Because we want to provide you with the best possible information about your international train tickets, we have made a list of the various fare types and the respective fare conditions for you.
There are two types of international train tickets: those for trains that require a reservation, and those that do not.
High-speed trains, such as the Thalys and TGV, generally require that passengers reserve a seat, and the tickets are only valid for the specific train, date and class booked, unless otherwise stated in the fare conditions.
International tickets for trains that do not require a reservation, such as the Intercity and local trains, are limited to a specific route, but not to a specific departure time or train, unless otherwise stated in the fare conditions. These international train tickets are valid for a maximum of one day and the validity period is specified on the ticket.
If you have reserved a seat, we ask that you be seated in your reserved seat within 15 minutes of boarding the train. If you do not do so, the Train Manager may give your seat to another passenger.
A Mobile Ticket is a ticket that you can save in the NS International App and display on the screen of your smartphone. If you book a Mobile Ticket for a journey starting at your departure station, then you do not need to check in and out. If you need to pass through access gates or show your ticket, simply use the Mobile Ticket barcode on your smartphone screen. You will receive an e-mail confirmation with a link to the Mobile Subject to alterations Ticket. Opening this link on your smartphone will automatically download and save the Mobile Ticket in the NS International App under ‘My Bookings’. Mobile Tickets are subject to the standard fare conditions.
Homeprint tickets must be printed on A4 paper before you begin your journey. You will receive an e-mail confirmation of your homeprint booking, which also includes a button that lets you print your homeprint ticket.
The following rules apply:
You can book your Thalys ticketless journey via NSInternational.nl, NS International Customer Service, the NS International service desk in the service shop, or via your travel agent. The following supplemental terms and conditions apply to ticketless travel with My Thalys World:
More information about My Thalys World
The flexible rates for Thalys service are subject to fairly lenient conditions for exchanges and refunds. As a result, some travellers do not feel a need to cancel their tickets prior to departure. In order to fill seats left empty by ‘no-show’ passengers, you may be offered an overbook ticket if your requested train is fully booked. An overbook ticket is a reservation without a seat assignment. In consultation with the Train Managers, you may be seated in an unoccupied seat, or if none are available, on one of the folding seats at the front and rear of the train. These tickets can be recognised by the notification ‘No seating reservation’.
If you have purchased a ticket, but were prevented from travelling shortly before the departure time, you may be able to request a refund via your original sales point under certain conditions. You can find out which conditions apply to your ticket in the fare tables on this page.
Refunds for partially unused tickets doesn't apply to Mobile/homeprint Tickets. Other tickets may be sent to the NS International Customer Service, P.O. Box 2552, 3500 GN Utrecht, up to two months after the start date on the ticket. The ticket must be stamped by authorised railway personnel or accompanied by documents, such as proof of alternative travel. Cost: €15 minimum per ticket.
To most destinations in Belgium and Luxembourg it is possible to take a bicycle in the regular trains. One-way bicycle tickets are €12 and return tickets are € 24.
For the Intercity Brussels, a maximum limit of 4 bicycles per train applies (bicycle spots cannot be reserved).
Bicycles may only be brought aboard Thalys trains if both wheels have been removed and if the bicycle is transported in a special bicycle cover (max. 135 x 85 x 30 cm). Folding bicycles are permitted if they are folded up and transported in a cover.
More information about travelling with a bicycle
You can also call the NS International Customer Service on 030 – 230 00 23 or visit the NS International service desk in the service shop at most major stations.
It is always a good idea to take out a travel insurance policy when you travel. Travel insurance provides you with security in the event that you need medical assistance, are involved in an accident or lose your luggage.
Certain types of fares are subject to high cancellation fees. It is therefore recommended that you purchase cancellation insurance in advance.
Each train type has different facilities for transporting luggage. Travellers are required to label their luggage with their first and last name when they are travelling by train to France.
