Keuzedag en international travel
From the Netherlands to a station abroad
Are you taking an international trip, then your Keuzedag is valid up to the border. If travelling back to the Netherlands on the same day, then your Keuzedag is still valid.
You can book your trip from the departure station in the Netherlands to your final destination with one ticket. On the domestic part of the trip you will be entitled to get a 100% discount*. Please indicate this while booking:
- Via our website: select the option '100% discount in the Netherlands'.
- Via an NS ticket machine: select the option '100% discount in the Netherlands'.
*Discount does not apply on Eurostar to Belgium/France, Eurostar to London and Nightjet trains.
Then you will receive an international ticket which includes the 100% discount.
Please note: when booking the Sparpreis Europa rate to Germany, it is not possible to use your Keuzedag.
On the date of travel you have to check in with your Keuzedag for the domestic part of your trip during off-peak hours: (from Monday till Friday 4.00 to 6.30 hrs, 9.00 to 16.00 hrs and after 18.30 hrs. On Saturday, Sunday and holidays the whole day). This is to validate the pass for travel on that day. You cannot check out at the station abroad. If you load the Keuzedag on your OV-chipkaart, no money will be deducted from your balance.
From a station abroad to the Netherlands
Are you travelling back on the same day as the outward journey?
We advise you to buy an international ticket for your entire journey. This means: from your boarding station abroad to your final destination in the Netherlands. When booking, please indicate that you have a 100% discount in the Netherlands. Upon arrival, you check out with the Keuzedag. This is also allowed during the afternoon rush hour.
Are you travelling back on a day other than your outward journey?
Follow our step-by-step plan when travelling to the Netherlands::
- You buy a ticket from your departure station abroad to the first arrival station of the international train in the Netherlands.
- Get off at this station and load your Keuzedag onto your OV-chipkaart at the NS card machine. This is not necessary if you have a paper Keuzedag or a Keuzedag on a single-use chip card.
- You check in with your OV-chipkaart or your paper Keuzedag to make your Keuzedag valid for that day. You can only check in during off-peak hours.
- You continue your journey.
- When being checked in the train up to the first arrival station of the international train in the Netherlands, you show your international train ticket. Then show your OV-chipkaart with Keuzedag (or your paper Keuzedag).
- You check out with your OV-chipkaart met Keuzedag (or your paper Keuzedag) at your final destination in the Netherlands. You may check out during rush hours.