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Question

NS dal vrij to border

  • September 28, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 57 views

Is it possible to use NS flex dal vrij within the Netherlands, and interrail from the border of the Netherlands into Germany or Belgium?

I see this was discussed on the blog 3+ years ago, but the NSI pages have since changed. I have dal vrij, have been instructed by NSI that I need to purchase an intl ticket with 100% korting for every time I want to leave the country (which of course does not make sense, as then I only pay for the foreign part of the trip where the interrail pass is actually valid)?

Is there any documentation or proof that one does not need to check in, or any way to approach this situation?

Thanks very much.

3 replies

Railmaster
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  • rvdborgt
  • Railmaster
  • September 28, 2026

The rules haven't changed.

Dal Vrij (or any network subscription) is valid until the border indeed (*). If you have Dal Vrij until the border and Interrail from the border, then you don't need any extra ticket. NS don't "sell” €0 tickets.

(*) This doesn't work for Eurostar, ECD (Dal Vrij only valid to Rotterdam) or NightJet.

Standard practice for international journeys is that you don't check in or out anywhere, not even for connecting domestic trains:

https://www.nsinternational.com/nl/tickets/ns-abonnement-en-internationaal-reizen

NSI seem to have removed a number of FAQ pages. Fortunately, the web archive doesn't forget. This page is also quite helpful:

https://web.archive.org/web/20250622091800/https://support.nsinternational.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9043

It makes clear that you don't need to check in or our when you have tickets or passes that cover your entire journey. To open any gates in the Netherlands, you can use the Interrail barcode. As proof that you don't need to check in, you need to be able to show the ticket from the border, which is your Interrail.

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
  • alexw214
  • Author
  • Rail rookie
  • September 28, 2026

Thanks for the feedback. Should it state this anywhere in the NS T&Cs? I am just a bit concerned about how to resolve this in the case of disputing a fine, given that NS has taken this down from their website. It makes the journey quite stressful. Input or experience greatly appreciated.

Railmaster
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  • rvdborgt
  • Railmaster
  • September 28, 2026

The validity of the Dal Vrij is defined in the T&Cs: the whole Dutch network, which is until the border.

In addition, the first page in fact already says that you should not check in or out anywhere (final bullet point). In some cases, you should indeed not do that, or you will pay too much, since for international journeys, Dal Vrij is also valid on weekdays during the afternoon rush hour, as you can see on the same page.

If a ticket inspector doesn't agree, then do not pay anything in the train and accept a UVB, so you don't have to run after your money. Customer service is easy enough to deal with.

Also note that you'll have to enter a manual journey from/to the border in the app, and you have to indicate that the border is in Belgium/Germany to prevent the app from using an in/outbound.

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
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