OV-chipkaart
Photo: Moeerd, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The OV-chipkaart is a contactless smart card system used for all public transport in the Netherlands. The OV-chipkaart is available in a disposable, single-use form (for occasional passengers, such as tourists) and reusable versions (for frequent travellers, either in anonymous or personalised forms) with a stored balance.
OV-chipkaart is short for openbaar vervoer chipkaart, meaning public transportation chipcard.
OV-Chipkaart is being phased outFor many years, an OV-chipkaart provided the only way to pay transportation fees in the country. However, as of June 2023, fees may be paid by using a (contactless) credit or debit card (dubbed OVpay).
Types of cardsThe OV-chipkaart comes in three versions:
RestrictionsWhilst the OV-Chipkaart can be used for most railway operators and local public transport operators in the country, they may not be used to pay for fares on services by the following operators:
Buying and reloadingAnonymous cards and appropriate disposable cards are obtainable at ticket machines on train stations and the Amsterdam (GVB) and Rotterdam (RET) metro.
Minimum and Maximum balancesFor train travel with an anonymous or personal OV-chipkaart, you must check in before entering the train station or platform, and check out as you leave the platform or station at your destination.
Checking in and out, and faresThe OV-chipkaart must be held against a card reader both at the beginning and end of your journey in order to check in and out.
Unused creditIt is always possible to get a refund of unused credit on anonymous and personal cards, but the procedure depends on the validity of your card.
Other payment methodsThe OV-chipkaart is not the only payment system for public transport in The Netherlands.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "OV-chipkaart" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Moeerd, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons