate stations is permitted), or is valid on the entire network for a single time period (day passes, etc.). Unlike for anonymous or personal cards, passengers cannot load a balance on the card once purchased.

Disposable cards for NS ( Nederlandse Spoorwegen - Dutch national railways) are priced by distance, and cost €1 more per trip than if using an anonymous or personal OV-chipkaart or purchasing an e-ticket. NS also offers the Holland Travel Ticket which acts as a disposable OV-chipkaart but allows unlimited travel over the entire NS network and most local public transport operators for one day (i.e. until 04.00 the following day) from €43 (off-peak, €63 including morning peak hours).

The primary operator of the metro / tram / bus system in Amsterdam (operator: GVB ), Rotterdam ( RET ) and The Hague ( HTM ) each offer their own disposable cards. The products vary by operator with different conditions but are all priced by time period (hours or days) rather than by distance. The first tap on an OV-chipkaart reader would start the clock towards the ticket's expiry. These products are valid only for one transit system; they cannot be used for NS, Conexxion, Arriva, etc. Unless you plan to use public transit intensively for the period purchased, these disposable cards tend to be more expensive than paying by distance using an anonymous or personal OV-chipkaart (see next subsection).

For example, you could take a tram in The Hague to Den Haag Centraal station, take an NS train to Amsterdam Centraal station and then take a tram to your hotel in Amsterdam. Such a trip would require three separate disposable cards and the trip would cost €20.40.

Anonymous OV-chipkaart [ edit ]

The anonymous OV-chipkaart ( anonieme OV-Chipkaart ) is a reusable card the size of a credit or debit card. The card is definitely recommended should you wish to use the Dutch public transport system (i.e. not just NS but local transport operators) often. The €7.50 paid for a single anonymous card is cheaper than a disposable card after eight journeys. If you are visiting friends in the Netherlands, ask around if they have a spare anonymous OV-chipkaart lying around their house which they can lend you. The card can hold an amount of credit, which has to be loaded onto the card in advance. Prices are generally calculated per kilometre travelled, so this is in effect a 'pay as you go' (PAYG) system, but unlimited-ride day tickets offered by various transport authorities can also be loaded on to the card. Credit can be "topped up" at vending machines in stations and shops. The card is valid up to five years from the day of purchase.

Going back to the example in the previous subsection, for travel with a tram from some point in the Hague to some point in the Amsterdam city centre, it could cost as low as €14 in total (including railway and local public transport fares) with an anonymous OV-chipkaart, more €6 cheaper than when three separate disposable OV-chipkaarts are used.

The pros and cons of an anonymous card depend on how you plan to use it. If multiple people are going to be using it, it is definitely an upgrade over the personal card. But do not try to travel with multiple persons on a single card at the same time, as this will result in a fine should you be caught. The downside here is that if you happen to lose the card, it can be used by anyone that happens to find it. Another downside of the anonymous card is that you need a minimum balance on your card to check in, which may vary by transit operator or route. However, the difference between the minimum amount and the actual fare is refunded to you upon properly checking out.

Personal OV-Chipkaart [ edit ]

A personal OV-Chipkaart ( persoonlijke OV-Chipkaart ), which has most of the functions of the anonymous card, is only available to people living in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. This is regardless of citizenship or nationality; all you need is proof of residence and a bank account in one of those countries. The card can be bought for €7.50 - the same cost as an anonymous card, but with a much more time-consuming and rigorous process. The personal card features your photo ID, the letters of your first name, your last name, as well as your birthday. The card is, like the anonymous card, valid for five years, though the personal card can be renewed, whereas the anonymous version cannot. The personal card, however, can be automatically topped up ( automatisch opladen ), once the credit drops below a certain amount. If the card is stolen it can be blocked. The personal card is useful or even required for travellers who are entitled to a reduced rate (students or elderly), yearly pass holders, etc.

Personal cards can only be obtained by filling in the online form . A digital photo, permanent address and valid IBAN bank account number must be provided when applying, though residents of the Benelux and Germany may apply using PayPal. Automatisch opladen is, however, not available when using PayPal. Residents of other countries which have a valid IBAN bank account number can apply through the general contact form. Allow enough time for your application to be processed and the card to be sent to your (home) address.

OV-fiets [ edit ]

OV-fiets allows holders of a personal OV-chipkaart to rent bicycles from NS railway stations. However, one must be a resident of the Netherlands and acquire a season ticket (cost €0.01 per year) to attach to a personal OV-chipkaart. (The Dutch word fiets means bicycle.)

Restrictions [ edit ]

Whilst the OV-Chipkaart can be used for most railway operators and local public transport operators in the country, they may not be used to pay for fares on services by the following operators:

• Arriva night trains to Schiphol from Groningen and Maastricht
• ICE (on German segments)
• IC Brussel and IC Berlijn (on Belgian and German segments, respectively)
• Other private coach operators

Buying and reloading [ edit ]

Anonymous cards and appropriate disposable cards are obtainable at ticket machines on train stations and the Amsterdam (GVB) and Rotterdam (RET) metro. Many supermarkets, tobacco shops and Bruna bookstores also sell anonymous cards. At Schiphol Airport, there are vending machines in the baggage claim area and the airport's train station. To view locations near to you, use the checker on the OV-Chipkaart website . At most places where cards can be bought, payment can be made by credit card with a PIN code. Bus and tram stops usually don't have any means to buy cards or load credit.

