The OV-chipcard

To travel by Dutch public transport you need an OV-chipcard. You can buy a personalized, anonymous or disposable OV-chipcard. The first two cost EUR 7,50 and are valid for five years. The disposable card has a set price and cannot be recharged. If you are in Holland for a limited period of time, the disposable OV-chipcard is the best option. You can buy one at any station vending machine.

Check In, Check Out

Every train station has several readers where you have to scan your OV-chipcard before starting your journey. Buses, trams and subways have a reader on board. As you hold your card against the reader, a sound and light will indicate that your card has been read. The reader will also warn you when your OV-chipcard doesn’t have the minimal credit needed to be allowed to board.

At the end of your journey, you have to check out by holding your card up to the reader once more. The sound and light signal once again indicate that your card has been read. Checking in and out is required when you transfer from any one form of transport to another, except when you transfer from one train to another.