More information about travelling with luggage
Passengers may bring their pet with them in the train when travelling to certain European countries, subject to strict conditions. Your veterinarian can inform you about the documents necessary for travelling with your pet.
More information about travelling with pets
Under certain circumstances, travellers may be eligible for compensation in the event that their international train experiences a delay. One of these conditions is that the delay must involve a cross-border route. The compensation is calculated based on the price of a single ticket, including surcharges, but excluding booking fees or transaction fees. Compensation is usually paid out in the form of a debit to the traveller’s bank account. Compensation requests can be sent to the railway company from which you purchased your ticket, or one of the carriers involved in your international journey.If you purchased your ticket from NS International, you must submit a compensation request within three months of your journey.
More information about compensation for delays
You can find travel tips, advice before you leave,up-to-the-minute information, information about planned works, the international Travel Planner and information about discount fares. For more information, please contact us in our online chat, call the NS International Customer Service on 030 – 230 00 23 or visit the NS International service desk in the service shop at most major stations.
The transport contracts between the traveller and the carrier(s) are subject to the relevant carrier’s general and special terms and conditions. Several carriers may be part to the transport contracts referred to in the previous section, and your journey may consist of several separate transport contracts, even if you are using a single ticket. Please refer to NSinternational.nl/en/terms-andconditions or the point of sale for more information. A copy of the terms and conditions can be provided at no extra charge upon request. Transport contracts entered into with the carriers NS International B.V. or HSA Beheer N.V. (which trade under the brand name NS International) are solely applicable to transport using high-speed trains or cross-border trains. In the event of a transfer to or from said trains, a contract with another carrier may go into effect. The following regulations and conditions apply to the transport contracts referred to in the previous section: EU Directive on Travellers’ Rights, the General Terms and Conditions of NS International, the applicable Train Type Conditions, and the specific Fare Conditions.
| Fare types | Fare conditions | Exchange | Refund | Header |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flex fare (including RAILPLUS and children) | This fare can be combined with your NS season ticket. Different discounts and off-peak hours apply. Please visit our website to find out more about the terms & conditions. | Tickets can be returned for a refund free of charge up to and including the day of departure. After this day, tickets can no longer be exchanged. | Tickets can be returned for a refund free of charge up to and including the day of departure. After this day, tickets can no longer be returned for a refund. NOTE: a 2-day refund delay applies to Homeprint and Mobile tickets. | Content |
| Early Bird | This fare can be booked up to 3 days before departure. This fare can be combined with your NS season ticket. Different discounts and off-peak hours apply. Please visit our website to find out more about the terms & conditions. | Tickets can be returned for a refund up to and including the day before departure for a € 5 administration fee. A 7-day advance reservation period also applies to the new travel date. Any difference in price will be settled. Tickets can no longer be returned for a refund starting from the departure date. | Tickets can be cancelled until the day before departure for a € 5 administration fee. After that, no refund is possible anymore. | Content |
| Fare types | Fare conditions | Exchange | Refund** | Header |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Premier (1st class) | None. Several fare rates can be purchased up to and including 2, 10, 20, 30, 55, 80, 100 or 130 days before the departure date. | Permitted free of charge before the scheduled departure of the train + any price difference with the best available fare.* | Not permitted. | Content |
| Standard (2nd class) | None. Several fare rates can be purchased up to and including 2, 10, 20, 30, 55, 80, 100 or 130 days before the departure date. | Permitted free of charge before the scheduled departure of the train + any price difference with the best available fare.* | Not permitted. | Content |
| Child (1st class) | Children aged 4 to 11 on the travel date, and children younger than 4 who will be travelling in their own seat. Several fare rates can be purchased up to and including 55 days before the departure date. | Permitted free of charge before the scheduled departure of the train + any price difference with the best available fare.* | Not permitted. | |