When checking or reloading the balance for an anonymous or personal OV-chipkaart at a ticket machine, first tap your card against the machine's card reader in order to display the balance and reloading options. Depending on the machine, you may get options to add €4, €5, €10 or €20. You may also get an option to set the balance to those amounts paying the difference from the old balance. Some small shops might be able to increment your balance by as little as €2.50. After payment, remember to tap your OV-chipkaart again to actually load the balance on the card.

Additional Products [ edit ]

The OV-chipkaart is capable of carrying various non-pay-as-you-go products (e.g. one-day ticket). Depending on the operator, these may need to be purchased separately, i.e. funds from the loaded credit may not be applied towards the purchase of such products. You will need to hold the card against the ticket machine reader, use the ticket machines to select the product you wish to purchase, and pay for the product using a separate payment method. If you purchase certain products online, you will need to use a designated ticket machine to ensure that those products are loaded on to your OV-chipkaart. Take note that some products (e.g. period-based subscriptions, discount schemes) are available only to personal OV-chipkaart holders so check the website of the transport operator before purchasing the products to determine what types of OV-chipkaarts are eligible.

Supplement IC-Direct [ edit ]

If you want to travel between Schiphol Airport and Rotterdam Centraal and would like to take the faster IC-Direct service you must pay a supplement . For €2.90 you'll save around 25 minutes. The supplement is not required if you take a regular intercity service between these stations, or if you only travel on other segments with the IC-Direct i.e. Amsterdam Centraal-Schiphol Airport or Rotterdam Centraal-Breda.

On the platforms of the stations served by the IC-Direct, there is a red coloured card reader pole with a sign saying "Toeslag/Supplement". This is not a check in/out pole, but rather the means of paying the supplement ( toeslag ), with an anonymous or personal OV-chipkaart. Just tap your OV-Chipkaart once to buy the supplement. Make sure that you already have checked in at the regular (yellow) poles or gates.

During off-peak hours the supplement is €1.74 but only when using the red card reader pole on the platform. Alternatively, the supplement can be loaded at the standard yellow NS ticket machines or bought online in the NS App.

Passengers holding a pre-purchased ticket to/from Belgium travelling on the IC-direct route do not need to purchase a supplement since it is already included in your ticket.

Supplement ICE [ edit ]

A supplement of €2.90 is payable by passengers taking the German InterCity Express for journeys within the Netherlands (i.e. Amsterdam Centraal, Utrecht Centraal, Arnhem), though there are no supplement posts for these journeys. The ICE supplement is paid for by getting an e-ticket, through a ticket machine, or from a service point and is not valid for travel to/from Germany. Passengers who wish to travel further to Germany need to purchase a separate ticket at Bahn.com (the national German railway operator's website) or NS International's website. Note that for the part in the Netherlands the ICE travels on the same tracks as the regular Intercity trains, and is restricted to a maximum of 160 km/h (99 mph) so time savings are very limited to around 6 minutes for Amsterdam to Arnhem. 2nd class passengers can still enjoy the AC charging ports and on-board catering, amenities not offered on regular NS trains.

First class travel [ edit ]

Those who wish to travel 1st class on a Pay as you go (PAYG) basis will need to go to a ticket machine and select "Today 1st class" before checking in. To switch back to 2nd class rates at any time, passengers will have to go to a ticket machine and select "Today 2nd class" after checking out from the 1st class journey and before checking in for the 2nd class journey.

Alternatively, passengers can choose to upgrade for a fixed cost whilst being charged 'pay as you go' 2nd class rates by selecting "Toeslag 2-1 Dag" (whole day upgrade for €25), "Toeslag 2-1 Daluren" (off-peak weekday upgrade for €10), "Toeslag 2-1 Weekenddag" (weekend upgrade for €6) at a ticket machine. These products are valid until 04.00 the following morning. Hold your OV-chipkaart up against the reader to ensure the chosen product is loaded. Passengers caught sitting in a train’s 1st class section without configuring their OV-chipkaarts for such are subject to a fine.

Note that there is no first class present on all Arriva trains in Groningen and Friesland, the R-net service between Dordrecht and Geldermalsen and the train between Zutphen-Hengelo-Oldenzaal.

Minimum and Maximum balances [ edit ]

For train travel with an anonymous or personal OV-chipkaart, you must check in before entering the train station or platform, and check out as you leave the platform or station at your destination. At check-in, a deposit of €20 will be deducted from your balance. This is the official minimum balance required for train travel. Unofficially, you only need a €16 balance since a negative balance of €4 is allowed. If you have an insufficient balance at your destination, you might need to top up your OV-chipkaart before checking out at the fare gates. When checking out, the deposit minus the actual travel costs will be refunded. If you forget to check out at a railway station, your card will be charged €20.

For bus, tram and metro, the minimum required balance is €4 which is the deposit deducted at check in. Some longer-distance buses (such as Connexxion ) have a €6, €10 or €15 minimum depending on the route. If you forget to check out, your card will be charged that minimum amount.

All OV-chipkaart vending/uploading machines will display the balance on your OV-chipkaart. The remaining balance is also shown at check out. There is also an internet webpage to check the balance.

A maximum of €150 can be loaded on to an anonymous or personal OV-chipkaart at any given time.

