Train tickets to get 4.7 percent more expensive next year

Traveling by train in the Netherlands will become more expensive next year. The national railway operator NS has announced an average price hike of 4.7 percent for tickets. The move is intended to fund the purchase of new, modern rolling stock and keep pace with the general rise in maintenance and infrastructure expenses.

Daan Schut, a member of the NS executive board, framed the decision as a necessity for service quality. He noted that revenue from fares is essential to pay for rising costs and to continue investing in the facilities that passengers expect from a reliable network.

Flexible off-peak discounts

Despite the general price increase, NS is attempting to incentivize travel during quieter periods. The company plans to expand its off-peak discount program by allowing travelers to receive up to 80 percent off their tickets, an increase from the current maximum of 60 percent. Furthermore, these discounted tickets will become available on the day of travel, removing the current requirement to book at least 24 hours in advance.

People very often decide on the day itself when they are traveling from A to B. If there is enough space in a quiet train at that moment, it is logical that you reward that passenger with a cheaper rate.

This sentiment was shared by Daan Zieren, director of the passenger advocacy group Rover, who praised the flexibility for occasional travelers. However, the group expressed frustration that these significant discounts are not extended to long term subscription holders, who have already faced years of rising costs for their monthly passes.

The burden of inflation recovery

The upcoming price hike includes a mechanism known as catch-up indexation. This accounts for inflation between 2020 and 2023, a period during which ticket prices increased at a slower rate than the general cost of living. For instance, in 2022, inflation reached 10 percent, while rail fares rose by only 1.8 percent.

Zieren and Rover argue that this retrospective adjustment is poorly timed, as it penalizes passengers just as ridership figures are beginning to recover. They worry that by consistently pushing fares to the maximum allowed limit, NS risks stalling the growth of public transport usage in more transport news.

For international residents and expats, these changes have a direct impact on the cost of living. Since many rely on trains for commuting to hubs like Amsterdam or Rotterdam, higher ticket prices mean a significant increase in monthly expenses for those without employer-covered travel passes. It is advisable to review your current subscription type to see if shifting to an off-peak model might help mitigate these rising costs.

Despite the overall trend of increasing prices, some costs remain stable. The popular Railrunner ticket for children remains 2.50 euros, and several subscription models for younger travelers, including the Kids Vrij and specific youth variants of the Dal Voordeel pass, will remain free of charge. These measures are designed to ensure that train travel remains accessible for families, even as the base cost for adult commuters continues to climb.