Starting June 15, 2026, anyone in the Netherlands can travel unlimited by train during off-peak hours and weekends for just €49 per month.
If you’ve been walking or cycling everywhere because Dutch public transport feels too expensive, this new unlimited train pass likely comes as a welcome relief.
The government has officially greenlit a temporary discounted train subscription called the Nederland Dal Vrij Trein (Netherlands Off-Peak Free Train), set to launch on Monday, June 15.
Here’s exactly how the Nederland Dal Vrij Trein works and how to get tickets.
What is the Nederland Dal Vrij Trein, and how much does it cost?
For just €49 per month, you get unlimited second-class travel on all domestic trains during off-peak hours and on weekends.
While that figure may seem steep upfront, let’s put it into perspective. The NS’s existing equivalent subscription, the NS Flex Dal Vrij, costs €127.95 per month. This temporary version is essentially the same product, at more than 60% off.
Good to know: If you’re already an NS Flex Dal Vrij subscriber, a temporarily reduced price applies to your existing subscription automatically, so you don’t need to do anything extra.
When can you travel with it?
The pass covers off-peak hours on weekdays, as well as the full weekend.
In the Netherlands, off-peak hours typically refer to any time outside the two rush-hour windows on weekdays:
- from 06:30 to 09 AM,
- and from 4 PM to 6:30 PM.
Everything else, including all evenings, early mornings, and weekends, is off-peak time.
How do you sign up for the train?
You can purchase the subscription from June 15 through two channels:
- NS ticket machines at stations,
- and the NS webshop.
If you do purchase from an NS ticket machine, it’s worth noting that you’ll need a valid personal OV-chipkaart or OV-pas.
For tourists or those who travel infrequently, the subscription can be cancelled monthly, so you’re not locked in for the whole summer. However, the last date to purchase your monthly subscription is July 31, 2026 — so it’s best not to leave things too late.
How long does the off-peak train run?
Tickets for the Nederland Dal Vrij Trein are valid from June 15 up to and including August 31, 2026.
That’s the full Dutch summer holiday window, or roughly 11 weeks of cheaper train travel.
Why is the Dutch government doing this?
This scheme is part of the Dutch government’s push to make public transport more affordable, largely in response to rising fuel and energy prices.
State Secretary of Public Transport and Rail, Annet Bertram, dubbed it a “wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with the train and leave the car at home for a change.”
“Especially in these times of high fuel prices,” she stresses. “This is how we are working towards affordable public transport.”
Will more affordable Dutch tickets encourage you to take the train more often? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
