The Netherlands and Holland are two names for one small country in Western Europe. Together with Belgium and Luxembourg, The Netherlands form the Benelux.
The Dutch rail network ranks among the densest in the world. Train services provided by the NS (Dutch Railways) are very frequent and efficient. Distances between popular destinations are short, so you can do some city hopping by train.
Eurail pass validity
Eurail passes for The Netherlands are valid in all trains operated by NS and by the following local railway companies: Arriva, Connexxion, DB Regiobahn / AVV, DB Regio Westfalen, Eurobahn / Keolis, Prignitzer Eisenbahngesellschaft, Syntus, Veolia.
The national railway company of The Netherlands is called NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen - Dutch Railways).
Domestic journeys
The fast InterCity trains connect the main towns and cities, while the slower stopping trains halt at nearly every station.
Major Dutch cities are Amsterdam, Den Haag, Rotterdam and Utrecht. At least 4 trains an hour run between these cities, which are at less than 45 minutes rail travel from each other. Most other cities in the country are connected at least twice an hour.
From the train station at Schiphol airport you can reach Amsterdam city center in 15-20 minutes and Utrecht (the main train hub for the Netherlands) in just over 30 minutes. In the weekend there are also hourly night trains between the major cities.
Dutch trains have mostly 2nd class and just a few 1st class sections. Smoking is not allowed on the trains and in the stations (only at designated areas on the platforms).
International connections
There are good direct train connections from The Netherlands to Germany, Belgium and France. Here’s an overview of some of the trains.
- To Belgium: InterCity trains run every hour between Amsterdam and Rotterdam to Antwerpen and Brussel. This train does not require reservation.
- To Belgium and France: Thalys is a high-speed train connecting Amsterdam with Brussels and Paris. Pass holders have to pay a special fare for riding this train, which is subject to availability.
- To Germany: InterCity and InterCityExpress trains go from the Netherlands to Germany. They run from Amsterdam and Utrecht to Köln, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Berlin. Reserving a seat is possible (€3,50) but not compulsory.
- To Germany and Switzerland: CityNightLine hotel trains run from Amsterdam and Utrecht to Munich (Germany), Zurich and Basel (Switzerland). Subject to compulsory reservation plus supplement for night accommodation.
Reservations for international trains can be made at the larger train stations in The Netherlands. Please note that a fixed booking fee of €3,50 will be charged (regardless of the number of reservations).
Rail tour suggestion
With its dense railway network, this circular tour offers the best the Netherlands has to offer. Classic canal-laced towns like Delft and Utrecht, the bulb district and the renowned Veluwe national park will pass by your train window if you use your Eurail Benelux Pass on this tour.
Tour stages and average journey times:
- Amsterdam – Haarlem (16 min)
- Haarlem – Leiden (19 min)
- Leiden – The Hague (13 min)
- The Hague – Delft (7 min)
- Delft – Rotterdam (12 min)
- Rotterdam – Gouda (21 min)
- Gouda – Utrecht (20 min)
- Utrecht – Arnhem (39 min)
- Arnhem – Apeldoorn (48 min)
- Apeldoorn – Amsterdam (1 hour 4 min)
Amsterdam has plenty of national and international connections to continue your Dutch railway adventure. But the bustling capital has plenty to offer itself as well.
Read a detailed description of this tour in the recommended guide Europe by rail, available from Thomas Cook Publishing.
Domestic trains
Domestic trains in The Netherlands do not require a reservation. Eurail pass holders can just hop on.
For the new high-speed train Fyra (Amsterdam – Schiphol – Rotterdam) it is required to make a reservation.
International trains
For the high-speed Thalys trains to Belgium and France a reservation is required. The fees are quite high and the number of seats for Eurail travelers is limited. You may want to avoid the Thalys by taking a regular InterCity to Antwerp and Brussels.
For ICE / ICE International trains to Germany reservation is possible, but not compulsory.
For more information see the pages:
Airport station links
The main international airport in the Netherlands is Amsterdam Schiphol. It offers numerous railway connections to the Netherlands' capital Amsterdam and other cities in the Netherlands as well as to Belgium, France and Germany.
Eurail aid offices
For questions about Eurail, you can go to the international ticket office at the following train stations:
- Schiphol airport railway station, daily: 06.30 - 21.00
- Amsterdam Central Station, daily: 06.00 - 21.00
NS Hispeed lounges
Travelers with a 1st class seat reservation, are welcome in the NS Hispeed lounges. You can relax in these exclusive, fully equipped quiet areas while waiting for your (international) train to depart. You can find a lounge at Amsterdam Central station, Rotterdam Central station and Schiphol airport.
Eurail passes for the Netherlands
Global Pass
View pass prices
Select Pass
View pass prices
Regional Pass
Benelux = Belgium, the Netherlands & Luxembourg
Plan your Eurail trip
- Train timetables
Find train schedules and travel times. - Railway map
View the major train routes in Europe. - Train reservations
When and how to make reservations.
