Netherlands introduce contactless for second class train travel

[nwales58]

Does anyone know whether there are on-platform checkout poles at Venlo for international travellers?
Will be trying NS contactless Eindhoven-Venlo then Deutschlandticket onwards. Is it necessary to go out and back in through the gates or is there a pole somewhere on the ticketed side? Thanks.

 

[johncrossley]

Does anyone know whether there are on-platform checkout poles at Venlo for international travellers?
Will be trying NS contactless Eindhoven-Venlo then Deutschlandticket onwards. Is it necessary to go out and back in through the gates or is there a pole somewhere on the ticketed side? Thanks.

There are no gates there, so you can just use the pole to check out. Be careful to use right pole. There are separate poles for NS and Arriva.

 

[DanielB]

As Venlo has multiple operators, there will be on-platform checkout poles as well.

 

[mikeg]

I'm going to the Netherlands soon. I'm guessing this will be the most cost effective way for me to get around? The only thing is on one day I want to explore the rail network. I'd therefore been thinking of buying an NS Dagkaart or Holland Travel ticket. I'm guessing there's no capping so I may still be better off doing this?

 

[DanielB]

I'm going to the Netherlands soon. I'm guessing this will be the most cost effective way for me to get around?

Depends where and how much you're planning to travel. Some regions have attractive day tickets which may be cheaper when you make enough trips.
To get an idea of the regular fares, plan your trips at https://9292.nl/en

The only thing is on one day I want to explore the rail network. I'd therefore been thinking of buying an NS Dagkaart or Holland Travel ticket. I'm guessing there's no capping so I may still be better off doing this?

There's no capping indeed, so when exploring the rail network a day ticket probably is the cheaper option compared to paying the full fare.

 

[mikeg]

There's no capping indeed, so when exploring the rail network a day ticket probably is the cheaper option compared to paying the full fare

Thanks. Would an NS dagkaart be valid on an Arriva stoptrein or is it purely an NS product? I note there is a Holland travel ticket that gives pretty much all public transport but I'm unlikely to be using buses or metro on that day.

 

[DanielB]

Thanks. Would an NS dagkaart be valid on an Arriva stoptrein or is it purely an NS product? I note there is a Holland travel ticket that gives pretty much all public transport but I'm unlikely to be using buses or metro on that day.

Yes it will be valid with all regional operators: https://www.ns.nl/producten/static/...bshop/nl_NL/Overig/Vervoerbewijzen bij NS.pdf

Note that you'll either need to load the day ticket into the NS-app or print the e-ticket. PDFs shown on a phone are not valid.

 

[dutchflyer]

This HTT is the best buy for casual visitors, and even more the OFF-PEAK version, reduced in price, as otherwise these 40% off is unreachable for those not holding some kind of NS-railsubscription or chipcard.On weekends there are no peaks, but nearly always some kind of works and rail replacement on whatever (check ´rijdendetreinen´ for that). You can still just get it as chipcard from any NS-machine, and in theory also from machines from other operators, also in advance, but exact day of use must be chosen then (I think). So if you need to start with a tram/busride from placetostay, this advance buying could be useful.
Next best-for serious train users and not restricted to just 1 day, is the BeNeLux 3 country Count as 1) INterRail 1 country pass, from 3 days in 1 month.