The OV‑chipkaart and OVpay: Your Key to Dutch Transit
Before you can hop on most public transport you’ll need some way to pay. The Netherlands uses a unified electronic ticketing system called the OV‑chipkaart. It’s a smart card that holds travel credit and records each journey when you check in and out at card readers. There are three main types:
- Personal OV‑chipkaart – this card has your name and photo and can be linked to discount subscriptions. It is essential if you plan to subscribe to NS discount cards or the Student Travel Product. Personal cards cost €7.50 and are valid for five years.
- Anonymous OV‑chipkaart – available at stations and many supermarkets, this card doesn’t hold your name, so anyone can use it. It’s handy for visitors but cannot be used with most discount subscriptions. You need enough credit on the card to cover the minimum boarding fare: €4 for buses/trams/metros and €10–20 for trains【977461435395821†L106-L123】.
- Disposable or paper tickets – if you don’t have an OV‑chipkaart or prefer single journeys, you can buy disposable chip cards or e‑tickets. For example, single bus or tram tickets sold on board often cost more than paying with a card, so it’s usually cheaper to use an OV‑chipkaart or contactless payment.
In 2022 the Netherlands introduced OVpay, which lets you check in and out using a contactless debit/credit card or mobile device. Many transport companies now accept OVpay, so you can simply tap your bank card without buying a separate OV‑chipkaart. This is convenient for short visits, but be aware that some discount subscriptions require a personal OV‑chipkaart. When paying with OVpay, you’re charged the same distance-based fare as the OV‑chipkaart, and you still need to tap out at the end of your journey.
Topping up and checking in/out
Wherever you travel, you must check in at the start and check out at the end of every leg of your journey. This rule applies even when you transfer between different operators (e.g. from a bus to a train), otherwise you risk paying the maximum boarding fee. You can load credit onto your OV‑chipkaart at ticket machines in train and metro stations, supermarkets and some shops, or enable automatic top‑up from your bank. Contactless OVpay charges are settled automatically through your bank, so you don’t need to worry about topping up.
Student Travel Product and Student Mobility Card
Dutch and EU/EEA students registered at a Dutch institution can apply for the Student Travel Product (studenten‑OV). This product provides free or discounted travel and is loaded onto a personal OV‑chipkaart. Students can choose a week subscription (free travel from Monday to Friday, discount on weekends) or a weekend subscription (free travel on weekends, discount on weekdays). It covers trains, buses, trams and metros across the country. To receive it you need to register with DUO (the Dutch Education Executive Agency) and meet specific criteria. According to 9292’s student page, the Student Travel Product allows you to travel cheaply and often even free on public transport.
International students who don’t qualify for the Dutch student product can still benefit from the Student Mobility Card. This card combines a public transport card with an ISIC student ID and is specifically designed for foreigners. It provides a 15 % discount on NS trains during weekends and off‑peak hours. The subscription costs a one‑time fee plus a monthly service fee, and the card works like a personal OV‑chipkaart, giving access to all modes of public transport and eliminating the need to top up credit manually.
Contactless tickets and paying on board
If you forget your card, many transport providers allow you to pay with your bank card or mobile phone. This is called OVpay or contactless payment. Always look for the contactless symbol at the entrance of the vehicle or platform. On buses outside the big cities you can still buy a paper ticket from the driver (often called a ritkaartje), but note that paying with cash is no longer possible in most areas. Instead, you must pay by debit/credit card. Paper tickets generally cost more than paying with an OV‑chipkaart, so it’s wise to get one if you plan regular travel.
