Netherlands on a budget – Use the off peak Railway Discount Pass

If you are planning a short trip from Rotterdam to other cities in the Netherlands, one of the best ways is to use the train. Traveling by train in the Netherlands is a little expensive even if you travel in the second class.  However, NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen), the national railway company in the Netherlands, provides an off-peak railway discount pass that reduces the ticket price to 60% of the original cost.

Also known as the  ”voordeelurenabonnement“, this discount pass costs  €55 and is valid for one full year. If you plan around 2-3 trips to the neighboring cities with your partner/family, this card will pay for itself.

The discount pass has the following advantages :

• It offers flat 40% discount on the train fare, not only for yourself but also for three other passengers traveling with you.
• The discount applies on all train fares -  single, day travel, day return and weekend return; both on first and second class journeys.
• The discount is valid only if you are traveling after 9.00 am on week days.
• However, on all week ends, national holidays and in the two months of July and August, you get the 40% off all day!

The pass is available at the NS train station in Rotterdam. You simply need to fill up a form, attach a recent passport size photograph and submit it at the counter. A temporary discount pass will be issued to you immediately. In case you are staying in Rotterdam for longer, you can have the  permanent discount card mailed to you on your address.

[Photo Cerdit - Matthew Black]