OVpay. The new way of checking in and out (2024)

FAQs

OVpay. The new way of checking in and out? ›

Simply hold your card or phone to the card reader and you're all checked in. Make sure you always use the same device or contactless card to check in and out – this will help you pay the right fare. For example, don't check in with a phone and check out with a smartwatch or contactless card.

How OVpay works. Simply hold your contactless debit or credit card, or mobile up to the card reader or gate and – beep! – you've checked in. When you arrive at your destination, check out the same way.

OVpay is a convenient way to check in and out of OV using your bank card. It works just like an OV-chipkaart (public transport chip card). You check in when you board the tram, bus, metro or train and check out when you reach your destination. This does not require advance notice or downloading a separate app.

Your trips will be settled at the bank linked to your debit or credit card. You will see the cost of your travel as a single amount on your bank statement a day later. How much does my trip cost with OVpay? Travelling with OVpay costs the same as travelling with OV-chipcard at full fare.

For visitors to the Netherlands, OVpay is the best way to check in and out when travelling by public transport. You only need your debit or credit card to easily travel throughout the country by train, tram, bus or metro.

- If you've checked in on the bus, tram or subway and you've forgotten to check out, a standard (full) fee of € 4,00 is charged from the Chip Card. - When checked in on the train and you've forgotten to check out, a standard (full) fee of € 20,00 is charged from the Chip Card.

Forgotten to check out with your debit card

You can do this as follows: Go to your travel overview on OVpay.nl. Look up your trip with your NLOV reference number and the amount debited. Fill in the missing end station.

The Netherlands is a very modern country. You can pay with cash or a debit card, and often with your phone via NFC, Apple Pay, or Google Wallet. Not to mention the latest phenomenon, 'Tikkie', which is also being used more and more.

If you've ever been to the Netherlands, you may have noticed that many stores have a "PIN-only" sign. This sign indicates that only payments from a PIN debit card, usually from a Dutch bank, are accepted.

Simply hold your card or phone to the card reader and you're all checked in. Make sure you always use the same device or contactless card to check in and out – this will help you pay the right fare.

What is the best card to use in the Netherlands? ›

Most retailers in the Netherlands only accept a “chip and pin” card and will not accept a standard U.S. credit card containing only a magnetic strip. ATM and credit card users are advised to keep an eye on their cards at all times. If you feel uncomfortable using your card for any reason, use cash.

A contactless debit or credit card from Maestro, V-pay, Mastercard or Visa. Mobile phone* to which your account is linked. So this also works with Apple Pay and Google Wallet!

OVpay gradually being rolled out across the Netherlands

While travellers will still be able to use their OV-chipkaart to travel, the idea behind OVpay is that it will be easier for those without the Dutch public transport card (i.e. tourists and new arrivals) to travel in the Netherlands.

Ticket office

Large stations have ticket offices where you can buy train tickets. The staff is also able to help you with providing you with travel information. You can pay by cash (coins and banknotes), Maestro, and usually also by credit card.

Six days after your journey, visit the OVpay website to adjust this amount. Fill in the reference number for the debit and select the station at which you were unable to check out. Any excess amount paid will be refunded to your bank account after a few days or offset against any travel costs you still had to pay for.

Paying for a hotel with a debit card

Many hotels accept debit cards when you book or check in, but they may request a security deposit.

In your account overview, you will find a reference number starting with NLOV followed by 14 digits and letters. Enter this number, along with the debited amount, on the OVpay website to get a summary of your journey and the fares charged. You can also check your journey details in the OVpay app.

Yes, checking in and out with your contactless debit or credit card is cheaper than buying a regular ticket from the bus driver. The price for your trip is the same as when you travel with your OV-chipkaart without a discount or season ticket.

Travelling with your e-ticket

You can easily use your e-ticket to open the gates. Keep the e-ticket until you reach the exit at your destination station - you may also need it to open the gates there. Step 1: Go to a gate and open your e-ticket in the NS app, or use a printed version of the e-ticket.