I'm traveling to Amsterdam this summer for 3 weeks and am looking for advice regarding the purchase of the NSHighspeed Off-peak discount pass with or without the optional addition of the 60+ discount. I expect to travel extensively and exclusively by rail while there and the combination of the two suggests that the cost might lead to savings over that of single day tickets. I do not plan to return during the 12 months that the passes are active. Advice, anyone?
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
Brenda, NS overhauled its whole structure of passes last year. There are no longer regular day-travel tickets on sale (dagkaart), though some are sold on occasion at stores or shops that sponsor them. You can buy a Dal Voordeel discount plan for € 50, which you will have to load on a personal OV-Chipkaart (€ 7,50). That gives the off-peak discounts (anytime except Mon-Fri 6h30-9h and 16h-18h30). For an extra € 14 you can buy 7 free travel day passes, using the an NS account on their website (free). You need to load money on your OV Chipkaart to pay fares, that is done through machines that take credit cards or serviced internaional kiosks of NS. You can get a refund of unused balanced upon departure.
Posted by
OP
Jasper
162 posts
Thank you Andre; very helpful. Now another question if you don't mind. Does the NS chipcaart work for travel in The Netherlands only, or does it extend to Belgium or Germany as well? Use in The Netherlands only seems logical, but one never knows if there are reciprocal agreements between countries. I'm considering taking a few days away from Amsterdam to go to Brussels, Gent, Brugge, possibly Antwerp. If that travel can be purchased through the NS card, the cost of the personal card and the additional 7 day free add-on would make the decision a "no-brainer". If not, the anonymous card is probably the better purchase, and I need to start looking into best options for train travel in Belgium. Your thoughts?