Checking in and out, and fares [ edit ]

The OV-chipkaart must be held against a card reader both at the beginning and end of your journey in order to check in and out. At train and metro stations, card readers are located where the traveller enters/exits the station or the platform. At stations, there are one of two types of readers: free-standing card readers or card readers integrated into ticket gates. In stations served by more than one train operator, there are different coloured ticket gates where each colour stands for a particular operator; make sure to check in at the ticket gate of the operator whose train you are scheduled to immediately use . Likewise, upon arrival at a station served by more than one operator, be sure to check out at the ticket gate of the operator whose train you just used if you have no further journeys with them. If you mix it up and you check out with a different operator than you checked in with, you will be billed the maximum possible charge! You cannot check in/out on the train itself.

When travelling by tram or bus, the card readers are on the vehicles at each entry/exit door for travellers to check in and out when entering or leaving the vehicle.

The same card reader post can be used for both checking in and out. Tapping the card on the reader acts as a toggle. The first tap checks in, a second would check out, which may be useful if you change your mind. (To prevent an accidental check out, there may be a waiting time between check in and check out; if you are in a hurry try another card reader.) If you check in, the machine issues one beep. If you check out, you will hear two beeps. Pay attention to the number of beeps. If your card balance is too low, the machine issues a buzzer-like beep and displays the message saldo te laag (balance too low); in this case, you must reload your OV-chipkaart before retrying to check in.

Fares [ edit ]

For the anonymous or personal OV-chipkaart, fares are generally charged according to the distance between the locations where you check in and where you check out. If you take a long circuitous route rather than a shorter direct route on the same transit system between two points, you may find that you would be charged the same fare. The pay-as-you-go rate for local public transport varies between concession areas and consists of a boarding fee/base rate (it will be only charged once if you transfer within 35 minutes after the last check-out) and a distance-based fare per km (pro-rated for every 50 m). For NS trains, the one-way fare depends on the number of tariff units ( tariefeenheden ) between the origin and destination station - the 2nd class fare starts at €2.40 for travel to up to eight tariff units and the maximum 2nd class one-way fare that can be charged is €26.50 (200 tariff units). The per tariff unit fare varies between €0.10 to €0.20. NS' website has a map showing the number of tariff units between possible origins and destinations; just add up the number of tariff units between your desired origin and destination and refer to the table on page 6 of the NS' price list [dead link] to locate the corresponding price for the number of tariff units travelled. Apps and tools like the NS Reisplanner Xtra and 9292 can be used to show you the predicted cost of your journey.

For passengers travelling to a point outside the Netherlands and have used OV-chipkaarts for the domestic leg of their journey, they should check out at the last station in the country for which they do not have a pre-purchased ticket for. Likewise, passengers entering the Netherlands and do not have a pre-purchased ticket for the entire domestic segment need to check in at the first station not covered by their ticket. The check ins and check outs can be done at the yellow poles on the platforms. This step is not necessary if a passenger's pre-purchased ticket covers their entire train journey.

Transferring [ edit ]

If transferring between two railway trains or two city metro trains for the same carrier , it is not necessary to check out for the first train before checking in for the second. However, when transferring between local buses and trams with an OV-chipkaart, you must always check out of the first vehicle and then check into the second. You may get the message " overstappen OK " ("transfer OK") which means that you completed the transfer within 35 minutes since last check-out and thus your trip will be a little cheaper (i.e. the base fare is not calculated again) than if you took longer to complete the transfer. Always remember to check out when leaving a local bus or tram; otherwise, your fare will be more expensive.

If transferring between different rail operators, do not forget to first "check out" at your current operator's card reader post, before "checking in" at the card reader of the operator you're switching to. For example, when travelling from Arnhem to Almelo , you will have to transfer from NS, which operates between Arnhem and Zwolle, to Arriva, which operates between Zwolle and Almelo. Therefore, at Zwolle's station, you will have to first "check out" at an NS card reader after which you "check in" at an Arriva card reader. It doesn't matter what platform you do this on. When you cannot check-out for the first operator (i.e. the check-out device is defective), you can claim costs with your public transport company.

Missed check-out [ edit ]

For users of the anonymous or personal OV-chipkaart: If you forgot to check out, you can apply for a refund of the difference between the minimum balance (the 'penalty' fare) and the fare you would have paid had you not forgot to check out. You apply online to recover the money lost. You might have to wait up to 14 days before the transaction appears online. If your application is accepted, you must then go to an OV-chipkaart upload machine and press a button labelled " bestelling ophalen " or "pick up order" to complete the refund. You may recover from a missed check-out a maximum of 3 times per public transit operator per half-year.

Unused credit [ edit ]

It is always possible to get a refund of unused credit on anonymous and personal cards, but the procedure depends on the validity of your card. The anonymous and personal OV-chipkaart have a validity of up to 5 years from the production date. The end date is always shown on the card.

if your card is still active and the balance is less than €30 you can get your credit back at a service desk of NS at the larger stations. For expired cards or credit of €30 or more, you must go through the OV-Chipkaart website . This requires an IBAN bank account number for the refund.

Avoid the hassle to get a refund and use the balance completely before the end date. You may have a negative balance on your card.

Of course, you can always retain the card in case you wish to travel again within the Netherlands in the not-so distant future and the credit will be safe.

Other payment methods [ edit ]

The OV-chipkaart is not the only payment system for public transport in The Netherlands.

Contactless payments [ edit ]

OVPay is the name for the public transport contactless payment system with debit and credit cards (Maestro, V-Pay, MasterCard and VISA). Contactless payment with mobile devices is also possible through this system. It works exactly the same as travelling with credit on the OV-Chipkaart (Pay as you go - PAYG), and you will be charged the same fare. As of June 2023, only second class travel is supported. Discounts and subscriptions are not supported yet.

