Using Public Transportation in the Netherlands

Cheap and Easy Travel with the OV-Chipkaart Smart Card in Holland

Nov 4, 2009

All public transportation (trains, buses, metros, and trams) in the Netherlands now share a single OV-Chipkaart, or smart card, for seamless payments and easy transfers.

The OV-chipkaart (smart card) is simplifying the use of public transportation in the Netherlands. Residents and visitors alike need only one of these transportation travel smart cards to ride on virtually all public trains, buses, trams, and metros throughout the Netherlands. Depending on the type of card, the chipkaart is loaded with the full price of the entire journey or automatically deducts the fare at the completion of a trip. Tourists will no longer need to work through complicated tariff zones to determine how many strips need to be stamped at the start of journeys.

The OV-Chipkaart Public Transportation Smart Card in the Netherlands

The introduction of the OV-Chipkaart (public transportation smart card) throughout the Netherlands has made the use of trains, trams, buses, and metros easier than ever. Travelers no longer have to struggle through complicated fare zone maps to determine the number of strips that need to be stamped on transportation cards but simply wave the electronic smart card at card readers at the start and end of journeys.

The OV-Chipkaart is a smart card with an electronic chip that can be read by special card readers. Passengers have to check in when boarding a bus, train, metro, or tram by waving the chip card at the reader and check out at the completion of a journey. The correct fare based on the distance traveled is then automatically deducted from the smart travel card.

Different Types of OV-Chipkaarten (Public Transportation Travel Cards)

Three different OV-Chipkaarten are currently available for use on the entire Dutch public transportation network:

Most tourist and travelers using public transportation infrequently will probably use the disposable smart card. This travel card functions basically like a normal paper ticket – it is valid only for the journey initially loaded onto the card, for example a simply train ride from Amsterdam to Rotterdam, twelve return journeys from Amsterdam to Den Haag, or a three-day travel pass for South Holland. The card automatically becomes invalid for travel at the end of journeys or the indicated travel period. Check in is still required as well as check out where automatic gates are present.

The anonymous card is also useful for travelers planning several non-standard journeys. The anonymous smart card can be reloaded and fares are automatically deducted at check out. The anonymous card is transferable but not while in use – each traveler needs an own card when traveling. The initial charge for the card depends on where it is bought and ranges from free to more likely a small charge of €2 to €4.

Using the OV-Chipkaart Public Transportation Card in the Netherlands

Traditionally, public transportation in the Netherlands has used the honor system and this continues with the new chip card travel cards. Most trains and trams can be boarded unhindered while trains and metros in cities such as Amsterdam and Rotterdam generally have automatic ticket gates. However, as ever, inspectors frequent buses and trams to check chip cards.

A minimum balance is required on a chip card to check in – currently €4 for buses, trams, and metros and €20 for trains. Upon check out, this check-in balance is repaid and the real, generally lower, fare deducted from the smart card. Access to some stations may require a check-in balance but this is refunded if the station is left within a short time – generally 30 to 60 minutes.

When transiting, it is necessary to check out when leaving a bus and check in when entering the following bus. If this happens within a short space of time, the second bus is calculated as a continuation of the same journey and a new base tariff is not charged.

Fares are based on the actual distance traveled but each transportation company set its own kilometer rate. A journey may only be in one direction – when retracing a route, a check out and new check in is required. Check in and check out are generally done at the same reader – to prevent accidental registration, check out can generally occur only a minute or more after check in.

By 2010, all public transportation operators in the Netherlands must accept the OV-chipkaart. Although individual operators may allow additional payment methods such as standard tickets, these are expected to disappear from the Dutch travel landscape within a very short period.

The OV-Chipkaart is mainly aimed at making the use of public transportation even easier for Dutch residents. However, tourist will also find it easier to pay for day trips from for example Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans, Keukenhof, or Kinderdijk. It will no longer be necessary to try and work out the fare zones and risk overpaying, or fines when underpaying after calculating the fares incorrectly.

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