Travelling with an OV-chipkaart

What is an OV-chipkaart?

The OV-chipkaart ("public transport chipcard") is the same size as a debit or credit card. With this card, you can pay for your journeys by public transport in the Netherlands. You can put a balance on the OV-chipkaart to pay for your journeys. This balance is an amount you can use to pay for your journeys. The price of your public transport ride is calculated by checking in at the beginning of the ride and checking out at the end.

Personal and anonymous OV-chipkaart

There are 2 types of OV-chipkaart:

• Personal OV-chipkaart

• Anonymous OV-chipkaart

Personal OV-chipkaart

The personal OV-chipkaart is registered in your name, and contains information such as your photo and your date of birth. That way, the conductor and driver know that this chipcard belongs to you.

You can put season tickets or discounts on your personal OV-chipkaart. You can also link your OV-chipkaart to a bank account, paying once a month for all of your journeys made.

Anonymous OV-chipkaart

There is no name on an anonymous OV-chipkaart. The anonymous chipcard is not tied to one person. This is useful, for example, if you like to have a shared OV-chipkaart at home, or if you prefer not to disclose your personal details. You may also lend this card to others. However, only one person is allowed to travel with an OV-chipkaart at a time.

Where can I buy an OV-chipkaart?

You can order an OV-chipkaart on the OV-chipkaart website. Anonymous chipcards can also be bought offline. For example, at a supermarket, at Bruna, Primera, AKO, or Readshop, or at the service desks of public transport operators such as NS, GVB, Arriva, and Connexxion. You can often find these service desks at the station.

Cost and validity

The personal and anonymous OV-chipkaart both cost €7.50 each. The card is valid for five years.

Top up the balance on your OV-chipkaart

To travel with your OV-chipkaart, there must be a balance (an amount of money) on your OV-chipkaart.

Minimum balance on your card

If you want to travel by train, there must be a minimum of €20 on your card. Are you travelling by bus? Then there must be a minimum of €4 on your card.

Ways to top up your balance

• Top-up machines – You will find these in many supermarkets, shops, and at train stations. Find a service point near you.

• Via the OV-chipkaart website – This can only be done with a personal OV-chipkaart (with a photo on it).

• Automatic top-up – This can only be done with a personal OV-chipkaart (with a photo on it). Read how that works here.

How to use your OV-chipkaart

Is there a balance on your OV-chipkaart? Then travelling with an OV-chipkaart is very simple.

Checking in and out with your card

Before or when getting on a vehicle, you check in by holding your OV-chipkaart against the card reader. Do not forget to check out when you arrive at your destination, or if you must transfer to another operator. Checking out is also done by holding your OV-chipkaart against the card reader. The fare for your journey will be calculated automatically.

More information about checking in and out on public transport.

Additional tips for travelling with an OV-chipkaart

• Insight into your journeys – Do you travel with a personal OV-chipkaart? You can see online exactly where you have been by public transport.

• Standard age discount – Did you know that seniors (65+) and children between 3 and 11 years old travel free on buses, trams, and the metro? For this, they only need a personal OV-chipkaart. The discount will be calculated automatically.

• Hire an OV-fiets (shared bike) with your OV-chipkaart – Use an OV-fiets, which is a shared bike that you can hire at certain pick-up points. For this, you put a free season ticket on your personal OV-chipkaart.

• Lost OV-chipkaart – Have you lost your personal OV-chipkaart? Then you can get back the money that was on the card.