As of early June 2023, the system is fully rolled out in the country.

When checking in and out using this method, make sure to only offer the card that you wish to travel on to the check-in/out post or gate. Signals from your phone, smartwatch or other credit and debit cards among others can cause interference. Usually the machine will deny you from checking in until you offer a single card, but in a worst case scenario the system will start billing you on multiple cards. Also, make sure to check out with the same card as your check in. Note that when using a mobile device, the digital card on your device is not the same as your physical card (if you have one) although they are for the same bank account. Make sure your mobile device is separate from your card holder/other cards to avoid any problems when using your mobile device for check in/out.

If asked by a ticket inspector you don't have to hand over your bank card, just tap your card or mobile phone on the device. The inspector will only see the last check-ins and check-outs.

Online or mobile tickets [ edit ]

Many operators offer the possibility to buy tickets online (e-ticket) or through an app (mobile ticket). Naturally, you should have a sufficiently charged phone should you use the mobile ticket. If your phone runs out of battery during your journey (far from every bus or train has on-board electrical/USB outlets), you may be fined for illegal ridership.

In general, local operators in the large cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague) offer hour and day tickets via their own app, only valid for the area they operate in. Tickets may be activated automatically upon purchase, or may require activation by the traveler. You may also be required to check in and out at the scanners so be sure to check the terms.

For train travel, you can buy your e-ticket via the NS website (in order to print the ticket), or via the NS app. These tickets are personal and you must provide a ID if requested by a ticket inspector.

Since early June 2023, you can also buy a single mobile ticket with the 9292 app for the trip planned in the app. You can pay through iDEAL or with a credit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express).

Note that mobile tickets are almost always device-bound and cannot be forwarded to another person.

In bus and tram you need to check in and check out by scanning the QR-code when entering and when exiting each vehicle. Show it to the driver or conductor in case it cannot be scanned. For the metro, scan the code at dedicated gates with a scanner, or at the poles.

For train travel, you only need to scan the QR-barcode to open the gates. Readers on free standing poles cannot scan the code.

See also [ edit ]

• Rail travel in the Netherlands

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Maximize your Rotterdam adventure with the Rotterdam City Card, unlocking valuable experiences for your city trip. Sign up for free to access exclusive offers just for you. It is a cost-effective way to explore the city.

As you enjoy exciting attractions with your City Card, know that a portion of the proceeds goes towards supporting the city – making your journey not only enjoyable but also more impactful!

How does it work?

• Sign up for free to access exclusive offers for your city trip in Rotterdam. Upon registration, you can add up to 4 additional members of your travel party,
• After your registration, you will receive a link in your e-mail to activate your Rotterdam City Card account and an e-mail with the confirmation of your registration,
• Download your Rotterdam City Card directly to your smartphone and add it to your Apple Wallet (iPhone) or Wallet Passes (Android),
• For discounts, you can use codes or vouchers that can be claimed in the CityCardShop,
• Alternatively, purchase tickets directly with a discount and gain access using your digital Rotterdam City Card in your Wallet.

Do you have questions about the Rotterdam City Card? Here are our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to help clarify any uncertainties you may have.

Grab your discount

The Rotterdam City Card offers fair discounts on attractions, art & culture and drinks & dining. The sights that are included with the Rotterdam City Card are:

• Comedy Club Haug ,
• Diergaarde Blijdorp (Rotterdam Zoo),
• Royal Spido ,
• the ss Rotterdam ,
• Stadshaven Brouwerij ,
• and Trompenburg Gardens & Arboretum

All locations offer one-time discounts valid for one person. You can find the vouchers and more information about the discounts in the CityCardShop. For discounts, you can use codes or vouchers that can be claimed in the CityCardShop. Each voucher operates differently. Some need to be used in the ticketing environment of the acceptor, while others need to be scanned on-site.

15% discount on tickets for Comedy Club Haug

20% discount on tickets for Rotterdam Zoo

15% discount for the full experience to the top, Platforms & Euroscoop tickets for Euromast

15% discount on the 75-minute Harbour Tour tickets of Spido

15% discount on Sea Breeze Deluxe Tour by ss Rotterdam

15% discount on guided brewery tour by Stadshaven Brouwerij

15% discount on tickets for Trompenburg Gardens & Arboretum

Support the community

The Rotterdam City Card  is a cost-effective way to explore the city, but it also contributes to the community. As you enjoy exciting attractions with your Rotterdam City Card, know that a portion of the proceeds goes towards supporting the city – making your journey not only enjoyable but even more impactful! We collaborate with the Sam& foundation for fair distribution.

Unlimited travel on public transport

Please note: RET public transport is not included in the Rotterdam City Card

A public transport travel card (OV-chipkaart) provides you with unlimited travel on all metro, tram and bus lines of the RET public transport network in the Rotterdam city region. Download the RET app and purchase a ticket for one day.

Please note that the ticket must be activated within 24 hours, so buy it a maximum of 1 day in advance. You should always check in and out with your travel card, even in transfer, because otherwise you will not have a valid ticket and risk a fine. You can find more information on the RET website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Rotterdam City Card

Do you have questions about the Rotterdam City Card? Here are the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to help clarify any uncertainties you may have.

Note: the Rotterdam City Card is currently in a testing phase with a limited number of participating locations in the CityCardShop. From April 1st, the number of locations offering discounts will be expanded.