| Child (2nd class) | Children aged 4 to 11 on the travel date, and children younger than 4 who will be travelling in their own seat. Several fare rates can be purchased up to and including 55 days before the departure date. | Permitted free of charge before the scheduled departure of the train + any price difference with the best available fare.* | Not permitted. | Content |
| Rail Pass | Holders of a valid (and validated) Interrail Global Pass, Eurail Global Pass, Interrail BeNeLux Pass or Eurail BeNeLux Pass. The pass must be validated for the day of the journey. Only 1st-class pass holders are permitted to travel in ‘Standard Premier’. |
Permitted once before the train departs. Exchange fee: €10 per person per single ticket in ‘Standard Premier’ and €5 per person per single ticket in ‘Standard’.* | Not permitted. | Content |
| Wheelchair (1st class) | Intended for wheelchair passengers, who are unable to walk independently for 200 meters (no proof of disability required). They must remain seated in the wheelchair for the duration of the journey. | Permitted before the scheduled departure of the train, if the ticket is unused. Exchange fee: €40 per person and per single ticket + any price difference with the best available fare.* | Not permitted. | Content |
| Companion (1st and 2nd class) | Intended for the travelling companion of a wheelchair passenger, or visually or otherwise physically or mentally impaired passenger needing assistance. Each impaired passenger may travel with no more than 1 companion. Companions of a wheelchair passenger up to the age of 16 must be at least 16 years of age on the travel date. | Permitted before the scheduled departure of the train, if the ticket is unused. Exchange fee: €40 per person and per single ticket + any price difference with the best available fare.* | Not permitted. | Content |
*) If the new ticket costs less than the original ticket, the price difference will not be refunded.
**) No refunds will be granted for partially unused tickets.
| Fare types | Fare conditions | Exchange | Refund* | Header |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | None. For Thalys TheCard Gold/Platinum holders, this fare is also valid on one train before and after the train booked (without seat and catering reservations). For Thalys TheCard Platinum+ holders, this fare is valid on all trains on the same travel day and in the same travel direction (without seat and catering reservations). | You can change your ticket free of charge to another travel date or time up to 1 hour after the train's departure. A possible price difference between the old and the new ticket will be settled with you. Changes are no longer possible, after this time. | You can cancel your ticket free of charge up to 1 hour after the train's departure. A refund is not possible after this time. | Content |
| Comfort | None. For Thalys TheCard Gold/Platinum holders, this fare is also valid on one train before and after the train booked (without seat and catering reservations). For Thalys TheCard Platinum+ holders, this fare is valid on all trains on the same travel day and in the same travel direction (without seat and catering reservations). | You can change your ticket to another travel date or time free of charge 7 or more days prior to the train's departure. 6 or less days prior to the train's departure it will cost € 15. Any price difference between the old and the new ticket will be settled with you. | You can cancel your ticket free of charge 7 or more days prior to the train's departure. There is no refund 6 or less days before departure. | Content |
| Standard | None. For Thalys TheCard Gold/Platinum holders, this fare is also valid on one train before and after the train booked (without seat and catering reservations). For Thalys TheCard Platinum+ holders, this fare is valid on all trains on the same travel day and in the same travel direction (without seat and catering reservations). | You can change your ticket to another travel date or time free of charge 7 or more days prior to the train's departure. 6 or less days prior to the train's departure it will cost € 15. Any price difference between the old and the new ticket will be settled with you. | You can cancel your ticket free of charge 7 or more days prior to the train's departure. There is no refund 6 or less days before departure. | Content |
| Senior Premium | Travellers aged 60 years or older on the day of the journey, upon presentation of a valid proof of identity. | Permitted free of charge until the train’s scheduled departure time, as specified on the ticket. Any difference in price between the old and new ticket will be settled. | 100% refund until the train’s scheduled departure time, as specified on the ticket. 50% refund for up to 2 months after the departure date. | Content |
