As of when can I book train tickets?
At NS International, you can book train tickets between 4 to 11 months before the departure date. The sales period varies by carrier.
Every year, on the second Sunday of December, a new schedule is released. This affects the sales period.
| Carrier | Sales period | Extra information | Header | Header |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eurocity Direct and EuroCity | up to 364 days max | From Aug 364 days | Content | Content |
| Eurostar Belgium/France | up to 360 days | Content | Content | |
| Eurostar London | tot maximaal 360 days | Lowest rate on sale 4 to 5 months in advance | Content | Content |
| ICE | from 60 tot 364 days | From mid-October 12 months | Content | Content |
| Night train ÖBB and SBB | 180 days | From mid-September 180 days | Content | Content |
| TGV | 3 - 6 months | Depending on the route | Content | Content |
Book early and save money
The earlier you book, the lower the price. There are two exceptions to this rule:
- Supersparpreis Europa, tickets to Germany: this is the lowest fare. On travel days when railway works are scheduled, these cheap tickets go on sale later. The reason is that they cannot be cancelled or changed later. As soon as the works are processed in the planner, you can also book this cheapest fare.
- Eurostar, train between Amsterdam and London and Paris: tickets go on sale about 360 days in advance. The lowest fare to London, € 88 return, can be purchased around 4 to 5 months before the travel date. You can buy the cheapest tickets to Paris between 3 and 10 months before departure.
Get an email alert
Want to be notified when you can book a ticket to your destination on a certain date? Then request an email alert. Click on your desired travel date in the calendar and enter your email address. You will receive an email once you can book this trip on that date.
Please note: We will send you an email once you are able to book your entire journey. If you request a journey from Utrecht to London, you can book the section from Rotterdam to London before booking the NS section from Utrecht to Rotterdam. We will let you know once the Utrecht to Rotterdam section is also available for booking.
Extra information
Eurocity Direct en EuroCity can be bought up to 11 months in advance. How is that?
The period of TGV depends on the route. How is that exactly?
Usually, you can book TGV trains 3 to 4 months in advance. But regularly an entire period goes on sale at once. Your best choice is to check the calendar for the destination of your choice.
But if you want more background information here is an example: TGV trains are divided into two groups. Each group has a different sales period.
| TGV | Period | Header | Header | Header |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TGV within France, TGV from Brussels to France, TGV from Paris to Luxembourg and Freiburg. | Sales will open in March for the period until September, May for the period until early November. Sales will start in early July for travel until mid-December. | Content | Content | Content |
| TGV from France to Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Spain. | Sales will open in mid-January for the period until early September. Sales will start in early July for travel until mid-December. | Content | Content | Content |