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OV-chipkaart

The OV-chipkaart is the new payment method for public transportation in trams, the metro and buses in the Netherlands.

Types of OV-chipkaart

The OV-chipkaart fully replaced the strippenkaart system in November 2011 and is available in three types:


Disposable OV-chipkaart

The disposable OV-chipkaart is made of stiff paper and cannot be topped up with credit. Thus, it is intended for travellers who do not use the Dutch public transportation system very often, for example tourists.

The disposable OV-chipkaart can be purchased from machines or on-board, and since this type of card is topped up when you buy it, you can use it straight away to travel for one or 24 hours (unlimited travel for one day). Note that you have to check in and out with the disposable chipkaart otherwise it becomes invalid.


Anonymous OV-chipkaart

The anonymous OV-chipkaart ( anonieme OV-chipkaart ) is reusable, and once loaded with electronic credit it can be used for travelling. It can be used by the owner as well as by others, but not at the same time.

Travellers pay per kilometre and the balance ( saldo ) can be topped up at machines and kiosks. However, note that you cannot load a season ticket onto the anonymous OV-chipkaart.


Personal OV-chipkaart

The personal OV-chipkaart ( persoonlijke OV-chipkaart ) is for one user and includes his / her name, date of birth, and photograph. Consequently, the personal version is non-transferable, but the owner does enjoy other benefits including the option to block it (for instance in case of theft) and automatic top up.

The personal OV-chipkaart can also be loaded with an off-peak hours train travel discount from NS ( voordeelurenabonnement ). Finally, it is also possible to load the personal chipkaart with season tickets and other products.



To apply for the personal version of the chipkaart - via OV-chipkaart , GVB Tickets & Info, or GVB Customer Service - you must have a Dutch address and a bank account . Residents of Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg can also acquire one by paying via a Dutch bank account, PayPal, or credit card.

Notes about the OV-chipkaart

• Always make sure you have enough electronic credit before travelling. You can use the yellow devices in stores (e.g. Primera) and supermarkets (e.g. Albert Heijn), the inquiry devices in metro stations, and ticket machines at train stations.

• Senior citizens (older than 65) and children (4-11 years old) receive a travel discount (a lower base fee and lower rate for every kilometre) with a personal OV-chipkaart.

• If you forget to check in or out, you will be charged a flat penalty. If you forget to do so more than 12 times within two weeks, your OV-chipkaart will be blocked. To unblock it, visit one of the Tickets & Info offices.

• In case of theft, you can have your OV-chipkaart blocked and the remaining credit transferred to either your bank account or to a new OV-chipkaart. The Customer Service number is 0900-0980 (0,10 euros per minute). This of course applies only to personal OV-chipkaart owners.

• The personal OV-chipkaart is valid for five years. Six weeks before the expiration date a letter will be sent to you with the options of applying for a new one or refunding the remaining credit.
• If your anonymous OV-chipkaart is about to expire, visit OV-chipkaart and complete the " Restitutie verlopen anonieme OV-Chipkaart " form to refund the remaining credit.

• For all other claims visit GVB .

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ACCESS NL > Relocating to the Netherlands > First three months > Transportation Netherlands > How does the OV-chipkaart work?

Transportation Netherlands

I find it difficult and expensive to park my car in many major cities. Is there a way for me to park my car easier and cheaper?

There is a severe lack of parking space in most big cities in the Netherlands. In an effort to reduce congestion, many cities have a park and ride scheme (P+R- locaties). The driver parks at an organised, out of town location and then finishes the journey via public transport to the city centre. ANWB (the Royal Dutch Touring Club) lists all park and ride schemes in an area. This scheme is very helpful to many people for finding a parking space more quickly as well as for spending less on parking fees. You find the parking space via the routeplanner of ANWB on https://www.anwb.nl/verkeer/routeplanner?displayType=instructions.

Each city in the Netherlands has a Municipal Parking Department for all affairs related to parking such as parking permits. Please contact your municipality for further details.

Are there any subscriptions to travel cheaper by public transport?

Subscriptions are available for a particular route, for a discount outside rush hours, for unlimited travel by train or by other means of public transport as well. If you don’t know which subscription fits best, you can use the information on the Dutch Railroads (Nederlandse Spoorwegen – NS) website. It is the principal passenger railway operator in the Netherlands: www.ns.nl/en/season-tickets .

It is highly advisable that you drop into a service counter and ask for help when deciding which subscription would be the most adequate for your situation. For more information visit the NS website.

What is the OV-chipkaart?

The smart-card system, the OV-chipkaart (chip card used to pay for public transport), is the form of paying for public transport. OV stands for openbaar vervoer (public transport). It resembles a bank card and contains an invisible chip and must be topped up before the start of any journey. The OV-chipkaart can be used on public transport all over the Netherlands.

For further details visit the website of the OV-chipkaart and select ‘English’ at the top right corner of the site to change the language: www.ov-chipkaart.nl .

The OV-chipkaart ( chip card used to pay for public transport ) must be purchased before you travel. To find a point of sale nearby visit the following website: https://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/en/service-points-finder

This address finder is very useful to find out where all specific OV-chipkaart services are located because services differ from location to location. Additional credit can be loaded onto your OV-chipkaart at vending and add value machines or at OV-chipkaart service points.

