Brace yourselves, train travellers: Dutch train tickets are set to become noticeably pricier again in 2026. 💸
After years of delayed hikes and government bailouts, an expected fare increase for NS tickets is now back on track.
According to the NOS, NS passengers can expect a fare increase of between 6% and 9% in 2026. The exact figure? We’ll find out in the autumn.
Inflation strikes back
Train fares in the Netherlands are tied to inflation, and with recent inflation through the roof, increases were inevitable.
A 6.5% increase planned for 2024 was pushed back after Parliament found €120 million to cover it.
Then, in early 2025, another sharp rise of over 11% was reduced to just 6% thanks to last-minute funding from both the government and NS.
But those fixes were only temporary. Each delay kicked the problem further down the track, and now the bill has arrived. 😬
A smaller increase than initially planned
The initial proposal was for fares to increase by 12% in 2026.
The slight drop in the planned increase comes after NS agreed to cut costs by maintaining trains more efficiently and scrapping the youth day pass.
However, 9% is still a hefty bump for commuters already paying plenty. 💸
The NS had hoped for some extra funding from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, but, as the carrier said in a press release, “Unfortunately, the cabinet has not opted for that.”
In a letter to parliament, Outgoing State Secretary Thierry Aartsen says “We’ve done everything we can to limit price increases for travellers. But we also have to be honest: everything is getting more expensive, and financial resources are limited.”
No more fare games
One reason the ministry is moving forward with the increase is to restore stability. “The cabinet does not consider it desirable to have this discussion every year,” Aartsen says in the letter. “Both passengers and NS are entitled to structural clarity.”
But not everyone’s on board. Freek Bos, director of the Rover Passenger Association, calls the hike “unjustifiable” in a press release.
He warns, ”More expensive tickets mean another step towards fewer passengers for public transport as a whole.”
Is this a step toward long-term stability or just another way to squeeze commuters? Drop your take in the comments — we’re all ears.🧐
