The OV chipkaart is a card you use to travel by train, bus, tram and metro. You make contactless payments for each journey you make.
An OV chipkaart is a plastic card that allows you to use public transport. You hold the card against a reader at a post or gate when you get on board and get off. The correct price is calculated automatically. Travelling with an OV chipcard is often faster and easier than buying tickets.
There are two types of OV chipkaart. You can buy an anonymous card from a vending machine or shop. Anyone can use it. A personalised OV chipkaart is in your name and includes your passport photo. You can use this card for season tickets, or you can set up automatic balance loading. This is handy for daily commuting.
If you want to travel, you need to have a positive balance on your OV chipkaart. You can increase your balance at a special loading point, a vending machine or online. The costs of your journey are deducted from your balance when you check out. If you have a personalised OV chipkaart, you can opt for automatic loading. In that case, when your balance is low it will be increased automatically.
Besides an OV chipkaart, you can use your bank card, credit card or mobile phone to pay for your travel. This is called OVpay. It works in the same way as contactless payment in shops. When you check in and out, you hold your card or phone against a reader at a post or automated gate. The cost of your journey is automatically deducted from your bank account.
Many employers in the Netherlands help with the costs of commuting. You might get a commuting allowance or a season ticket on your personalised OV chipkaart. Many employers pay some or all of the costs of a season ticket.
If you forget to check out, you pay a fixed amount. This can be expensive. You can claim this money back through the OV chipkaart website or through the bus, tram, metro or train company. Make sure you do this as soon as possible so you can get your money back.
Yes. If you have an OV chipkaart you can travel all over the country by train, bus, tram and metro. It does not matter which company you travel with. However, you must always check in and out with the right company to make sure you pay the right amount for your journey.
This is often a good deal for you. If you have a season ticket on your personalised OV chipkaart, you get unlimited travel on a fixed route or at specific times. Many employers pay some or all of the costs of a season ticket. Ask about this and find out what applies to you.
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