Cards must be validated at both the beginning and the end of a journey, by holding the card up to an OV-chipkaart reader. You can find them in various parts of the buses and trams. The card readers for trains are located on the platforms or at the entrance of the station. At the start of your journey, hold your OV-chipkaart up to the screen. The sound and light signal indicates your card has been read. When disembarking, check out by holding your card up to the screen. Checking in and out is also required when you transfer from one form of transport to another, except when you transfer from train to train.

When using trains, you always need to have at least a certain minimum credit on your card to be able to check in. T he boarding fee can differ from one transportation company to another. The latest information can be found on https://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/en/travelling-on-balance

When you check out, the boarding fee will be refunded and you will be charged for the number of kilometres you travelled. If you do not check out, you will pay the full boarding fee. If you fail to check in or buy a valid ticket, you face a fine plus the fare for your journey.

What types of OV-chipkaart are there?

There are three different types of OV-chipkaart (chip card used to pay for public transport) to choose from:

• Personal OV-chipkaart: this card is intended for the frequent traveller. To apply for a personal OV-chipkaart, you can pick up a paper application form at the counters for public transport companies or apply online at the Ov-chipkaart.nl.
• Anonymous OV-chipkaart: designed for the infrequent traveller, this allows the holder to travel immediately, once you have added money to your card . It can be purchased at sales devices in stations, newsagents, supermarkets and public transport companies’ counters.
• Business OV-chipkaart: the business OV-chipkaart. This card is offered to employees of companies by business card providers. If you have a business OV-chipkaart and have a question, please contact your business card provider. The contact details can be found on the front of your card.

How can I find out which tram, bus or train I need and the departure times?

Via the website 9292.nl /en , you can plan your journey from door to door. All options, bus, tram, train, metro and ferry for your journey are given here. 9292 provides a helpful app in English. Bear in mind that most information in the public transport system is announced in Dutch.

How can I go to the railway station or from the railway station to my destination?

There are several ways to travel to and from the railway station:

• By bus, tram or metro
• By bike or moped
• By car (shared or rental)
• By taxi or shared taxi

For more detailed information about this topic, please visit: NSinternational.nl/en/to-and-from-the-station.

It seems that everybody is biking in the Netherlands. Where can I buy a bike for myself?

All cities have one or more shops that sell and repair bikes. For a tweedehands fiets (second-hand bike) you can search online or visit one of the online auction pages such as Marktplaats.nl.  Bike shops often have second hand bikes too.

I have hardly any knowledge of biking. How can I learn to bike?

There are several bike schools all over the country that offer fietslessen (bike lessons). Most of them are called ‘ fietsschool’   or ‘ fietscollege’  (bike school).

Can I travel by public transport if I don't have an OV-chipkaart?

It is possible to travel by public transport without OV chipcard. You can pay wireless with your bank card (pin pass) or mobile phone  if you don’t have any discount or subscription. This applies to all buses,  trams, trains  a  metros in the Netherlands. If you travel by train you can only pay with your bank card or mobile phone if you are travelling 2nd class and don’t have a subscription. More information is available on https://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/en

Alternatively most of the train companies operating in the Netherlands offers the option to purchase your ticket online (e-ticket). For instance NS, the principal passenger railway operator in the Netherlands, offers not only the option to print your e-ticket but also to download it on your smartphone. For this you will need the ‘NS Reisplanner Xtra app’.

I am a student. What is the student OV-chipkaart?

What kinds of tickets are available for the train.

For the train you can use either paper cards or the OV-Chipkaart ( chip card used to pay for public transport )  The main tickets available are:

• Single ticket
• Return ticket
• Day travel card for the train
• Day travel card for all public transport (called Holland travel ticket)
• Bicycle day travel card
• Rail runner (cheap ticket for children aged 4 to 11 accompanied by an adult)
• Group ticket off peak hours (single ticket)
• Joint discount ticket off peak hours

You can find an overview of available tickets on https://www.ns.nl/en

Should you experience a delay of 30 minutes or more, you might be entitled to a refund.  Read more about this on the website of the Dutch Railways .

What is the minimum age to ride a moped in the Netherlands?

If you want to ride a brommer  or snorfiets (moped), you need to be at least 16 years of age. You also need to have a bromfietsrijbewijs (moped driving licence). A driving licence for a car is category B, for a moped is category AM. If you have a driving licence category A or B, you can ask to add category AM when you renew your driving licence. You don’t need to pass an exam for this.

What kinds of bikes are available?

The most common type of bicycle is the omafiets  (grandma bike). However, you will see a lot of other types of bikes, including the following: stadsfiets (city bike), sportfiets (sport bike), elektrische fiets (electric bike), bakfiets (cargo bike), and mopeds.

Grandma bikes and city bike  are most often used for everyday trips, including going to school and/or work, and running errands around town while a sport bike is a more convenient bicycle for longer trips.

An ATB (All Terrain Bikes) is most convenient for those who bike on difficult terrain. A special type of ATB is the MTB (mountain bike), which is not often used in the Netherlands because of its flat terrain, but it is convenient for cycling in the mountains.

An electric bike offers the possibility to get trapondersteuning (electric support while cycling). It is especially useful when it is very windy because you do not require as much strength for pedalling. Trapondersteuning means that you have to bike yourself, but the electric motor will support you. Depending on the type of electric bike, you can choose between no support, little support, average support or a lot of support.

A moped is a snorfiets  when it has a light blue licence plate. A b romfiets rides on the roadway and can reach a maximum speed of 45 km/h. They have a yellow licence plate. By law, children younger than 8 years old can be passengers on a moped only when they are provided with a proper, safe seat that gives them adequate support for their back, hands and feet. It is not permitted to hold a mobile phone while operating a moped or any other electronic device. You are only allowed to use any device handsfree. This also applies to pedestrians . If you ignore this rule, you may get a fine.

