Trains in the Netherlands: your ticket will be checked Almost every time I take a train in the Netherlands, my OV card or ticket is checked. And nope, there are no exceptions made if you're a tourist and were confused about how the trains in the Netherlands work: you will be fined if you don't have a valid ticket.

In the Netherlands, ticket checks on trains and public transport are remarkably consistent but primarily automated via the OV-chipkaart or OVpay systems. Most major Dutch train stations (NS) are equipped with physical glass gates that require you to "check in" with a card, phone, or barcode to even reach the platform. However, once on the train, "mobile conductors" (Hoofdconducteur) frequently patrol the aisles with handheld scanners to verify that passengers have active check-ins. In 2026, the fine for "black riding" (traveling without a valid ticket) has increased, and those who forget to check out may also face a penalty fee of approximately €33.30. Whether you are using a paper ticket, a debit card, or the NS app, you should expect to have your credentials verified either by a gate or a person during nearly every journey.