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Tips on using public transportation in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a small and densely populated country with an excellent public transport system. Wherever you want to go in the Netherlands, you can get there easily and in comfort by train, bus, tram, ferry, etc. Leiden is easy to reach by public transport. Trains from all directions (including directly from Amsterdam and The Hague) stop at Leiden Central Station, and the city centre is just a short walk from the station. The region boasts an excellent network of buses, and there is a frequent service from the station which will take you to every corner of the city and to neighbouring towns.  

OV-chipcard

An OV-chipkaart is a transportation card that can be used on all different forms of public transportation. 

  • Anonymous OV-chipcards can be bought at Tourist Information booths, supermarkets, Bruna, train stations, and at the service desks of OV companies. Anonymous OV-chipcards need to be charged manually by machines that can be found at supermarkets and public transport stations.
  • Personalised OV-chipcards need to be purchased online. These cards can be directly linked to your bank account. It is important to note that you can be fined for travelling with another person's personalized OV-chipcard. 
Buy an OV-chipcard here

OV-Pass

In November 2025, Translink announced its transition from OV-Chipcard to OV-Pass. You can still use a chipcard during the transition period that will end with the discontinuation of the OV-Chipcard by the end of 2027.

Main differences between OV-Chipcard and OV-Pass:

  • Your data is no longer stored on your card, but in a secure online database. Meaning you no longer need to go to the NS ticket machine to top up your card 
  • You can check the information about your expenses, journeys, and subscriptions in your OVpay account either in the app or on the website
  • Unlike the OV-Chipcard, the OV-pass can hold multiple subscription simultaneously on the same account
  • Use this Travel Guide to find the best option for you
Find more information about OV-Pass here
Buses in Leiden

If you forgot to check out, you can request a refund online (only for the personalized version) . Before using your OV-chipcard for a train for the first time, you need to use a machine at a train station to set up whether you will be traveling first or second class for all your future train journeys. The number one or two (representing first or second class) is printed on the outside of a train cabin, so make sure you are traveling in the correct cabin. It is important to note that traveling without paying a travel fee through using an OV-chipcard or buying a ticket is illegal, and passengers are constantly checked on this. You can be fined heavily for using public transportation without paying.  

Check-in with your bank card

Starting Tuesday January 31st 2023 travelers can check in from anywhere in Netherlands with their bank card (debit- and creditcard) or phone when travelling with the NS. An OV-chipcard is not necessary anymore. 

Transfer between transportation

Sometimes, in order to get to a specific location, you will need to transfer from one form of transportation to another. A practical site where you can plan your travel by public transport is 9292 (there is also an app). 9292 tells you what the fastest travel route is, what specific transportation you should use (train, bus, tram, etc.), the number and time of the transport, and whether a stop over is necessary. You can also check the price of your planned journey on 9292.

Go to 9292

More transportation:

If you are planning on doing a trip from Leiden to another city in the Netherlands, you have the option of taking a Sprinter train for short distances or taking an Intercity train for longer distances. To plan your trip and buy a ticket online, you can use the The Dutch National Railways (Nationale Spoorwegen – NS) website. You can also download the NS App on your mobile phone.

If you are planning a trip from Leiden to the city of Amsterdam, there are various modes of transportation within Amsterdam, including metros, buses, trams and ferries. To plan your trip, you can visit the GVB website at gvb.nl.   

 

Leiden Area Bus Companies  
 

  • Qbuzz - customer service 0900-0107 (local phone rate applies)  
  • Rnet - customer service 0800-0232545 (local phone rate applies)   

The Leiden Tourist information (VVV) has a Qbuzz service point where you can buy subscriptions and ask questions. 

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