Cargo bikes or  bakfietsen are transport bikes with three wheels and a large front bucket. It is common to see parents transporting children around because the box is low to the ground making it is easier to transport more weight.

There are also four-wheeled vehicles, but they are not allowed on bike paths and have to follow the same rules as mopeds. They look like small automobiles and must have an overall weight of less than 350 kg (excluding the weight of the battery in electric vehicles). They can reach a maximum of 45 km/h and can be distinguished by their small size and a 45 km/h sticker that is displayed on the back of the car.

Are there any special traffic rules for cyclists?

The following laws apply specifically for cyclists:

• Cycling is not allowed on sidewalks or pedestrian-only areas
• Use hand signals when preparing to make a left or right turn. Simply put your arm out in the direction you want to turn
• It is allowed to ride alongside another bicyclist, but cycling with three people in a row is not permitted
• Bicyclists share the bike paths with snorfietsen (mopeds). Be prepared for them by cycling on the right side of the bike path so that they can pass you.
• Brommers (mopeds with a speed of maximum 45 km/hour) are no longer allowed on the bike path.   They have to use then main road. Snorfietsen (mopeds with a speed of maximum 25 km/hour) are not always allowed on the bike path. Signs indicate if this applies.
• Cycling is not allowed on highways
• Tunnels may or may not be accessible for cycling. If they are, there is usually a separate bike path
• Bicycle lights are mandatory, white or yellow in the front and red in the rear. You can get a fine when cycling without lights in the dark, at dusk or in poor visibility

Are there any special traffic rules for mopeds?

Brommers (mopeds) must use the main road rather than the bike roads. They are allowed on the bike lanes only if explicitly indicated by the blue traffic sign displaying a bicycle and a moped symbol. Both drivers of a moped and passengers are required to wear a helmet.

Mopeds have bells for a reason! Use the bell to warn bicyclists that you are approaching them and need to pass them, use it to warn pedestrians who are blocking the bike path, or to warn anyone else who might be in your way! Do not park your moped in places that have signs posted saying “ Geen fietsen plaatsen ” (no bike parking).

How can I arrange a parking space lot near my house?

Parking space is limited in the Netherlands. In general you need to request a parking licence near your house from the municipality. This gives you the right to park near your house but you need to look for a place every time you want to park your car. In addition, you can see if there is a parking garage nearby and try to rent a place there. It is best to check with your municipality for further detail.

How are parking spaces lots organised in the Netherlands?

In most places it is paid parking. This is indicated along the road. You need to get a ticket from the ticket vending machine and pay on your return for the time you parked your car.

Sometimes there is a parking meter. Here you need to decide in advance how long you intend to park your car and pay for that time. If you park longer than expected, you need to add money to the meter to avoid getting a fine.

In areas where paid parking is not in force, you may find there is a Blue Zone. Within this zone, you are only permitted to park for short periods of time by clearly displaying a blue parking disc. You can buy them at large department stores. Before leaving your car, mark your time of arrival on the blue parking disc. You can recognise a blue zone by a nearby road sign. On this sign you can see the maximum parking time permitted, as well as any additional conditions such as specific hours during the day.

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Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

There are few times one can claim having been on the subway all afternoon and loving it, but the Moscow Metro provides just that opportunity.  While many cities boast famous public transport systems—New York’s subway, London’s underground, San Salvador’s chicken buses—few warrant hours of exploration.  Moscow is different: Take one ride on the Metro, and you’ll find out that this network of railways can be so much more than point A to B drudgery.

The Metro began operating in 1935 with just thirteen stations, covering less than seven miles, but it has since grown into the world’s third busiest transit system ( Tokyo is first ), spanning about 200 miles and offering over 180 stops along the way.  The construction of the Metro began under Joseph Stalin’s command, and being one of the USSR’s most ambitious building projects, the iron-fisted leader instructed designers to create a place full of svet (radiance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future), a palace for the people and a tribute to the Mother nation.

Consequently, the Metro is among the most memorable attractions in Moscow.  The stations provide a unique collection of public art, comparable to anything the city’s galleries have to offer and providing a sense of the Soviet era, which is absent from the State National History Museum.  Even better, touring the Metro delivers palpable, experiential moments, which many of us don’t get standing in front of painting or a case of coins.

Though tours are available , discovering the Moscow Metro on your own provides a much more comprehensive, truer experience, something much less sterile than following a guide.  What better place is there to see the “real” Moscow than on mass transit: A few hours will expose you to characters and caricatures you’ll be hard-pressed to find dining near the Bolshoi Theater.  You become part of the attraction, hear it in the screech of the train, feel it as hurried commuters brush by: The Metro sucks you beneath the city and churns you into the mix.

With the recommendations of our born-and-bred Muscovite students, my wife Emma and I have just taken a self-guided tour of what some locals consider the top ten stations of the Moscow Metro. What most satisfied me about our Metro tour was the sense of adventure .  I loved following our route on the maps of the wagon walls as we circled the city, plotting out the course to the subsequent stops; having the weird sensation of being underground for nearly four hours; and discovering the next cavern of treasures, playing Indiana Jones for the afternoon, piecing together fragments of Russia’s mysterious history.  It’s the ultimate interactive museum.

Top Ten Stations (In order of appearance)

Kievskaya station.

