NS Train Fares 2026: 6.5% Price Hike, Canceled Subscriptions & Higher Fines
UTRECHT – The Dutch Railways (NS) has officially announced its definitive tariff structure for 2026, and the changes will directly impact the wallets of millions of daily commuters and expats. Effective January 1, 2026, passengers will face an average price increase of 6.5% across most tickets and subscriptions. Furthermore, starting in February 2026, several popular discount subscriptions will be permanently discontinued. Here is the fact-checked breakdown of what you will pay to travel this year.
📋 Article Highlights
The Baseline: 6.5% Average Fare Increase
Following official publications from NS, the era of stable train fares has paused. As of January 1, 2026, the cost of traveling on the Dutch railway network will increase by an average of 6.5%. This applies to standard single tickets, return tickets, and the base rates for most ongoing subscriptions.
NS attributes this across-the-board hike to inflation, rising energy costs required to power the train network, and increased operational and maintenance expenses. For the average expat commuting daily between cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, or The Hague, this 6.5% increase will translate into hundreds of euros in additional travel costs annually.
Note for Business Travelers: If you travel using an NS Business Card provided by your employer, your company will absorb this base rate increase. However, if you receive a fixed monthly travel allowance (reiskostenvergoeding), you may need to renegotiate your allowance with your HR department, as the current tax-free mileage rate may no longer cover the actual cost of a train commute.
February 2026: Popular Subscriptions Canceled
Perhaps the most disruptive change for frequent travelers is the restructuring of the NS Flex subscription portfolio. In an effort to “simplify” its offerings, NS has officially pulled the plug on some of the most utilized discount packages.
Starting in February 2026, the following subscriptions will no longer be available for purchase:
- Weekend Voordeel: Previously popular among expats for weekend city trips, offering a 40% discount strictly from Friday evening to Sunday night.
- Altijd Voordeel: A staple for hybrid workers, which offered a 20% discount during rush hours and a 40% discount during off-peak hours.
- Instead of ‘Weekend Voordeel’: You must now purchase Dal Voordeel (approx. €6.35/month). This gives you the 40% weekend discount you want, but also includes weekday off-peak discounts, making it a broader (and slightly more expensive) package. If you travel heavily on weekends, Weekend Vrij (unlimited weekend travel for approx. €39.50/month) is the premium alternative.
- Instead of ‘Altijd Voordeel’: This is the painful part. There is no direct replacement for the 20% rush-hour discount. If you must travel during peak hours, you will now pay the full fare. If you travel frequently enough, you must calculate if a full Traject Vrij (fixed route) or Altijd Vrij (unlimited all network) makes financial sense.
What does this mean for current holders?
If you currently hold one of the canceled subscriptions, NS will officially communicate the phase-out process. Typically, legacy subscriptions are discontinued entirely upon the contract’s renewal date. Travelers relying on the 20% rush-hour discount of Altijd Voordeel will feel the financial impact the hardest.
Hidden Costs: The €33.30 Missed Check-Out Fine
Beyond ticket prices, NS is heavily adjusting its administrative and penalty fees for 2026. The most notable change is the “correction fee” for forgetting to check out at your destination.
If you use an OV-chipkaart or NS Flex and fail to scan your card at the exit gates or poles (vergeten uit te checken), the system automatically deducts a boarding fare. In 2026, this penalty fee has been raised to €33.30.
How to avoid losing money:
While the fee has increased, the process to reclaim it remains. If you genuinely forgot to check out, you can request a refund via the Uitcheckgemist.nl portal or your Mijn NS account. However, doing this frequently flags your account, so building the habit of checking out is more crucial than ever.
The Last Mile: OV-fiets Price Adjustments
The yellow-and-blue OV-fiets (public transport bicycle) is an essential part of the Dutch commute, solving the “last mile” problem from the train station to the office or home.
Alongside train fares, the rental fees for the OV-fiets are also seeing an upward adjustment in 2026. While the exact cent-by-cent breakdown varies depending on whether you keep the bike for 24 hours or longer, regular users should budget for this increase. The convenience of grabbing a bike at Amsterdam Zuid or Eindhoven Centraal will now command a slightly higher premium.
✅ CTA: Your 2026 Commuter Action Plan
Don’t let the 2026 fare hikes catch you off guard. Take these verified steps to protect your budget.
| Action Item | Explanation | Done? |
|---|---|---|
| Review Subscriptions | Check if you hold ‘Altijd Voordeel’ or ‘Weekend Voordeel’ before they are phased out in Feb 2026. | ⬜ |
| Talk to HR | If you get a fixed travel allowance, ask for an adjustment based on the 6.5% fare increase. | ⬜ |
| Set a Reminder | Always check out! Forgetting now costs €33.30 per incident. | ⬜ |
| Claim Missing Funds | Bookmark Uitcheckgemist.nl to recover your €33.30 if you make a mistake. | ⬜ |
🇳🇱 Dutch Learning Corner: Transit Fares
| Dutch Word | Pronunciation | Meaning in Context |
|---|---|---|
| 🎟️ Tarieven | Ta-ree-ven | Fares / Prices. |
| 📈 Prijsverhoging | Prijs-ver-ho-khing | Price increase (The 6.5% jump). |
| 💳 Abonnement | A-bon-ne-ment | Subscription (Like NS Flex). |
| ⚠️ Boete | Boo-te | Fine / Penalty. |
| ❌ Vergeten uit te checken | Ver-khey-ten out te check-en | Forgot to check out (Costs €33.30). |
📚 Verified Sources & Context
This article is strictly based on confirmed 2026 data.
- Official Announcements: NS Press Releases (nieuws.ns.nl) regarding the 6.5% fare increase.
- Subscription Changes: Official NS documentation on the phase-out of ‘Weekend Voordeel’ and ‘Altijd Voordeel’ by February 2026.
- Fines & Fees: Confirmed 2026 tariff tables for missed check-outs and OV-fiets rentals.
