We’re not surprised, we’re just disappointed. The NS has announced that from January 1, 2027, the price of the average ticket and most subscriptions will rise by 4.7%.
Why? Mostly, the same reason why your grocery bill is also getting higher: inflation.
Time to add it all up
More specifically, the company explains that the rising costs are set to cover the expected inflation for 2027, the recalculated inflation for 2026, and a “catch-up” on the missed inflation from 2020 to 2023.
If only we could apply the same logic to our salaries.
In a press release, Daan Schut, responsible for fares on the NS Executive Board, also points out that the revenue will be used to buy new trains:
“We want everyone to be able to continue choosing the train and for travel in the Netherlands to remain affordable. At the same time, revenue from train tickets is needed to purchase new, comfortable trains, cover increased costs, and continue investing in good facilities.”
To add to the coffers, the HSL surcharge will also increase from €3.20 to €3.40, and the cost of renting an OV-bike will rise from €4.80 to €4.95.
Not everything is going up in price
The NS is quick to point out that not all tickets will be rising in price in 2027.
For one, parents can breathe a sigh of relief: Railrunner tickets for children aged 4 to 11 will remain the same price at €2.50. And the Kids Vrij subscription will also remain the same.
The Off-Peak Discount for young people aged 12-17 will also remain.
One way the NS is trying to give this a positive spin is by encouraging people to make use of Prijs Tijd Deals, which offer reduced ticket prices for quieter trains outside of rush hour.
Currently, people can benefit from a discount of up to 60%. In 2027, the NS will increase this to 80%.
But will it be enough to help our wallets? That’s the question.
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