Holiday timetable: here’s how Dutch public transport runs over Christmas and New Year’s 

With Christmas holidays officially underway, the NS (Nederlandse Spoorwagen) needs a break too. 

Beginning today (December 22) through to January 2, the NS is operating on a holiday timetable.

According to the NOS, fewer trains will run during peak hours. In other words, we recommend double-checking your route on the NS app before you leave.

Fewer trains for fewer people 

Working through the holiday season? You have our sympathies! Since schools and offices are closed, train services are reduced. 

On both Christmas days (December 25 and 26), trains will run on a Sunday schedule. 

There will be fewer bus, tram, and metro services too.  

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The NS clocks out early on NYE 

Counting on public transport to bring you home after a serious NYE party? There’s a very slim chance.

On December 31, most public transport will stop at 8 PM, but if you are travelling between Haarlem, Amsterdam, and Zaandam, you could catch NS night trains that begin at 1 AM.

As for the rest of us? Here’s how it’ll work this NYE…

• There will be limited night buses.
• Trains to and from Schiphol Airport, however, will continue running until 10 PM.
• Meanwhile, the metro in Rotterdam will be running all night. Even better, RET has confirmed that travel on the metro will be free on New Year’s Eve! 

A slow start on New Year’s Day

On the first day of 2026, the NS resumes services at around 10 AM. Your ticket checker might be hungover, so make sure not to be too grouchy.

However, the NS also knows the holidays will stop, and work will begin. So, some intercity routes, including Utrecht, Eindhoven, Arnhem, Amersfoort, and Zwolle will start running earlier.

Sprinters to Schiphol will also depart from cities like The Hague, Alkmaar, and Hoorn from 6 AM.

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