Kievskaya Station went public in March of 1937, the rails between it and Park Kultury Station being the first to cross the Moscow River.  Kievskaya is full of mosaics depicting aristocratic scenes of Russian life, with great cameo appearances by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.  Each work has a Cyrillic title/explanation etched in the marble beneath it; however, if your Russian is rusty, you can just appreciate seeing familiar revolutionary dates like 1905 ( the Russian Revolution ) and 1917 ( the October Revolution ).

Mayakovskaya Station

Mayakovskaya Station ranks in my top three most notable Metro stations. Mayakovskaya just feels right, done Art Deco but no sense of gaudiness or pretention.  The arches are adorned with rounded chrome piping and create feeling of being in a jukebox, but the roof’s expansive mosaics of the sky are the real showstopper.  Subjects cleverly range from looking up at a high jumper, workers atop a building, spires of Orthodox cathedrals, to nimble aircraft humming by, a fleet of prop planes spelling out CCCP in the bluest of skies.

Novoslobodskaya Station

Novoslobodskaya is the Metro’s unique stained glass station.  Each column has its own distinctive panels of colorful glass, most of them with a floral theme, some of them capturing the odd sailor, musician, artist, gardener, or stenographer in action.  The glass is framed in Art Deco metalwork, and there is the lovely aspect of discovering panels in the less frequented haunches of the hall (on the trackside, between the incoming staircases).  Novosblod is, I’ve been told, the favorite amongst out-of-town visitors.

Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya Station is one of palatial grandeur.  It seems both magnificent and obligatory, like the presidential palace of a colonial city.  The yellow ceiling has leafy, white concrete garland and a series of golden military mosaics accenting the tile mosaics of glorified Russian life.  Switching lines here, the hallway has an Alice-in-Wonderland feel, impossibly long with decorative tile walls, culminating in a very old station left in a remarkable state of disrepair, offering a really tangible glimpse behind the palace walls.

Dostoevskaya Station

Dostoevskaya is a tribute to the late, great hero of Russian literature .  The station at first glance seems bare and unimpressive, a stark marble platform without a whiff of reassembled chips of tile.  However, two columns have eerie stone inlay collages of scenes from Dostoevsky’s work, including The Idiot , The Brothers Karamazov , and Crime and Punishment.   Then, standing at the center of the platform, the marble creates a kaleidoscope of reflections.  At the entrance, there is a large, inlay portrait of the author.

Chkalovskaya Station

Chkalovskaya does space Art Deco style (yet again).  Chrome borders all.  Passageways with curvy overhangs create the illusion of walking through the belly of a chic, new-age spacecraft.  There are two (kos)mosaics, one at each end, with planetary subjects.  Transferring here brings you above ground, where some rather elaborate metalwork is on display.  By name similarity only, I’d expected Komsolskaya Station to deliver some kosmonaut décor; instead, it was Chkalovskaya that took us up to the space station.

Elektrozavodskaya Station

Elektrozavodskaya is full of marble reliefs of workers, men and women, laboring through the different stages of industry.  The superhuman figures are round with muscles, Hollywood fit, and seemingly undeterred by each Herculean task they respectively perform.  The station is chocked with brass, from hammer and sickle light fixtures to beautiful, angular framework up the innards of the columns.  The station’s art pieces are less clever or extravagant than others, but identifying the different stages of industry is entertaining.

Baumanskaya Statio

Baumanskaya Station is the only stop that wasn’t suggested by the students.  Pulling in, the network of statues was just too enticing: Out of half-circle depressions in the platform’s columns, the USSR’s proud and powerful labor force again flaunts its success.  Pilots, blacksmiths, politicians, and artists have all congregated, posing amongst more Art Deco framing.  At the far end, a massive Soviet flag dons the face of Lenin and banners for ’05, ’17, and ‘45.  Standing in front of the flag, you can play with the echoing roof.

Ploshchad Revolutsii Station

Novokuznetskaya Station

Novokuznetskaya Station finishes off this tour, more or less, where it started: beautiful mosaics.  This station recalls the skyward-facing pieces from Mayakovskaya (Station #2), only with a little larger pictures in a more cramped, very trafficked area.  Due to a line of street lamps in the center of the platform, it has the atmosphere of a bustling market.  The more inventive sky scenes include a man on a ladder, women picking fruit, and a tank-dozer being craned in.  The station’s also has a handsome black-and-white stone mural.

Here is a map and a brief description of our route:

Start at (1)Kievskaya on the “ring line” (look for the squares at the bottom of the platform signs to help you navigate—the ring line is #5, brown line) and go north to Belorusskaya, make a quick switch to the Dark Green/#2 line, and go south one stop to (2)Mayakovskaya.  Backtrack to the ring line—Brown/#5—and continue north, getting off at (3)Novosblodskaya and (4)Komsolskaya.  At Komsolskaya Station, transfer to the Red/#1 line, go south for two stops to Chistye Prudy, and get on the Light Green/#10 line going north.  Take a look at (5)Dostoevskaya Station on the northern segment of Light Green/#10 line then change directions and head south to (6)Chkalovskaya, which offers a transfer to the Dark Blue/#3 line, going west, away from the city center.  Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii.  Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station.

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Jonathon Engels, formerly a patron saint of misadventure, has been stumbling his way across cultural borders since 2005 and is currently volunteering in the mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  For more of his work, visit his website and blog .

Photo credits:   SergeyRod , all others courtesy of the author and may not be used without permission