| Senior Comfort | Travellers aged 60 years or older on the day of the journey, upon presentation of a valid proof of identity. | Permitted until the train’s scheduled departure time, as specified on the ticket. Exchange fee: €15 per person and per single ticket. Any difference in price between the old and new ticket will be settled. | 50% refund until the train’s scheduled departure time, as specified on the ticket. No refunds will be granted after the departure time. | Content |
| Senior Standard | Travellers aged 60 years or older on the day of the journey, upon presentation of a valid proof of identity. | Permitted until the train’s scheduled departure time, as specified on the ticket. Exchange fee: €15 per person and per single ticket. Any difference in price between the old and new ticket will be settled. | 50% refund until the train’s scheduled departure time, as specified on the ticket. No refunds will be granted after the departure time. | Content |
| Youth Premium | Travellers aged 12 to 25 on the day of the journey, upon presentation of valid identification. | Permitted free of charge until the train’s scheduled departure time, as specified on the ticket. Any difference in price between the old and new ticket will be settled. | 100% refund until the train’s scheduled departure time, as specified on the ticket. 50% refund for up to 2 months after the departure date. | Content |
| Youth Comfort | Travellers aged 12 to 25 on the day of the journey, upon presentation of valid identification. | Permitted until the train’s scheduled departure time, as specified on the ticket. Exchange fee: €15 per person and per single ticket. Any difference in price between the old and new ticket will be settled. | 50% refund until the train’s scheduled departure time, as specified on the ticket. No refunds will be granted after the departure time. | Content |
| Youth Standard | Travellers aged 12 to 25 on the day of the journey, upon presentation of valid identification. | Permitted until the train’s scheduled departure time, as specified on the ticket. Exchange fee: €15 per person and per single ticket. Any difference in price between the old and new ticket will be settled. | 50% refund until the train’s scheduled departure time, as specified on the ticket. No refunds will be granted after the departure time. | |
| Kid | Children aged 4 to 11 years, and children under 4 accompanied by an adult and who will be travelling in a seat of their own. | Permitted free of charge until the train’s scheduled departure time, as specified on the ticket. Any difference in price between the old and new ticket will be settled. | 100% refund until the train’s scheduled departure time, as specified on the ticket. 50% refund for up to 2 months after the departure date. | |
| Pass | For holders of a valid (and validated) pass that covers at least the country of departure and arrival: • Interrail (all passes) • Eurail (all passes) This fare may also be used by Interrail Global Pass holders, if part of the Thalys journey takes place within the pass holder’s country of residence. The pass must be validated prior to the day of the journey. Only holders of a 1st class pass are permitted to travel in 1st class Comfort, but not in 1st class Premium. |
1x permitted free of charge until the train’s scheduled departure time, as indicated on the ticket. Subject to fare availability. | 75% refund before the train’s scheduled departure time, and up to 2 months after the date of departure. | |
| Frequent Pass 1 and 2 | For holders of the Frequent Pass season ticket. For Thalys TheCard Gold/Platinum holders, this fare is also valid on one train before and after the train booked (without seat and catering reservations). For Thalys TheCard Platinum+ holders, this fare is valid on all trains on the same travel day and in the same travel direction (without seat and catering reservations). The fare Frequent Pass 2 can be booked up to 7 days before departure, if available. | Permitted free of charge until the train’s scheduled departure time, as specified on the ticket. Any difference in price between the old and new ticket will be settled. | 100% refund until the train’s scheduled departure time, as specified on the ticket. 50% refund for up to 2 months after the departure date. | |
| Companion | Travelling companion for a wheelchair passenger, upon presenting a Companion Pass or other documentation. | 1x permitted free of charge until the train’s scheduled departure time, as indicated on the ticket. | 100% refund until the train’s scheduled departure time, as specified on the ticket. 50% refund for up to 2 months after the departure date. | |
| Wheelchair | For wheelchair passengers. | 1x permitted free of charge until the train’s scheduled departure time, as indicated on the ticket. | 100% refund until the train’s scheduled departure time, as specified on the ticket. 50% refund for up to 2 months after the departure date. |